Originally Posted by
uncertaintraveler
I eat at restaurants only about once every three to four months (with a $20 to $25 maximum, for two patrons), unless I'm on vacation. I can't justify the high prices for the lousy service, also-ran food, questionable portions, dubious preparation techniques, annoying tablemates, and the tipping inflation pressure. I much prefer to just cook everything at home. Much easier, cleaner, safer, quieter, and enjoyable.
That all said, food costs overall are rising. I seriously wonder how minimum wager earners (and those getting paid close to minimum wage) are surviving.
I have a couple of places I like to go with the family once a week to keep their economy going and for a break from home cooking, but I like eating at home myself.
Being in Texas, the land of trucks and long commutes, some people are getting massacred on their monthly fuel bill as well as their food bill. I know a guy whose monthly gasoline costs are so high that he should park the oversized diesel truck he's underneath on and buy a cheap economy car to drive just to get some cash flow back. $1000 a month on gasoline?