WELCOME TO RIVER DAVES PLACE

Uh excuse me, how much did you say ???

Desert Whaler

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Costs, inflation, etc. have driven me to be a better cook . . . and the byproduct is not only spending less, but eating a LOT better.

Now when I eat out, I'm way more selective where I go and think of it as more of a 'treat'.

For example: I took my Pops to a local joint here in HB the other day after a Dr's appt. . . .it's called 'Tio Flaco's ' (corner of Magnolia / Garfield in an old A-Frame Wienershnitzel / Pup-n-Taco Building)
They only have 4-5 items on the menu . . . . they do Carne Asada over Mesquite charcoal, so we got 2 tacos each, chips & guacamole, and 2 Orange Bangs.
I think it was $26.00 . . . pricey, but super tasty, and I only go there 'maybe' once a year. Whatever. 🤷‍♂️

 

spectras only

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What's happening over the years here in Canada is that, fast food chains like McD, Tim Horton, A&W, keeping the charges in check, but the portions are nearly half the size it used to be. Grocery stores doing same, Jello swirl that used to be 3.99 is now over 8.0 bucks. Cakes are now shrunk also with the offering smaller portions, which is better for your health 🤔 :p. Not even going to complain about decent quality bread is well over 5.00 bucks. Other than the minimum wage war is on, pensioner's checks are not keeping up with this craziness.
 

JDKRXW

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This really isn’t difficult to grasp. Minimum wage goes through the roof. Products go through the roof, rent goes through the roof, workers comp insurance is nearly criminally expensive…who do you think pays for all those hikes and the inflation. The biz owners don’t. They pass it on to the consumer. All the fucktards screaming for $20 minimum wage are now shocked they can’t afford to go to McDonald’s. Speaking of which, 4 of us to eat at McDonald’s? $90! Not shitting you.

A small privately owned place like the OP talks about here? I don’t think there’s any money in it. Pretty sure owner isn’t driving their Ferrari to work. Faaaaaaar from price gouging. I’d wager to say they clear less than a 100k a year take home when all is said and done. If that.

Good friend of ours owns 9 jersey mikes. She does pretty good but not like crazy rich. She told me once you have to have 6 stores or more to retire “comfortably”. I took that to mean maybe a couple hundred take home a year.

100% agree.
What I've always wondered about is how a strategically placed food truck could do. Over the years i understand some make BANK.
With sit in lunch business obviously crashing ... is the truck business increasing?
 

Looking Glass

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This really isn’t difficult to grasp. Minimum wage goes through the roof. Products go through the roof, rent goes through the roof, workers comp insurance is nearly criminally expensive…who do you think pays for all those hikes and the inflation. The biz owners don’t. They pass it on to the consumer. All the fucktards screaming for $20 minimum wage are now shocked they can’t afford to go to McDonald’s. Speaking of which, 4 of us to eat at McDonald’s? $90! Not shitting you.

A small privately owned place like the OP talks about here? I don’t think there’s any money in it. Pretty sure owner isn’t driving their Ferrari to work. Faaaaaaar from price gouging. I’d wager to say they clear less than a 100k a year take home when all is said and done. If that.

Good friend of ours owns 9 jersey mikes. She does pretty good but not like crazy rich. She told me once you have to have 6 stores or more to retire “comfortably”. I took that to mean maybe a couple hundred take home a year.



"COMFORTABLY" in California, is NOT "COMFORTABLY" in the rest of the USA!!
 

Done-it-again

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Anybody been to The Hat lately? One of the things I miss about SoCal. Wonder how much a sandwich there is now.
A month ago and I think the pastrami was 13.99. But not 100% sure. The wife and I split so it’s not that bad.
 

RVR SWPR

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Go to Sam’s order Club On Sour Dough. Request fries be hot. Order anything on the menu all good. Week after week excellent plus the service.
 

Orange Juice

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I usually round out the bill with a few beers, and with tip it’s a $100 bill. 😉
 

Done-it-again

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East Side Deli - hell yes; they get it and if you don't get there early, you're not getting in. They did not start gouging, their kick ass dip or pastrami with peppers is about $15 for a regular - which is more than enough for most folks.

