Mastodawn

Great video that showcases the history of cafeterias especially in the south. Given the rising cost of food in the last few years people have been figuring out that fast food isn’t as affordable as it’s historically been. https://youtu.be/T9AQJj2Pquo

The Rise And Fall Of Southern Cafeterias

YouTube

@gedeonm Here in the UK, and while I don't really visit fast-food places, I do visit coffee shops, and even relatively standard items like coffee and a tosted sandwich have risen rapidly in recent years. It's been rapid.

Ged Maheux 22h ago

@andycarolan I went through fast food drive through last week and it was $25 for the two of us. It’s just bananas.

@gedeonm Yup, that sounds like a lot for a two person visit to a drive-thru

A. Lee Bennett Jr.22h ago

@gedeonm Lately the only attractive thing about "fast food" is the "fast" part of the name. I rarely have enough time for a table service restaurant for lunch, but I find I can eat at places like Chili's or Garibaldi's for essentially the same price as quick service.

to wit: LOVE trips to Backyard Burger, but if I want fries and a drink with it, I'm generally looking at $15+

A. Lee Bennett Jr.22h ago

@gedeonm At least with Backyard, it's the extras that really drive up the cost. A good basic burger is only $6-8—far better than $11-13 at 5G, and IMNSHO, better tasting.

Ged Maheux 22h ago

@leebennett yes one of the main points they made in the video that I posted is that people are finding if they’re going through the drive-through and end up paying regular restaurant prices they might as well go to a sitdown restaurant and enjoy themselves and get waited on. Fast food places are in real trouble.

A. Lee Bennett Jr.22h ago

@gedeonm Absolutely agreed. I'm definitely curious to watch the video. Just gotta find a block of time to let it run.

Peter Cohen 22h ago

@gedeonm now I'm sooo hungry

Ged Maheux 21h ago

@flargh tell me about it! Some of the dishes those places are making look so good. I bury my face in a bowl of that mac & cheese.

Peter Cohen 19h ago

@gedeonm The cronch on that fried chicken gave me shivers

0px auto 22h ago

@gedeonm there's a lot to like about the south, this is one of those things. If I'm ever down that way, you can bet I will go out of my way to eat there...

Ash Doyle 22h ago

@gedeonm I grew up here in the South. In the 80s, cafeterias were still huge (however, already it was mostly an older generation that was keeping it going). Sunday lunch at a cafeteria was practically a tradition.

Jay Lyerly 21h ago

@ashkendo @gedeonm When a K&W opened in Kannapolis in the late 80s, the Sunday lunch line ran down a long corridor and spilled out into the lobby. A friend always referred to this as "melpew” food for the rushed "may I help you" that the cafeteria ladies repeated over and over as they served the endless line of people. My standard teenage order -- fried chicken, green beans, french fries, dinner roll and a slice of chocolate pie. I miss that pie.

Ged Maheux 21h ago

@jaylyerly @ashkendo that sounds amazing! Growing up in New England we didn’t have cafeterias like this sadly. Some of the food showcased in this video just makes my mouth water. We have some really good local southern eateries around me so I’m going to have to find a favorite place for chicken pastry after watching this.

Christopher Burton 20h ago

@gedeonm The wife and I were in a part of town we only visit once a month or so and decided to go through the Culver's drive-thru. Thirty bucks for two combos: sandwich, fries, and drink. Culver's is pretty tasty if you like fast food but dang! We couldn't eat there often.

Ged Maheux 20h ago

@cb yep, all that for no service, just drive through. It’s gotten out of hand.