Every region has a cheap-meal tradition. Whether it’s a diner breakfast or a deep-dish pizza, regional dining is a staple of Americana. In Texas, regional dining naturally takes the form of Tex-Mex. And most people expect it to be affordable. <\/p>\n
But one Texas man is beginning to notice a change on that front. <\/p>\n
‘I’ve Been Eating Mexican Food My Whole Life Living in Texas’ <\/p>\n
Content creator Frizzfr8 (@frizzfr8) shares his grievances with his bill after eating at Santiago’s Tex-Mex & Cantina in Round Rock, Texas. His video has since accumulated more than 22,000 views. <\/p>\n
“I feel like I just experienced a hate crime,” the creator begins. “I’ve been eating Mexican food my whole life living in Texas. And it used to be that if you wanted a cheap meal with a lot of food, chips and salsa, chips and queso, you would go eat a Mexican meal. If you didn’t get fajitas, it would be somewhat affordable.” <\/p>\n
The creator says he went to Santiago’s, “where [he’s] always eaten” because he “[loves] their food.” He ordered what he considers a standard meal, but he was flabbergasted by the cost. <\/p>\n
“I ordered a large queso and three tacos a la carte,” the creator says. “And I’m not talking fajita tacos, crispy tacos with ground beef in them.” <\/p>\n
The final bill? $47. The creator finished by swearing he’ll “never go there again.” <\/p>\n
“What is going on?” he writes in his caption. “Mexican food restaurant have lost their mind in the Austin Tx area! specifically you Santiago’s! 3 beef crunchy Tacos \u00e0 la carte with a large queso costs how much? Never going back!” <\/p>\n
The creator’s viewers were quick to sympathize in his comment section, with one person writing, “We decided to not even try [Santiago’s] because of their prices.” <\/p>\n
“My family has a restaurant and meat is INSANELY expensive,” one viewer wrote. “Every ingredient for the food is 2-3 times more than it used to be.” <\/p>\n
“You need to stop going to corporate Mexican restaurants and directly to the Mexican mom and pop restaurants,” another commented. “They are way better and better ingredients.” <\/p>\n
Are Mexican Restaurants Getting More Expensive? <\/p>\n
Restaurant prices have risen steadily in recent years. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Food Price Outlook found food away from home was 3.4% more expensive in August of this year than it was a year prior. A Gigafact report from earlier this year, using Bureau of Labor Statistics data, found restaurant and prepared-food prices rose 50.6% between May 2016 and May 2026. Prices also rose 34.1% for groceries. <\/p>\n
In terms of Tex-Mex specifically, beef-as in, the ground beef often used in tacos-is a major factor. Bloomberg Government reported that consumers paid an average of $7.064 per pound for ground beef in May 2026. This was “up 13% from a year earlier,” as the U.S. cattle herd shrank to its lowest level in 75 years thanks to drought and cattle parasites. The USDA says “beef and veal prices are forecast to increase 9.4 percent in 2026.” <\/p>\n
Texas taquerias have certainly felt the pressure. Texas Public Radio reported that “wholesale beef prices were up nearly 16% from May of this year compared to the same time last year.” A Houston taqueria, Monchy’s, raised its Taco Tuesday price from $1 to $1.50 per taco as a result. The publication noted that “beef prices have increased by about $2 a pound since last year.” <\/p>\n
“[Business owners] really can only raise that price so much before a big benefit of the taco – which is its affordability – disappears,” Texas Public Radio wrote, while quoting a Texas Restaurant Association spokesperson. “And that makes it less attractive to consumers.” <\/p>\n
Subplot News reached out to the creator via TikTok comment, as well as Santiago’s Tex-Mex & Cantina via email. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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