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More Mexican restaurants are charging for chips and salsa. That’s a good thing.
Posted on 7/14/26 at 8:23 pm
Posted on 7/14/26 at 8:23 pm
quote:
The complimentary appetizer rose to prominence decades ago as a replacement for the free tortillas and butter Tex-Mex and Mexican restaurants used to dole out. Mass-produced tortilla chips became more widely available in the seventies, and offering them with a side of salsa (house-made or from a jar) turned out to be cheaper in some cases.
Chips and salsa soon became a standard, and customers expected them to hit the table before their drink orders were even taken. But things slowly started to change with the inflation that came during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, it’s become more common to charge diners for chips and salsa, and the practice may be increasing as the restaurant industry struggles because many diners are choosing to eat at home due to high gas and food prices. This has caused some sticker shock.
Full Story - Texas Monthly
16
Posted on 7/14/26 at 10:01 pm to Will Cover
Just read it for the second time. I’m still looking for why it’s a good thing.
The closest the writer comes to saying that is this near the end
So they agree with it because of the cost to restaurants. Okay, but does that make it a good thing? It’s not good for the customer.
The closest the writer comes to saying that is this near the end
quote:
Charging for chips and salsa is a decision that must be made by restaurants as needed. Nevertheless, I am firmly on the side of the ones that charge. The starter is a nice but unnecessary bonus. Chips and queso are never free, and queso—with its traditional Velveeta base—is arguably easier to produce than fresh salsa. A dish’s price point depends not only on the recipe, the labor, and the ingredients but also on the costs of rent, dishes, flatware, napkins, the point-of-sale system, and the decor—in other words, everything customers see and don’t see. At the very least, don’t grumble to the restaurant staff about the charge.
So they agree with it because of the cost to restaurants. Okay, but does that make it a good thing? It’s not good for the customer.
This post was edited on 7/14/26 at 10:02 pm
Posted on 7/14/26 at 10:05 pm to Will Cover
The gaslighting never stops on source pricing. Take out energy, stick to core. Talk about how inflation is raging
This post was edited on 7/14/26 at 10:07 pm
Posted on 7/14/26 at 10:26 pm to Will Cover
I wouldnt go to one that didnt have them free
Posted on 7/14/26 at 10:56 pm to Will Cover
We dont a choice. We are powerless.
At first hey came for our insurance premiums.
hen they came for our groceries.
Then the property taxes.
Now. They come for the chips and salsa.
At first hey came for our insurance premiums.
hen they came for our groceries.
Then the property taxes.
Now. They come for the chips and salsa.
Posted on 7/15/26 at 1:08 am to Sunnyvale
Give me salsa and chips or give me death!
Posted on 7/15/26 at 3:43 am to Sunnyvale
quote:
We dont a choice. We are powerless. At first hey came for our insurance premiums. hen they came for our groceries. Then the property taxes. Now. They come for the chips and salsa.
What’s next? The pumpernickel bread at Outback?
Give me free pump or give me death
With a side of blooming onion
This post was edited on 7/15/26 at 3:45 am
Posted on 7/15/26 at 4:18 am to Will Cover
Keep em, Chico. I’ll buy what I want to eat.
Posted on 7/15/26 at 5:41 am to Will Cover
quote:
the practice may be increasing as the restaurant industry struggles because many diners are choosing to eat at home due to high gas and food prices. This has caused some sticker shock.
If it's known that diners are choosing to stay home because of restaurant prices, why would charging for a former free item help the cause at all? Heck, I'd fry up chips all day for people who would purchase a $50 pitcher of margaritas.
Posted on 7/15/26 at 6:08 am to Will Cover
The 8th reason Mexican restaurants may start charging for chips and salsa will shock you! What a retarded article and retarded thread..
Posted on 7/15/26 at 7:21 am to Will Cover
People really give a crap if the chips are free or not? 
Posted on 7/15/26 at 7:32 am to Twenty 49
quote:
queso—with its traditional Velveeta base
Traditional where? This article is full of shite.
Posted on 7/15/26 at 7:50 am to Will Cover
My go to meal at a Mexican restaurant was 7.99 pre Covid. Went few weeks ago and it's 13.99.
Posted on 7/15/26 at 8:19 am to Twenty 49
quote:
Okay, but does that make it a good thing?
Think of it like a cover charge or a dress code. Less undesirables will go
Posted on 7/15/26 at 8:43 am to Will Cover
Their actual food better be damn good if they’re going to take away the free chips and salsa.
It’s not like Mexican food options are limited in most places.
It’s not like Mexican food options are limited in most places.
Posted on 7/15/26 at 9:02 am to Sus-Scrofa
The cost of the "free" chips and salsa is covered in the price of the other menu items. This writer is basic economics-impaired.
The quality of salsa, and to a lesser extent, the chips, can be a guide as to what to order. If the salsa is very good, I will order more authentic stuff, like moles or tlayudas. If it's something like Pace, I'll keep my order simple, like nachos or quesadillas.
The quality of salsa, and to a lesser extent, the chips, can be a guide as to what to order. If the salsa is very good, I will order more authentic stuff, like moles or tlayudas. If it's something like Pace, I'll keep my order simple, like nachos or quesadillas.
Posted on 7/15/26 at 9:03 am to Will Cover
I think it's funny when the waitress asks if we want an appetizer. I want to tell her "what do you think these chips and salsa are?"
Posted on 7/15/26 at 9:35 am to REB BEER
Texas monthly has some decent articles sometimes especially their true crime stuff but they are about as left as you can get.
Posted on 7/15/26 at 9:45 am to Will Cover
They were never free
I have been noticing an uptick in your higher end mexican restaurants, and they definitely are charging for it. Usually the salsa is a little more involved than your typical suburban mexican restaurant though. I don't mind it in an instance like that.
For your normal hole in the wall spot that are all essentially the same place, would be silly to do so. It is a perception thing for them. Raise your prices on everything by a .50 or something.
I have been noticing an uptick in your higher end mexican restaurants, and they definitely are charging for it. Usually the salsa is a little more involved than your typical suburban mexican restaurant though. I don't mind it in an instance like that.
For your normal hole in the wall spot that are all essentially the same place, would be silly to do so. It is a perception thing for them. Raise your prices on everything by a .50 or something.
Posted on 7/15/26 at 9:55 am to Will Cover
BS. We're already paying for those chips. The cost is already added into that $12 margarita and $20 bean burrito you just ordered.
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