What does it mean when menu prices are no longer giving me sticker shock? What is it doing to me mentally when I am seriously thinking of not eating out anymore? Am I finally 'POOR' or just a grumpy, cranky old man??

This past week we went to two old standbys that we hadn't been to in a long time and I was unhappy with both for different---but I think justified--reasons!


On Thursday we went to Pomperdales--a 'New York type deli'--that I used to go to AFTER I got weighed at my primary doctor's office which was next door and no longer is. All the years I went to my favorite deli in New York I never remembered waiting on myself and yet here I place and pick up the order, get a drink (in my case water) and have to clean up after myself! And this cost me $18.49 and tax coming to $20 but that's not what I am complaining about (well, at that price I am not happy waiting on myself!)---hope you are sitting down because I am sure you never expected to hear this from me--the sandwich was too clumsy to hold and eat because it was so thick! I had ordered a Reuben and between all the meat-centered in the middle of the rye bread plus the sauerkraut plus the thousand island dressing with each bite part of it fell on the plate or on me! It was sloppy and, consequently, not enjoyable! Putting half the amount of meat or even just spreading it out between the 2 slices of bread more evenly would have made it a lot more enjoyable to eat!


Oh yes, that $18.49 sandwich was for 8 ounces of corned beef while you could get one for $23.49 for 12 ounces of corned beef--at a little bit over $2 a pound for the meat I would have been very happy getting 6 ounces of meat!


Okay, if you are over the shock of me complaining about too much food how about if I told you I didn't have a piece of the great carrot cake at Lester's where we went on Friday?! Lester's is a landmark diner in Fort Lauderdale not far from where I used to live and go to all the time! (Before I forget--they have a Reuben Sandwich for $12.99) They have done a lot of renovations and it is all sparkling metal and glass now with red accents.


I ordered the seafood platter which came with Stuffed Shrimp, Shrimp Scampi and Tilapia for $21.99 including soup and a side dish. Since I was having the Scampi I asked for linguini as my side dish. It is a full service restaurant and our server Lisette was excellent. The soup was good, served with crackers, though a bit salty. Ah, remember the old days when you got a basket of bread and/or rolls and butter when you ordered platters? In any case the dish looked good when it came. The Tilapia was a good-sized piece while the shrimps were big and though the stuffing was just piled in a scoop over the shrimp tasted good. The Scampi had good garlic and oil covering but it all laid on a dish of cold pasta! Yes, I could have sent it back to have the pasta warmed up but didn't instead (lesson learned as a server--never return food!! That's another post!) telling myself I would have the carrot cake afterward but I didn't because the cold pasta just turned me off plus, as much as I don't like to do it I was concerned about what it would cost these days because they do have a great carrot cake and serve a big slice. With tax and tip lunch---in a diner!--came to $60!!


I love eating out but how many lunches can I afford to spend $45-50? ($20 Thursday and $30 Friday!) That plus going to a movie would eat up my Social Security very fast. As it is not going to the theatre (and miss seeing touring shows) plus eating dinner out has 'saved' me money to a certain extent.


So do I 1) give up eating out? 2) Just be a grumpy, cranky old man? Or 3)??????????????????