This is one of those stories where you can’t help but love social media…
In this post:
Man complains about $78 meal at Newark Airport
On Wednesday, September 20, 2023, New York Times columnist David Brooks took to X/Twitter to complain about the cost of a meal at Newark Airport. Specifically, he claimed that “this meal just cost me $78 at Newark Airport,” and continued that “this is why Americans think the economy is terrible.”
The picture shows an average-looking burger with fries, and some sort of liquor on ice.
Brooks’ post went viral, and as of the time of this post, has over 32 million views. I think this went viral partly because the message was relatable to so many people. After all, airports are known for having ridiculously high prices for things, and that’s a frustration that many travelers face.
But even with inflated airport prices, the $78 figure seemed absolutely ridiculous. People immediately started questioning Brooks as to what he was drinking, and what exactly the cost breakdown was between the food and the drinks.
Newark Airport restaurant claims 80% of bill was drinks
1911 Smoke House Barbeque (which has the slogan “You Can’t Beat Our Meat,” lol) has an outpost at Newark Airport. I guess someone at the restaurant saw the story, and identified the meal as having been served there. Rather than trying to avoid being associated with this story, the restaurant embraced it. The company posted to its Facebook page that almost 80% of his bill was the bar tab:
Looks like someone was knocking back some serious drinks – Bar tab was almost 80% and he’s complaining about the cost of his meal 🤔 keep drinking buddy – we get paid off everything.
Indeed, someone posted a picture of the menu online, and a burger and fries only cost $17 (which seems rather reasonable for an airport, to be honest). In Brooks’ honor, the restaurant even created a special, including a burger with fries, and a double shot of whisky, for only $17.78 (with the amount of $78 crossed out).
The $78 memes are kind of amazing
People are really going to town with this situation, and I can’t blame them. I’m cackling at some of the responses people are posting…
Bottom line
While airports are known for having high prices, a recent complaint by someone about a $78 meal at Newark Airport went viral, because the pricing just seemed too obscene. As it turned out, the guy had ordered a $17 burger, with the remaining money being spent on alcohol. Then he had the audacity to claim that his decision to spend around $60 on alcohol (when he presumably knew exactly how much it would cost) reflects why Americans think the economy isn’t good.
In the age of social media, it amazes me that people aren’t savvier in this way. The guy made a ridiculous claim, so did he not think that anyone would fact check him? Huge kudos to the restaurant for generating some buzz and publicity from this… brilliant.
What do you make of this Newark Airport burger incident?
I’m personally at the Atlanta airport atm, ordered chips and salsa an half a six pack at TGIF, a fairly affordable restaurant. However, 33.00 for 3 beers that wasn’t a draft is excessive. My chips and salsa cost $5. Doesn’t make sense but I get it, get them liquored up and the money will come.
Atleast have beer on tap so people can get more bang for their buck. Merica!
I want to see his itemized receipt and proof that it was his. If it was really that much of a rip off then why order it. I knew there was more to the story than just a burger for $78. Several shots and a burger for $78 is reasonable.
Not surprised. Brooks' columns are sanctimonious and preachy. Now I know where he gets the courage to write them!
Best article ever!! Good for the restaurant busting the guy.
The correct response is the fact that Americans can afford to travel and spend $78 on lunch is why our economy is actually great.
Which Americans are you referring to, all of them?
Clearly the guy had too many spirits, got pissed when he saw what the cost was and, in true right-wing fashion, decided to blame it on the burger and fries as an indication of what he considers a bad economy. One can tell the impact of the spirits on him because he didn't even realize the evidence of the spirits he was consuming was in the photo he was putting out on social media.
He is about as right wing as justin trudeau.
Lol. This guy is as right wing as AOC.
In true left-wing fashion, blame other people or capitalism or something for your own actions.
David Brooks is a Republican, albeit a "Never Trump" Republican.
His past employers include The National Review and The Weekly Standard.
He is not Freedom Caucus level right wing, but he is definitely right of center.
so he is a rino
may as well be a left progressive
A cheeseburger and fries at a real restaurant in Manhattan has now broken the $30 barrier. Alcohol extra, and I've even been charged an extra $2.50 for mayonnaise at Brindle Room in the East Village (which I'll never return to as a result).
Try SFO. Went to Yankee Pier. Tasteless fish tacos cost almost 27 bucks after all the taxes. Luckily i was not feeling like drinking at that point of time in the day.
I looked up menus of couple of other places. Essentially a sandwich and fried will set you back by 25-27 bucks after all the taxes.
Bottle of water is 6 bucks. Beer was in double digits.
The price gouging is real!
This story is unfortunate because the guy's antics distract from the very real fact that airport food is way more expensive than it should be. A burger with fries costs less than $10 in NYC-area fast-food restaurants. That burger doesn't look much better than what you can get there, so they're charging literally twice as much as they should be. Why is that considered "reasonable by airport standards"? Why should there be a different standard...
