"Dave Smith" > wrote in message
...
> "Paul M. Cook" wrote:
>
>>
>> >>
>> > I figure that it costs me less than $1 for the ingredients to make a
>> > batch
>> > of
>> > pancakes that will feed four people, and that is using real
>> > ingredients.
>> > My
>> > scratch pancakes are a hell of a lot better than anything I have ever
>> > had
>> > in a
>> > restaurant. Then there is the cost of the syrup. I use real maple
>> > syrup,
>> > not
>> > that grotesque sugar slop they give you in restaurants.
>>
>> Buttermilk is not exactly cheap these days.
>
> I didn't say buttermilk pancakes, though I could add a spoonful of vinegar
> to
> whole milk for the same effect. Eggs are $2.50 per dozen here..... so
> less
> than than 30 cents. Flour is cheap, and the amount of baking powder or
> soda,
> salt and sugar is a penny or two. Add c cup of milk and a bit of oil or
> melted
> butter.... under $1 per batch.
>
>
>> So 4.99 is quite a bargain - what is commonly called a "loss leader" in
>> the
>> business world. They figure somebody comes in for the special and the
>> people they are with order something other than the pancakes.
>
> My experience with restaurant pancakes and their crappy syrup is that most
> people could not eat more than 3 regular sized pancakes. They will get
> you on
> the sides and coffee.
>

Eating out is expensive. Shrug? We aren't exactly talking a revelation
here. If you ever have worked in a restaurant you know they all have very
high overhead. If you want cheap, make it at home.

Paul