Except for the people out of work. They went from earning a low wage to nothing at all.

I’m all for local eateries over chain places…but even local chains like Mad Mex are feeling the pinch.

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Going out with some crispy xtra-hot garlic wings is not a bad way to go. Good choice for last meal!

The gravy?

No, that came out.

I’m doing what? you little outraged baby

The future is fast casual. Order at a counter, someone will bring your food out. Bus your own dishes. Refill your own drinks. Make sure you tip, though.

We are millennials in our early/mid 30s and eat out 1-2 times per week, primarily at mid-price places such as Caliente, Dad’s, Ramen Bar, Kiin, and other local family-owned places. We don’t eat at places like King’s, Max & Erma’s, etc. The food just isn’t good, less beer selection, not an interesting location.

Congrats on the weight loss and taking the money you saved to pay off your student loans early! I bet the combination of the weight loss and no student loans payments is better than the best burger you ever had out at a restaurant.

Go a couple doors down to Tepache

Dancing Gnome and Old Thunder are far and away my favorites right now. Not sure the lunch situation, but worth the trip over the 62nd St bridge for sure.

Really, you’re doing this in here?

The whole "let's go out for dinner three times a week" thing is an anomaly in American history, it only really started in the late 1970s and will likely die when the boomers do. And that's fine.

 
Greasy spoons, diners, take-out, roach coaches, etc have always been around for the time poor, but the sit-down casual dinner places like Applebee's, Outback, etc are a pretty recent thing.

 
https://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/pub-details/?pubid=90227

Well.... We're waiting...

Most of these places aren't anything special though. I don't give a shit about Max and Erma's, there's nothing to differentiate them from Applebee's, or Eat n Park, or any other chain restaurant. There's been too many mediocre restaurants for too long. Maybe these closures will be an industry wake up call.

I would call Max and Erma’s a typical middle class boomer restaurant. And yes, those are closing because there are less and less boomers every day. No restaurant wants to go after a demographic which is shrinking, and at best, will be gone in 15 years or whatever. They want to go after a 30 year old and hook that customer for the next 40 years.

I don't see the closing of a boring, tired, shitty chain restaurant as another tick on the doomsday clock but your point of view may differ.
 
Restaurants close all the time and always have.

I haven't eaten in a restaurant since March 7th, 2020 (Wings Suds & Spuds). I have lost over twenty-five pounds and saved enough money to pay our student loans off early.

 
There will always be destination restaurants for special occasions, but it wouldn't be the worst thing for America if all the Max & Ermas, Paneras, and Applebees went away.

agreed. i dated a woman 10+ years ago who loved erma burgers. m&e was always a solid choice for us.

On your way back goto Wooly pig brewery.

I'm generally not a fan of chains, but I always thought Max and Erma's was a decent option.

I have the recipe.

The Monroeville location is always packed though. Idk why.

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Pepperidge Farm remembers.