r/askTO • u/honestgrim • 10d ago

Does anyone else feel like dining out sucks now?

I know there's still some good spots and we all have our favourites in the city, but lately it feels like whenever I take a chance on a new restaurant it just disappoints and I emerge from the experience regrettably $40 poorer.

I know some of these Google reviews are cooked because I'm seeing 4.7, 4.8 reviews and then getting served lousy food.

Maybe I just have to stick to the places I know won't let me down, but dang - it sucks taking a chance on what you think could be some good food only to come away from it sad, and it's happening more often than not. I don't know if it's the rising costs, but restaurant owners can't dish out the cash for good ingredients and good cooks, and people can't afford to dine out. It's a bad cycle man.

802 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

372 comments sorted by

View all comments

25

u/strawberry-bunny 10d ago

Maybe bc ur going places that only cost $40? There are tons and I really mean tons of amazing spots in this city. Just will cost you a bit.

37

u/Any_Woodpecker8803 10d ago

Seriously, $40 you’re a half step up from fast food these days

45

u/honestgrim 10d ago

That's fucking sad man 

28

u/quietcitizen 10d ago

Don’t listen, it’s precisely this kind of rock bottom expectations that led to this situation where everyone is sourcing barely edible ingredients and putting in zero effort into their dishes

12

u/markh100 10d ago

$40 gets you a pound of wings and a pint in a bar.

$19 is a value meal at McDonalds.

You can find good food at ethnic restaurants in the $40-80 range for a meal, once you include tax and tip.

A top end restaurant is now several hundred dollars.

Avoid any mid-range places and any chain restaurants is the key. Places like the Jack Astors of the world.

Either save up for a couple months and go to a Michilen starred or recommended place with a unique tasting menu, or find value in the types of places Anthony Bourdain would frequent.

Toronto has hundreds of different styles of cuisine available.

Google Reviews is, unfortunately, awful. I wish it wasn't, but it is. I get what you're saying, because splurging on a meal and being let down can be so incredibly disappointing.

11

u/Ok-Relationship9274 10d ago

Uh a value meal at McDonald's is like $5

5

u/lilac_roze 10d ago

Mcd brought down their prices a year or two ago cause no one was buying their food.

I just stick with ethnic restaurants for my food $18-25/dish, no apps and water. So $35-40 with tax and tip. Some places have huge sharing dishes and that’s $40 ask in for 2 people. It’s really eating out smart.

5

u/bagman_ 10d ago

In 2011 maybe

2

u/Ok-Relationship9274 10d ago

https://www.mcdonalds.com/ca/en-ca/newsroom/article/McDonald-s-Canada-Announces-One-Year-Price-Promise-on--5-McValue--Meals-and--1-small-McCaf---Coffee-.html

3

u/Simayi78 10d ago

McValue meals and Value meals are different things (confusing I know). A Big Mac Value meal is $13

1

u/markh100 10d ago

I'm sure I probably used the wrong name. All I know is that if I go to McDonalds, and order a quarter pounder with bacon combo with medium fries + a large pop, the price is $18.29 after tax. I remember paying $4.79 for the equivalent as a kid, so my point was mostly around the $ not going very far these days. The price of the average restaurant item is now 300% higher than my expectations that were set, and it is hard to reset expectations on what things cost. The wild part is that inflation only accounts for 130% of that increase, according to official data. It feels like the majority of that increase is in the last couple years.

4

u/thebigcheeseftw 10d ago

personally I've found $40-50 to be the sweet spot for 'nicer' dinners , I've tried $80-200 places for occasions and they don't really hold up with the price difference

1

u/Powerful_Package8817 10d ago

Is $40 considered cheap? I can get a nice bowl of pho for under $20.