Originally Posted by Quiltedviews (Post 1838381)

My husband and I went to the Chop House in LSL tonight to celebrate our anniversary. All was well until the bill came. Their grouper special: a piece of grouper, plus either 3 shrimp or 3 scallops, and 2 sides: $43!! I asked the waitress why she didn’t tell us the price when she described the special (I would never have ordered it if I had known it was $43), she said they only tell you prices if you ask. So I am posting this to advise you that if you order a special at the Chop House, ask the price before ordering!! We will never go there again after this experience.

Originally Posted by Quiltedviews (Post 1838381)

My husband and I went to the Chop House in LSL tonight to celebrate our anniversary. All was well until the bill came. Their grouper special: a piece of grouper, plus either 3 shrimp or 3 scallops, and 2 sides: $43!! I asked the waitress why she didn’t tell us the price when she described the special (I would never have ordered it if I had known it was $43), she said they only tell you prices if you ask. So I am posting this to advise you that if you order a special at the Chop House, ask the price before ordering!! We will never go there again after this experience.

Originally Posted by JSR22 (Post 1838835)

An entree' was $43. I have never heard of a grouper dinner with shellfish and 2 sides for $21.50

Originally Posted by OhioBuckeye (Post 1839322)

The original message sounded like it was $43 PER MEAL. But $21.50 I probably wouldn’t of paid that much either. I’ve see fish entree’ higher than that, but like you I think I would of went to a Steak House & got a Filet. $21.50 doesn’t sound to much out of line! But I’m not a big fish eater.

Originally Posted by Suzieque (Post 1838597)

$23 for 3 shrimp?

Originally Posted by DeanFL (Post 1838437)

.
.
...this is one of my (many) pet peeves.

1. Stating the price of 'specials' should really be standard practice.
2. I always felt that it sounded "cheap" to ask the price of a Special.
2a "Market Price" is one thing, but a standard 'special' is another.
2b. One can feel 'cheap' asking, especially in a Group lunch/dinner.
3. But I'd rather be looked upon as "cheap" than feel 'gouged', as the OP.

re #2, perhaps it's a psycholgical matter employed for profit $$$.

Buyer beware, and don't be shy.
.
.

Originally Posted by bgamble3 (Post 1839412)

Are you being "cheap" when you ask the price or "wise"?
:icon_wink:

Originally Posted by erhrph (Post 1839448)

Many restaurants fail to inform their guests what the prices are for the food that their ordering. Our town squares often have outdoor shopping where goods are displayed without prices listed. If consumers have to ask for a price, the probability of sales decreases. If surprises occur after the transaction is completed with the consumer not fully aware of the price in the first place, future business will suffer. I have seen studies showing as much as 47% loss in sales for merchandise that is not priced. Vendors and restaurants need to think before they open their doors.

Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 1839454)

I agree. My pet peeve is First Watch. When a couple sits down, the waitress will immediately show up and pour 2 cups of coffee. They don't realize that they have already spent 6 dollars on coffee before they even look at the menu. But, it wouldn't help anyway because the menu doesn't show prices for any beverages.

Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 1839454)

I agree. My pet peeve is First Watch. When a couple sits down, the waitress will immediately show up and pour 2 cups of coffee. They don't realize that they have already spent 6 dollars on coffee before they even look at the menu. But, it wouldn't help anyway because the menu doesn't show prices for any beverages.

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 1839464)

That's odd. We ate breakfast at the new first watch on 466A 5 days ago, and the waitress asked if we would like coffee or another beverage as she handed us our menus

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 1838841)

This is an example of the larger economic and social forces coming together to affect local restaurants and their customers. To me a top-rated steak house or a Taco Bell are all the same - they are to be avoided like the Plague - which is more than an expression today. We are literally in a Plague and all personal actions like going out to eat need to be individually evaluated with the risks involved considered. The restaurants have less customers so they are forced to jack up their prices. And a waitress is not going to brag about a "special" when it is not really "specially" a good deal. Their manager probably tells them to NOT mention the cost unless ASKED.

I personally am prepared to wait 1 or 2 YEARS to go out to a restaurant. I will wait for medical science to lower the risks of ANY indoor activity with groups of people. We are far from that. Some individuals will be willing to take those risks, which are increasing and not yet quantifiable. I also would NOT be buying any stock in restaurant chains. Good luck to you. And when you go to your restaurant, may you go with God.

Originally Posted by RDhot (Post 1838473)

Why didN’t you ask the price? I never order a special or anything that I do not know the price of first.

Originally Posted by Katelivingston (Post 1839627)

Reading these comments reminds me of proper phone etiquette: Never start a question with the word “Why” when trying to help someone or assist in assuaging feelings that have been hurt. You’ll only succeed in making the person to whom you’re speaking feel worse.

Originally Posted by Rickanvic (Post 1838644)

I'm at a restaurant, not a garage sale. I shouldn't have to ask.

