[sxp]

> And for San Franciscans, the price on the menu is rarely the price you pay. Add in sales tax, a default 18-20% tip on the tablet screen, an SF Mandate or Cost of Living Fee, and 8.625% sales tax. Soon that seemingly cheap $15 lunch might be $20.

This is a key metric that the article doesn't properly account for when it comes to food prices. The asshole restaurateurs got an exception to the anti "drip-pricing" law that required all fees to be rolled into the listed cost: https://oag.ca.gov/hiddenfees

[01100011]

"But the restaurant industry is special."

Only in the restaurant world are customers on the hook for ensuring a living wage. It's a stupid system but is culturally entrenched.

[trillic]

A significant portion of the bottom and middle segments of the restaurant industry have been enshittified. Lower quality, less service, and higher prices.

Meal prepping, cooking at home, and fine dining only.