Here in the Bay area, the price differential between grocery store and restaurants is even greater, due to rapidly rising labor costs and local inflation increa

Here in the Bay area, the price differential between grocery store and restaurants is even greater, due to rapidly rising labor costs and local inflation increasing more rapidly than national inflation. As usual, it all comes back to housing. Restaurants can't hire workers because workers can't afford to live there due to housing problems. As a result, when you go out, dinner for 2 people costs an arm and leg. We just don't go out anymore. But, even the Cafe is getting really expensive. Pearl Milk tea now costs 5.50$ minimum, even here in the east bay. 10 years ago, I remember getting those same bubbly drinks for 3$