Americans are choking on surging fast-food prices. "I can't justify the expense"

Fast food pricing and value

• Many commenters say fast food has lost its core value proposition: once “cheap and filling,” now often $12–15 per meal, comparable to or worse than local restaurants or higher‑quality chains.
• Some note specific items (McDouble, Junior Chicken) tripling in price over ~10 years, erasing “ultra‑cheap takeout” as a category.
• There’s disagreement about what a “good burger” costs (examples from ~$12 to $25+ depending on city), but broad agreement that fast food is no longer obviously cheaper.
• Reasons people still go: late‑night availability, drive‑through convenience, coffee habits, and McDonald’s as a comfortable public “third place.”

Delivery apps and perceived luxury

• Many view app‑based delivery (DoorDash, UberEats) as an extreme luxury, with fees turning cheap food into $20–30 “half meals.”
• Some older posters say they almost never use delivery and enjoy shopping/cooking; they see heavy delivery use as generational and habit‑driven.
• Reports of very high costs and bad service (e.g., $75 undelivered pizza) fuel accusations of “fraud” and unsustainable business models.

Groceries, home cooking, and health

• Multiple comments say groceries feel shockingly expensive (e.g., “two small bags for $200”), especially for meat, eggs, and fish; others counter that with careful shopping, costs are far lower.
• Strong consensus that home cooking is still cheaper than eating out, especially using raw ingredients and meal prep; some cite <$4/meal even at premium stores.
• Several argue that many younger people lack cooking skills and planning habits, making fast food and prepared foods more attractive despite cost.
• Health angle: rising fast‑food prices may be “good” if they push people toward healthier home‑cooked meals and reduce obesity and long‑term medical costs.

Wages, inequality, and inflation

• Debate over “living wage”: some argue higher wages inevitably raise prices; others note prices are already high while many still don’t earn enough.
• Discussion of inflation: acknowledgment that food‑at‑home inflation has cooled recently, while restaurant/fast‑food prices continue to rise faster.
• Some see corporate “greedflation”; others frame it as normal post‑shock rebalancing where over‑aggressive price hikes are now hitting demand.

Cultural and generational perspectives

• Older commenters recall fast food as a rare treat in the 70s–80s; many feel its normalization (and app delivery) has distorted expectations.
• Observations that some students and young adults appear surprisingly non‑price‑sensitive, often financed by student loans or credit, and may be unprepared for long‑term consequences.