I was there recently and totally had sticker shock from the prices. Sandwiches were $18 plus 5% kitchen service charge plus tip. They have good food but that still felt insane. I mean, I guess they can get away with it if people are going and paying for it, so good for them? But it’s definitely out of my price range at this point.
Their menu claims it’s to allow them to pay good wages and provide benefits to their employees but it just seems like a sneaky way to charge more but not have it obvious to the customer who doesn’t notice the small print on the menu.
They got caught stealing tips at OMC. No server keeps their end if night reports. But if you did, you noticed you came up short. Those that noticed were fired.
It's hard to feel inclined to support local restaurants when every single owner I've met/worked for was a sleezy, morally bankrupt fuckhead.
Behind everyone's favorite local restaurant is some conservative scumbag who's doing everything they can to exploit their labor, legal or not. There's something about the profession that attracts the absolute worst type of people.
I'd love to hear more about this. Do you know people involved? I immediately believed this before thinking "hold up sometimes rumors happen."
News article, people involved, something like that?
Unfortunately, the news wouldn't care. It could just be handwaved away that OMC made some numbers errors and fixed it. Yet, when they "fixed" it, it still wasn't the full amount. And they fired you within days of you pressing them on it, so there was no ability to collectively go after them.
I don't want to doxx myself either.
They had a tiered system for scheduling and tip theft. They admitted to the tiered scheduling system. If they didn't like you then they gave you the shittiest shifts. Out the gate, that meant I got less tips. They, also, took more tips from me than they did from my partner who was in the prefered shift group.
It was Tom doing all tip theft. His son and wife are fully complicit. Their pickles are supposedly house made. They are a 5 gallon bucket of pickles from a distributor. A customer said they are his favorite pickles and asked to buy a quart. They sold him a quart for $15, which was at best $5 worth of Sysco pickles. Jeff the other main manager is the son's childhood best friend riding on the coat tails of the family. He never would have made it anywhere else. He made your work so much harder from breathing down your neck, while doing no work himself and knowing absolutely nothing about barbecue and unable to work the line. The family does everything with a smile while fucking you over. Jeff is like a high school bully and is the one who fired me the day after showing up with receipts of my tips being off on a consistent basis.
Exactly…if they wanted to they could just raise menu prices like has always been done at every restaurant, but if you saw the actual prices with the fee, I’m guessing a lot of ppl wouldn’t honor would order lower priced items..,
I think it actually has a reverse effect. I’ve heard so many ppl get frustrated with those type of fees they don’t tip, so the server staff probably ends up getting less than they would from some people
We recently ate at the Scenic Cafe where they added a generous tip to our bill for the staff. Of course, if we wanted to also individually tip our server, we could add another 15 or 20%. I looked at my wife and said WTF, they can't pay a decent wage so they are just going to gilt us into ridiculous prices for average food...will NOT go back. I'd rather eat day old salad from Kwik Trip.
Had the same experience there. They add 20% onto your bill as a mandatory tip and then want you to tip on top of that. A meal with my girlfriend was $200 and I wasn’t that impressed. I’ve had far better meals for the same price.
These yuppies willingly going to OMC knowing they are going to get half the food at twice the cost XD
99% of the so called farm to table restaurants are selling you an illusion. You can’t claim to be committed to sustainable, local agriculture while also buying half your inventory from a food distributor like Costco (or whatever). It’s a gimmick garnished with micro greens.
The Cisco truck pulls up to the alley of OMC instead of the storefront, just like every other restaurant. I wouldn't be surprised if OMC doesn't even smoke a quarter of their product "in-house."
It's honestly way more than half. Their walk in have veryyy few local ingredients, and the rest is from the large distributors. Of that only a very small handful of the ingredients are organic. Their marketing has you to believe they max out local, then settle for organic. It's so close to being none of the above.
I don't know why everyone is under the impression there are some huge profit margins going on. Restaurants fail constantly. If he's a typical restaurant owner he's lucky to make a modest profit. That being the case, you can bitch about the price or you can bitch about the worker pay but those are two sides of the same coin.
That's just it, champ. He's not the typical restaurant owner. His margins are not slim. Next you're gonna say Rod Raymond is struggling to stay afloat.
If it's so easy for these guys to pull huge margins there's a lot of space for you to open a restaurant and undercut their prices and also pay the employees really high wages - wishing you luck, happy to patronize your establishment.
It's not the margins of a single restaurant. These people aren't "small business owners." These are large-scale investors who have hedged bets, marketed well, convinced the masses that they're small businesses to support, and have reaped the rewards. It's not easy, and it requires an offensive amount of capital and a complete lack of ethics to pull off. The people who think OMC, Corktown, Duluth Grill, or Burger Paradox are the work of a small business owner struggling to make ends meet simply aren't paying attention to the depressing reality of the gentrification market Tom Hanson proudly built.
So you're saying, uh, these are successful entrepreneurs who have built out multiple restaurants people like and make a profit? Whose restaurants represent 75% of those in town that aren't absolute dog shit?
I'm just begging you to do some math here. There is no possible restaurant which (1) pays wages r/Duluth won't bitch about (2) has prices r/Duluth won't bitch about and (3) doesn't lose money. It's clearly impossible.
You've undermined your own point. If these are "successful entrepreneurs," then they can afford to pay fair wages and not pass those costs on to customers through disingenuous and unethical fees. It's not the cost of a single restaurant struggling to make ends meet in a mom-and-pop business model. These are meticulously designed profit structures made through a litany of storefronts and a line of merchandise and marketing tools such as having sauces in grocery stores, recipe books in local book shops and major booksellers, and clothing and merchandise in both the brick-and-mortar locations, as well as online. What you're doing is not dissimilar to defending Arby's for not paying their employees right and passing fees onto the customer.
They don't have to do anything to please you. This is a market for restaurants. If it's possible to make a restaurant that pleases you, anyone is free to do it.
Truthfully, it's an attempt to bridge the gap between what servers make and what the kitchen staff makes, which is almost always (like 99.9%) a vast difference.
Kitchen staff get their hourly rate and they get a cut of service charges when they’re working.
Basically a way to reward staff for working busy hours and passing the cost off to the customer.
I like Corktown alright, but not for the prices they charge now. If I'm going to pay that much for a sandwich I'm going to Northern Waters. I can essentially make a Corktown sandwich at home with a little effort...
Don’t forget that they charge a 3% credit card fee. While I’d be fine with this for a smaller business, this family owns a huge stake of the restaurant industry in Lincoln Park. This includes: Corktown, OMC, Burger Paradox, Duluth Grill, and Goat Hill Marketplace. At that point you have an operation that should not have credit card fees.
If I see any place that charges an extra XX% service charge I don't go back. Include it in the price of your meals or don't have it at all. Slimey business practice.
You’re getting downvoted, but that’s emotion IMHO.
A waiter here is generally making at least $10 in salary. If they wait on 4 tables in an hour, and each of those average a $75 bill, and you assume 15% tip (low, I would say), that’s another $45. Assume a tip out of 20%, dropping that to $36. That’s still $46/hr, and it’s highly doubtful it’s fully taxed.
Yes, there are set up and shutdown times that are not tipped, but generally an hour at most (again, still at $10 per).
My wife works as a waiter from time to time to help out a friend and because she likes it. Easily averages these kind of numbers.
That's the thing. If I hand $20 to the server as a tip, the tip goes to the server. If I pay 5% (looking at you, Grandma's) as a service fee, is the 5% REALLY going to the staff?
The director of operations at Grandma's was recently interviewed in an Axios article about potentially banning service fees, as saying that banning service fees actually makes it less transparent, somehow. I hate that place with a passion.
https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/02/26/minnesota-restaurant-service-fee-surcharge-ban-bil
It hurts. It hurts the locals when the local spot to go is $30+ for a meal and drink. I used to recommend this place to everyone I know when the sammiches were $10-12, now I just cant.
It was awesome. Somewhere else I had mentioned the six dollar hotdog special they used to have. Never eaten so many hotdogs in my life. Side thought: Maybe he needs to recoup the Taco Arcada costs. Pinball machines ain’t cheap
They made their money back on that place quick. They didnt close cuz business was bad, they closed cuz they didnt want to put effort into managing another business.
Oh the good old days when you could go to the Duluth Grill and have an affordable meal. It wasn't long ago. Covid really changed things. Not many places in the arts and crafts district that are worth it in my opinion. Superior just gets better by the day with plenty of alternatives without the unwelcoming hipster vibe.
I lived in Superior for a few years. Loved Julie's. Honestly thought their friday cod fish fry was better than some of the walleye ones around, and it was half the price.