$20 for a pastrami in Havi - I don't think so.
East side deli are good people. We had them cater our wedding almost 20yrs ago for about 150 people. Hope the dad is still around, he was a character.
 

RVR SWPR

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We had two lunches and four drinks at RoadRunner yesterday. 73 dollars. Plus tip. 90 bucks. My lunch was almost inedible. Wife said her burger was good. I really am not a fan of that place. I may not be back.
Those 2 fine kids been watching you guys go first class on everything. They will be reading the menu on their own soon. $175 lunch coming up. :)
 

Lunatic Fringe

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There's a whole bunch of fast food being consumed here.

RFK Jr. is coming fof you.😶😁

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C-Ya

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I eat out so many times a month………. I should be a food critic.

I love the #13 at Jersey Mikes. ($20)

I dont really have anything to ad to this thread.

FWIW……….. I try not to spend over $3000 per month eating out. Sometimes I am successfully, but most months I exceed my budget. Lol (that includes my bar bill too)

In fact……… I am trying to decide what I am going to cram in my pie hole for lunch, as I type this. I was thinking Chick Fillet, but after reading this thread………. I am heading for Jersey Mikes. lol

Just some recent prices from memory.

My favorite chicken Ceasar salad, with 2 coors lights, and tip………. Is $50

Sushi for 2 with drinks, tip……….. $120

Trivia night food and drink for 2 $95

Dinner for 2 at local Mexican food restaurant……… $85

Lunch or dinner by boat……… Priceless!
 

Chili Palmer

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How many people are you feeding?
I get 2 meals out of my sandwich and they wife can do 3 meals with hers. I do the turkey, ham, and cheese with bacon, Mike’s way with no onions and add the red pepper spread.
 

clark

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We had two lunches and four drinks at RoadRunner yesterday. 73 dollars. Plus tip. 90 bucks. My lunch was almost inedible. Wife said her burger was good. I really am not a fan of that place. I may not be back.
Try Sundance they have been very good and reasonable
 

C-Ya

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I eat out so many times a month………. I should be a food critic.

I love the #13 at Jersey Mikes. ($20)

I dont really have anything to ad to this thread.

FWIW……….. I try not to spend over $3000 per month eating out. Sometimes I am successfully, but most months I exceed my budget. Lol (that includes my bar bill too)

In fact……… I am trying to decide what I am going to cram in my pie hole for lunch, as I type this. I was thinking Chick Fillet, but after reading this thread………. I am heading for Jersey Mikes. lol

Just some recent prices from memory.

My favorite chicken Ceasar salad, with 2 coors lights, and tip………. Is $50

Sushi for 2 with drinks, tip……….. $120

Trivia night food and drink for 2 $95

Dinner for 2 at local Mexican food restaurant……… $85

Lunch or dinner by boat……… Priceless!
I ended up with Chick-fil-a…..
$24.71 for 3 items.
Now it’s time to fill pie hole. lol


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sonicss31

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100% agree.
What I've always wondered about is how a strategically placed food truck could do. Over the years i understand some make BANK.
With sit in lunch business obviously crashing ... is the truck business increasing?
I live in the Keys and have noticed a lot more food trucks being set up. Probably because of the rent costs being charged for brick and mortar stores. Landlords here are gouging everyone.
 

Outdrive1

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Try Sundance they have been very good and reasonable

Everyone has been saying the food is great at Sundance. I need to get in there.
 

rivermobster

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First off, I dont mean to speak disparaging about anyone trying to make a go of opening a biz at all, but this was way over the top IMHO so all respect given :cool:
So mama wanted a Pastrami sandwich for lunch yesterday and there used to be a little sandwich shop on the south end of town that was pretty good so off we go, sorry closed, and now a donut shop.
We remembered a new shop in town on Swanson so off we go, got there and oredered our sami's and went to the counter to pay for 2 sami's and 2 smalll drinks. The nice lady says that will be $39.73 please, OMG :eek: I asked if that was correct and yes she said. Normally I would have walked out at that point but mama was hungry so we paid.
Now the food was good, and quite big to be truthful but crap ****$40 for 2 sandwiches ???????????????
Point is, if this is the future for us people then we dont stand a chance in hell of making it IMHO:(
Rant over

I went and read this again, just to be sure I understood what you were saying.

