BadMoonRisin said:

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Waffledynamics said:

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techno-ag said:

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Bidenflation really did a number on restaurants.

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It wasn't just Biden. Trump and the 116th Congress were also to blame for injecting massive amounts of cash into the economy for no good reason.

Fiscal liberalism has consequences. Say what you will about Trump, but he is not and never has been a fiscal conservative. We are paying the price for this idiocy that both sides now proudly perpetuate.

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The pandemic response was completely insane. And no one is talking about it anymore.

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Yep, everyone with half a brain knew that it was a change in course, for the worse. That the old "normal" went bye bye for good. If you didn't realize this by late summer of 2020, you are probably fully vaxxed and boosted and think George Floyd was a victim.

We fixed the keg said:

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all purveyors of "slop bowls"

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Couldn't come up with a better descriptor. Chipotle is just nasty...

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Yeah, that's pretty funny. Hadn't seen that before.

Quote:

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Yeah, that's pretty funny. Hadn't seen that before.

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wife just heard me laughing and asked what it was about. I simply asked, "if I said, 'do you want me to get slop bowls for lunch?' where do you think I am talking about?"

She said Chipotle without skipping a beat.

To the point of this OP, to some degree my tastes have changed, but there is no doubt the quality of the food and the inept service have made fast food obsolete in our household / circle of friends. I still don't know what happened to Whataburger, but it is AWFUL compared to what it used to be.

The only place we go anymore is Taco Casa for a few crispy tacos once every couple of months when we pass by one on the road. Outback, Saltgrass, Chilis, Olive Garden, etc are the new "cheap" fast-food.

TAMUallen said:

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Yesterday, I was comparing inflation of the dollar from when I was in college to today. When I factor in the cost of food, even from the grocery store, I'd be lucky to eat out a restaurant, on a date, maybe once a semester now.

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Yep...chicken still pretty cheap relatively speaking, but ground beef at HEB is pushing $7-8/lb. That will never feel "normal" to me. I believe at Costco you can get a 10 lb "tube" of 90/10 beef for $4/lb, possibly even less.

If I was in college today (or fresh out), knowing what I know now, I would get a costco membership and meal prep ground beef or chicken and veggies and work out as much as I could, and only eat out on special occasions. Eggs too. I'd also make my own hummus and things like that for snacks. That can save you hundreds a month, easily. And that diet will get you shredded, even if you just do calisthenic type exercises.

It is good to see young people taking much better care of their bodies in general than kids used to. They better take care of themselves, as I imagine healthcare will be a disaster when Gen z and Gen Alpha are 50+. And they likely won't get sh** in social security.

We fixed the keg said:

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Quote:

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Yeah, that's pretty funny. Hadn't seen that before.

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wife just heard me laughing and asked what it was about. I simply asked, "if I said, 'do you want me to get slop bowls for lunch?' where do you think I am talking about?"

She said Chipotle without skipping a beat.

To the point of this OP, to some degree my tastes have changed, but there is no doubt the quality of the food and the inept service have made fast food obsolete in our household / circle of friends. I still don't know what happened to Whataburger, but it is AWFUL compared to what it used to be.

The only place we go anymore is Taco Casa for a few crispy tacos once every couple of months when we pass by one on the road. Outback, Saltgrass, Chilis, Olive Garden, etc are the new "cheap" fast-food.

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Glad to bring some joy into your life this morning.

YouBet said:

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Its Texas Aggies, dammit said:

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G. hirsutum Ag said:

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Subway, Whataburger, Burgerking, Sonic, Taco Bell, for a family of 4 with a 12 year old and a 9 year old you're easily $45. I can't stomach it anymore. And the quality continues to fall because they are desperate to keep pricing down. I got the HBCS sandwich at WB the other night because it was late and we were desperate, I really should have sent it back but it was so late and my kids were exhausted so I ate it because the stupid thing was $12. Most pathetic strips I've ever seen in my life. I could afford it if I really wanted to but I'd rather cook a much better meal for $30 and just deal with the dishes. Everyone with a brain saw this coming the second covid hit the fan and the checks started pouring out

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It seems that Whataburger has gotten worse since being bought by a private equity group. It's a shame.