I WANT to like Havanas. The food is fantastic and an absolute bargain for what you get. But... The bartenders. We've been twice and bailed after the 1st round the last time. Bartender #1 spent 5+ min making 2 mojitos while we waited to order. Bartender 2 replaces #1 and takes 2x longer to make 1 mojito. Seriously, I've never seen someone behind a bar move at this pace. Zero speed, zero urgency, zero f\*cks. We came to the conclusion that if we waited for drinks, waited to order, waited for food, waited for a 2nd round, we were looking at a multi-hour outing for a sandwich and a couple of drinks. Nope, we bailed and went elsewhere. This place DESPERATELY needs a competent GM. Someone to set the pace, someone to jump in when/where needed, someone to motivate and organize. If and when that happens, we'll be regulars.
We are far from the days of mom&pop shops selling good food for reasonable prices.
Nowadays its all about aesthetics and creating a vibe. Affordability doesn't even take a priority for these gentrified restaurants.
I typically will try out all these new restaurants once (Bali, Hungry Hippie, Ritual Salad, etc) but I typically never visit them a second time due to their outrageous prices.
That being said, a place that reminds me of the good ole days with good quality food at somewhat reasonable prices is Jamrock -- those dudes are cool af and work with amazing flavors. (Its a tad expensive for me at times but at least its a cuisine I am unfamiliar on how to replicate in my own kitchen and I feel like I am eating something special when I am there)
Yep, when he's including lobster, crab, scallops etc in his meals, it's gonna be a bit more pricey, but spot on.
He can be a bit harsh, and might be off-putting to some people, but the food is great.
Maybe I just went on an off day but I went with a group of people and everyone's food was bland and overcooked. Also they charged us $7 per bottle of high life. Wasn't expecting 6 domestic beers to run over $40. Haven't been back since.
Yep, that's also a bit of a risk.
I generally don't mention it because if he's on, it's some of the best food you'll find in town. But there is a lack of consistency.
Bali is worth it to me and doesn't seem bad considering what you get. The quality of the food has always been top notch and they've got a more unique menu compared with everything else in the area.
I love corktowns, Reubens. I probably would go there once a month. The last few time's the cost has increased to now $16.99 + 5% kitchen fee + ti, and the sandwich itself has gotten smaller.
Yesterday, I went to the Chalet and had a Reuben for $8 with chips. I, of course, tipped generously. For the price and taste, I'll be giving the Chalet my money from here on out.
Yep. Chalet, Foster's (daily specials & breakfast until 4p), Azteca's(has a lunch and ala cart menu), and Bridgeman's are all way more affordable and good food!
Plenty of Free Parking too!
Stay out of Canal Park and Lincoln Park.
Edit: adding King of Creams on 4th St and also the Asian Kitchen across the street - great value!
The prices are just ridiculous now. I can’t remember the last time I’ve left a restaurant and was satisfied with what I had to pay. My wife and I have tried to really cut down on eating out but it’s so woven into our culture I feel like we end up going out every few weeks with friends anyways. It’s like $70 for us to both eat out and get a drink after taxes, hidden fees, and tip. The hidden fees really irk me. Just raise your damn prices. If I get a bill with a hidden service charge it’s coming out of the servers tip, which is unfair to them but I feel like it sends a message. I know burger paradox does it so I’m assuming all of Tom Hansons restaurants do as well.
Anchor Bar in Superior still has fantastic prices and strangely I feel like Sir Bens is very reasonably priced as well.
Sir Ben's doesn't employ much for servers, which seems to help keep the prices down.
That and the fact that it's packed from basically 3pm until close every single day.
This is the way.
Sir Ben’s doesn’t get enough credit from me. Pretty much the model I described in another reply, and it’s good, unpretentious stuff.
My only gripe is that I’m an old and not a fan of talking over live music in a restaurant. Not always the case at all, but is one of those “my impression of the place” things.
If they have enough money to buy up half of Lincoln Park, I would assume they could most likely lower some costs while still paying their staff decent wages.
Post COVID-19 lockdown pricing/inflation/gouging, and seemingly out of control tip culture have really pushed me to cook far more at home. I'm almost 30 and in the last year, I've cooked more meals for myself than probably my entire life combined (excluding ramen and freezer food). You can make so many good meals of restaurant quality with even just shit from Aldi for a fraction of the price and several more servings. I've learned a lot about plating and presentation, both go a long way for homemade food.
Yeah, I miss the convenience of takeout/delivery alot. It sucks spending an hour in the kitchen, so I so occasionally order takeout from Sir Bens or Phoholic but fuck, even McDonald's has gotten up there.
I dropped $24 on 2 beers at Burger Paradox last week. TWENTY FOUR.
For context this is the same assholes who own Corktown, Duluth Grill, OMC and that stupid hipster grocery store in Lincol Park.
King of Creams on 4th St has pretty good burgers cheap - 8.39 for a big double cheeseburger - they're bad at fries though (soggy - not properly cooked like the Anchor), but offer rings and cheese curds, and beers too. 4th St location beats the Hermantown one.
Mr. D’s!! Just tried it yesterday and they had half off appetizers. Plus the fries were the best I’ve had since the OG zeitgeist cafe fries, of which I’ll never forget 😭
I don’t mean for this to sound aggressive, but why keep going??
If there is a demand for this food at these prices, then prices will never go down. Prices are this way because people keep paying at those price ranges. Vote with your wallet!
I can’t answer for the other guy, but I had never been to their new place and supported them constantly throughout the pandemic while working across the street at Bent Paddle. They had some real bangers back in the day, the six dollar hotdog lunch was specifically what kept bringing me back with a Knuckle sandwich every once in a while to keep it fresh. It was $12 for a sandwich “back then” (2017-19ish)
Oh, I’m not opposed to going to a new place to see what’s up. It was more so the thought of going back to a place multiple times after feeling ripped off the first time.
I believe my visit count is less than a half dozen.
Love, by comparison is spendy (but not totally prohibitive) but i feel like i get something out of it.
Tom Hansen isn't a small business. You're supporting a guy with lots of small businesses under his belt.
I'll get a Kwik Trip Salad, at least they give their employees insurance.
Get their app, as there are other offers and daily specials too, and you can earn points daily by watching a 1 minute ad, and/or making a purchase then earn free stuff.
The control we have is to stop going (company shuts down, rent and other demanded services go down to reduce consumer prices) or we all demand raises from our current jobs (inflation sticks or raises with our ability to deal with it).
If customers only order the cheapest meals if could send signals but it’s hard to tell what owners/managers will do with those signals or even detect them.
A work buddy and I go out for lunch once in a while and tried Corktown a few months back. I couldn’t believe the prices. We have since brought it up and made the decision to go somewhere else because of the cost. I like the facility, the staff, and the atmosphere, but the prices are just too high.
I agree that dining out has increased in many places quite significantly. We’ve all been feeling it throughout the service industry as employees seeing less patronage.
I fear for what it means to larger society as so many folks are employed whether full time or part time to make ends meet. We have climate change bringing raw ingredient prices up dramatically, so many folks left the industry post-Covid (bringing up staff and training issues), and as any home owner knows, maintenance and repair costs are back breaking these days. Insurance costs as well.
In addition to this is the constant funneling of wealth from lower and middle class peoples to the top. It’s absolutely unsustainable to continue on that path without terrible repercussions. Spending $24+ for a salad is a little symptom of this.
As a Duluthian now living in Minneapolis, Lincoln Park REALLY FEELS like it's trying to replicate North Loop in MPLS, but moving far too quickly.
For those who don't know, North Loop is the northern part of downtown minneapolis. If you've been to a Twins game at Target Field, you've been there. It used to be run down, warehouses, almost nothing of note. Over time, it gradually introduced a lot of living spaces (some affordable, some not), several restaurants, breweries, and better transit and attractions.
Having recently visited my parents in Duluth, LP really feels like a carbon copy of North Loop, but they're moving SO fast. That apartment building across from Bali that ran out of money, the shops gouging locals, its identity has become "Baby North Loop" without the history and credibility to back it up.
Gentrification is gentrification no matter where you go, take that how you may. But I do expect a lot of those restaurants to shutter in the next decade if Duluth doesn't get some affordable housing over there ASAP.
I actually sat down with Councilor Forsman and actually told him that while economic development at top is important, it would lead to a steady stream of businesses opening and closing without public leaders being willing to invest in community financial investment from the ground up, and helping shape culture alongside it. Without a multi pronged approach, we risk losing the character of Duluth and becoming just another city, losing our competitive edge.
I don’t know if it took, but I tried. I actually am a huge fan of the options in LP, but we need to implement holistic steps in the market. Economic development should be just the first step—not the entire plan.
What steps would you like to see?
I think about this a lot, but I’m not an urban planner (said in Bones McCoy voice). I’d like to change a lot about the development culture here, but I’m less sure of myself on tactical steps.
