Roadster diner introduced proudly their low-cal menu two or three weeks ago and even though it looks delicious and isn’t that bad, the pricing is just unacceptable!
Check out those two burgers, one from the original menu and another from the newly introduced low-cal menu:
P.L.T: Patty, Lettuce and Tomatoes. (7000 LBP)
Ever Slim Burger: Grilled Patty, Lettuce, Grilled onions, Tomatoes, pickles and our Low-cal sauce. (11750 LBP)
The only difference is the onions and the pickles and the low-cal sauce. Do those amount to 4750 Liras?
I was thinking the other day how Chili’s was the most expensive diner in town and is now more affordable than Roadster and many other diners and have much bigger portions.
I hope something is done about those prices in Roadster because I am starting to think twice before going and I am sure many are doing the same, not that I cannot afford it, but it is just not worth it.
I hate how Roadsters doesn’t include fries with their burgers and you have to pay extra for them. That’s ridiculous.
couldn’t agree with you more
Chilis is not more affordable than Roadster, it’s much more expensive.
Patrick, not sure if the fries isn’t included but included or as a side, in both cases the quantity of the fries is very little. I always thought that was pretty weird.
It’s not included and the quantity is little. At least at Chilis the burgers are bigger and you have a lot more fries.
Not anymore Mark, specially when you compare the size of the platter you get at Chili’s when compared to Roadster’s.
I couldn’t find a menu online for Chili’s Beirut to compare but I am sure it has become within the same budget.
Chilli’s is much more expensive, but it’s also much more worth it, at the end anyone even people that can afford it would rather they get what they are paying for.
Same has been Happening at ZwZ (i think Roadsters and ZWZ are owned or part owned by the same firm. both are good, but it get to a price point where it’s just not worth it…
recently i had an issue with Woodden Backery, a Fetta sandwich was 3500, fair enough it comes in a fancy Baguette, and it’s delivered, so no complaints there. I asked if they can add some rockets,it came out to two leaves, for 1500L.L! so two leaves of Rockets from Wooden Bakery are worth more than 5 bunches of fresh rockets from the supermarket? who puts the prices on these things…???
Roadsters doesn’t do it for me anymore; increasing prices without any additional value in return just doesn’t work.
I’ve stopped eating from Roadsters when I was still in Lebanon.
Bobs Diner has much better burgers and amazing milk shakes.
Ronman,
I still think Chili’s is not that more expensive specially when you compare burgers to burgers and salads to salads. I am not talking about the ribs or fajita platters here. The same burger you order at Chili’s is around the same price as Roadster’s and can feed two people.
Anyway I am gonna get the menu today and compare.
You should complain abt salads vs salads more than burgers vs burgers ,I mean salad is just vegetables served with a sauce ,even though burgers aren’t served with fries aside at Roadster,I think there’s this whole expensive salad system in all the restaurants and diners in Lebanon,Chicken ceaser becomes almost 15000 L.L. ,even more expensive than a plain burger,it’s just vegetables .
Annie,
I just took one example but it applies to everything on the menu as well. I find salads ridiculously expensive in Lebanon as a whole.
I am a huge fan of Chili’s. When I compare prices, the difference is minor on the total bill. Chili’s does not just offer quantity, they offer quality as well. If we’re talking burgers, you can’t even compare the meet… same goes to anything else. People rave about the wings at Roadsters or their nachos, and I bet they haven’t tried them at Chili’s.
If Chili’s opens more locations, I’d definitely visit them more in Lebanon.
As for salads, they aren’t just expensive in Lebanon but everywhere! I dont eat salads, but I’m told Waterlemon has the best…. don’t take my word for it.
Well Rita they just opened in Gemmayze but you are right I wish they open in different locations.
Chills opened in Gemayzeh? Damn. Pretty cool.
Yup and a really nice location.
Yalla Patrick I’ll take you to Chili’s when you come :p
(Like you haven’t been having enough)
Dear Najib and beloved Rd guests,
Let us first thank you for your honest feedback concerning the latest changes made in our menu.
We value and appreciate your comments that will enable us to improve our quality products and service level.
Since you are essential to us, we would never compromise on food quality and ingredients, and due to the sudden
price increase in the market, therefore; Roadster diner’s Management has readjusted its’ prices in order to keep on serving
you with the finest quality products at the best service level. Concerning the Low-Cal menu, please note that unlike the PLT burger, it is served with a custom made multi-cereal brown bun, a unique Low-Cal sauce, and is accompanied by a side salad (for dine-in only).
We look forward to read more of your comments to help us provide you with the best service for many years, and we hope that your choice still lands on Rd every time you feel like a burger.
Sincerely,
Rd team
Dear RD Team,
Let me first assert that you have one of the best customer service in the country, if not the best and this is, aside from the good food, what keeps me coming back to visiting you.
Nevertheless, despite the price increase that you are talking about, the readjustement of prices is still a bit too much and in my opinion should be reconsidered or at least fries and side salads should be included for free with the meal, since I don’t believe potatoes’ prices have increased that dramatically.
As for the low-cal menu, again there is not much difference between the multi-cereal brow bun and the regular one, not one that adds up to almost 4000 LL. Also the side salad should never be charged as it is of a ridiculously low cost to the restaurant.
I believe you should take into consideration the fact that many other respectable diners are providing the same meal with presumingly the same quality in bigger portions and at a more reasonable price. This is what is making us all question those prices.
Hope this will be taken into consideration.
Best Regards to you.
Wow, i’m stumped at the RD input here, which more of the restaurants were that able in handling criticism and complaints in public. but it still pricey, perhaps it’s because they recruit PR people that know what they are doing, thus charge them a lot! maybe…Kudos
Dear Najib and Rd lovers,
The Rd team thank you for your prompt feedback.
We sincerely hope to see you in one of our branches very soon.
Have a lovely weekend,
Sincerely,
Rd team
Thank you for your answer and hoping that you will take into consideration our feedback and not just thank us for expressing it.
Of course Najib, it is only through each and every one of our guests comments and feedback that we can grow and improve. We pour over it for hours, looking at how we can make your experience better, maintain our quality and incorporate all of the suggestions and feedback. It is thanks to people like you that we are able to become better.
Once again enjoy your weekend
Sincerely,
Rd Team
You have a great weekend yourself.
Awesome blog, been following it recently and totally love it.
as for Roadster, i believe that indeed many have the same complaint about the price increase, I know that they try to get their stuff from the best suppliers, but in no way that justifies their high prices, it became ridiculous.
as any other firm, they could try to modify their cost structure!!!
price isnt the only element in such structure you know! and besides, no marketing is done whatsoever compared to other diners! so they could reduce their costs in other areas and do smthg about their prices!!!!
same complaint about some new burger places! i mean come on, how come a burger costs like 14$?!!! if i did it at home with the best ingredients out there, it wouldnt cost me more than 8$
i wonder if that authority they call “consumer protection” or smthg, should have a say in this regard!
the prices are getting ridiculously high..i eat at roadsters 5 times a week, im a crazy fan for roadsters. However, prices are very expensive and im starting to think twice before going..too much!
Even if I am a bit late, :$ thank you Najib for this short article! It’s really ridiculous and unacceptable how the prices are increasing! Like Moe said, the best platter we do at home cost half the price!yalla we r in Lebanon, once a price increases it never goes down unfortunately! Cheers to the poor Lebanese people!
God, this was exactly five years ago when we were all riled up over the price of a burger at 11,750 LL. Today that would barely buy you a slice of cake from their new AllFit menu >.<