Present Value, Past Value

My knowledge of Vancouver seems to be more like "Vancouver circa 2001". That day I left, a new life for me started in California, and my memories of Vancouver had been cast in stone.

no more cheap wings nightSo last night, we hit up Earl's for a commemorative Wings Night. And imagine my shock that in 2.7 years, their prices had increased dramatically and the portions were much smaller now! The restaurant atmosphere was the same, but I was disappointed with the (lack of) value in a place where I had had so many good times before. Their menu changed to some half-assed fusion concoction: no more cheap wings, no more unlimited refill strawberry-sprites. All this just means no more Earl's for me.

And today, in a failed lunch attempt at The Keg (that location only opens for dinner), I went to the Cactus Club instead. The same deal: atmosphere was preserved, but all the prices increased, and therefore the value of going there diminished. I mean, who pays $9.50 for a burger and fries? Even one with chicken breast and bacon in it? It's not right; just ain't right.

Either that, or I'm just getting cheaper in my old age. And at least the company I kept during these meals was great.

5 comments:

Mike said...

one word.. Inflation... :) Well, at least that's what I'm gonna tell myself anyway..

Fumbling said...

Oh man are you serious! Gotta go to a place like the old BelAir cafe on Broadway, forgot the name. cheap food and drinks. Or do away with the chain restaurants and hit up the places on Commercial. Better food, better prices.

Cindy said...

You're comparing it with the state. I think the food is cheaper in the state. When we were in Los Vegas, I saw a sign " $1.99 for breakfast" and that was last year.

Ben said...

It's not inflation, especially not in this economic state! I mean, it used to be $3.50 for a pound of wings, and now it's $5 for a HALF-POUND?? If that's inflation, then our loaves of bread should be $7, hahaha ...

That place on Broadway (old BelAir) ... isn't that the Beach Club something or other? I'll remember to hit those places next time (around October / November).

Las Vegas doesn't count -- it's all subsidized by the casino side, to get you into their gaming section. Plus, would you trust a steak that costs less than McDonald's beef?

I can get ghetto pho down here, and even if I couldn't get good pho, we have Pho Hoa down here anyhow.

And the stupid Keg didn't open for lunch. Bastards.

Thoughts said...

Well, although the prices at Earls has increased, it is still one of the places that I go to when I go home...it's a great place to go for apps and drinks. We always hit Earls around 3 or 4 and their dry ribs are the best. As for the old BelAir...isn't it called Rugby now. It's cheap there but I'd still much prefer going to a lot of other restaurants with different foods that they don't offer down here in the Bay Area. Cheap sushi, greek, Guu or Guu Garlic, Phenom Phenn, and Yoshuku-ya are a must for me. I'm hungry now...can't wait to go back to Vancouver to eat!