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Agreed but it's location dependent. We ate at the one in Sealy, TX yesterday and it was pretty good. It was packed and everyone that worked there was super nice and inviting. Seemed well run.

Had opposite experience at a different WB on different road trip. Food was terrible.

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It's been this way a long time. I never knew Whataburger was any good until ate at one outside BCS.

If I don't bring lunch to work, I'm buying a ready made sandwich at HEB and an apple.

I bought pickles/buffalo sauce to store at work to make it taste better. Drinks and chips are provided at work.

I get the occasional potbelly's but I'm over chipotle and CAVA.

If we are going to bash Whataburger, used to love them. Was excited that we got one here in Canyon, finally

Tried it 3 times, awful food three times. Doubt that I'll try again

https://am.jpmorgan.com/us/en/asset-management/adv/insights/market-insights/market-updates/on-the-minds-of-investors/is-ai-already-driving-us-growth/

Half of GDP growth in the last year is due to AI investment.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/p-500-minus-mag-7-153034785.html
Vast majority S&P 500 growth has been due to seven companies out of the 500.


https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-11-06/us-economy-at-risk-of-weakening-with-growing-gap-between-rich-and-poor

The richest 10% of Americans now account for 50% of consumer spending.

For me it's not a matter of a wealth gap it's a matter of people in the middle class being able to spend on discretionary items while also being able to save responsibly. Right now a lot of people are struggling to make ends meet. I don't care if rich people get richer. Good for them. I want the middle class to simultaneously thrive. And I want people in the lower class to have good opportunities to advance into the middle class.

CanyonAg77 said:

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If we are going to bash Whataburger, used to love them. Was excited that we got one here in Canyon, finally

Tried it 3 times, awful food three times. Doubt that I'll try again

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It was bought out... went to hell after that

AtticusMatlock said:

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https://am.jpmorgan.com/us/en/asset-management/adv/insights/market-insights/market-updates/on-the-minds-of-investors/is-ai-already-driving-us-growth/

Half of GDP growth in the last year is due to AI investment.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/p-500-minus-mag-7-153034785.html
Vast majority S&P 500 growth has been due to seven companies out of the 500.


https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-11-06/us-economy-at-risk-of-weakening-with-growing-gap-between-rich-and-poor

The richest 10% of Americans now account for 50% of consumer spending.

For me it's not a matter of a wealth gap it's a matter of people in the middle class being able to spend on discretionary items while also being able to save responsibly. Right now a lot of people are struggling to make ends meet. I don't care if rich people get richer. Good for them. I want the middle class to simultaneously thrive. And I want people in the lower class to have good opportunities to advance into the middle class.

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Tax cuts across the board.

AtticusMatlock said:

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https://am.jpmorgan.com/us/en/asset-management/adv/insights/market-insights/market-updates/on-the-minds-of-investors/is-ai-already-driving-us-growth/

Half of GDP growth in the last year is due to AI investment.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/p-500-minus-mag-7-153034785.html
Vast majority S&P 500 growth has been due to seven companies out of the 500.


https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-11-06/us-economy-at-risk-of-weakening-with-growing-gap-between-rich-and-poor

The richest 10% of Americans now account for 50% of consumer spending.

For me it's not a matter of a wealth gap it's a matter of people in the middle class being able to spend on discretionary items while also being able to save responsibly. Right now a lot of people are struggling to make ends meet. I don't care if rich people get richer. Good for them. I want the middle class to simultaneously thrive. And I want people in the lower class to have good opportunities to advance into the middle class.

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I can't star your sentiment enough. It should be everyones.

