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Old 09-22-2014, 11:46 AM
 
793 posts, read 1,414,970 times
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Perhaps someone here knows the answer...

There's a trend at (real) Mexican restaurants, where the price of combos doesn't make sense.
I've noticed this at nearly every family owned Mexican restaurant I've been to.

Here's an example:

A La Carte:
Taco - $2.25
Rice & Beans plate - $2.99

Price for 2 tacos and rice and beans a la carte: $7.49

Lunch Special:
2 Tacos + Rice & Beans: $8.25 ($.76 more than buying a la carte)



This is true for nearly every combo meal - lunch or dinner - where I've found ordering a la carte saves anywhere from .50 to 2.00 $.

What's the deal with this?
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Old 09-23-2014, 11:05 AM
 
Location: SW MO
23,593 posts, read 37,364,888 times
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It's always been that way and not just in Sacramento but California as a whole and other states as well. I think it's ease of handling for the kitchen and servers, fewer dirty dishes and permits periodic specials on the combo plates. Clean and easy!
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Old 09-23-2014, 01:55 PM
 
Location: California USA
1,714 posts, read 1,141,473 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Curmudgeon View Post
It's always been that way and not just in Sacramento but California as a whole and other states as well. I think it's ease of handling for the kitchen and servers, fewer dirty dishes and permits periodic specials on the combo plates. Clean and easy!
But the Combo special is 76 cents more? I would think that less plates/utensils/ease of putting things in one platter vs two or more separate dishes would lead to a less expensive price.

76 cents here and 76 cents there and pretty soon you can buy a pack of gum...
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Old 09-23-2014, 06:33 PM
 
256 posts, read 365,757 times
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I think the answer is that customers are generally kind of dumb and don't bother to do the math and just assume that the special is a bargain. Portion sizes could be more generous in the special, or maybe there is an included soda? But I'm voting for dumb.
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Old 09-24-2014, 03:07 PM
 
1,148 posts, read 1,566,616 times
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Well, that $.79 gives you the right to say you bought a "combo". It's like buying a Mercedez for the name as opposed to a Hyundai. Ya, it's exactly like that. You have to ask yourself - do you want to be a cheap ala carte' SOB or do you want to be a high rollin combo mofo? Combo it is .
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Old 09-25-2014, 04:30 PM
 
Location: SW MO
23,593 posts, read 37,364,888 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xeney View Post
I think the answer is that customers are generally kind of dumb and don't bother to do the math and just assume that the special is a bargain. Portion sizes could be more generous in the special, or maybe there is an included soda? But I'm voting for dumb.
My dumb was reading it backward. I always priced these things and took what appeared to be the better deal but in some cases, the a la carte portions were smaller than the combo servings.

Let's face it, they ain't in business to do you any favors.

Where we now live is home to some of the worst Mexican food we've ever had; especially compared to what's available in CA although you still have to be careful. Just because you're Mexican and cook doesn't mean you cook good Mexican.
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Old 09-25-2014, 06:33 PM
 
Location: Fair Oaks, CA
23 posts, read 29,680 times
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Maybe the combo comes with some chopped lettuce and chips & salsa.
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Old 09-29-2014, 10:18 PM
 
Location: Folsom
5,128 posts, read 9,804,678 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2tall View Post

There's a trend at (real) Mexican restaurants, where the price of combos doesn't make sense.
I've noticed this at nearly every family owned Mexican restaurant I've been to.


This is true for nearly every combo meal - lunch or dinner - where I've found ordering a la carte saves anywhere from .50 to 2.00 $.
It's not a trend, it's always been this way as others have mentioned. Or at least as long as I can remember which would be at least 30 years.
It's because you get beans & rice with your taco. It really doesn't matter that beans & rice are cheap. It's more time & effort for the business...and the cost is passed on.

More food = more $
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Old 09-29-2014, 10:36 PM
 
793 posts, read 1,414,970 times
Reputation: 422
Quote:
Originally Posted by caligirlz View Post
It's not a trend, it's always been this way as others have mentioned. Or at least as long as I can remember which would be at least 30 years.
It's because you get beans & rice with your taco. It really doesn't matter that beans & rice are cheap. It's more time & effort for the business...and the cost is passed on.

More food = more $
Haha. I'll just continue to get the rice and beans on the side, dirty a second plate, and save money.
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