We Paid $35 for One Meal in Abilene, Is This the New Normal?

When did a glass of sweet tea, a West Texas staple, start costing nearly $6 in Abilene and around West Texas?

Over the weekend, my wife Donna and I decided to go out and grab a simple meal. Nothing fancy. We ordered one chicken enchilada plate, added two plain crispy tacos, and two large sweet teas, that was it.

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Then the bill came...over $35! And here’s the part that really got me, those large sweet teas were $5.95 each. Now, I don’t know about you, but when sweet tea starts pushing six bucks here in West Texas, something has changed big time.

Eating Out in Abilene, Texas, Is Hitting the Wallet Hard

My wife and I looked at each other and said, “Good thing we shared that meal.” And honestly, it made us think twice about going out again anytime soon. What used to be a quick, affordable night out now feels like something you have to plan for.

What Happened to Friendly Service in Abilene, Texas?

Here’s something else I noticed. When we went to check out, there was no smile, no conversation, and just a quick, "That's $36.87." The interaction just felt weird and completely different.

And, I’ve been hearing that more and more from friends, coworkers, and folks all around town. It’s not that people are being rude, it just doesn’t feel as warm and friendly as it used to. You know, that warm West Texas hospitality like "howdy y'all", not even that.

Is This Just the New Abilene, Texas?

With all the growth, new workers, and everything happening around town, maybe this is just part of it.

Higher prices. Faster pace. Fewer connections. But for those of us who’ve been here a while, it definitely feels weird.

So, Is It Just Me, or Is This Getting Crazy?

When sweet tea is nearly $6, and a simple meal runs over $35, one begins to wonder. "Is this just inflation?" Or, is Abilene changing faster than we expected?

Which leaves me asking you directly, "Have you noticed restaurant prices going up in Abilene, and are people less friendly too? Or, is it just me?"

Read More: Texas Sweet Tooth Alert: Blue Bell Drops Brookie Ice Cream