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San Diego, CA

The death of the affordable restaurant meal in San Diego County

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The death of the affordable restaurant meal in San Diego County


At a glance

The cost of eating out at a restaurant in San Diego County has jumped significantly in the last five years. The restaurant industry says that it’s had to raise menu prices to offset higher labor and food costs. With the spike in price, some San Diegans say they’re staying away from restaurants while others are hunting to find cheap places to enjoy food away from home.

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Grabbing a bite to eat with family or friends is not only a great way to socialize, it can be a good way to experience a community and support local restaurants.

But dining out can start to feel more like a luxury when the cost drains your budget. Inflation has forced restaurants to significantly raise prices in San Diego County and nationwide over the past few years. The increase has been particularly acute since the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this Price of San Diego story, we dig into what’s causing the spike in dining costs at restaurants, and how locals are adapting.

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Sticker shock

San Diego ended 2025 with the second highest overall inflation in the US among major metros. Specifically the “prices of food away from home” index rose 2.9% from November 2024. The “prices of food away from home” data includes restaurant, cafeteria, and vending purchases.

While the 2025 increase may not sound like a lot, it adds to a trend over the past five years of significant cost increases at restaurants in the region. In 2024, the cost of going to a restaurant skyrocketed 11.7%. In 2023, it rose 4%. The last year the cost of dining out in San Diego decreased was 2022.

There was a spike of over over 10% in 2021. And in 2020, prices of food away from home went up over 4%.

The breakdown

All of those data points show that eating at restaurants in the county has gotten a lot more expensive in the past five years. If you tally those numbers it gets you to over a 30% price increase during that time for the San Diego region. For example, if a single cheeseburger cost you $10 in 2020, that same single cheeseburger now costs you about $13.00 — like this one now costs at Hodad’s.

So why is this happening? Food and labor costs for the average restaurant have gone up 35% in the last five years, according to the National Restaurant Association.

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Locally, the rise in retail rent over that same time has added to tighter margins.

The National Restaurant Association says the only way most restaurant operators can cover their higher costs is to increase menu prices.

By the numbers

Money isn’t going as far as it used to, faster compared to the past couple decades.

Nationwide, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation calculator shows $100,000 in November, 2025, has the same buying power as about $80,000 in 2020 — a nearly $20,000 loss in just five years. It took 13 years, going all the way back to 2007, to make that same $20,000 change in purchasing power before 2020.

How are locals adapting?

While it’s expensive to dine out and some San Diegans say they’re going to restaurants less overall, other locals have been discussing the best restaurant meals for the price on Reddit.

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Restaurants and food items that got frequent mentions include: IKEA Restaurant, the fish tacos at El Pueblo Mexican Food (they’re no longer $1 — they’re now $1.39), Costco Food Court (this now requires Costco membership), In-N-Out, Chicago Fire Grill and Sprouts Farmers Market sandwiches.

What to watch

The USDA expects food away from home prices to increase roughly 3.3% in 2026 nationwide.

The National Restaurant Association says declining tourism spending is making business conditions more challenging for restaurants. They also say higher-income households are driving restaurant sales.

San Diego’s cost of living is roughly 50% higher than the national average. While the median household income is around $104,321, the income needed to afford a median-priced home ($920k+) is now estimated at over $260,000.



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San Diego, CA

Gas prices soar nearly another dime overnight

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Gas prices soar nearly another dime overnight


On Thursday, the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County recorded its largest increase since Sept. 28, 2023, rising 8.7 cents to $4.894, its highest amount since Nov. 13.

The average price has increased 15 consecutive days, rising 28.7 cents, including 7 cents on Wednesday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 22.4 cents more than one week ago, 38.6 cents higher than one month ago and 14.5 cents greater than one year ago.

The average price has dropped $1.541 since rising to a record $6.435 on Oct. 5, 2022.

“Gas prices are rising primarily due to a recent surge in crude oil following strikes on Iran by the U.S. and Israel,” Kandace Redd, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s senior public affairs specialist, told City News Service. “Any conflict with Iran can send oil prices higher, as Iran is a major oil producer and about a fifth of the oil consumed globally travels through the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman.

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“Gas prices are increasing because of seasonal factors too. Refineries are beginning the switch to more expensive summer-blend fuel, and demand is picking up as we head into the spring break season with more people on the road.”

The national average price rose 5.3 cents to $3.251, its highest amount since Sept. 11, 2024. It has risen five consecutive days, increasing 26.9 cents, including 8.9 cents on Wednesday.

The national average price is 26.8 cents more than one week ago, 36 cents higher than one month ago and 14.4 cents greater than one year ago. It has dropped $1.765 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.



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San Diego, CA

UNLV faces San Diego State after Hamilton’s 24-point performance

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UNLV faces San Diego State after Hamilton’s 24-point performance


UNLV Rebels (16-14, 11-8 MWC) at San Diego State Aztecs (19-10, 13-6 MWC)

San Diego; Friday, 10 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: UNLV faces San Diego State after Kimani Hamilton scored 24 points in UNLV’s 92-65 victory over the Utah State Aggies.

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The Aztecs have gone 13-2 in home games. San Diego State is eighth in the MWC with 9.0 offensive rebounds per game led by Miles Heide averaging 2.0.

The Rebels have gone 11-8 against MWC opponents. UNLV ranks eighth in the MWC shooting 34.4% from 3-point range.

San Diego State averages 79.1 points per game, 0.6 more points than the 78.5 UNLV gives up. UNLV averages 7.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.9 fewer made shots on average than the 9.1 per game San Diego State allows.

The teams play for the second time in conference play this season. San Diego State won the last meeting 82-71 on Jan. 24. Miles Byrd scored 23 points points to help lead the Aztecs to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Reese Dixon-Waters is shooting 35.9% from beyond the arc with 1.6 made 3-pointers per game for the Aztecs, while averaging 13 points. Byrd is averaging 10.2 points and 5.1 rebounds over the past 10 games.

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Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn is shooting 50.9% and averaging 20.6 points for the Rebels. Hamilton is averaging 1.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Aztecs: 5-5, averaging 74.9 points, 28.9 rebounds, 13.7 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.0 points per game.

Rebels: 6-4, averaging 84.1 points, 32.3 rebounds, 14.7 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 50.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 80.8 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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San Diego, CA

Military bases in San Diego County increase security following Iran attacks

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Military bases in San Diego County increase security following Iran attacks


SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Military bases in San Diego County and nationwide have increased security measures due to last weekend’s U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, prompting traffic delays near base entrances, enhanced ID checks and access restrictions.

The Naval Air Station North Island on Coronado ports three aircraft carriers, including the San Diego-based USS Abraham Lincoln, which led some of the first-wave attacks on Saturday.

Naval Base Coronado warned motorists of possible traffic delays at all base entry points due to the increased security measures.

Targets included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and military airfields.

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The U.S. operation, dubbed “Epic Fury,” and Israeli operation, “Raging Lion,” began striking targets at 1:15 a.m. Eastern Time Saturday.

As of Tuesday, at least six U.S. service members had been killed in action.

The strikes also killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei, who had been Iran’s supreme leader since 1989, making him the longest-serving head of state in the Middle East.

Iran’s offensive forces claimed to have struck USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles, but according to an X post from U.S central Command, “The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close. The Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM’s relentless campaign to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime.”

Those with concerns regarding the heightened security can contact San Diego County’s Office of Emergency Services at 858-565-3490 or oes@sdcounty.ca.gov.

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Copyright 2026, City News Service, Inc.





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