Me personally...

I don't feel like that price of a pastrami sandwich, will be the end of the world?

I'd be more concerned about nukes and shit myself.

🤷‍♂️😜
 

HALLETT BOY

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Katz deli in NY , pastrami sandwich is $32
Costco Hotdogs $1.50’
 

brianwhiteboy

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I have been eating out a lot lately. Work is good so I pay it forward. Lots of my regular spots are slow and appreciate it. Free desert, extra beer, a soup. Little things that show they appreciate me.

Yesterday lunch was $20 and change burger, half fries and onion rings and a drink. It was delicious.

Dinner night before. Only spot open after 10 $45 $55 with tip. Ramen gyoza combo, sm fried rice and a Asahi. Was excellent.

Dinner night before at Fanoos. $40 he gave me 10% off and a free desert.

Tuesday night. Best deal is El torito. Happy hour until 9 every day at the bar. $3 tacos on Tuesday. Only $35. Asada fries $8 3 tacos 3 modelos $50 with tip.

Jacks pizza for lunch the other day. Best deal for a large pastrami. Coke and chips. Only $14 and change.

Only complaint I had lately on a $20 pastrami was at Orleans and York. Great sandwich. But it was so small I could of ate 3. So it would have been almost $60 to be full. I bought my guys lunch a hour later and had to grab another sandwich.
Your first paragraph says it all. Work is going well and paying it forward to those mom & pop places that struggle just like the us is what it’s all about. Appreciation goes both ways and like you goes a long way with me too. Supporting small business is so much more important at times like these.

Jack’s pizza is awesome. I’m assuming it’s the one on Calle Mayor and PCH you’re talking about? Crazy that the whole family works there…mom, dad and adult sons. Now that’s a place that I’ll get behind.
 

TimeBandit

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It would have been more at out local Italian deli, and worth it.

Support locally owned non-corporate whenever possible, nobody needs more chain restaurants.
 

Smupser

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Katz deli in NY , pastrami sandwich is $32
Costco Hotdogs $1.50’
Katz is worth every dollar and cent, i Would gladly pay more for that pastramI.

Ironically Costco hotdog is also worth the dollar and cents, but I would still be pissed if they raised it to $2.00 lol
 
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Done-it-again

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I get 2 meals out of my sandwich and they wife can do 3 meals with hers. I do the turkey, ham, and cheese with bacon, Mike’s way with no onions and add the red pepper spread.
We get 2 giants and feed 4 people. Usually there is 1 end piece left and a kid eats it later.

The red pepper spread is boom. Love that stuff
 

jetboatperformance

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Jersey mikes for me is 16.08 reg 9 and a large combo. If I buy worker a sandwich it goes to 25.00 or so. Just a fact of life. I have over 8000 rewards points, They keep asking if I am ever going to use them. It's like an investment account, when they raise the price of sandwiches the points will pay off.
I get the regular #17 or mini #13. It’s enough for me.
Before I started My Diet I was like Norm on Cheers at Jersey Mikes , they all new my name and what I was ordering either the Turkey Ham or Number 13 I need to stop in so they know I'm still alive after 5 week JM moratorium
 
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Aces & Eights

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Anyone been to Langer’s lately? Haven’t been there in years, they’re known for their pastrami. Wonder what is costs there.
 

76sanger

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What most of you dont see is the price of rent for these places. Property tax is going up astronomically year by year in some cases, the leaser is trying to not get buried, so the lease goes up. Equals, the businesses must raise their prices. AS WELL, minimum wage is out of hand. People WONT work for anything under $12 an hour even when you have tips on top of that. (Good service) = great tips! But people think they are "entitled to tips, NOPE!
 

havasu5150

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The only place I liked to eat in Havi. Was Borns Best sandwiches if I recall. Local lady from my area moved there and ran it. Heard it closed though. Was a great sandwich spot. Not many mom and pop spot left. Got to eat there regularly and support them.