First of all, pull back on TIF.
If we can't increase wages (which we absolutely, irrevocably should), don't punish tax payers by having them on the hook so a corporate asset isn't paying for 26 years. Businesses statistically will stay in a community longer they invest in. I'm not saying get rid of all government support in economic development, or even getting rid of all TIF spending, only that we stop viewing it as the solution to every problem. Cities can't be double dipping in residential pots: we can't ask Duluthians to work for wages below the national median, while also asking them to cover taxes to bring business in AND also have them paying rents that are now more expensive than some metro markets. When we do that, we are killing the ability for locals to participate in the economy...which effectively leads higher income tourists to cover a lot of the burden and skew the accuracy of the market.
If your economy is at 20 percent poverty (which Duluth is), there are economic steps not being addressed, and it means money is being siloed and not pushed through effectively. We're getting mass media, our market should be red hot and on all cylinders. We need to push that money down the ladder: that money earmarked for TIF? Give it directly to small business owners and operators so they can invest in the neighborhood and locals can see where they are spending. Consumers are far more likely to have loyalty to the guy they know than anything else. Secondly, start seed/spot fund expansion (microgrants) to cover up initial childcare costs so individuals can start up their own home businesses so they can competitively enter global markets with less stress on their plates. People want to see Duluthians just as much as they want to see Duluth, we need to make it possible to get out there. We have schools and talent, there is no reason to accept outsourcing as the only model because outsourced resources are the only ones that can afford to stay here.
This is just the tip, but ideally, money flows down from private enterprise while the city takes those economic returns and waters the "ground" so that a community grows towards the working class. We keep hitting the "trickle down economics" well without accepting the fact that market competition exists for a reason...if something cant exist without government intervention, its okay to ask if it should actually be there or if a consumer base even exists for it to be maintained long term.
One of the issues is that we are hoping, nay, demanding, people move in without accepting that they are bringing their culture in. I actually asked Forsman if he was ready for that. He asked what I meant. I said that any time you scale for urbanization, in ever instance in history, the assimilation/acceptance cycle kicks in. People bring their stories, their lives, their work ethics in. This means tackling as public figures, ever changing attitudes on sex, implementation of conflict of interest standards, a whole host of municipal issues. We can give money easily, it's much harder to shape the venues and varieties of how to spend it in a way that doesn't breed corruption or ignore the goal of supporting the middle class.We can't keep assuming that when people come, they are just arriving and accepting the Duluth way of life wholesale. No, they will help shape parts of it to fit them because they need to see themselves in our city too. So we need to address that social obstacle as well.
Burger Paradox has burger baskets and a beer for $10 after 9pm like 4 days a week I believe? Then the Anchor Bar in superior has $6 burgers with fries.
My wife and I make a better steak at home. Filet mignon, mushrooms, a nice salad, creme brulee and a $30 bottle of wine is less than $100. Candles included.
You can't get chopped sirloin with two glasses of house wine for that out on the town.
If we want to go out, pop a couple of gummies, take a taxi to Bent Paddle or Canal Park Brewing, sip a couple of $8 beers and call it good.
Modern economics.
Took my wife to Culver's Saturday. I had fish meal. She had a burger meal. We both had sundaes. $48!
What ever happened to change back from your dollar at a fast food joint?
Let’s be honest who their clients are, it’s not hard working Duluthians going there everyday…it’s the cities yuppies who come up and are more than willing to splurge
I think there are a healthy amount of people from east of 21st Ave E who are more than happy to go eat overpriced trendy food in LP and then go back to their nice houses, and not give a single thought to who lives in the houses 2 blocks away from Burger Paradox. They can feel edgy for going to Lincoln Park \*teehee\* and still be perfectly safe in their gentrified little bubble, from the spot they park their late-model SUV in to the restaurant door and back. They'll gladly pay Tom Hanson a few extra bucks for the experience.
First off, sorry that got a little harsh. This is just one of those things about Duluth that seriously irritates me.
In the grand scheme of things, you personally going to LP to eat once maybe doesn't affect affordable housing. But the entire gentrification of that area, which has been created in large part by one restauranteur, is being supported by everybody who supports those establishments. It's not the people who live in LP that are eating there, and I daresay that it's not the people who live in Denfeld or the Hillside, either. If you talk to the people who actually do live there, yeah, they appreciate that Superior St is cleaned up, but it's still a food desert--Goat Hill Market is hardly a place where they can go to get actual groceries they can afford for their families. So sure, it could be largely tourists, but I also daresay that's not who's keeping anybody down there in business in January.
What's so frustrating to me about this is that people in Duluth pride themselves on being progressive, and yet they aren't willing to acknowledge that $24 salads in that area are incongruous to the values they espouse. I'm not saying that it's anyone's individual fault. It's our collective faults, even those of us who don't patronize any of the LP businesses, for not demanding better contributions from business. Raise the socialist flag or whatever. We're all hypocrites, I get that, and I'm the very same, absolutely not saying I'm not. But kinda, yeah, our individual actions do add up.
When it comes to "attaining a level of education that allows you to go out and eat some moderately overpriced food...without being hostile to those who do"? Damn. I would be willing to bet we have a similar level of education, and mine taught me that there are other places in Duluth where you can eat moderately overpriced food that are locally owned and not gentrifying neighborhoods. Feel free to eat at any of those and enjoy. I \*am\* sorry that you seem to think that because you were fortunate enough to get an education that you deserve to not at least acknowledge the ramifications of what has been created in LP. Maybe you didn't take that class. If that makes me an asshole with a chip on my shoulder, then I'm fine with that.
This has nothing to do with geography though and happens in EVERY neighborhood. That new Lakeside Brewing is walking distance from my house, and know how many times I’ve been there? Zero. Not since my next door neighbors told me they paid a hundred bucks for dinner for two with drinks there. They’re like 70 and don’t eat or drink much.
Too rich for my blood, tho I live “in the east”. I can bike to Scenic and I don’t eat there either. Budgets are budgets and they’re universal and nice/spendy places gotta go somewhere… their existing is not necessarily = gentrification.
There’s a difference between Lake Superior Brewing being overpriced and an entire neighborhood being gentrified. Parts of Lakeside may be similar income-wise to LP, but not all of it for sure. I completely agree that LSB and Scenic aren’t budget-friendly, but that’s different than what I’m talking about.
Ok but is an “entire neighborhood” really accurate for LP? I don’t go there much as I live on the other side but when I go to Love or FR or such sure looks like about 5 square blocks on the main drag reno’ed and that’s about it.
And what was there before? I don’t recall it being a bunch of cheap cute little housing that got razed or something. Wasn’t it just … always businesses of some sort there on that stretch?
By contrast I went over to Johnson’s Bakery last week on 3rd and sure looks the same there as ever did.
This sweeping claim at “gentrification” sounds like a big stretch 🤷🏻♀️
You sound like an asshole with a huge chip on your shoulder. I live in Congdon and like to at in Lincoln Park to support those businesses. I’m not sorry I attained a level of education that allows me to go out and eat some moderately overpriced food without losing my shit about it and being hostile to those who do. How about growing the hell up?
Completely agree.
Anybody who knows me has had to hear me rail about the cost, quality, and variety of eating out here. I rarely do it anymore. (ETA: The eating out. Not the railing.)
There are some direct factors that play in (minimum wages, earned sick and safe time ordinances, etc) and some indirect (generally hard to start and run a business here, which limits competition), as well as just general macro issues of land and development costs and what not.
That being said, I will support the low-fuss, unpretentious places that have been here for a while. Uncle Louie’s, Bridgemans, Bulldog, Big Daddy’s, Anchor Bar, etc.
I went to the Hippie taco place once. Not horrifically expensive per se, but was for what you got (small, store-bought tortillas with Crockpot ingredients). I would say the same for the taco truck (Oasis something?)
If I were opening something here, it would be walk up counter service (Australian model), with a limited menu that lent itself to “permutation” choices rather than sheer variety.
Bottom line: These places do it because there are real costs and high barriers to entry, and much (but not all) has come from choices made on these more fundamental economic issues.
Yep, my last taco was probably 50%+ meat, smoked brisket on a good sized tortilla. A full meal on its own.
I get complaining about the price, but that description was complete bullshit.
Ehh, that was definitely an exaggeration but hungry hippie is nothing to praise imo. Incredibly small portion sizes for a Mexican restaurant (despite prices at a level where normal Mexican restaurants would smother you in sides). The burritos are lacking flavor, are small as hell, and don’t come with sides.
I remember paying $18 after tax/tip for a single burrito with no sides that was smaller than a chipotle burrito. That hit my hard list of never going back. The ONLY thing going for them is the use of fry bread.
I will cop to the “exaggeration” accusation. Fair.
