Letter to the Editor: Restaurant Prices Are Pricing Out Families

Going out to eat used to be something a family could enjoy without thinking too much about it. Now, between higher menu prices, taxes and tips, it is becoming something many families can barely afford.

Recently, my family of five went to a popular local restaurant in Springfield. We did not order steaks, seafood or anything fancy. We had horseshoes and a couple of appetizers. By the time the bill came, the total was about $140.

That is hard for a lot of families to justify.

This is not about refusing to tip or blaming servers, who are also trying to make a living. It is about the overall cost of everything adding up so quickly. The menu price is only the beginning. Then come the taxes, credit card fees, and the expected tip. Suddenly, a simple family meal feels like a major expense.

People want to support local businesses, and families want to enjoy a meal out together. But at these prices, many will simply stay home.

When a family can spend $140 on horseshoes and appetizers, something is wrong. Eating out should not feel like a luxury only some families can afford.

-James Snell, Springfield