MasonB said:

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Maybe it's "Old Man Yells at Clouds", but food quality is the big factor for me. Just doesn't taste good, and everyone is just buying Ben E Keith and reheating it.

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Agree entirely on the sentiment, but one point of clarification. Ben E Keith distributes all kinds of food including lots of fresh, raw ingredients and premium products. The premium briskets they sell to Clarks Crew BBQ in OKC are top notch...any hobby smoker would love to have them. They provide ingedients to everything from gas station grills to the highest end restaurants.

So seeing a Ben E Keith truck serving a restaurant doesn't mean they are in there microwaving tv dinners or baking stouffer lasagnas.

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Cool video. I live just right down the road east on Memorial from that facility. And yeah if Clarks Crew are serving Snake River Farms briskets, those are good stuff.

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The richest 10% of Americans now account for 50% of consumer spending.

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I'd be happy to see income tax abolished and national sales tax implemented.

Don't tax income earners and savers, tax spending.

The rich float this country. That's all there is to it. It's counter to what Democrat will tell you but it's the truth.

I'm always for tax cuts but I'm not sure what more we can do there. Tax rates are historically low while spending is at all time astronomical levels. Obviously, cutting spending is what needs to happen but Congress and the WH refuse to do so.

Bottom half of the population pays nothing in federal income tax and we continue to incrementally add to that group as the years go on. In turn, the rich get more of the burden. So, they pay for most of the taxes and do most of the spending.

We would be smart not to "eat the rich".

Would you say Food Trucks are the new fast food?

AtticusMatlock said:

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https://am.jpmorgan.com/us/en/asset-management/adv/insights/market-insights/market-updates/on-the-minds-of-investors/is-ai-already-driving-us-growth/

Half of GDP growth in the last year is due to AI investment.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/p-500-minus-mag-7-153034785.html
Vast majority S&P 500 growth has been due to seven companies out of the 500.


https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-11-06/us-economy-at-risk-of-weakening-with-growing-gap-between-rich-and-poor

The richest 10% of Americans now account for 50% of consumer spending.

For me it's not a matter of a wealth gap it's a matter of people in the middle class being able to spend on discretionary items while also being able to save responsibly. Right now a lot of people are struggling to make ends meet. I don't care if rich people get richer. Good for them. I want the middle class to simultaneously thrive. And I want people in the lower class to have good opportunities to advance into the middle class.

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Tariffs on basic food products don't help. I agree with tariffs on China and Chinese pass-through products. Agricultural produce from Colombia y Mexico is not Chinese-origin.

Aggie95 said:

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There are several factors but one of them is too many similar restaurants chasing the same consumer. Chipotle, Cava, Gusto, Suchero, Qdoba, Willy's are all slight variations of the same thing….and there's usually 2 or more located within a mile of each other.

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While not specifically directed at Chipotle, etc. it's also a function of price and clientele/employees.

When it runs you $50+ for 4 people at a fast food joint to get mediocre burgers and fries and the clientele and employees barely speak english, it makes the choice of not going to a quick type place that much easier. I'm also beyond tired of being asked to tip for everything these days.

Say what you want about about Jesus chicken - the employees there are well mannered, well spoken, the store is usually pretty clean and you get through the drive through in an amazingly short amount of time. Plus they don't ask for tips for doing basic service.

Growing up going to a restaurant, hell even a fast food joint for that matter, was kind of a special occasion for us. Definitely wasn't a weekly thing - maybe monthly at best if we weren't going to Gatti's after a baseball game or whatever for a team celebration. I think many folks are going back to that mentality - that going out to eat regularly isn't in the books.

You also need to account for things like doordash and what not that have an effect on restaurant attendance.

Jinx said:

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Would you say Food Trucks are the new fast food?

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Not by price. Food trucks are expensive.

