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AIBU?

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Original poster

£100 for a casual lunch out for 4 is too much

412 replies

GrealishGoddess · 31/08/2025 19:55

Deeply middle class problem but. Anyone else noticed that you can no longer get out of the likes of Bill’s, Wagamama, Pizza Express, etc , with two teens, for less than £100. Is this just inflation, NI effects, price gouging, what? AIBU to stay home?

OP posts:
Letsgoroundagainnow · 31/08/2025 21:12

soupyspoon · 31/08/2025 21:09

Comedy gold.

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Where is that laughing emoji? 🤣🤣🤣

Letsgoroundagainnow · 31/08/2025 21:11

It is too much but it is the cost.

PyongyangKipperbang · 31/08/2025 21:11

To me a whole pizza per person is not lunch, its dinner. And £100 for a dinner out for four is about right.

So if I had that at lunch time I would have a snacky supper rather than a full evening meal.

Lunch would be sharing a pizza between two and no alcohol.

niadainud · 31/08/2025 21:10

MessageMystery · 31/08/2025 20:06

4 people don’t need 4 pizzas. I’d get two and a side dish for four.

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🙄

PE pizzas are tiny. I can eat one easily and still be hungry afterwards. Half of one wouldn't touch the sides.

soupyspoon · 31/08/2025 21:09

MessageMystery · 31/08/2025 20:06

4 people don’t need 4 pizzas. I’d get two and a side dish for four.

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Comedy gold.

tarheelbaby · 31/08/2025 21:08

Similar here - went to a random pub in Oxford and it was £65 for me + 2xDDs. We each had a burger and some drinks. Theirs were juices and mine 1/2 pints.

SL2924 · 31/08/2025 21:08

Pizza express have a good points system where you get rewards, free sides and upgrades etc It’s one of the ones that actually feels worthwhile. But yes- eating out is expensive.

Unicornuni · 31/08/2025 21:08

Time to go to Nando’s

TheNinkyNonkyIsATardis · 31/08/2025 21:07

Whilst I don't think Pizza Express is casual, I don't think it's fancy either?

I'd say somewhere like a Loungers bar or an Ember Inn is probably more like a casual lunch. And I'd say a casual lunch has a max of two courses and one drink.

jackdunnock · 31/08/2025 21:07

That's why I mainly just go to wetherspoons these days. Yes, it's pretty mediocre food, but then I'm only going to shit it out the other end next day. Last weekend we went to the local chip shop (ironically directly across the road from spoons). Eat in cost us nearly £55 for fish and chips for two! Could have fed 5 adults for that at wetherspoons. Part of the issue was my DP ordered a gin and lemonade - which cost £10 alone (£6.95 for the gin, £2.95 for the lemonade).

I know spoons is the supermarket of pubs but it I'm sure other places could be cheaper if they weren't on punitive beer ties and rents.

pinenuts75 · 31/08/2025 21:07

Fishplates · 31/08/2025 20:55

I absolutely detest comments like this!

what a crappy race to the bottom…..

how on earth is eating out in a chain restaurant as a middle class family a luxury?!

the OP isn’t expecting a Michelin once a week.

Jesus Christ.

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I’m 49 I never remember my parents going out for meals, only for special occasions birthdays etc, we had a chippy meal sometimes as a treat, but mostly my mum cooked every night.

YouMightThinkThat · 31/08/2025 21:06

4 people don’t need 4 pizzas. I’d get two and a side dish for four

A real Teeny-Tiny in the wild!

Obesity crisis blah blah blah
Lost sight of normal weight blah waaah blah
NHS in crisis blah blah
Eat less move more

God but you teenies are so yawnsome.

DisforDarkChocolate · 31/08/2025 21:05

I'd expect for than £100 for most of those when you have teens.

Willoo · 31/08/2025 21:05

OonaStubbs · 31/08/2025 20:09

Eating out should be a luxury, people didn't used to expect to eat at restaurants all the time, it used to be a once or twice a year treat.

I go out with DH every Saturday for a meal and drinks. I think it’s important

OonaStubbs · 31/08/2025 21:04

Fishplates · 31/08/2025 20:55

I absolutely detest comments like this!

what a crappy race to the bottom…..

how on earth is eating out in a chain restaurant as a middle class family a luxury?!

the OP isn’t expecting a Michelin once a week.

Jesus Christ.

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Of course it is a luxury.

JustSawJohnny · 31/08/2025 21:04

Yes, we've found this.

All of the 'nicer' high street offerings are really quite pricey now. Wagamamas, Pizza Express and Yo! add up very quickly. Even Nando's can be well over £100 for a family of 4.

We just do it less. We're not 'pub food' people so cheap and cheerful doesn't work for us.

PivotFan · 31/08/2025 21:03

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

soupyspoon · 31/08/2025 21:02

I voted that YABU because thats 25 quid each which would only cover a basic starter, drink and main for each person really, so thats the norm, fairly basic in my view

But you're not unreasonble to say its a lot of money.

Thats why Greggs is popular!!!

Even coffee and cake for us 2 can sometimes set us back nearly 20 quid!!

friskery · 31/08/2025 21:01

treacledan71 · 31/08/2025 20:56

Went for a carvery today. Not Toby. Guessed it would be a bit more on a Sunday but it was 16.00 a head and the plates were tiny. Hardly any meat. Drinks were expensive too

Edited

I spent almost £100 today at a Toby Carvery and that was without any booze 😱

LivingMyLifeWithKindness · 31/08/2025 21:01

We are at Côte yesterday 2 adults a teen and a preteen for £80.
1 kids eat free meal for the under 12 and a blue light card discount of 20%.
no wine or starter but soft drink and a dessert each.
super impressed!!

ToothpasteDownMyTop · 31/08/2025 21:00

MessageMystery · 31/08/2025 20:06

4 people don’t need 4 pizzas. I’d get two and a side dish for four.

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😂

MasterBeth · 31/08/2025 21:00

SumUp · 31/08/2025 20:31

Yes, in eating out, you’re effectively paying for servants to host you, source, cook and serve a meal to you.

But that said, it’s right that we should question rather than accepting an erosion of our collective living standards.

I wish there were more workers canteens, like I experienced in Germany in the 80s. Anyone could use them, there was not much choice and it was mass catering, but it was good quality and very affordable.

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Yes, and when you get a bus, you're effectively paying for servants to drive you, escort you and deliver you to a distant place.

When you go and see a gig, you're effectively paying for servants to entertain you.

When you get your hair cut, you effectively pay a servant to wash your hair.

It's called the service economy and it's disrespectful to those within it to refer to them as "servants". Jeez.

Pedallleur · 31/08/2025 21:00

BananaPeels · 31/08/2025 20:48

My teenage boy could polish off 2 in one sitting if I let him!

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They will because they aren't paying

KatyaKat · 31/08/2025 20:58

MessageMystery · 31/08/2025 20:06

4 people don’t need 4 pizzas. I’d get two and a side dish for four.

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Well surely that depends on the appetites of the 4 people?! 2 pizzas and a side dish for us would leave us still hungry.

treacledan71 · 31/08/2025 20:56

Went for a carvery today. Not Toby. Guessed it would be a bit more on a Sunday but it was 16.00 a head and the plates were tiny. Hardly any meat. Drinks were expensive too

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