![\"MOS](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/california-diners.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Fox News Digital spoke to Californians about how they are cutting costs. (Fox News Digital)<\/p>\n
Carballo said customers are visiting his restaurants less frequently, with some scaling back how often they eat out.<\/p>\n
“They’re going out three times a week, where they were coming out to see me four or five [times]. And the people that used to see three times a week, they’re only coming out once,” he said.<\/p>\n
What was once a stop for drinks or appetizers before dinner is increasingly becoming the dinner itself, Carballo said.<\/p>\n
“Now it’s like, that’s where they’re going and they’re hitting those scenes,” he said.<\/p>\n
Customers can still enjoy the same food, service and atmosphere at lower prices, Carballo said, making happy-hour deals particularly appealing.<\/p>\n
But those discounts also create challenges for restaurant operators who are already grappling with rising expenses.<\/p>\n
“I’m still paying the same amount for food. I’m still paying the employees. My rent didn’t change. Nothing changed. Only thing I’m doing is trying to discount my product to gain people to come here,” Carballo said.<\/p>\n
AMERICANS SAY TIPPING PRACTICES ‘HAVE BECOME RIDICULOUS’ AS DIGITAL PROMPTS PUSH HIGHER GRATUITIES<\/a><\/p>\n Higher menu prices mean consumers may pay more in tips even when percentages remain the same, experts say. (iStock)<\/p>\n Fox News Digital also spoke with residents in Southern California who described making financial trade-offs that extend well beyond restaurants.<\/p>\n Jonas, a Santa Monica resident who is planning a wedding with his fianc\u00e9e, said he and his fianc\u00e9e are reevaluating their budget as everyday expenses continue to add up.<\/p>\n “Certainly gas is expensive, rent is high, and then grocery prices are pretty high as well,” Jonas said.<\/p>\n He estimated that he spends approximately $100 a week on groceries and said rising costs are influencing their decisions about dining out and transportation.<\/p>\n The couple is “eating out a little bit less,” Jonas said, adding that he has also started walking to work to “save money on gas as well.”<\/p>\n “I think that people are just seeing prices go up everywhere, and feeling like they’re getting less than what they had four years ago maybe,” he said. “I think everybody’s really feeling that.”<\/p>\n BELOVED RESTAURANT CHAIN DWINDLES FROM 850 LOCATIONS TO 87, BUT EXPERT SEES ‘A LOT OF LIFE LEFT’<\/a><\/p>\n Consumers are increasingly aware of menu price increases, contributing to what experts call menu price fatigue. (iStock)<\/p>\n For some Californians, the financial strain has gone beyond cutting back on restaurants.<\/p>\n Justin, a California native from Glendora who moved to Las Vegas seven years ago, told Fox News Digital that the state’s high cost of living was one of the reasons he left.<\/p>\n “Affordability is crazy,” Justin said while visiting Los Angeles<\/a> for a Rams game.<\/p>\n “I left seven years ago and I thought gas and you know rent was high then,” he said. “Here I am seven years later and it’s … one of the reasons why I’m in Vegas now. It’s just unaffordable.”<\/p>\n Justin said many of his friends who remain in California are still struggling with housing costs.<\/p>\n![\"Man](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/restaurant-tip-couple-dinner.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Man](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/rising-cost-of-eating-out-prices-going-up-food-drink-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n