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Growing up going to a restaurant, hell even a fast food joint for that matter, was kind of a special occasion for us. Definitely wasn't a weekly thing - maybe monthly at best

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Same here. Mostly birthdays. I was in January, Dad in May, brother in June, sister in October, Mom in November. So kind of spread out. But it was nearly always Howard Johnsons for fried clams. Maybe once month go to Grif's burgers for 15 cent burgers and 10 cent fries.

infinity ag said:

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I hate Chipotle but my family loves it. Just yesterday I ordered burritos for my 2 kids. Wife said she will eat leftovers. I decided to slum it and ordered Wendy's burger with fries.

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Leftover are generational food by definition.

itsyourboypookie said:

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All the hot fun waitresses moved to only fans. No one wants bad service from a 42 year old single mom that smokes menthols.

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aggiehawg said:

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Quote:

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Growing up going to a restaurant, hell even a fast food joint for that matter, was kind of a special occasion for us. Definitely wasn't a weekly thing - maybe monthly at best

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Same here. Mostly birthdays. I was in January, Dad in May, brother in June, sister in October, Mom in November. So kind of spread out. But it was nearly always Howard Johnsons for fried clams. Maybe once month go to Grif's burgers for 15 cent burgers and 10 cent fries.

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When I think of seafood, I think of HoJos.

I guess I'm in the minority, but I love Chipotle.

But what used to cost me $13 is now $21. I can afford $21, but do I want to...for Chipotle?

For that price, I'd rather sit down and be waited on, at a Tex-Mex restaurant with better food.

AtticusMatlock said:

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For me it's not a matter of a wealth gap it's a matter of people in the middle class being able to spend on discretionary items while also being able to save responsibly. Right now a lot of people are struggling to make ends meet. I don't care if rich people get richer. Good for them. I want the middle class to simultaneously thrive. And I want people in the lower class to have good opportunities to advance into the middle class.

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This. All of this.

schmellba99 said:

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Aggie95 said:

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There are several factors but one of them is too many similar restaurants chasing the same consumer. Chipotle, Cava, Gusto, Suchero, Qdoba, Willy's are all slight variations of the same thing….and there's usually 2 or more located within a mile of each other.

---

While not specifically directed at Chipotle, etc. it's also a function of price and clientele/employees.

When it runs you $50+ for 4 people at a fast food joint to get mediocre burgers and fries and the clientele and employees barely speak english, it makes the choice of not going to a quick type place that much easier. I'm also beyond tired of being asked to tip for everything these days.

Say what you want about about Jesus chicken - the employees there are well mannered, well spoken, the store is usually pretty clean and you get through the drive through in an amazingly short amount of time. Plus they don't ask for tips for doing basic service.

Growing up going to a restaurant, hell even a fast food joint for that matter, was kind of a special occasion for us. Definitely wasn't a weekly thing - maybe monthly at best if we weren't going to Gatti's after a baseball game or whatever for a team celebration. I think many folks are going back to that mentality - that going out to eat regularly isn't in the books.

You also need to account for things like doordash and what not that have an effect on restaurant attendance.

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don't disagree, but a good portion of the people eating out are not paying $50 for mediocre food. They are paying $50 for the convenience of not having to cook and clean. To a lot of people that is worth $10 to $20 bucks so they justify that cost plus $30 for the food. Not saying it's right or wrong, just that is how people think now. The world is vastly different than it was in the 70's and 80's when families would sit around the kitchen table and eat together. With people's schedules so out of sync with school, work, kids sports ,etc...it can be rare for a family to available for dinner between 5pm - 6pm.

AgGrad99 said:

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I guess I'm in the minority, but I love Chipotle.

But what used to cost me $13 is now $21. I can afford $21, but do I want to...for Chipotle?

For that price, I'd rather sit down and be waited on, at a Tex-Mex restaurant with better food.

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That's where I'm seeing it. The difference between a "family" meal at Rosas or Chick-Fil-A or Chipotle is not much from a meal for the family at a lower end restaurant (Chilis, On The Border, etc...) where portion sizes are bigger and quality is at least a little better.

