In our last post, reader Moe brought up an issue that isn’t frequently addressed in restaurant critique, affordability. Too often, we comment on our eating experiences as if cost is no concern, while for many diners, cost is the primary concern. In these economically trying times, we want to spend our dining dollars wisely. Part of that is simply seeking out cheaper dining alternatives, but perhaps a wiser way to look at the issue is through the prism of value. It shouldn’t be just about finding lower cost food, it should also be about finding food that is actually worth what we’re paying for it. If we’re going to spend $60 or $100 on dinner for two, then it better be worth $60 or $100.
For example, I have no issue with paying $13 for an ahi burger at Taylor’s Refresher in Napa because it’s possibly the best sandwich I’ve ever tasted. On the other end of the spectrum, I feel a bit cheated when spending $8 for a hot dog at a Kings game when the limp, soggy dog is indistinguishable from the $1.50 dog at Costco (and the non-excitement of being at a Kings game these days adds no value to the wiener).
So, after much discussion with the genius that is Runnergirl, we developed the Food Likability and Value Exchange Rate, or FLAVER. Using the above example, an ahi burger at Taylor’s would get a FLAVER of $1=$1. On the other extreme, a King Dog would get a FLAVER of $1=$.20.
This exchange rate would take into account all the factors that normally go into restaurant critique — food, service, atmosphere — and then boil it down to the essence of the restaurant’s value. As an exercise in using this new rating scheme, here are my choices for some of the highest and lowest value places in town:
Cafe Rolle $1=$1Â Â Affordable prices, incredibly decadent food, and charming service.
La Bonne Soupe $1=$1Â Luxurious, handmade soups; delicate, near-perfect sandwiches.
Masullo $1=$.95Â Pristine pizzas and impeccable appetizers all in a hip, modern space.
Mulvaney’s B&L $1=$.95Â Beautiful food, beautiful space, elegant and friendly service.
Maritime $1=$.90 It’s one of the more expensive restaurants in town. It’s one of the most elegant restaurants in town. It’s one of the most unique restaurants in town. It’s one of the best restaurants in town.
Rice Noodles $1=$.90Â Sure, pine-paneled walls and plastic lobsters aren’t exactly high-value accouterments, but a delicious noodle bowl with char-grilled chicken, spring roll and fresh vegetables for $6, or for that matter a spicy beef salad for $5, is well worth the cost.
And how about a few that miss the mark:
Tex Wasabi’s $1=$.60Â But for proximity and and those Vegas Fries, I’d probably not head to this place often.
Ernesto’s $1=$.65Â Compared to the hundreds of other Mexican restaurants in town, Ernesto’s is not only less tasty but also more expensive.
Zen Sushi $1=$.63Â So many better sushi places, so many cheaper sushi places.
Chinois $1=$.70 I’ve better been sure why Chinois thinks it can charge 30% more than any other Chinese restaurant in town.
So, as an experiment, provide your thoughts on where you think some of the best and worst food value is in town. Maybe with an easy baseline like the FLAVER ratings, we can all communicate more clearly when we talk about the best dining experiences in town.
The Sac Rag 
Is it possible for a place to have a reverse rate? For example something some one is charging way to little for?
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Because I now work in South Sac, there is literally a world of cuisine within a two mile radius of my office. Working away through the greater Stockton-Florin corridor, here are some hits:
Pho Anh Dao: $1-$1 on the FLAVER scale
Although you may share a table with strangers and wait about 30 minutes for your soup, it’s worth the wait and is dirt cheap.
Thai Thai Express: $1-$2 on the FLAVER scale
It’s as though they paid me to come eat their unbelievably awesome and fresh food. It was my goal to visit every ethnic place in the neighborhood before returning to the same place again, but Thai Thai Express will undoubtedly cause me to break the streak.
Thai Spice TS Noodle: $1-$1 on the FLAVER scale
Not only does the Chicken Larb rival that of Thai Cottage, you get your own personal pitcher (sing that to the tune of “Personal Jesus”) of jasmine iced tea.
I’ve only been to The Grange once, but it is way overpriced for what you get — so is Esquire Grill. Here’s a quick breakdown of my picks:
Dos Coyotes: $1-.95
Rice Noodles: $1-$1
Maalouf’s: $1-$1
Ella: $1-.65
Esquire Grill: $1-.65
The Grange: $1-.35
Mikuni: $1-.75
Tokyo Fro’s: $1-.75 (Sunday night and happy hour prices are $1-.90)
Flaming Grill: $1-.95
Danielle’s Creperie: $1-.99 (nearly perfect — great prices, impeccable service, good iced tea)
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Crepe Escape: $1 – .65 especially because it’s a racket to have to use their ATM when you don’t have cash, and because the manager on the breakfast shift once told me there was no butter, but then caved when I impeached him and said they were simply “running low and had no clean dishes for it” and then rolled over completely when I asked the chef directly and was handed a nice little plate of butter. At that point it was a matter of principle. Okay I’m getting kind of bitter, I might have to say $1 – .50.
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What a neat idea. Yes, certainly VALUE is somewhat subjective but is tied to both price AND quality AND service. I have spent a lot for some meals: $75 pp at Gary Danko, which was a very high value – I felt transported, totally, for several hours.
And then I had a $100 pp dinner at Craft in NYC and had a really mediocre time.
I like your idea! I’ll start using this index when telling friends about places I’ve tried. Thanks!
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(and of course I’ve had buche tacos from taco trucks that were better than any Mexican food I’ve had in a restaurant, too…)
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Let me try this.
Gary Danko: $1 = $1.
Craft: $1 = 75¢
Tres Hermanos taco truck, Sacramento: $1 = $1 (or maybe $1 = $1.50!)
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Tuli Bistro0 $1=$1
Fusio $1=$1
Mortons $1=$.75
The Kitchen $1=$1
Ellas $1= $.80
Scotts on the River $1=$.50
Riverside Clubhouse $1= $.50
Kru $1=$.90
Chefferies $1=.$90
Melting Pot $1= $.80
Tre $1=$1
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Great idea!
Bandera $1=$1
Damn great service, superb food, every time.
MIkuni (all of em!) $1=$.70
Bleh. Decent food, long wait, too saucey.
Thai Palace $1=$1.25
How do they serve such incredible food for so little? Well worth the money.
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Jimboys $1=.90 Ohh Boy…
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Akebono II $1=$1
Waterboy $1=$1
Cafe Bernardo $1=$.95
Vientiane $1=$1 (they should charge more)
Plan B $1=.90
Scotts Seafood by the River $1=.50 (mediocre at best)
The Supper Club $1=.95
La Favorita Taqueria $1=$1 (they should charge more)
Spataro’s $1=.95
Evans Kitchen $1=$1
Il Forno $1=$.90
New Lai Wah $1=$1
Kings Palace $1=$1
Alanzo’s $1=$1
Fords Hamburgers $1=.85
To name a few.
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