Some fast food restaurants are in the experience business, so not strictly so, although I am sure that some food produced in the food business would be considered fast food, so I suppose it doesn't preclude it either. I'm not sure the question really overlaps with the discussion, although perhaps I don't fully understand what you are asking.
yeah, i would like an example of a meal for $5 from a restaurant of any kind. A meal for < $10 is quite rare even for fast food, a slice of pizza and a coke from 7/11 is pushing $10.
> yeah, i would like an example of a meal for $5 from a restaurant of any kind.
Eating out doesn't necessarily mean restaurant, unless you use the term loosely. Restaurants typically sell an experience, not food, and indeed you expect to pay for that experience. It is something not duplicatable at home, at least not for the price a restaurant can offer it to you. Even a high priced restaurant is cheap compared to hiring servants to come to your home.
What's fast food? I consider McDonalds fast food, but they aren't in the food business and thus wouldn't be expected to provide for $5. The term fast food is quite loaded, in my experience.
Which market are you in? We know for certain that there isn't price uniformity in all locations. I'm not at all surprised that you could be paying $10+ for the same meal I pay $5 for. Which brings us back to asking what is rent? Again, that kitchen is occupying space that must be accounted for. You're being completely disingenuous if you ignore the bulk of your costs of operating a kitchen.
You can choose to accept those costs. I like to cook and would hate life if I had to eat out every day even if were at the best restaurants around, so I do too, but I'm not going to pretend they don't exist. The cost of eating at home isn't just the raw ingredients. That would be unfair to not only the discussion, but also yourself and your finances if you aren't being honest with yourself.
Almost nothing around here is less that $10 and most $12-15 a head unless it's taco bell or the dollar menu at some fast food menu for sure. I think someone lives in a much smaller town than we do or something ?