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 1839659)

WHY? :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Originally Posted by Bob in Fishers (Post 1839123)

That is reasonable considering grouper is $25 a lb raw

Originally Posted by Quiltedviews (Post 1838381)

My husband and I went to the Chop House in LSL tonight to celebrate our anniversary. All was well until the bill came. Their grouper special: a piece of grouper, plus either 3 shrimp or 3 scallops, and 2 sides: $43!! I asked the waitress why she didn’t tell us the price when she described the special (I would never have ordered it if I had known it was $43), she said they only tell you prices if you ask. So I am posting this to advise you that if you order a special at the Chop House, ask the price before ordering!! We will never go there again after this experience.

Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 1839001)

After looking at The Chop House menu online, I have to agree that the OP has a very valid complaint. At $43, the "special" grouper entree would be more expensive than any other priced entree on the menu. And, it would be more than $10 above every entree, except the rack of lamb. So, in this case, the term "special" means that they purchased the highest priced entree on the menu. I think that the restaurant clearly deceived them by not telling them the price of the grouper entree, and by referring to it as a "special".

Originally Posted by Nevermore (Post 1840037)

OMG! You let a few bucks ruin your dinner? What is it you will have to give up for having this meal? Enjoy what you have, be thankful you have it and learn from your mistake..

Originally Posted by Quiltedviews (Post 1838381)

My husband and I went to the Chop House in LSL tonight to celebrate our anniversary. All was well until the bill came. Their grouper special: a piece of grouper, plus either 3 shrimp or 3 scallops, and 2 sides: $43!! I asked the waitress why she didn’t tell us the price when she described the special (I would never have ordered it if I had known it was $43), she said they only tell you prices if you ask. So I am posting this to advise you that if you order a special at the Chop House, ask the price before ordering!! We will never go there again after this experience.

Originally Posted by james thompson (Post 1839347)

Large scallops are 17.00 or more per lb as well.

Originally Posted by Ladygolfer93 (Post 1840104)

WOW ! I am a Grouper-A-Holic (or WAS ! ) at $43 for one small piece (and so many try to pass off so many other "meaty", "solid" fish as Grouper too). Think my last pound bought on the coast to take home was $27, so figuring most restaurants need to double that to make a profit after paying the chef(s), the servers, the rent, the AC, the cleaning people, the dishwashers.... well, you get the point. Probably not going to get any REAL grouper dinner for under $30 anytime soon ! Guess I'll just continue to go to Port Canaveral to Grill's for my grouper... sure hope they don't raise the prices or change out the real thing for something similar over there! While on the topic, anyone know where one can get genuine pompano when in season ? :pray::pray:

Originally Posted by Marathon Man (Post 1839292)

The OP has not returned. Tossed a grenade and left.

Originally Posted by Quiltedviews (Post 1838381)

My husband and I went to the Chop House in LSL tonight to celebrate our anniversary. All was well until the bill came. Their grouper special: a piece of grouper, plus either 3 shrimp or 3 scallops, and 2 sides: $43!! I asked the waitress why she didn’t tell us the price when she described the special (I would never have ordered it if I had known it was $43), she said they only tell you prices if you ask. So I am posting this to advise you that if you order a special at the Chop House, ask the price before ordering!! We will never go there again after this experience.

Originally Posted by nn0wheremann (Post 1840273)

If you need to know the price they think you don’t belong there.

Originally Posted by UpNorth (Post 1840502)

If you want a great steak at a reasonable price, get yourself a grill and a Costco membership:icon_wink:

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC (Post 1840533)

Where do we get the chef to grill it for us?

Originally Posted by DeanFL (Post 1838437)

.
.
...this is one of my (many) pet peeves.

1. Stating the price of 'specials' should really be standard practice.
2. I always felt that it sounded "cheap" to ask the price of a Special.
2a "Market Price" is one thing, but a standard 'special' is another.
2b. One can feel 'cheap' asking, especially in a Group lunch/dinner.
3. But I'd rather be looked upon as "cheap" than feel 'gouged', as the OP.

re #2, perhaps it's a psycholgical matter employed for profit $$$.

Buyer beware, and don't be shy.
.
.

Originally Posted by CFrance (Post 1840090)

I'm sorry OP got so slammed by so many. Lotta crabby people here.


I guess by "special," Chop House meant they made something different that day. "Special" used to mean something at a good price, perhaps less than usual menu items.

Originally Posted by Ele201 (Post 1840830)

I see your point about how a “Special” might mean a good deal or cheaper price. But not so at a high end restaurant or steakhouse. Everytime I’ve seen a “special” on those types of menus, it’s been More expensive, not less, than other entrees.

Originally Posted by UpNorth (Post 1840765)

It takes skill to grill a steak?:1rotfl:

Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 1840864)

I don't know what you mean by high end restaurants, but we live in The Villages. Almost every restaurant is always advertising lunch specials, happy hour specials, two for one meal specials, all-you-can eat specials, and every other kind of special. Some of the country clubs and other restaurants have regular weekly specials. I don't think anyone in The Villages would hear about a restaurant special and think that they are going to pay a higher price. I agree with the OP that the Chop House missed the boat by referring to their highest priced meal and calling it a special.