Restaurant appetizers often carry price tags that would make even the most dedicated food enthusiast pause. With markups reaching up to 500% on some items, these pre-meal offerings can significantly impact your dining budget. Understanding which appetizers provide value and which ones simply drain your wallet can help you make smarter choices when dining out.
Traditional mozzarella sticks cost pennies to make
The markup on mozzarella sticks is astronomical. These simple appetizers typically cost restaurants less than $1 to produce, yet they often appear on menus for $8-12. The ingredients – cheese, breadcrumbs, and basic seasonings – are some of the most affordable in any restaurant’s inventory.
Most restaurants receive these items frozen from suppliers, requiring minimal preparation beyond heating. The accompanying marinara sauce? Often from industrial-sized cans costing mere cents per serving. Making them at home would cost about 75% less.
A more cost-effective alternative would be to order a main course that includes similar ingredients, such as chicken parmesan, which offers more protein and overall value for your money.
Small portion sizes mask shrimp cocktail prices
Shrimp cocktail represents one of the highest markup items in restaurants. A typical serving contains 4-6 medium-sized shrimp, yet prices often range from $15-20. The wholesale cost for restaurants? Approximately $2-3 per portion.
The presentation, while elegant, masks the minimal preparation involved. Most restaurants use pre-cooked, frozen shrimp and pre-made cocktail sauce. The actual labor cost for this appetizer is negligible.
Consider instead ordering shrimp as part of a main course, where you’ll typically receive double or triple the portion size for a proportionally better value.
Marked up bruschetta wastes your bread budget
Basic bruschetta represents perhaps the most marked-up bread product in restaurants. This simple appetizer consists of toasted bread – often day-old bread that would otherwise go to waste – topped with diced tomatoes and basic seasonings.
The cost to prepare bruschetta rarely exceeds $1 per serving, yet restaurants commonly charge $10-14 for 4-6 small pieces. The profit margin here exceeds 900% in many establishments.
Rather than ordering bruschetta, consider enjoying the complimentary bread service many restaurants offer, which often comes with similar quality olive oil or butter for dipping.
Spinach artichoke dip prices dont match ingredients
While creamy and satisfying, spinach artichoke dip represents another significant markup. The primary ingredients – frozen spinach, canned artichokes, and cream cheese – cost restaurants around $2-3 per serving.
Yet this appetizer regularly appears on menus for $12-15. The accompanying chips or bread? Often the same items served complimentarily to other diners, just portioned differently.
A better value would be ordering a vegetable-based side dish or salad, which typically offers fresher ingredients and more nutritional value for a similar price.
Wings cost more than premium cuts of meat
Once considered a throwaway part of the chicken, wings now command premium prices. A typical order of 8-10 wings costs restaurants about $3-4 to prepare, including sauce and accompaniments.
However, these appetizers frequently appear on menus for $14-18. This markup becomes even more apparent when compared to the cost of premium chicken cuts like breast meat, which often costs less per pound.
For better value, consider ordering a chicken entrée that includes a larger portion of meat for a proportionally lower price per ounce.
Restaurants overcharge for basic potato skins
Potato skins represent another appetizer with an extreme markup. These appetizers utilize potato scraps – often leftover from other dishes – topped with cheap cheese and bacon bits.
The total cost to restaurants rarely exceeds $1.50 per serving, yet they commonly charge $10-13 for 6-8 pieces. The sour cream served alongside? A fraction of a penny per dollop.
Instead, consider ordering a loaded baked potato as a side dish, which typically costs less while providing more food and similar flavors.
Understanding these markups empowers diners to make more informed decisions. Consider splitting appetizers with dining companions or focusing on main courses that offer better value. Remember that many restaurants now offer half-portions or happy hour specials on these items, presenting opportunities for sampling at more reasonable prices.
