What is an expensive Restaurant price for Dinner? (hamburger, diners, loin)

[southernjewishgal]

On the rare occassions I eat out it's usually around 10.00 for a sit down meal. I've only spent more than right around there on a meal for myself a handful of times in my life. Just isn't worth anymore than that.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by Hungry For Cheese

I cant believe the prices I am seeing.
Out here at Olive Garden, TGIF, El Torito, Marie Callendars, Outback, Claimjumpers you can eat with a soft drink type beverage for under $20.

Possibly at Cheesecake Factory or similar places you can spend $20+.

Maybe you are buying an appetizer, salad and meal. Maybe thats why America is obese?

The kind of places that charge $30 and up per person aren't exactly serving Olive Garden, TGI Fridays and Claimjumper food.

As for what is an expensive meal... well, there are some places where the approach is "if you have to ask, you can't afford it." There are no prices listed on the menu; they just bring a bill afterward.

[LittleMissSunshine]

Last night I went out with a friend to a non-chain place and the bill came to 45$ each...

My 45$ included: part of the Calamari Appetizer, a Shrimp Tempura Roll, a Specialty Sushi Roll and a Bellini to drink.

The other diner had the same appetizer and drink, but Filet Mingon instead of sushi.

I didn't have a problem with the price because it was excellent food and an AWESOME atmosphere.

I think it's all relative. If it was an Applebees type place and I spent that much I'd be pissed.

[ImRandy]

I'd personally rather pay for food than ambiance. $30 doesn't sound out of line to me but I'd rather (and routinely do) spend half or less. I really just want to eat and get out. Far too many restaurants these days seem to be charging mostly for ambiance.

[oz in SC]

If the main course is over $25 it is getting high,not outrageous but high.

The most we have spent was $150 for two of us,this included afew glasses of wine and beer.

I am a Chef and most of the places I worked we kept the entree prices below $30(although one place was higher,up to $65 for the Chateaubriand)

I am actually more critical of lower priced places,I KNOW how little the food they are serving cost.

[Fat Freddy]

People who pay high prices to eat at "fancy restaurants" are seeking to satisfy more than a hunger produced by their appetites.

[oz in SC]

Not necessarily, IF the food is good then it is worthwhile.I am forgiving of most other aspects of a restaurant but when you boil it right down the food better be good.

We have a place that people RAVE about here that to be perfectly honest isn't that good.

But people LOVE it because it is the place to go and be seen.

[tvdxer]

I usually eat at ethnic restaurants when I eat out, and not high-end ones. So my scale would look like this....

Cheap: under $12
Moderate: $12 - $24
Expensive: over $24

I'll mention that even when I was in NYC, I don't remember paying much more than $20 for a meal...ethnic restaurant prices there really weren't different, maybe even lower than here in little Duluth. (Though I used Menupages to find more inexpensive places)

[andthentherewere3]

At a nice restaurant (not a chain like Olive Garden) $25.00 or higher is a typical price per person for dinner around here. That would give you at least a good cut of steak though, not a hot dog. When we eat out we go to a local steak house that is really good, and our check with dinner, drinks, and shrimp cocktails adds up to $85.00 or so. We just aren't fans of chain restaurants, we don't like their food so the "savings" wouldn't ultimately be worth it. We only eat out a couple of times a year.

[monkeygorilla]

Wow...here in NYC & the surrounding suburbs its well over $30 just for the entree! And appetizers/ salads tend to be in the $12-18 price range. Deserts are usually around $8 each. Of course dining out isn't just about the food...you're paying for the experience too, which is why people pay these prices.