Brendan's upcharge for sweet potato fries

I live close to Brendan's and go there for some good pub grub, which is a comfort meal for me. I have always loved Brendan's and O'Sheas' sweet potato fries. Recently, at a humane society event at O'sheas, I realized they no longer have sweet potato fries. Okay. NO big deal.

Last night we ate Brendan's and I realized its an extra upcharge of 99 cents for three "non-traditional sides." I can't remember what the other two are but sweet potato fries is considered an upscale side I guess. Then, to make matters worse, I love their turkey stack, which is very similar to a hoagie. Now, its a turkey melt but served on ciabatta, which sounds totally weird to me. Plus, there are all these extra charges like for a fried egg its 1.50 and for bacon its 1.50. I love bacon. Bacon was on the last turkey sandwich but not on this one. In fact, bacon isn't on any of the sandwiches that way if you want it, you have to pay 1.50 for it. So i used to get an awesome turkey hoagie and sweet potato fries for 8.99. Now, its 8.99 plus .99 for sweet potato fries, plus 1.50 if you want bacon. And here we go with an affordable meal turning into more of an entree at a nicer restaurant.

Not to be a whiner, but if you look at the new menu, you get the feeling that everything is an upcharge. THE WORST PART- I paid extra to get the sweet potato fries, and out comes about ten thrown on the plate. I'm not saying I want a huge mound. But come on!

I have supported both of these local places for a while now. I know they are owned by the same person, who also owns Flanagans. All places do a lot of charity support for different causes, which I think is great. But, its just not worth paying 12 bucks to get a sandwich and fries.

What are your thoughts?

I've always disliked upcharges for sides or toppings at actual sit-down joints. At a fast food/carry-out location, whatever.

It's not much money, but I don't like the practice.

[Robin Garr]

What are your thoughts?

Funny, we were just at Wathen's (former Rick's, Wigginton's, Gilman's Pointe) the other night and noticed that they have a $2 upcharge for sweet potato fries. We were trying to figure it out too, and guessed that they're probably hand-cut from fresh potatoes while the regular fries probably come in a giant bag from Sysco.

We didn't get them, though ...

We were trying to figure it out too, and guessed that they're probably hand-cut from fresh potatoes while the regular fries probably come in a giant bag from Sysco.
We didn't get them, though ...

You raise an interesting point. Do sweet potatoes cost more than regular potatoes? I'm not familar with Walthens, but I would assume that Brendan's, being in the O'Shea's/Flanagan's family, would not use giant bagged sysco fries. . .

That being the case (I really hope. . .), does it cost them more to buy whole sweet potatoes than good 'ol Idaho? I haven't noticed much of a difference when buying at the grocery.

While I sympathize with not wanting to pay extra, as far as I know, they do cost quite a bit more. But just to let you in on a little secret, FLanagan's has sweet potatoe fries and there isn't an upcharge when getting them with a sandwhich (for now at least)! Each location has a different chef who likes to do things differenty, I guess sweet potatoe fries is one of those things!

To clarify, I don't mind paying the upcharge for something "nicer" and very comforting to me. It just seems like Brendan's new menu isn't reflective of the kind of food and service I've known from them in the past.

Yes, Sweet pot fries are quite a bit more than normal fries. And both sysco and gfs have great products. I doubt they are cutting fresh fries. Maybe I'm wrong. If so, sorry. I used to have them as a regular item with no upcharge, but serving sizes were so small and cost so high, I gave up.
Bill and Susi
Shady Lane Cafe.
P.S. We are now open on mondays, day only. 11 to 3pm. Also, one of our customers said his brother called from Florida and said that he had read about us in the NY Times or Wall Street Journal, We are offering a free meal to the first person that can bring that article in. I've done a search but can't find a thing. Thank You.

I just got a very nice message from Mr. Murphy a partner at Brendans apologizing for any service issue i.e., "lack of sweet fries on my plate" that I may have had. I very much appreciate the message. As always, it makes you feel like your voice was heard. He also offered to make the sandwich I love and miss from the old menu. What a guy.