This story is unfortunate because the guy's antics distract from the very real fact that airport food is way more expensive than it should be. A burger with fries costs less than $10 in NYC-area fast-food restaurants. That burger doesn't look much better than what you can get there, so they're charging literally twice as much as they should be. Why is that considered "reasonable by airport standards"? Why should there be a different standard for airports? Sure, there is less competition - but airport managers (often officials appointed by governments) COULD impose price controls rather than let conscessionaires get away with ripping people off.
There are laws against price gouging during disasters. Why not similar laws for airports?
Most likely because the airports are charging a pretty high rent premium for that space. If you're on a layover you are captive and both restaurant and airport know this.
In a disaster you are not free to eat prior to the disaster as you are free to eat prior to getting to the airport
Yes, @snic, you're right they could. And at least one does. PDX requires vendors to charge the same prices as at their off-airport locations. Presumably vendors that don't have off-airport locations are held to reasonable market prices. I've never been gouged at PDX and it was my home airport for 17 years. Want a bottle of water... expect to pay $1.5 to $2. Those fancy chocolates from the local candy shop... still $1.50 per truffle...
Yes, @snic, you're right they could. And at least one does. PDX requires vendors to charge the same prices as at their off-airport locations. Presumably vendors that don't have off-airport locations are held to reasonable market prices. I've never been gouged at PDX and it was my home airport for 17 years. Want a bottle of water... expect to pay $1.5 to $2. Those fancy chocolates from the local candy shop... still $1.50 per truffle at the airport. Neither the airport nor its vendors seem to be worse off for it.
Based on a menu on Yelp from August 2023, a cheeseburger is $17.50 and fries are $7.30.
Assuming 20% tax+tip, that's ~$30 out of $78, which means the guy got a double shot of $20 whiskey?
The Yelp + Google reviews are pretty awful and also give a bunch of price datapoints.
David Brooks was one of the only contributors that made the Times worth reading or the reincarnated (formerly great MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour) News Hour on PBS watchable.
Lost my respect with this stunt, not so much for the sin of omission regarding the alcohol, but by coming across like a masculine Tiffany Gomas trying to be an "influencer" on Fakebook.
Forget all the insightful commentary over the years, now he's just another meme.
You have to understand, all these people are part of the big propaganda machine.
They need to do everything they can to get attention, even spreading fake news or other propaganda.
News isn't free, they have to sell it.
This isn't the first time when the media is trying to manipulate the public with exaggerated food prices. Don't tell the public it wasn't planned or scripted.
Remember the $28 Taco Bell?
I don’t video my life and post on social media. I’ve had individual pizza and side salad for $100 before at Hilton.
That is obscene.
Sounds like he fits right in at the NYT. If he will lie about stupid shit like this, he will lie about anything.
@Mantis:
Let's not be too hard on him - he's no Jayson Blair (yet)
Last night at JFK, I paid $26 for two granola bars and two smoothies.
What a rip off!!!!!!!!
@27C or 20J
Did you remember to use the tipping option ?
What would Tim Dunn say?
This burger is indeed THE MOST premium US burger.
- Burger CONSISTENTLY earns the most revenue per available meat size
- Burger CONSISTENTLY scores at the top of the DOT's customer service metrics including on-time and customer complaints.
Burger also serves more US cities on its own bun - all of which have premium meats - than any other food.
Another based for considering whether a food...
What would Tim Dunn say?
This burger is indeed THE MOST premium US burger.
- Burger CONSISTENTLY earns the most revenue per available meat size
- Burger CONSISTENTLY scores at the top of the DOT's customer service metrics including on-time and customer complaints.
Burger also serves more US cities on its own bun - all of which have premium meats - than any other food.
Another based for considering whether a food is premium or not is that burger has more meat operated on its own buns - not regional buns - with premium meats than any other food in the world.
It appears a whole lot of people simply do not understand how strong burger is competitively and financially relative to the industry - the best positioning it has ever been - and millions of high revenue passengers are moving their business to burgers. The incentives to retain customers simply do not need to be as high as they have been in the past.
Burgers are simply picking up more and more revenue that other food cannot hold onto - and the financial statements from the industry shows it.
Burger has long been the preferred food for corporate travel and that gap is widening esp. as burger grows on the coasts including in large international markets - and that trend will continue.
Burger simply commands a revenue premium because there are people that are willing to pay more for their meat.
When was the last time that Ben told us that he bought a premium burger WITH CASH?
No, Ben, burger IS a premium food and people who actually eat them and pay for their services decide that and not bloggers like you that don't pay for a premium burger with cash.
The real barometer will be what happens in 2024.
