Overpriced food and other "staple" items is a reality everywhere, not just SF. For instance, for $4 you can get a regular cookie ($1.99) and fountain drink ($1

Overpriced food and other "staple" items is a reality everywhere, not just SF. For instance, for $4 you can get a regular cookie ($1.99) and fountain drink ($1.90) at multiple midwestern city locations of Panera. I pay more at my locally-owned coffee shops, but the cookies are bigger and hand-made. Another example is a lunch meal I've grabbed on occasion since 2000 at a local cafe in mid-sized midwestern city. Back in the day, it was $4.25. It's now $6.75. Same food, same portion size, higher price. The problem is two-fold. On one hand, inflation and costs are driving up costs. On the other, everyone wants to be seen as "upscale" and--in proving PT Barnum correct--will pay dearly for that appearance.