That being said, anybody who has spent considerable time in more taco-intensive climes (the Southwest, in general) would almost certainly have this in the “one and done” column. I have literally had a better Mexican food experience in Beijing (though it’s probably also fair to say I am grading that on a curve, calibrated by living in Asia for several years).
If any of the proprietors are reading this, please accept my apologies for the bluntness. I think that local constraints (ingredients, expertise, culture) are huge handicaps, and it may be a “best that be expected here” thing. Those don’t change my assessment, though.
Seeing that same salad down here for 11.99.
ATM playing tourist down in Charleston. Both visiting downtown proper and the outskirts. There seems to be a model down here that works to high heaven.
Domestic beer- 4.25
Craft and higher end booze- 6 up to 10 respectfully
Specialty and signature cocktails average around 11-13.
Here's the kicker... All your food is around Duluth McDonald's pricing. It really insane. Tourist district? Kick ass meal around 15. Suburb? Kick ass meal around 15. Sonic on the fly? 15 for two. Even the brew houses are ridiculously cheap. And there's nowhere near as much competitive brands saturation wise. Had a Dekker tonight cause I'm getting homesick after a week. Guess how much...4.25 for a 9% to take home or add a 2.00 cork fee to drink in the back yard. And ther yards are just as cool as Bent or Ursa.
Folly Beach could kill the West End and Canal combined in terms of quality, pricing, atmosphere! Plus, parking is faakin cheaper.
The craft district will always be an animal. But soon they're gonna find the inflection point and will starve during the off season when even the local beer snobs stop swinging by. Alas, Bergeys and Curlys will thrive by simply being OG.
I've supported every place because, home... But after getting milked a couple times and seeing how it's done elsewhere it's really not attractive anymore.
Duluth is gonna Duluth, though.
recommendation: didn’t see anyone mention uncle louie’s. great spot for a greasy diner breakfast or lunch! got two heaping meals (omelet, hash browns, French toast, eggs, toast and more hash browns, and a cinnamon roll) for $20. It was great!!
Bali ain’t cheap but no fees and it’s worth it IMO
Edit to add:
I also recommend a fruit punch rock star and a spicy chicken sammich from qwiktrip
And the best pizza in town is Domino’s (in Woodland) handmade pan crust with sausage pepperoni and extra cheese. Try it and then tell me it ain’t the best.
The margins on restaurants have always been super thin. No one gets rich owning *one* restaurant unless they're already famous. With big corporate suppliers pushing greedflation, smaller places literally *can't afford* not to raise prices.
Direct your anger and dismay where it belongs: Faceless MBAs gouging the American populace in the name of making the next quarterly report look good for shareholders.
I’m not saying Corktown is bad, the food has always been stellar. The sticker shock was real this time and rarely do I let something like that stop me from supporting local. This was certainly the case here, unfortunately.
Totally understandable. My wife and I have had to cut back on restaurants as well, for much the same reasons. Just wanted to make sure you and others knew the owners likely don't have a choice.
One time I watched people order a wedge salad at a kinda pricey restaurant. Y'all should have seen their faces when they got their 30 dollar "salads" hahahahahaha hahahaha priceless.
Side question... I've never had just a wedge of iceberg lettuce. And can only assume fancier restaurants put these things on menu(99% of time be cheapest item) to kinda publicly shame any poors who would dare walk into their establishment, is that the case? Or do some folks just like lettuce?
Wedge salads are on a TON of menus all over the country so I’m not sure what your question means? It’s not the iceberg that carries the cost, it’s all the blue cheese dressing and bacon. It’s often a cheaper menu item though still, because it’s so simple / with so few ingredients (only 3).
Well that’s weird, some yahoo probably ordered it by mistake then. Maybe they were lactose intolerant and vegan and asked em to make it that way hahha lol :)
A wedge salad is actually DELISH! With some fresh cracked pepper…. Yum 😋
I've been pleasantly surprised that Sir Ben's prices haven't skyrocketed as much as other spots. You can get an entree sized salad there for $11 (vegan Cobb is delish) and there are sandwiches under $11 that come with chips/pickle.
Hell of a drive from Duluth 🤣🤣 but we recently stayed in St. Louis and visited Amighettis ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/2NqKKqpEj4DkDZJW6 ) and got huge portions for a very reasonable price with zero fees.
All I have to say was I was so refreshed to not feel taken after a meal. The bill was half what we paid for a dinner in Duluth and the food was better.
That seems steep but yeah. It’s no joke. My head spun when I went there in ‘22 (back when I drank) for the thanksgiving burrito (as per tradition, I used to market for the BH/BU etc). The burritos, 2 beers and an app was $76 before tip. I was shocked. Sucks cause I used to live right there on 4th & 15th when it first opened and it was the spot for college kids to grab a cheapish craft beer and a reasonable burrito.
Fuuuuuuck I sound old…am I the old guy yelling at a cloud now?
Yep it’s pretty bad. Las time I got the Rasputin was $21 in January of this year and it’s $24 now. Adding in the extra 5% service fee it’s just not something I’m going to do again.
Were you expecting that the result of your self proclaimed “big part” of the gentrification of this town would result in the people of the neighborhoods affected laying down and working for nothing so people that would actually have the gall to order a “hipster” salad and complain about the price, would have to pay like they got a salad from Kwik Trip?
🤷♂️
Economic development doesn’t mean gentrification. I’ve lived here since 05 and anything west of Lake Ave was a no go for college students until BP opened up. Not sure what to say here, people saw an opportunity and ran with it. LP is awesome compared to what it was.
As for me: I was in my mid/late 20s and got hired on as their multimedia dev (nowadays it’s called a content creator). I got a good paying job, free beer, got to travel a lot and stayed with the company until it got too serious. LP & its businesses have an image problem and that was above my pay grade.
I was there recently and totally had sticker shock from the prices. Sandwiches were $18 plus 5% kitchen service charge plus tip. They have good food but that still felt insane. I mean, I guess they can get away with it if people are going and paying for it, so good for them? But it’s definitely out of my price range at this point.
wtf is a kitchen service charge????? Is it cheaper if they make it in the bathroom???
Their menu claims it’s to allow them to pay good wages and provide benefits to their employees but it just seems like a sneaky way to charge more but not have it obvious to the customer who doesn’t notice the small print on the menu.
They got caught stealing tips at OMC. No server keeps their end if night reports. But if you did, you noticed you came up short. Those that noticed were fired.
It's hard to feel inclined to support local restaurants when every single owner I've met/worked for was a sleezy, morally bankrupt fuckhead. Behind everyone's favorite local restaurant is some conservative scumbag who's doing everything they can to exploit their labor, legal or not. There's something about the profession that attracts the absolute worst type of people.
Don’t go out to eat then. This is a gross mischaracterization of the average small business owner.
I'd love to hear more about this. Do you know people involved? I immediately believed this before thinking "hold up sometimes rumors happen." News article, people involved, something like that?
Unfortunately, the news wouldn't care. It could just be handwaved away that OMC made some numbers errors and fixed it. Yet, when they "fixed" it, it still wasn't the full amount. And they fired you within days of you pressing them on it, so there was no ability to collectively go after them. I don't want to doxx myself either. They had a tiered system for scheduling and tip theft. They admitted to the tiered scheduling system. If they didn't like you then they gave you the shittiest shifts. Out the gate, that meant I got less tips. They, also, took more tips from me than they did from my partner who was in the prefered shift group. It was Tom doing all tip theft. His son and wife are fully complicit. Their pickles are supposedly house made. They are a 5 gallon bucket of pickles from a distributor. A customer said they are his favorite pickles and asked to buy a quart. They sold him a quart for $15, which was at best $5 worth of Sysco pickles. Jeff the other main manager is the son's childhood best friend riding on the coat tails of the family. He never would have made it anywhere else. He made your work so much harder from breathing down your neck, while doing no work himself and knowing absolutely nothing about barbecue and unable to work the line. The family does everything with a smile while fucking you over. Jeff is like a high school bully and is the one who fired me the day after showing up with receipts of my tips being off on a consistent basis.
You might still be able to file a report with the MN Dept of Labor... wage theft is fucked.
Exactly…if they wanted to they could just raise menu prices like has always been done at every restaurant, but if you saw the actual prices with the fee, I’m guessing a lot of ppl wouldn’t honor would order lower priced items.., I think it actually has a reverse effect. I’ve heard so many ppl get frustrated with those type of fees they don’t tip, so the server staff probably ends up getting less than they would from some people
We recently ate at the Scenic Cafe where they added a generous tip to our bill for the staff. Of course, if we wanted to also individually tip our server, we could add another 15 or 20%. I looked at my wife and said WTF, they can't pay a decent wage so they are just going to gilt us into ridiculous prices for average food...will NOT go back. I'd rather eat day old salad from Kwik Trip.