I have a feeling that alot (sic) of people will be disappointed when they find out that burger not only has not been harmed financially but actually is in better shape in the future.
There is no worse feeling than knowing your disdain for a company acknowledged absolutely nothing.
I am using LOGIC and not emotion.
I just lost it reading this.
Well done.
The post, not the hamburger
Bravo!
LOL to all of this! Great Job Eskimo! Bravo!
The first thing that struck me: BBQ? That raises the main thought: I would never buy BBQ north of North Carolina, maybe Virginia. Did that once in Chicagoland. Just don’t. Who wants a burger from a BBQ place?? (I’m talking real BBQ, not what those “up north” call grilling.)
But the other thought that occurred to me: any questions on why people use the term “fake news?” Sadly, you can’t trust journalists on so many occasions.
particularly rightwing ones like Brooks!
The NYT fires anyone right of AOC.
Brooks is not right wing. Lol.
What a moron. Buy a lounge membership or get one through a cc and the booze and cheap food will be free.
The guy who drank four whiskeys should have tweeted more judiciously.
Seems a weird thing for everyone to be so upset over. I go to the Bobby Van’s at JFK a lot due to priority pass (def a depressing environment), and a cheeseburger and fries is $25. Get a basic liquor drink for $20 there as he did and a beer for $15 (all the real prices, just checked their menu online) and with tax and tip that’s comfortably $78. Is it really a huge deal...
Seems a weird thing for everyone to be so upset over. I go to the Bobby Van’s at JFK a lot due to priority pass (def a depressing environment), and a cheeseburger and fries is $25. Get a basic liquor drink for $20 there as he did and a beer for $15 (all the real prices, just checked their menu online) and with tax and tip that’s comfortably $78. Is it really a huge deal that you can’t see the beer he would have needed to also get? People online acting like the man drank a tumbler or JW Blue.
@ MM -- It would be one thing if he said "I spent $78 on a meal at Newark Airport, including $17 worth of food and $60+ worth of alcohol." But the reason this went so viral (in my opinion) is because he tried to make a great point about the economy. He purchased a $17 burger. That's hardly that wild. But he chose to order expensive alcohol (including alcohol not even pictured), and then infer that the burger was super expensive.
I don’t like the guy’s right wing politics, but he spent $40 on alcohol, not $60, if I read correctly (since $60 in total meal costs plus tax and tip is what gets you to $78, give or take). Is $40 of booze at an airport that crazy? Based on what I have seen at JFk, not really—it’s 2 old fashioneds at Bobby Vans. Though food prices are higher at JFK, it seems, if the burger and fries was “only” $17.
@ MM -- Sure, but doesn't that apply to most cities? Like, would you go to a bar in New York City, have a burger and two cocktails, and then say "$78 for a meal, this is why Americans think the economy isn't good?"
$17 for burger and fries is actually reasonable in non-airport world in 2023. Go to your local Five Guys, McDonalds, etc and you aren’t saving much in comparison. He completely self-owned himself. If anything this shows how fair the price is
The OP didn't try to make a point about the economy, he manufactured a tale to get attention. The food cost is fair and his failure to share the drivers of the total cost points to why fact checking social media is necessary.
What does the restaurant's response "We got paid off everything" relate to? Did they comp his his check somehow looking at the card transaction logs?
They said "we get paid off everything" after saying keep drinking... they were referring to drinking as opposed to eating. They meant it doesn't matter what you consume because they get money either way...
What sort of moron drinks hard liquor whilst eating a burger? This is why American taste is awful.
I wouldn't say it's a common American order
That new D Brooks special for $17.78 is a great deal for an airport meal!
Typical hack journalism : smoke and mirrors . They do it with anything "trendy" which they want to influence , including "climate change" .
It was a tweet. Not journalism. Social media by those with an agenda to twist reality is the enemy.
He's a journalist for the NYT, you would expect a journalist with a decent following to ensure integrity and calling a $78 meal a meal when 80% of the bill is for alcohol he is the one twisting the reality.
Precisely. His X handle includes NYT so he’s not trying to fly under the radar as Joe Sixpack; he directly connecting himself to his profession. Yet another case of fake news and many don’t trust the mainstream media that almost always means in one direction.
@JK…exactly. David Brooks has written countless opinion pieces in the Times over the years; some I’ve agreed with, some I haven’t, but I rarely questioned his journalistic integrity. Unfortunately this one very misleading tweet (errr…what are we even calling them now?) really calls that into question. I’m not angry, just disappointed Mr. Brooks, and glad you were called out.
When I saw this post on Twitter I immediately noticed what appeared to be whiskey in the shot and figured it was top shelf. Great the restaurant called him out. So ridiculous of him. In reality had he ordered a soda with his $17 burger and fries this would be such a nonstory story.