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Metro Detroit Dining: Prices Soar on Beloved Menu Items
11 Jun
Summary
- Restaurant menu prices rose due to staffing, weather, and gas costs.
- Some dishes doubled in price, like cheese bread from $9 to $18.
- Not all restaurants raised prices; some have seen minimal increases.
Restaurant menu prices across Metro Detroit have seen substantial increases, driven by a confluence of challenges since COVID-19. Rising wages for hospitality staff, coupled with severe weather events affecting food production and transportation, have significantly impacted operators.
These rising costs, exacerbated by recent surges in gasoline prices, were already contributing to steady price climbs even before the current fuel market shifts. A survey by the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association highlighted food costs as the primary concern for state hospitality businesses.
Examples of these increases are evident across the region. Hazel's in Birmingham saw its token burger rise from $15 in 2019 to $19 currently, and their Georgian cheese bread doubled from $9 to $18. San Morello at the Shinola Hotel has increased Grandma's ravioli from $24 in spring 2019 to $33, and their pepperoni pizza went from $19 to $26.
Other establishments like Penny Red's and Shield's Pizza have also adjusted their prices, with fried chicken sandwiches moving from $8 to $12 and small pizzas from $13 to $15.50. While some restaurants like Sylvan Table and Que Pasa have experienced more moderate increases, others, such as The Vault and Sushi Bar, have maintained stable prices for certain items.
Despite the noticeable upticks, the article suggests that the most dramatic price surges seen in recent years may not continue at the same pace, implying a stabilization may be on the horizon.