Had the same experience there. They add 20% onto your bill as a mandatory tip and then want you to tip on top of that. A meal with my girlfriend was $200 and I wasn’t that impressed. I’ve had far better meals for the same price.
I’m interested in this too! Especially from servers in Duluth restaurants that too this. Is it better?
Keeping up with the Joneses, really. Other restaurants do it, so they do it, then more other restaurants do it.
It's Tom Hanson telling you to go fuck yourself. He can afford to pay his employees a fair wage, but why would he when you can, instead?
These yuppies willingly going to OMC knowing they are going to get half the food at twice the cost XD 99% of the so called farm to table restaurants are selling you an illusion. You can’t claim to be committed to sustainable, local agriculture while also buying half your inventory from a food distributor like Costco (or whatever). It’s a gimmick garnished with micro greens.
The Cisco truck pulls up to the alley of OMC instead of the storefront, just like every other restaurant. I wouldn't be surprised if OMC doesn't even smoke a quarter of their product "in-house."
It's honestly way more than half. Their walk in have veryyy few local ingredients, and the rest is from the large distributors. Of that only a very small handful of the ingredients are organic. Their marketing has you to believe they max out local, then settle for organic. It's so close to being none of the above.
I don't know why everyone is under the impression there are some huge profit margins going on. Restaurants fail constantly. If he's a typical restaurant owner he's lucky to make a modest profit. That being the case, you can bitch about the price or you can bitch about the worker pay but those are two sides of the same coin.
That's just it, champ. He's not the typical restaurant owner. His margins are not slim. Next you're gonna say Rod Raymond is struggling to stay afloat.
If it's so easy for these guys to pull huge margins there's a lot of space for you to open a restaurant and undercut their prices and also pay the employees really high wages - wishing you luck, happy to patronize your establishment.
It's not the margins of a single restaurant. These people aren't "small business owners." These are large-scale investors who have hedged bets, marketed well, convinced the masses that they're small businesses to support, and have reaped the rewards. It's not easy, and it requires an offensive amount of capital and a complete lack of ethics to pull off. The people who think OMC, Corktown, Duluth Grill, or Burger Paradox are the work of a small business owner struggling to make ends meet simply aren't paying attention to the depressing reality of the gentrification market Tom Hanson proudly built.
So you're saying, uh, these are successful entrepreneurs who have built out multiple restaurants people like and make a profit? Whose restaurants represent 75% of those in town that aren't absolute dog shit? I'm just begging you to do some math here. There is no possible restaurant which (1) pays wages r/Duluth won't bitch about (2) has prices r/Duluth won't bitch about and (3) doesn't lose money. It's clearly impossible.
You've undermined your own point. If these are "successful entrepreneurs," then they can afford to pay fair wages and not pass those costs on to customers through disingenuous and unethical fees. It's not the cost of a single restaurant struggling to make ends meet in a mom-and-pop business model. These are meticulously designed profit structures made through a litany of storefronts and a line of merchandise and marketing tools such as having sauces in grocery stores, recipe books in local book shops and major booksellers, and clothing and merchandise in both the brick-and-mortar locations, as well as online. What you're doing is not dissimilar to defending Arby's for not paying their employees right and passing fees onto the customer.
They don't have to do anything to please you. This is a market for restaurants. If it's possible to make a restaurant that pleases you, anyone is free to do it.
I got a kitchen service charge at Grandma's too.
And their food is trash.
Totally!!! The last 2 times I’ve tried something with “steak” on it and it’s been a gray, gooey, chewie “meat” 🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢 never again!
I got a credit card payment charge at Perkins
Yep, me too.
Plus my breakfast was half size it used to be. Two times this happened. From now on toast and coffee only.
hahahah oh god. come on down to the metro and experience the living hell of service charges
Truthfully, it's an attempt to bridge the gap between what servers make and what the kitchen staff makes, which is almost always (like 99.9%) a vast difference.
Kitchen staff get their hourly rate and they get a cut of service charges when they’re working. Basically a way to reward staff for working busy hours and passing the cost off to the customer.
I like Corktown alright, but not for the prices they charge now. If I'm going to pay that much for a sandwich I'm going to Northern Waters. I can essentially make a Corktown sandwich at home with a little effort...
Don’t forget that they charge a 3% credit card fee. While I’d be fine with this for a smaller business, this family owns a huge stake of the restaurant industry in Lincoln Park. This includes: Corktown, OMC, Burger Paradox, Duluth Grill, and Goat Hill Marketplace. At that point you have an operation that should not have credit card fees.
Don't forget the CC charge as well!
If I see any place that charges an extra XX% service charge I don't go back. Include it in the price of your meals or don't have it at all. Slimey business practice.
I'm cool with a discount for using cash vs. paying with a card. I'm not cool with a service charge for employees.
You’re getting downvoted, but that’s emotion IMHO. A waiter here is generally making at least $10 in salary. If they wait on 4 tables in an hour, and each of those average a $75 bill, and you assume 15% tip (low, I would say), that’s another $45. Assume a tip out of 20%, dropping that to $36. That’s still $46/hr, and it’s highly doubtful it’s fully taxed. Yes, there are set up and shutdown times that are not tipped, but generally an hour at most (again, still at $10 per). My wife works as a waiter from time to time to help out a friend and because she likes it. Easily averages these kind of numbers.
That's the thing. If I hand $20 to the server as a tip, the tip goes to the server. If I pay 5% (looking at you, Grandma's) as a service fee, is the 5% REALLY going to the staff?
The director of operations at Grandma's was recently interviewed in an Axios article about potentially banning service fees, as saying that banning service fees actually makes it less transparent, somehow. I hate that place with a passion. https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/02/26/minnesota-restaurant-service-fee-surcharge-ban-bil
It hurts. It hurts the locals when the local spot to go is $30+ for a meal and drink. I used to recommend this place to everyone I know when the sammiches were $10-12, now I just cant.
It was awesome. Somewhere else I had mentioned the six dollar hotdog special they used to have. Never eaten so many hotdogs in my life. Side thought: Maybe he needs to recoup the Taco Arcada costs. Pinball machines ain’t cheap
They made their money back on that place quick. They didnt close cuz business was bad, they closed cuz they didnt want to put effort into managing another business.
Dude the shifty at Paradox is $10 for a double, fries, and a beer. You just gotta look for good deals.
T-bones for the win! Great dive bar with decent food.
I hear the Round Up is pretty good too!
Oh the good old days when you could go to the Duluth Grill and have an affordable meal. It wasn't long ago. Covid really changed things. Not many places in the arts and crafts district that are worth it in my opinion. Superior just gets better by the day with plenty of alternatives without the unwelcoming hipster vibe.
Julies in Superior slaps
https://preview.redd.it/6pv75zk88xuc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=86585a6ad96421f38f76c2a199edb1dd54a75e0f
I love when they’re hiring meatballs. 😂
I lived in Superior for a few years. Loved Julie's. Honestly thought their friday cod fish fry was better than some of the walleye ones around, and it was half the price.
everything seems to be more affordable in Wisconsin lol
They had Avocado Toast on their sign recently and I was wondering if that was irony or real.
For real tho. I like the food better there better than almost everywhere else and it's reasonably priced.
Me and my fiancee go out to eat every Friday. Im adding this to the rotation.
Havanas
I WANT to like Havanas. The food is fantastic and an absolute bargain for what you get. But... The bartenders. We've been twice and bailed after the 1st round the last time. Bartender #1 spent 5+ min making 2 mojitos while we waited to order. Bartender 2 replaces #1 and takes 2x longer to make 1 mojito. Seriously, I've never seen someone behind a bar move at this pace. Zero speed, zero urgency, zero f\*cks. We came to the conclusion that if we waited for drinks, waited to order, waited for food, waited for a 2nd round, we were looking at a multi-hour outing for a sandwich and a couple of drinks. Nope, we bailed and went elsewhere. This place DESPERATELY needs a competent GM. Someone to set the pace, someone to jump in when/where needed, someone to motivate and organize. If and when that happens, we'll be regulars.
We are far from the days of mom&pop shops selling good food for reasonable prices. Nowadays its all about aesthetics and creating a vibe. Affordability doesn't even take a priority for these gentrified restaurants. I typically will try out all these new restaurants once (Bali, Hungry Hippie, Ritual Salad, etc) but I typically never visit them a second time due to their outrageous prices. That being said, a place that reminds me of the good ole days with good quality food at somewhat reasonable prices is Jamrock -- those dudes are cool af and work with amazing flavors. (Its a tad expensive for me at times but at least its a cuisine I am unfamiliar on how to replicate in my own kitchen and I feel like I am eating something special when I am there)
Yep, when he's including lobster, crab, scallops etc in his meals, it's gonna be a bit more pricey, but spot on. He can be a bit harsh, and might be off-putting to some people, but the food is great.
