What's for supper?

We just learned that our favorite local BBQ joint is closing up shop on July 3. Owner is retiring after many successful years. So we decided to pick up brisket and sausage plates with potato salad and baked beans. I guess this will be our last meal at a great little local spot.
I hate when that happens. There was a great Chinese restaurant in Vienna just a mile from home (Wu's Garden.) They knew my name. I was up that way for work meetings after I moved here and took some coworkers there for dinner. That happened to be the last night they were open. No on wanted to buy the business, and the next generation had no interest in it. At least I got to say goodbye.
 
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Restaurants are in trouble, overall. Most of them already depended on a low profit margin, and the COVID nonsense knocked many of them out of business. Then, the shortage of restaurants has led those still in business to determine that they could charge exorbitant prices while lowering their service and quality; thus, a lot of people have simply gotten out of the habit of eating out. Large cities and tourist places that see a lot of out-of-town business will always have room for restaurants, but local or neighborhood restaurants are dropping.
 
Restaurants are in trouble, overall. Most of them already depended on a low profit margin, and the COVID nonsense knocked many of them out of business. Then, the shortage of restaurants has led those still in business to determine that they could charge exorbitant prices while lowering their service and quality; thus, a lot of people have simply gotten out of the habit of eating out. Large cities and tourist places that see a lot of out-of-town business will always have room for restaurants, but local or neighborhood restaurants are dropping.
I shop quite a bit at restaurant supply stores. Especially produce prices have gone up 75%.
 
I didn't feel like cooking tonight so I went out to support a local Italian restaurant that I've only eaten at once before. The parking lot was full and I hate crowds, so I went to Walmart (sort of shares the parking lot) and picked up a frozen lasagna. I got the makings of a salad and garlic bread here at home.

I will say that the only time I've eaten at that place (maybe 2 months ago), a couple was just leaving and I was the only one in the place the entire time. Perhaps all those cars were for the Asian restaurant next door. They have a bar and wide screen TVs.
 
Restaurants are in trouble, overall. Most of them already depended on a low profit margin, and the COVID nonsense knocked many of them out of business. Then, the shortage of restaurants has led those still in business to determine that they could charge exorbitant prices while lowering their service and quality; thus, a lot of people have simply gotten out of the habit of eating out. Large cities and tourist places that see a lot of out-of-town business will always have room for restaurants, but local or neighborhood restaurants are dropping.
My husband talked to the BBQ joint owner when he picked up our dinner. The guy said his decision was driven by the price of beef; over 75% of his operating cost is meat. I don't know anything about the business so I guess that was unacceptable. I have to wonder if the price of beef will ever come down; it is really ridiculous now and the supermarkets never have any cut of beef on sale anymore.
 
My husband talked to the BBQ joint owner when he picked up our dinner. The guy said his decision was driven by the price of beef; over 75% of his operating cost is meat. I don't know anything about the business so I guess that was unacceptable. I have to wonder if the price of beef will ever come down; it is really ridiculous now and the supermarkets never have any cut of beef on sale anymore.
I have vague recollections that a significant portion of the beef herds were culled and they take 2 years to be brought back to previous populations. I think that was over a year ago. The compounding issue now may be the cost of fuel driving the cost of fertilizer driving the cost of feed. Every time I grocery shop I think of people trying to feed a family.
 
I do as much of my own cooking as I can, but I do enjoy dining out too! I keep my meal plan basic and simple...hamburgers, BBQ, spaghetti, tacos, rice and beans etc. Last night I had a grilled hamburger, potato salad, and carrot sticks and slices of cucumber. Washed it all down with tea sweetened with stevia.
 
We have sifted through our stack of gift cards (that got some new additions on Father's Day). Decided to go to Chili's for dinner today so I'm studying the online menu.
When I go there, I always have the usual bar and grill favs...burgers, ribs, fries, nachos, fajitas with all the trimmings, chips and dip or anything fried, of course all washed down with DIET COKE (I gotta watch my watch my figure :)
 
We went out for lunch today ( very rare treat ) I had a chicken Parma ….hubs had a new dish ~ panko crumbed prawns , both came with chips and salad which was rather nice ,i don’t drink so I had a. sparkling water 💦 with fresh lemon juice hubs had a pint size south Australian made
( in Adelaide ) Coopers pale ale total was $52

Yesterday we had freshly cooked corned beef / silverside / mash / brushes sprouts ( i forgot to buy carrots 🥕) here in the city
I’ve got stacks at home ….made hubs his homemade white sauce with a dash of hot mustard and parsley
 
Tortellini with mushrooms, garlic, spinach. Olive oil or cream that is SO’s decision. Big bowl of rabbit food, Armenian Cucumber for me. Iced Chardonnay.
 
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