Thaddeus73 said:

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2 Beef Fajita plates at the Alamo Cafe = $60...Now, I just order off of the ala carte menu, and simply don't eat as much....and that is good for the old waistline...

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Lost about 80 lbs over the last 18 months and kept it off (lost it in about 3 or 4 and have kept it off). 355-360 down to 275-280 at 6'6". Losing toes due to infection, exacerbated by diabeetus, will make you rethink **** .

Had the same thoughts. I think we've gone past circling the drain.

I'm curious if the $12 billion headed to farmers even makes a dent in food prices. Leaning towards no.

BigRobSA said:

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Thaddeus73 said:

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2 Beef Fajita plates at the Alamo Cafe = $60...Now, I just order off of the ala carte menu, and simply don't eat as much....and that is good for the old waistline...

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Lost about 80 lbs over the last 18 months and kept it off (lost it in about 3 or 4 and have kept it off). 355-360 down to 275-280 at 6'6". Losing toes due to infection, exacerbated by diabeetus, will make you rethink **** .

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NotAsBigRobSA

Why are restaurants struggling? Because everyone is getting a cut.
Credit card company: 3%
Insurance: thanks to the racket of health insurance companies suing businesses to cover bills if someone they cover falls.
Door dash /Uber eats: they control a good segment of the customer base. You have to play their game.
Property taxes: Over the top schools, athletic facilities, firefighter stations and city halls need to be paid for by somebody.
Sales tax
1-2 players in the food sourcing industry because the sharks swallowed everyone up

There are tricks you can use and still "eat out" but not at ridiculous prices. Texas Roadhouse has a family sirloin deal for $55 ($60 after tax) that gives you two 8 ounce sirloins and two 6 ounce sirloins, two large sides (we usually get mashed potatoes and steak fries) two large house salads (enough for 4-5 salads) and a dozen rolls.

For the 3 of us (our oldest son is at college) we can stretch that to 10 meals easily so that's $6 a meal, VERY reasonable and unlike Outback (which does suck now) their steaks are still really good. As long as you don't gorge yourself on the steak you can make it last.

One last tip, the steaks come medium (which I hate) so you have to go old school and call them up and order it medium-rare.

ETA - Obviously I'm talking about pick-up orders...don't pay for their overpriced cokes and beers.

MemphisAg1 said:

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I travel a lot for business.

Restaurants are packed, no matter where in the US you go.

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this, places are always full around Houston, I haven't seen anything change except that the clientele seems to more from south of the US

BigRobSA said:

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Thaddeus73 said:

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2 Beef Fajita plates at the Alamo Cafe = $60...Now, I just order off of the ala carte menu, and simply don't eat as much....and that is good for the old waistline...

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Lost about 80 lbs over the last 18 months and kept it off (lost it in about 3 or 4 and have kept it off). 355-360 down to 275-280 at 6'6". Losing toes due to infection, exacerbated by diabeetus, will make you rethink **** .

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NM...really bad joke.

A 30 pack is $20 where I live so I feel like I'm making money every time I have a beer.

These high prices have robbed people of the joy of eating out. Maybe it was destined to not last forever. All good times come to an end. I don't want to eat at places where I feel like I was robbed.

I am fascinated with the restaurant business though I have no experience in it. I like to watch shows on TV about it. I was also considering investing in it but then decided not too. Margins too thin.

I don't know how people eat out all of the time just because of the food itself. I have been on the road a lot the last six months for the first time in about eight years. I generally feel like **** at the end of the day eating two or three meals out. And that's not fast food. That'a eating at typical restaurants. It just makes me feel heavy and generally ****ty. Even if I order salads.

Everyone like to dog on Chipotle but for whatever reason that's a go to for me. It's an exception. I can eat a burrito, feel fine, and work for hours after

I need to know your secret, I love chipotle but after I need a nap and the next morning I need to be within 5 feet of a bathroom as soon as I wake up.

agsalaska said:

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I don't know how people eat out all of the time just because of the food itself. I have been on the road a lot the last six months for the first time in about eight years. I generally feel like **** at the end of the day eating two or three meals out. And that's not fast food. That'a eating at typical restaurants. It just makes me feel heavy and generally ****ty. Even if I order salads.

Everyone like to dog on Chipotle but for whatever reason that's a go to for me. It's an exception. I can eat a burrito, feel fine, and work for hours after

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I think Sysco has cornered the supply business of the food industry so a lot of times the food is the same stuff no matter where you go.

agsalaska said:

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I don't know how people eat out all of the time just because of the food itself. I have been on the road a lot the last six months for the first time in about eight years. I generally feel like **** at the end of the day eating two or three meals out. And that's not fast food. That'a eating at typical restaurants. It just makes me feel heavy and generally ****ty. Even if I order salads.