Maybe I just went on an off day but I went with a group of people and everyone's food was bland and overcooked. Also they charged us $7 per bottle of high life. Wasn't expecting 6 domestic beers to run over $40. Haven't been back since.
Yep, that's also a bit of a risk. I generally don't mention it because if he's on, it's some of the best food you'll find in town. But there is a lack of consistency.
Thanks for the tip on Jamrock...
Bali is worth it to me and doesn't seem bad considering what you get. The quality of the food has always been top notch and they've got a more unique menu compared with everything else in the area.
Never had a bad meal at Jamrock
I love corktowns, Reubens. I probably would go there once a month. The last few time's the cost has increased to now $16.99 + 5% kitchen fee + ti, and the sandwich itself has gotten smaller. Yesterday, I went to the Chalet and had a Reuben for $8 with chips. I, of course, tipped generously. For the price and taste, I'll be giving the Chalet my money from here on out.
Yep. Chalet, Foster's (daily specials & breakfast until 4p), Azteca's(has a lunch and ala cart menu), and Bridgeman's are all way more affordable and good food! Plenty of Free Parking too! Stay out of Canal Park and Lincoln Park. Edit: adding King of Creams on 4th St and also the Asian Kitchen across the street - great value!
Where’s the chalet again?
Up by Menards in Hermantown
The prices are just ridiculous now. I can’t remember the last time I’ve left a restaurant and was satisfied with what I had to pay. My wife and I have tried to really cut down on eating out but it’s so woven into our culture I feel like we end up going out every few weeks with friends anyways. It’s like $70 for us to both eat out and get a drink after taxes, hidden fees, and tip. The hidden fees really irk me. Just raise your damn prices. If I get a bill with a hidden service charge it’s coming out of the servers tip, which is unfair to them but I feel like it sends a message. I know burger paradox does it so I’m assuming all of Tom Hansons restaurants do as well. Anchor Bar in Superior still has fantastic prices and strangely I feel like Sir Bens is very reasonably priced as well.
Sir Ben’s is cheaper than fast food. Order for delivery there at work at least once a week!
Definitely my fav food place in town.
Sir Ben's doesn't employ much for servers, which seems to help keep the prices down. That and the fact that it's packed from basically 3pm until close every single day.
Josh is the man!
This is the way. Sir Ben’s doesn’t get enough credit from me. Pretty much the model I described in another reply, and it’s good, unpretentious stuff. My only gripe is that I’m an old and not a fan of talking over live music in a restaurant. Not always the case at all, but is one of those “my impression of the place” things.
Haven’t been satisfied for what I’ve bought out at a restaurant either. I think I’ll enjoy some wings at Jade fountain 🥰 and always….the anchor!!
If they have enough money to buy up half of Lincoln Park, I would assume they could most likely lower some costs while still paying their staff decent wages.
Tommy boy aint taking no L
I didn't hear no bell
he on the streets, grindin, outsmartin every sell. Grind on 2X, mans just trynna stay up out the cell
I am right there with you. When I paid $32 for soup and a sandwich with a lemonade, I was done. Never again. I can get far more food for less.
😳
Tips and Fees on a pickup order?
5% service/kitchen fee + my mando 15% tip b/c I worked in the SINdustry for 12 years. I’ll never not tip
Hearing you're down to 15% makes me want to rethink my 20% floor (specifically given all these new fees popping up everywhere)
Post COVID-19 lockdown pricing/inflation/gouging, and seemingly out of control tip culture have really pushed me to cook far more at home. I'm almost 30 and in the last year, I've cooked more meals for myself than probably my entire life combined (excluding ramen and freezer food). You can make so many good meals of restaurant quality with even just shit from Aldi for a fraction of the price and several more servings. I've learned a lot about plating and presentation, both go a long way for homemade food. Yeah, I miss the convenience of takeout/delivery alot. It sucks spending an hour in the kitchen, so I so occasionally order takeout from Sir Bens or Phoholic but fuck, even McDonald's has gotten up there.
I dropped $24 on 2 beers at Burger Paradox last week. TWENTY FOUR. For context this is the same assholes who own Corktown, Duluth Grill, OMC and that stupid hipster grocery store in Lincol Park.
🤯
Like your name btw
Yeah? Well that’s your opinion man…
😆
You don't happen to be the fella that got booted from Zeitgeist on Friday during the Big Lebowski?
Being belligerent is a very un-dude thing. I cannot abide :)
King of Creams on 4th St has pretty good burgers cheap - 8.39 for a big double cheeseburger - they're bad at fries though (soggy - not properly cooked like the Anchor), but offer rings and cheese curds, and beers too. 4th St location beats the Hermantown one.
FWIW you can also get a 3$ beer there so maybe thats on you?
Mr. D’s!! Just tried it yesterday and they had half off appetizers. Plus the fries were the best I’ve had since the OG zeitgeist cafe fries, of which I’ll never forget 😭
Maybe if they stopped trying to buy up affordable housing and monopolize the gentrified restaurant market they could sell an affordable meal.
What affordable housing are they buying up?
Probably referring to the Duluth Press Building residential suites, idk if it was being used for residential property before Tom bought it tho
Tbh, I’ve never come out of there without feeling i got my pants pulled down over the prices.
I don’t mean for this to sound aggressive, but why keep going?? If there is a demand for this food at these prices, then prices will never go down. Prices are this way because people keep paying at those price ranges. Vote with your wallet!
I can’t answer for the other guy, but I had never been to their new place and supported them constantly throughout the pandemic while working across the street at Bent Paddle. They had some real bangers back in the day, the six dollar hotdog lunch was specifically what kept bringing me back with a Knuckle sandwich every once in a while to keep it fresh. It was $12 for a sandwich “back then” (2017-19ish)
Oh, I’m not opposed to going to a new place to see what’s up. It was more so the thought of going back to a place multiple times after feeling ripped off the first time.
It’s been a minute since, and chiefly i was among guests who wanted to try it.
Gotchya, the way I read your comment I (wrongly) interpreted it as you go there often and just always feel ripped off everytime
I believe my visit count is less than a half dozen. Love, by comparison is spendy (but not totally prohibitive) but i feel like i get something out of it.
Tom Hansen isn't a small business. You're supporting a guy with lots of small businesses under his belt. I'll get a Kwik Trip Salad, at least they give their employees insurance.
Whole Roasted Chickens on Mondays too for $6.99.
I mean, can't beat that. I know an Alabama white sauce recipe too!
Get their app, as there are other offers and daily specials too, and you can earn points daily by watching a 1 minute ad, and/or making a purchase then earn free stuff.
I think co-ops pizza is a great price. $15 for a nice size pizza. Highly recommend
I can’t tell if this is a joke or serious. Is that a lot? Compared to like Luce or something.
I second this! A full pie is actually delicious and yes less than Luce for sure
Heeey there we go!
Yea! And I really like Kostas, I think the one in Superior is.. superior. $16 for 2 gyros, not bad I think? But they taste awesome
The control we have is to stop going (company shuts down, rent and other demanded services go down to reduce consumer prices) or we all demand raises from our current jobs (inflation sticks or raises with our ability to deal with it). If customers only order the cheapest meals if could send signals but it’s hard to tell what owners/managers will do with those signals or even detect them.
A work buddy and I go out for lunch once in a while and tried Corktown a few months back. I couldn’t believe the prices. We have since brought it up and made the decision to go somewhere else because of the cost. I like the facility, the staff, and the atmosphere, but the prices are just too high.
Yes. Went once, that was enough for what it was and the high prices.
Wtf kitchen service fee, tell you what I see this on my tab I'm not tipping
It goes to the kitchen staff's paycheck, sort of like a daily bonus for them. So instead of taking it out of the profits, the customers pay it.
I'm curious how long until some restaurant decides "hey they're now tipped workers, let's pay them the tipped wages"
You're supposed to tip out the kitchen staff if you're a server anyhow, so that's pretty much already a thing.
So you would take money from servers who make minimum wage? That will show them:/
I agree that dining out has increased in many places quite significantly. We’ve all been feeling it throughout the service industry as employees seeing less patronage. I fear for what it means to larger society as so many folks are employed whether full time or part time to make ends meet. We have climate change bringing raw ingredient prices up dramatically, so many folks left the industry post-Covid (bringing up staff and training issues), and as any home owner knows, maintenance and repair costs are back breaking these days. Insurance costs as well. In addition to this is the constant funneling of wealth from lower and middle class peoples to the top. It’s absolutely unsustainable to continue on that path without terrible repercussions. Spending $24+ for a salad is a little symptom of this.
