Can you give an example of a restaurant you have in mind? I thought I lived in a HCOL area, but your number seems off by nearly a factor of 2 to me. Plus, considering how infrequently many people eat out at all, I'm not so convinced that this specific argument is a good one.

"For many of us" != "for everyone". This is also an order of magnitude argument and I'd accept as perfectly valid within factors of 2.

Its ~50 to eat at any sit down restaurant for two adults in Central Louisiana; compare to 20 years ago where I was feeding a family of four for $40 in southern california.

The inflation is staggering.

Anyone else remember the $6 Burger from Carl's? It didn't cost $6 at first, it cost like $3, and was aimed at "expensive restaurant burgers" They discontinued the Burger when tbe Burger itself cost $6 a LA carte.

A $6 burger now is a steal

I'm thinking sit down waited upon dinner for two, "second/third tier cities" in Northeast USA mostly - In 2025 you might see $30/head "restaurant week prix fixe" but those places are usually closer to $50/head if there's anything additional to an entree

And yes, we have kind of a restaurant death spiral because it is expensive to eat out.