Everyone like to dog on Chipotle but for whatever reason that's a go to for me. It's an exception. I can eat a burrito, feel fine, and work for hours after

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I used to travel 2 weeks out of 4 a few years ago, and while I gorged on steaks, burgers, and foreign food, all awesome, I did put on a lot of weight. The company I worked for did not have any restriction on my spend (or they did not stop me anytime) and I had desserts, drinks everything. It was a great time but not a long term thing.

We have a daily spend but it's not a number I would ever reach and if I did it would be for a reason. I can actually try to eat good and it still has the same result. I think it's because at home we use little to no salt and raise/hunt/catch our own meat. The deli turkey meat we buy has no sodium added. So a hamburger at Cheddars or a steak at Longhorn is an entirely different thing. Even salads are different. You are right about it not being a good long term thing.

And I agree with the above poster who commented about Cisco. I didn't know that but believe it.

The guy who put the "s" in FAsT FOOD was a genius...

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Losing toes due to infection, exacerbated by diabeetus, will make you rethink **** .

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Yep. It took my old man losing a toe (they wanted to take his whole foot) for him finally to get religion and take diabetes seriously.

Hell, he even gave up the beer for good, never to drink alcohol again.

I worked closely with a big strapping man who came here from Mexico. His dad had lost both legs from diabetes, and his sister had gone completely blind. Knowing what had happened to my dad, I urged him to change his diet and his ways, but I couldn't overcome his fatalistic attitude.

Recently, after not seeing him for about 8 years, he came to see me. I didn't recognize him until he told me who he was, as he must have lost half his body weight and he looked pretty frail. He told me he'd gotten sick from untreated diabetes. Sad, sad stuff.

Crooked CEO of Cracker Barrel.
Looks like she decided to skimp on quality to make her bonus numbers. Wherever there is failure and degradation, follow the money trail, it will lead to a crooked greedy CEO. There needs to be some way to throw these people in jail for fraud.

After Cracker Barrel logo debacle, now customers are hating on the new menu
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/cracker-barrel-logo-rebrand-new-menu-b2881108.html

Cracker Barrel is still reeling from huge backlash to its disastrous rebrand effort earlier this year, which left the company's CEO feeling as though she had been 'fired by America'

Quote:

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Diners have slammed Cracker Barrel's new menu, just months after the brand launched a botched rebrand effort, which saw it lose $94 million in a single day.

Regulars revealed that they are unhappy with changes made behind the scenes, too, including the brand making its cookies in batches instead of rolling out the dough to meet the demand.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the brand has also opted to use ovens to prepare its green beans and sides instead of stovetop kettles and even reheats food when needed.

"I want pure syrup on pancakes, not that watered down junk," Craig Watkins, 73, told WSJ.

Cracker Barrel's new menus have been slammed by diners for being 'watered down junk'

The dissatisfied diner told the newspaper that he has started bringing his own maple syrup to the restaurant and urged the franchise to bring back some of its classic dishes.

According to the WSJ, Cracker Barrel says it is ramping up its efforts to deliver high-quality food and that iconic meals, including Uncle Herschel's Favorite Breakfast, have been added back to its menus.
Other changes include the return of the brand's Campfire Meals, and some of the restaurant's classic cooking methods have made a comeback.

The anger at the brand's menus comes after Cracker Barrel's disastrous rebrand in August.

Influencers and MAGA Republicans branded the firm's decision to ditch Uncle Herschel on the Cracker Barrel logo as "woke," with thousands of online memes tearing into the company's new look being posted after the news of the change broke.

The changes would also have included a simpler font in the logo, as well as stripped-back, minimalist decor in Cracker Barrel restaurants. Typically, the company's locations are decorated in a rustic Southern style that alludes to its Tennessean heritage.

The backlash to the change was so extreme that the company's CEO admitted that she felt as though she had been "fired by America."

Cracker Barrel's redesign caused it to lose $94 million in a single day, with the company's stock price plunging to $54.50. That meant the company's stock price had plummeted by 7.15 percent, although it had rebounded from a 15 percent drop earlier in the day.

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Cepe said:

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agsalaska said:

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I don't know how people eat out all of the time just because of the food itself. I have been on the road a lot the last six months for the first time in about eight years. I generally feel like **** at the end of the day eating two or three meals out. And that's not fast food. That'a eating at typical restaurants. It just makes me feel heavy and generally ****ty. Even if I order salads.

Everyone like to dog on Chipotle but for whatever reason that's a go to for me. It's an exception. I can eat a burrito, feel fine, and work for hours after

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I think Sysco has cornered the supply business of the food industry so a lot of times the food is the same stuff no matter where you go.

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Not only that, but food processors/manufacturers have merged, acquired, etc.. where its only a few at most in lots of areas.

Walsh was talking about pizza now where the cheese for every major chain comes from like one company.

Companies ripping their customers off. They won't last, good.

David_Puddy said:

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txyaloo said:

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No Spin Ag said:

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YouBet said:

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The fast food and fast casual places have all reported large drops in business from younger people and those under certain income levels. All part of the K economy.