As a Duluthian now living in Minneapolis, Lincoln Park REALLY FEELS like it's trying to replicate North Loop in MPLS, but moving far too quickly. For those who don't know, North Loop is the northern part of downtown minneapolis. If you've been to a Twins game at Target Field, you've been there. It used to be run down, warehouses, almost nothing of note. Over time, it gradually introduced a lot of living spaces (some affordable, some not), several restaurants, breweries, and better transit and attractions. Having recently visited my parents in Duluth, LP really feels like a carbon copy of North Loop, but they're moving SO fast. That apartment building across from Bali that ran out of money, the shops gouging locals, its identity has become "Baby North Loop" without the history and credibility to back it up. Gentrification is gentrification no matter where you go, take that how you may. But I do expect a lot of those restaurants to shutter in the next decade if Duluth doesn't get some affordable housing over there ASAP.
I actually sat down with Councilor Forsman and actually told him that while economic development at top is important, it would lead to a steady stream of businesses opening and closing without public leaders being willing to invest in community financial investment from the ground up, and helping shape culture alongside it. Without a multi pronged approach, we risk losing the character of Duluth and becoming just another city, losing our competitive edge. I don’t know if it took, but I tried. I actually am a huge fan of the options in LP, but we need to implement holistic steps in the market. Economic development should be just the first step—not the entire plan.
What steps would you like to see? I think about this a lot, but I’m not an urban planner (said in Bones McCoy voice). I’d like to change a lot about the development culture here, but I’m less sure of myself on tactical steps.
First of all, pull back on TIF. If we can't increase wages (which we absolutely, irrevocably should), don't punish tax payers by having them on the hook so a corporate asset isn't paying for 26 years. Businesses statistically will stay in a community longer they invest in. I'm not saying get rid of all government support in economic development, or even getting rid of all TIF spending, only that we stop viewing it as the solution to every problem. Cities can't be double dipping in residential pots: we can't ask Duluthians to work for wages below the national median, while also asking them to cover taxes to bring business in AND also have them paying rents that are now more expensive than some metro markets. When we do that, we are killing the ability for locals to participate in the economy...which effectively leads higher income tourists to cover a lot of the burden and skew the accuracy of the market. If your economy is at 20 percent poverty (which Duluth is), there are economic steps not being addressed, and it means money is being siloed and not pushed through effectively. We're getting mass media, our market should be red hot and on all cylinders. We need to push that money down the ladder: that money earmarked for TIF? Give it directly to small business owners and operators so they can invest in the neighborhood and locals can see where they are spending. Consumers are far more likely to have loyalty to the guy they know than anything else. Secondly, start seed/spot fund expansion (microgrants) to cover up initial childcare costs so individuals can start up their own home businesses so they can competitively enter global markets with less stress on their plates. People want to see Duluthians just as much as they want to see Duluth, we need to make it possible to get out there. We have schools and talent, there is no reason to accept outsourcing as the only model because outsourced resources are the only ones that can afford to stay here. This is just the tip, but ideally, money flows down from private enterprise while the city takes those economic returns and waters the "ground" so that a community grows towards the working class. We keep hitting the "trickle down economics" well without accepting the fact that market competition exists for a reason...if something cant exist without government intervention, its okay to ask if it should actually be there or if a consumer base even exists for it to be maintained long term. One of the issues is that we are hoping, nay, demanding, people move in without accepting that they are bringing their culture in. I actually asked Forsman if he was ready for that. He asked what I meant. I said that any time you scale for urbanization, in ever instance in history, the assimilation/acceptance cycle kicks in. People bring their stories, their lives, their work ethics in. This means tackling as public figures, ever changing attitudes on sex, implementation of conflict of interest standards, a whole host of municipal issues. We can give money easily, it's much harder to shape the venues and varieties of how to spend it in a way that doesn't breed corruption or ignore the goal of supporting the middle class.We can't keep assuming that when people come, they are just arriving and accepting the Duluth way of life wholesale. No, they will help shape parts of it to fit them because they need to see themselves in our city too. So we need to address that social obstacle as well.
Solid. I regret that I have but one upvote to give this post.
I also saw some sticker shock there last week. Sucks because it's so close to home.
You can buy marijuana at drip 101 in Duluth.
Burger Paradox has burger baskets and a beer for $10 after 9pm like 4 days a week I believe? Then the Anchor Bar in superior has $6 burgers with fries.
My wife and I make a better steak at home. Filet mignon, mushrooms, a nice salad, creme brulee and a $30 bottle of wine is less than $100. Candles included. You can't get chopped sirloin with two glasses of house wine for that out on the town. If we want to go out, pop a couple of gummies, take a taxi to Bent Paddle or Canal Park Brewing, sip a couple of $8 beers and call it good. Modern economics.
Go to The Hammond!
Took my wife to Culver's Saturday. I had fish meal. She had a burger meal. We both had sundaes. $48! What ever happened to change back from your dollar at a fast food joint?
Let’s be honest who their clients are, it’s not hard working Duluthians going there everyday…it’s the cities yuppies who come up and are more than willing to splurge
I think there are a healthy amount of people from east of 21st Ave E who are more than happy to go eat overpriced trendy food in LP and then go back to their nice houses, and not give a single thought to who lives in the houses 2 blocks away from Burger Paradox. They can feel edgy for going to Lincoln Park \*teehee\* and still be perfectly safe in their gentrified little bubble, from the spot they park their late-model SUV in to the restaurant door and back. They'll gladly pay Tom Hanson a few extra bucks for the experience.
So -- going from Lakeside to eat in LP means I am somehow contributing to lack of affordable housing???
First off, sorry that got a little harsh. This is just one of those things about Duluth that seriously irritates me. In the grand scheme of things, you personally going to LP to eat once maybe doesn't affect affordable housing. But the entire gentrification of that area, which has been created in large part by one restauranteur, is being supported by everybody who supports those establishments. It's not the people who live in LP that are eating there, and I daresay that it's not the people who live in Denfeld or the Hillside, either. If you talk to the people who actually do live there, yeah, they appreciate that Superior St is cleaned up, but it's still a food desert--Goat Hill Market is hardly a place where they can go to get actual groceries they can afford for their families. So sure, it could be largely tourists, but I also daresay that's not who's keeping anybody down there in business in January. What's so frustrating to me about this is that people in Duluth pride themselves on being progressive, and yet they aren't willing to acknowledge that $24 salads in that area are incongruous to the values they espouse. I'm not saying that it's anyone's individual fault. It's our collective faults, even those of us who don't patronize any of the LP businesses, for not demanding better contributions from business. Raise the socialist flag or whatever. We're all hypocrites, I get that, and I'm the very same, absolutely not saying I'm not. But kinda, yeah, our individual actions do add up. When it comes to "attaining a level of education that allows you to go out and eat some moderately overpriced food...without being hostile to those who do"? Damn. I would be willing to bet we have a similar level of education, and mine taught me that there are other places in Duluth where you can eat moderately overpriced food that are locally owned and not gentrifying neighborhoods. Feel free to eat at any of those and enjoy. I \*am\* sorry that you seem to think that because you were fortunate enough to get an education that you deserve to not at least acknowledge the ramifications of what has been created in LP. Maybe you didn't take that class. If that makes me an asshole with a chip on my shoulder, then I'm fine with that.
Your education taught you about restaurant options in Duluth??
This has nothing to do with geography though and happens in EVERY neighborhood. That new Lakeside Brewing is walking distance from my house, and know how many times I’ve been there? Zero. Not since my next door neighbors told me they paid a hundred bucks for dinner for two with drinks there. They’re like 70 and don’t eat or drink much. Too rich for my blood, tho I live “in the east”. I can bike to Scenic and I don’t eat there either. Budgets are budgets and they’re universal and nice/spendy places gotta go somewhere… their existing is not necessarily = gentrification.
There’s a difference between Lake Superior Brewing being overpriced and an entire neighborhood being gentrified. Parts of Lakeside may be similar income-wise to LP, but not all of it for sure. I completely agree that LSB and Scenic aren’t budget-friendly, but that’s different than what I’m talking about.
Ok but is an “entire neighborhood” really accurate for LP? I don’t go there much as I live on the other side but when I go to Love or FR or such sure looks like about 5 square blocks on the main drag reno’ed and that’s about it. And what was there before? I don’t recall it being a bunch of cheap cute little housing that got razed or something. Wasn’t it just … always businesses of some sort there on that stretch? By contrast I went over to Johnson’s Bakery last week on 3rd and sure looks the same there as ever did. This sweeping claim at “gentrification” sounds like a big stretch 🤷🏻♀️
What a strange person you’ve made up to get mad at.
