I've learned how to cook so much shit since COVID that I refuse to go out to eat anymore. Hell I even learned how to make sourdough pizzas and bought a nice little oven. The food I make is much better, made exactly how I want it and it costs about 1/4 as much. I get to grill 3 nights a week and use the smoker usually once a week and I'm constantly adding new things.My GF (no pic) and I have probably spent close to $275 in the past month just going out to eat. If someone told me they were spending that kind of coin on food, I would assume they are going out 2-3 nights a week, not 3 nights in a 5-week span.
First, we went to Central Standard in Waukee. We each had a beer and a mule, and then we split a burger. The burger was terrible and I'm 99% sure they just drove down the street and grabbed a McDonalds burger, threw some bacon on it, and called it good. The bill was just shy of $70, not including tip.
2 weekends ago, we went to Pour Choices in Grimes. I had a beer and a cocktail; she had a margarita. We split a thing of cheese curds which were incredible, and then we split a burger. That was an $84 tab that came out to $100 even with tip.
Last night we wanted to keep it "cheap" so we went to Jethro's in Waukee. She got the half order of boneless wings, which was 85% bread, 15% chicken, and 2 Captain/diets. I got an order of the traditional wings and also had a couple Captain/diets (we're high-class people). Bill came to $64 before tip. This floored me because it's Jethro's and it was half price boneless wings night.
We both do pretty well, but we decided last night we're not doing this anymore. We really enjoy going out and having a drink on a patio plus splitting an appetizer. I don't think I can justify this anymore knowing that 2 drinks + an appetizer will cost at minimum, $50. I cannot imagine what it costs for a family to go out and buy dinner.
I don't know what kinds of margins these places are pulling in from food and alcohol sales but I feel like this isn't sustainable, right? Like eventually people are going to be tired of spending this kind of money for an hour or 2 of being out of the house.
Also have anywhere from 10-20 people over every Saturday and have a huge potluck, tons of leftovers for the rest of the week.
I can't justify going out to eat unless I'm on vacation.
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