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Very true.

I frequent fast-casual places for lunch since they're healthier than fast food, and I've seen there be fewer and fewer people in them as time has gone by.

It says a lot when an increase of a buck or two for a meal can make things too expensive for people.

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I've ordered the same meal fairly consistently at Whataburger since 2010. It was $12 back then. Today it's $25.

In 2010, I'd eat there 3-4x a week. In 2025, I eat there maybe 4-5x a year. I refuse to pay $25 for "fast" food, that isn't fast, and always has something wrong or missing. Might as well go to a real restaurant for that price and time commitment.

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No offense, but I sure hope that is for multiple people. $25 at Whataburger gets you 2 of their meal deals.

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Texags is so judgy about another man's Whataburger order. It's ok to eat 5000 calories at Whataburger every couple of months. It's a problem when you eat that multiple times a week.

And if food prices weren't high enough at The Cheesecake Factory and other restaurants, now, the geniuses in charge of "The Shops at La Cantera" outdoor mall are forcing patrons of nearby parking to PAY for parking...at a mall...nowhere near downtown...where exorbitant fees for parking limit locals from going downtown, every day....

https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2025/12/08/paying-to-park-at-the-mall-new-option-at-la-cantera-sparks-debate/

Everyone gets a cut before the restaurant. Dont even get me started on valet parking for a $25 a plate spot. No thank you.

I think an American reboot is underway. Some people got too greedy and everything is collapsing. What emerges will be a new system.

The good news is that Powell is expected to lower rates again today!

Yay more Inflation!!!!!

infinity ag said:

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I think an American reboot is underway. Some people got too greedy and everything is collapsing. What emerges will be a new system.

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Long overdue, IMO.

Logos Stick said:

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The good news is that Powell is expected to lower rates again today!

Yay more Inflation!!!!!

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Trump and many on the right have been calling for more lowering of rates. Why would Trump and others call for something that would increase inflation when they've been saying it (inflation) needs to be taken care off?

No Spin Ag said:

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Logos Stick said:

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The good news is that Powell is expected to lower rates again today!

Yay more Inflation!!!!!

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Trump and many on the right have been calling for more lowering of rates. Why would Trump and others call for something that would increase inflation when they've been saying it (inflation) needs to be taken care off?

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Because they are idiots?!

No Spin Ag said:

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Logos Stick said:

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The good news is that Powell is expected to lower rates again today!

Yay more Inflation!!!!!

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Trump and many on the right have been calling for more lowering of rates. Why would Trump and others call for something that would increase inflation when they've been saying it (inflation) needs to be taken care off?

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It's essential to the success of balloon festivals.

No Spin Ag said:

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Logos Stick said:

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The good news is that Powell is expected to lower rates again today!

Yay more Inflation!!!!!

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Trump and many on the right have been calling for more lowering of rates. Why would Trump and others call for something that would increase inflation when they've been saying it (inflation) needs to be taken care off?

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Bc the market will go up

Bocephus said:

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No Spin Ag said:

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Logos Stick said:

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The good news is that Powell is expected to lower rates again today!

Yay more Inflation!!!!!

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Trump and many on the right have been calling for more lowering of rates. Why would Trump and others call for something that would increase inflation when they've been saying it (inflation) needs to be taken care off?

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Bc the market will go up

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Bo knows the market.

infinity ag said:

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Companies ripping their customers off. They won't last, good.

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How exactly are companies "ripping their customers off". If it was just 1 or 2 companies maybe you could say that. But when it is everyone across the board? Sounds more like misplaced blame to me. Granted, larger companies have more overhead, but ultimately they don't control inflation or the overall increase in cost of goods due to tariffs. If their costs go up, your costs go up. People always like to blame the middleman, but ultimately you need to be blaming those higher up the food chain.

Just because someone's business model got cratered by bad political and economic decisions does not mean they are "ripping you off". They are just in limbo - either they will fail, or they will adapt and overcome.

javajaws said:

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infinity ag said:

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Companies ripping their customers off. They won't last, good.

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Just because someone's business model got cratered by bad political and economic decisions does not mean they are "ripping you off". They are just in limbo - either they will fail, or they will adapt and overcome.

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A lot are going to fail. I think in the next year the tariffs and inflation due to the idiots spending money in the government are going to kill a lot of small businesses in the US.

Yes and no. Went to do some takeout from Chick-fil-A on Saturday. Two sandwiches and extra nuggets was over $30. Then went to our monthly '71 lunch on 2nd Tuesday at the Antler Cafe in Spring Branch. That is CFS special day. Great CFA, 2 sides and drink. They just increased the price from $8 to $9 so guess they are going up too.

infinity ag said:

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I think an American reboot is underway. Some people got too greedy and everything is collapsing. What emerges will be a new system.

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What will that look like? And what makes you think that?