Last night I went out to a trendy restaurant in downtown Cincinnati. I’m on a business trip for work, which means the company pays for all my meals.
I’m usually a boring eater. I know what I like: steak, chicken, potatoes, and bread. Maybe some fruit on the side, but I like to keep it simple. If I’m going to pay to eat out, I better be darn sure I’m gonna like it.
However, when my company is paying, I feel like I can step outside my comfort zone and try something new. Being an out-of-towner, I let my colleagues in Cinci pick where we eat and I just go along for the ride.
This evening, we decided to go to a trendy little part of downtown Cincinnati and try an upscale hot dog place.
You heard me. An upscale hot dog restaurant.
This place is so popular, we literally had to wait 55 minutes just to get a seat. And in case you were wondering how much food costs at a high class hot dog restaurant, I’ll just say this: if you have to ask how much it costs, you can’t afford it.
I really just wanted to share that picture. I think it’s absolutely hilarious. Who makes a fancy schmancy hot dog restaurant where the hot dog of the day is sold at a market rate like some rare seafood? And how is it so popular that it takes an hour to get a seat?
My theory is because the restaurant is “trendy”.
Trendy, as far as I’m concerned, is just another way to say expensive. Whether its a trendy restaurant, trendy clothes, or a trendy haircut, these things will almost always cost you more than their non-trendy counterparts. Some people love to be involved in the trendy scene and know all the right places to find the cool crowd.
Not me. Give me some fried chicken or a St. Louis style pizza. Please and thank you.
Kevin McKee is an entrepreneur, IT guru, and personal finance leader. In addition to his writing, Kevin is the head of IT at Buildingstars, Co-Founder of Padmission, and organizer of Laravel STL. He is also the creator of www.contributetoopensource.com. When he’s not working, Kevin enjoys podcasting about movies and spending time with his wife and four children.
Please tell me you ordered it! At least tell me what it was!
What did you end up ordering there?
You left so many questions unanswered that I feel like I’m watching Lost all over again!
I didn’t order it. It was called the Lady Gaga and I don’t remember what was on it, but it sounded as horrible as her outfits look
I know this is going to sound SO low-brow, but two things that are really “in” in Toronto right now are burritos and poutine. There are burrito places and poutine places on almost every streetcorner, with all kinds of variations, and at lunch time, dinner time and after last call, there will ALWAYS be a line up out the door. It’s not uncommon to wait 45 minutes for a burrito. But they’re delicious, so it’s worth it.
They haven’t become overly pricey, though. Just kind of trendy. Generally, though, you’re right that trendy almost always means expensive. Why else would someone pay $30 for a white T-shirt from American Apparel, when you can get the same thing for half from the GAP or even less from Walmart?
I actually like a high quality tshirt. Not because it is trendy, but because it is so much more comfortable. And I’m okay with trendy food that’s delicious, but this was just average
I definitely agree with letting the company pay for the meal. Not sure, though if I lean more toward over-priced or pretentious when I hear the term “trendy” for a location such as a restaurant or club. Some places are considered to be expensive but to me are totally worth the money when it comes to food (but not like Capital Grille or anything like that). Oh, and nothing beats real NY pizza!
St. Louis style pizza beats NYC pizza, although Grimaldis is very good. Both are way better than Chicago pizza
Mmmm, Grimaldi’s….
I just want to call dibs on purchasing Lindsey Lohan for $10! I know she’s going through some tough times…but 10 bucks is pretty cheap. For the PF referance, I feel this is a cheap return on investments if she gets her life figured out.
Aside: There was a restaurant on my college campus that was named “Gourmet Burritos.” Really?! When have burritos been gourmet quality. The place only lasted a few months before closing down.
I wouldn’t take Lindsey Lohan if you paid me $100,000. Her poor parents
I don’t think 100k covers the cost for AIDS treatment
Did you like it? There is a trendy sausage place in Los Angeles that does extremely well. I think they had sales of $10 million last year. BTW, in Los Angeles trendy usually means celebrities go there.
I wasn’t a big fan of the restaurant in general. I guess my tastes are just too simple.
I was in Cincy for the Bengals and Colts preseason game last night. Too bad I didn’t see this hot dog place. I could have ignored it. $10 for a hot dog is insane. So is waiting for 55 minutes.
I’d have been tempted to go out in search of a hot-dog cart, then stand outside the restaurant eating. When my friends looked out the window at me, I’d have waved the change from my $10 bill.
A $10 hot dog? Like getting a burger at the Cheesecake factory. Never mind that it comes on a crusty baguette roll with artisan fries, it’s still small and overpriced. Bah!
I really want to know how they determine the market price of the hot dog!
Really? I work in Cincy, but I haven’t heard of the ‘trendy’ hot dog place. Doesn’t surprise me- I don’t usually go for trendy.
Cincy keeps trying to get new things to catch on. They also have a resturaunt that sells grilled PB&Js. Cincinnati is mostly known for it’s Cincinnati Style Chili (with cinnamon- blech, yuck, blech) and brats (they’re white before they’re cooked- I can’t figure out if the meat is bleached or what!) I can’t develope a taste for either- just too weird.
So what does this fancy hot dog taste like?
Is that hot dog gold plated or something? geez…
Excellent ! Il like this post because ever since I have been in the US, I have the feeling that whatever is called “french” can be sold at a super expensive price (sometimes undeserved). Like french pastries or other french foods. This doesn’t apply to french fries though,
Sometimes I feel like I shold quit my PhD and open a french crèperie, and also sell macarons at $2 a piece. I would certainly make more money than by being a lab rat 😛
Yes, I have to agree that when something is trendy it also comes with expensiveness. Of course when a product is in demand or of high quality it’ll be expensive. Economics is at work. Hahahaha. That’s why it’s easier to be a trend setter because you got it first at a low price then before the demand increase and make it expensive. What you think?