A grouper sandwich in the U.S. state of Florida has become the focal point of the latest public debate on U.S. inflation.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently called out the price of a grouper sandwich when visiting a restaurant in Santa Rosa Beach, using it as an example of skyrocketing food costs in general.
“I’m looking at this sign: USD 32 (EUR 27) for a grouper sandwich. [They] are definitely getting those tourists to pony up,” DeSantis said, per Florida Politics, when visiting Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar. "I don’t know that I would pull the trigger on USD 32. I love grouper sandwiches, [but] I don’t know if I could pull the trigger on USD 32.”
Inflation is “unbelievable” everywhere, DeSantis added.
“I can’t get through the drive-thru at McDonald’s without spending USD 40 (EUR 34) or USD 50 (EUR 43) it seems,” he said. “It used to be you could get it very cheap. Now, it’s just more and more.”
Chef Andrew Gruel – a TV personality, a restaurant industry advocate, and the co-owner of Calico Fish House in Huntington Beach, California, U.S.A. – however, told SeafoodSource the price of the sandwich is “normal” and Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar is not price gouging.
After reviewing the costs of Florida grouper and other ingredients in the sandwich, Gruel said the menu price amounts to 25 percent of the cost of goods, which is industry standard. The fish cost the restaurant around USD 6.00 (EUR 5.00) for a 6-ounce portion, Gruel estimated after checking with purveyors in the state.
Additionally, that price doesn't include factors such as salt, pepper, paper products, cooking fats, and more, so “realistically, this sandwich probably isn't even a moneymaker for them,” Gruel said.
“This is a testament to the fact that the cost of goods has gotten so high,” he said.
Maeve Webster, the president of food consultancy firm Menu Matters, said she doesn’t know whether the grouper sandwich is priced fairly, but she believes it’s unfortunate that the restaurant is being called out …