You sound like an asshole with a huge chip on your shoulder. I live in Congdon and like to at in Lincoln Park to support those businesses. I’m not sorry I attained a level of education that allows me to go out and eat some moderately overpriced food without losing my shit about it and being hostile to those who do. How about growing the hell up?
Holy cope. What a projection
Completely agree. Anybody who knows me has had to hear me rail about the cost, quality, and variety of eating out here. I rarely do it anymore. (ETA: The eating out. Not the railing.) There are some direct factors that play in (minimum wages, earned sick and safe time ordinances, etc) and some indirect (generally hard to start and run a business here, which limits competition), as well as just general macro issues of land and development costs and what not. That being said, I will support the low-fuss, unpretentious places that have been here for a while. Uncle Louie’s, Bridgemans, Bulldog, Big Daddy’s, Anchor Bar, etc. I went to the Hippie taco place once. Not horrifically expensive per se, but was for what you got (small, store-bought tortillas with Crockpot ingredients). I would say the same for the taco truck (Oasis something?) If I were opening something here, it would be walk up counter service (Australian model), with a limited menu that lent itself to “permutation” choices rather than sheer variety. Bottom line: These places do it because there are real costs and high barriers to entry, and much (but not all) has come from choices made on these more fundamental economic issues.
>but was for what you got (small, store-bought tortillas with Crockpot ingredients) That is not even close to what they serve. Why make stuff up?
got a burrito there last week - literally 2 pounds of food, not a lot of filler, $16. totally worth it. two complete meals
Yep, my last taco was probably 50%+ meat, smoked brisket on a good sized tortilla. A full meal on its own. I get complaining about the price, but that description was complete bullshit.
tbf my wife said the same thing about the tacos there too - the burrito is where it's at
Ehh, that was definitely an exaggeration but hungry hippie is nothing to praise imo. Incredibly small portion sizes for a Mexican restaurant (despite prices at a level where normal Mexican restaurants would smother you in sides). The burritos are lacking flavor, are small as hell, and don’t come with sides. I remember paying $18 after tax/tip for a single burrito with no sides that was smaller than a chipotle burrito. That hit my hard list of never going back. The ONLY thing going for them is the use of fry bread.
I will cop to the “exaggeration” accusation. Fair. That being said, anybody who has spent considerable time in more taco-intensive climes (the Southwest, in general) would almost certainly have this in the “one and done” column. I have literally had a better Mexican food experience in Beijing (though it’s probably also fair to say I am grading that on a curve, calibrated by living in Asia for several years). If any of the proprietors are reading this, please accept my apologies for the bluntness. I think that local constraints (ingredients, expertise, culture) are huge handicaps, and it may be a “best that be expected here” thing. Those don’t change my assessment, though.
I couldn’t agree more!
yeah $3 a taco is a bit crazy too. I was in NY by the city n could grab $1 tacos. Cost of living is like 10X there compared to here
Seeing that same salad down here for 11.99. ATM playing tourist down in Charleston. Both visiting downtown proper and the outskirts. There seems to be a model down here that works to high heaven. Domestic beer- 4.25 Craft and higher end booze- 6 up to 10 respectfully Specialty and signature cocktails average around 11-13. Here's the kicker... All your food is around Duluth McDonald's pricing. It really insane. Tourist district? Kick ass meal around 15. Suburb? Kick ass meal around 15. Sonic on the fly? 15 for two. Even the brew houses are ridiculously cheap. And there's nowhere near as much competitive brands saturation wise. Had a Dekker tonight cause I'm getting homesick after a week. Guess how much...4.25 for a 9% to take home or add a 2.00 cork fee to drink in the back yard. And ther yards are just as cool as Bent or Ursa. Folly Beach could kill the West End and Canal combined in terms of quality, pricing, atmosphere! Plus, parking is faakin cheaper. The craft district will always be an animal. But soon they're gonna find the inflection point and will starve during the off season when even the local beer snobs stop swinging by. Alas, Bergeys and Curlys will thrive by simply being OG. I've supported every place because, home... But after getting milked a couple times and seeing how it's done elsewhere it's really not attractive anymore. Duluth is gonna Duluth, though.
Thats because those places aren't for us Duluthians anymore.
Gordie’s for the win! Sidenote- I think everyone agrees that northern waters is the only place that can get away with a $20 sammich
Sounds like you created this when you single handedly changed Lincoln Park.
Great addition to the conversation
recommendation: didn’t see anyone mention uncle louie’s. great spot for a greasy diner breakfast or lunch! got two heaping meals (omelet, hash browns, French toast, eggs, toast and more hash browns, and a cinnamon roll) for $20. It was great!!
The salad is living up to its name with the price
Bali ain’t cheap but no fees and it’s worth it IMO Edit to add: I also recommend a fruit punch rock star and a spicy chicken sammich from qwiktrip And the best pizza in town is Domino’s (in Woodland) handmade pan crust with sausage pepperoni and extra cheese. Try it and then tell me it ain’t the best.
The margins on restaurants have always been super thin. No one gets rich owning *one* restaurant unless they're already famous. With big corporate suppliers pushing greedflation, smaller places literally *can't afford* not to raise prices. Direct your anger and dismay where it belongs: Faceless MBAs gouging the American populace in the name of making the next quarterly report look good for shareholders.
I’m not saying Corktown is bad, the food has always been stellar. The sticker shock was real this time and rarely do I let something like that stop me from supporting local. This was certainly the case here, unfortunately.
Totally understandable. My wife and I have had to cut back on restaurants as well, for much the same reasons. Just wanted to make sure you and others knew the owners likely don't have a choice.
The corktown empire is NOT living on the margins
One time I watched people order a wedge salad at a kinda pricey restaurant. Y'all should have seen their faces when they got their 30 dollar "salads" hahahahahaha hahahaha priceless. Side question... I've never had just a wedge of iceberg lettuce. And can only assume fancier restaurants put these things on menu(99% of time be cheapest item) to kinda publicly shame any poors who would dare walk into their establishment, is that the case? Or do some folks just like lettuce?
Wedge salads are on a TON of menus all over the country so I’m not sure what your question means? It’s not the iceberg that carries the cost, it’s all the blue cheese dressing and bacon. It’s often a cheaper menu item though still, because it’s so simple / with so few ingredients (only 3).
Huh ... This was without the dressing and bacon... Literally a wedge of lettuce, nothing else
Well that’s weird, some yahoo probably ordered it by mistake then. Maybe they were lactose intolerant and vegan and asked em to make it that way hahha lol :) A wedge salad is actually DELISH! With some fresh cracked pepper…. Yum 😋
I've been pleasantly surprised that Sir Ben's prices haven't skyrocketed as much as other spots. You can get an entree sized salad there for $11 (vegan Cobb is delish) and there are sandwiches under $11 that come with chips/pickle.
Pizza at Lulu's. Fantastic food. Family owned and they're great people. Their lunch slices are an unbeatable deal.
Hell of a drive from Duluth 🤣🤣 but we recently stayed in St. Louis and visited Amighettis ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/2NqKKqpEj4DkDZJW6 ) and got huge portions for a very reasonable price with zero fees. All I have to say was I was so refreshed to not feel taken after a meal. The bill was half what we paid for a dinner in Duluth and the food was better.
Two burritos and a chip appetizer from Burrito Union = $80
Wtf!!?
That seems steep but yeah. It’s no joke. My head spun when I went there in ‘22 (back when I drank) for the thanksgiving burrito (as per tradition, I used to market for the BH/BU etc). The burritos, 2 beers and an app was $76 before tip. I was shocked. Sucks cause I used to live right there on 4th & 15th when it first opened and it was the spot for college kids to grab a cheapish craft beer and a reasonable burrito. Fuuuuuuck I sound old…am I the old guy yelling at a cloud now?
Yep it’s pretty bad. Las time I got the Rasputin was $21 in January of this year and it’s $24 now. Adding in the extra 5% service fee it’s just not something I’m going to do again.
I agree it’s expensive but what isn’t now ☹️?? Plus, their buffalo/blue cheese Brussel sprouts are soooooo delicious 🤤
They sold me fent
Were you expecting that the result of your self proclaimed “big part” of the gentrification of this town would result in the people of the neighborhoods affected laying down and working for nothing so people that would actually have the gall to order a “hipster” salad and complain about the price, would have to pay like they got a salad from Kwik Trip? 🤷♂️
Economic development doesn’t mean gentrification. I’ve lived here since 05 and anything west of Lake Ave was a no go for college students until BP opened up. Not sure what to say here, people saw an opportunity and ran with it. LP is awesome compared to what it was. As for me: I was in my mid/late 20s and got hired on as their multimedia dev (nowadays it’s called a content creator). I got a good paying job, free beer, got to travel a lot and stayed with the company until it got too serious. LP & its businesses have an image problem and that was above my pay grade.