By Me most my favorites are gone. Busy Bees is still one of my go to if we are working anywhere close.
Bornes is NOT closed. Went there a few weeks ago. The wife and I split the Hava Club. That thing is freaking huge. 17 bucks
 
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zhandfull

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Local sandwich shop here in Rancho Cucamonga is $38 for a couple beef dips and an order of fries, no drinks. Definitely a splurge when wife doesn’t feel like cooking.

Been buying just a double double at In N Out with water. Under $6.50.

Salad with water at Habit is $13.

55 and can’t remember ever having a time in my life where inflation has been like the last four years. Don’t think we will ever go back to where we were two years ago with pricing.

Not hard to see how inflation spurs inflation. Couple hi profile labor contracts recently received 9% per year wage increases over three or four years. 27 to 36% over contract period.
 

boatnam2

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Grabbed a turkey and cheese today at Angelos seal beach pier, not huge but tasty, 20 bucks OTD!
 

whiteworks

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I’ve found that If I’m gonna eat out I just go someplace nice as it’s not much more than fast food crap. I usually grill up some ribeyes on Sunday nights and make sure to sit down as a family and enjoy a meal together. Last week I went big and bought some Wagyu ribeyes, they are 40% off at Eataly on the weekends, was still $60.00 a pound. Three of us had an amazing home cooked meal, good bottle of wine and it was about $200.00, I’ll bet the same meal at one of the better steak houses would have been $500.00

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Dan Lorenze

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I’ve mentioned this before but Lazy Dog happy hour is unbeatable, $3 CL’s and good deals on food. Also Subway sends out coupons for $7 footlongs, I’ll eat half of the sandwich for lunch and the other half for dinner.
 

NicPaus

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I went to Costco last night for dog food. Grabbed the cheapest tri tip. $27. Squash $7 salad $8. Just me so it ends up being the same price to eat out usually cheaper. I spent almost $200. Buying shit I don't recall. And $180 on dog and a kitchen faucet that is 40 off and good deal.

I have been eating out every day for lunch. Few times for breakfast when I have time. And around 20times for dinner each month.

Went out with the X last 2 weekends for Sunday Funday. That shit ads up. Got used to just Buying dinner for 1 it's not bad. Hit 2 breweries, 1 roach coach nachos at brewery $17. And I think I spent almost $400 one day. Dinner was $170 no drinks just good food.
 

Done-it-again

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Very rarely I drink any alcohol going out. Drink prices have gone nuts.

Only when the wife and I have our date night at flemings Ill have a bourbon. But a 10 yr whistle pig pour is $30. And putting down 2-3 is pricy.
 

boatnam2

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I went to Costco last night for dog food. Grabbed the cheapest tri tip. $27. Squash $7 salad $8. Just me so it ends up being the same price to eat out usually cheaper. I spent almost $200. Buying shit I don't recall. And $180 on dog and a kitchen faucet that is 40 off and good deal.

I have been eating out every day for lunch. Few times for breakfast when I have time. And around 20times for dinner each month.

Went out with the X last 2 weekends for Sunday Funday. That shit ads up. Got used to just Buying dinner for 1 it's not bad. Hit 2 breweries, 1 roach coach nachos at brewery $17. And I think I spent almost $400 one day. Dinner was $170 no drinks just good food.
Im sure it was worth it! ;)
 

Havasu blue label

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I’ve found that If I’m gonna eat out I just go someplace nice as it’s not much more than fast food crap. I usually grill up some ribeyes on Sunday nights and make sure to sit down as a family and enjoy a meal together. Last week I went big and bought some Wagyu ribeyes, they are 40% off at Eataly on the weekends, was still $60.00 a pound. Three of us had an amazing home cooked meal, good bottle of wine and it was about $200.00, I’ll bet the same meal at one of the better steak houses would have been $500.00

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Oysters day Saturday
 

Angler

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Anybody been to The Hat lately? One of the things I miss about SoCal. Wonder how much a sandwich there is now.
Their pastrami is a good sandwich, but the roast beef is so small compared to it.

Best sandwich is in Covina, called Capri Deli.
 
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