No worries. We will definitely be back. I'm just in shock that sweet potato fries are more expensive. Who knew!!!!!!

p.s. havana rumba has awesome ones too.

What are your thoughts?

Funny, we were just at Wathen's (former Rick's, Wigginton's, Gilman's Pointe) the other night and noticed that they have a $2 upcharge for sweet potato fries. We were trying to figure it out too, and guessed that they're probably hand-cut from fresh potatoes while the regular fries probably come in a giant bag from Sysco.

We didn't get them, though ...

Nah..Probably both frozen IQF from a giant bag, both from Sysco, and most likely Simplot. Not sure why they would "upcharge" except maybe to gleen a little profit from an unsuspecting consumer.......???

What are your thoughts?

Funny, we were just at Wathen's (former Rick's, Wigginton's, Gilman's Pointe) the other night and noticed that they have a $2 upcharge for sweet potato fries. We were trying to figure it out too, and guessed that they're probably hand-cut from fresh potatoes while the regular fries probably come in a giant bag from Sysco.

We didn't get them, though ...

Most sweet potato fries at bars and casual estaurants also come from a giant Sysco bag . . . it may in fact cost more (don't know), but the real reasons for charging more are twofold:
1. They can get away with it
2. With costs rising, there is a general feeling that consumers will rebel against paying an extra $1 per sandwich, but giving only one side instead of two, charging extra for some/most sides, things like that will be more acceptable.

I think we'll be seeing more & more of this . . . already, half the places we go offer fewer side dishes, or charge more for several of them.

the real reasons for charging more are twofold:
1. They can get away with it
2. With costs rising, there is a general feeling that consumers will rebel against paying an extra $1 per sandwich, but giving only one side instead of two, charging extra for some/most sides, things like that will be more acceptable.

I think we'll be seeing more & more of this . . . already, half the places we go offer fewer side dishes, or charge more for several of them.

I operate with a different philosophy than most restauratours. We allow requests for a substitute of reasonably equal value; ie salad for chips, soup for salad, soup for pasta salad, small Caesar for house salad, polenta fries (if we are serving them that day) for chips. We try and keep things simple. We'll even trade entree salad set-ups/bases without charge.

The charge for extras is common in many types of businesses. If a restaurant decides to keep base prices low and charge for every added ingrediant (just think pizza), why is it considered a problem. These items cost them money and they are passing that cost plus some margin on to the guest. From their point of view they probably feel that they are offering options that a guest can take or leave. It is up to you.

Restaurant margins are small which is why many of us go out of business. Each of us is trying to find a way to get your attention and hopefully a portion of your business. No one likes to pay more and we have been spoiled with stable food prices for many years until recently. Your favorite restaurant is experiencing hirer food and beverage costs, utility costs, insurance costs, marketing costs, etc.. I find it intersting that so many happy posts are related to when the poster has gotten a "great deal" and it would seem from the write-up that the restaurant is losing money on that great deal. Then there is the lament when that place shuts it's doors, stops offering the great deal or reprices the menu to reflect current conditions.

Cost will vary depending brands,how much ordered,how its portioned etc. etc.

15lb box of sweet potato fries runs around $30.00, while 30lb boxes of say steak fries runs around $23.00.

Now none of the other goodies have been added to these figures fuel surcharge,labor,etc. This type of info is available at any GFS Marketplace.

it is hard or me to understand why, in this time of widespread financial instability and turmoil, some consumers have little or no problem paying so many dollars to corporations/banks/creditors/etc that DO NOT CARE about them in any way, and only exist because there are people careless enough with their monies to get caught in a trap of want vs need. But when a small, independent, local business puts an upcharge that literally equals pennies on something because it may be neccesary for their survival in the long haul, it becomes a matter of 'because they can get away with it' or some such drivel.

imho