The problem is simply time. If I want a burger and fries, I don't want to go sit down at Chilis for an hour.

Old McDonald said:

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recession indicator

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Biden's fault. Trump will fix it. If he can't, Biden's fault.

AtticusMatlock said:

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https://am.jpmorgan.com/us/en/asset-management/adv/insights/market-insights/market-updates/on-the-minds-of-investors/is-ai-already-driving-us-growth/

Half of GDP growth in the last year is due to AI investment.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/p-500-minus-mag-7-153034785.html
Vast majority S&P 500 growth has been due to seven companies out of the 500.


https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-11-06/us-economy-at-risk-of-weakening-with-growing-gap-between-rich-and-poor

The richest 10% of Americans now account for 50% of consumer spending.

For me it's not a matter of a wealth gap it's a matter of people in the middle class being able to spend on discretionary items while also being able to save responsibly. Right now a lot of people are struggling to make ends meet. I don't care if rich people get richer. Good for them. I want the middle class to simultaneously thrive. And I want people in the lower class to have good opportunities to advance into the middle class.

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Not going to happen. It is a K shaped economy now. It will be 80/20 with 80% scraping to make ends meet. The post WWII industrial hegemony economy is over.

Aggie95 said:

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There are several factors but one of them is too many similar restaurants chasing the same consumer. Chipotle, Cava, Gusto, Suchero, Qdoba, Willy's are all slight variations of the same thing….and there's usually 2 or more located within a mile of each other.

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You forgot Cabo Bob's which is the best of the lot.
But agree.

Where the hell are all of these places? The only one I recognize is Chipotle.

Proposition Joe said:

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AgGrad99 said:

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I guess I'm in the minority, but I love Chipotle.

But what used to cost me $13 is now $21. I can afford $21, but do I want to...for Chipotle?

For that price, I'd rather sit down and be waited on, at a Tex-Mex restaurant with better food.

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That's where I'm seeing it. The difference between a "family" meal at Rosas or Chick-Fil-A or Chipotle is not much from a meal for the family at a lower end restaurant (Chilis, On The Border, etc...) where portion sizes are bigger and quality is at least a little better.

The problem is simply time. If I want a burger and fries, I don't want to go sit down at Chilis for an hour.

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We Order to go at places like Chilis if we don't have time to stop in. We'll even get fajitas or something on roadtrips so we don't have to eat true fast food

beanbean said:

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Jinx said:

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Would you say Food Trucks are the new fast food?

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Not by price. Food trucks are expensive.

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And usually not very fast either.

I've kind of given up on grocery prices and realized that it is still cheaper than going out to eat.

We were talking about fajitas last Sunday and I went to the Mexican Carniceria a couple of miles away and got a couple of pounds of marinated skirt steak for $13.99/pound (still high in my opinion) we already had tortillas, onions, poblanos, beans, and toppings at home. So I spend $30 on meat but if the four of us had gone out for the same meal it would have been over $100.

We are doing things like this a lot more often these days. We can afford to go out, but just choose not to if we have an option at home.

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For me it's not a matter of a wealth gap it's a matter of people in the middle class being able to spend on discretionary items while also being able to save responsibly. Right now a lot of people are struggling to make ends meet. I don't care if rich people get richer. Good for them. I want the middle class to simultaneously thrive. And I want people in the lower class to have good opportunities to advance into the middle class.

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The issue is the rich are getting richer at the cost of middle class. So while Steve Moneybags goes from $100M to $200M, you see Steve Middleclass go from $50k to $52k.

Now when I say this, the usual suspects emerge to "defend the rich" (while being poor/middle class themselves).

Now if we could get Mr Middleclass to go from $50k to $100k AND Mr Moneybags go from $100M to whatever Million, I am all for it. But middle class and poor in America remain where they are.