Rising prices beefing up cost of eating out

Steve Thanhauser said his iconic Raleigh restaurant, The Angus Barn, has tried to limit increases to its menu prices, but the razor-thin margins are becoming more difficult to maintain.

"Beef prices have gone up 85 percent," Thanhauser said, and seafood has doubled in price.

"It feels horrible to go, 'We need to change the menus, and we need to increase the prices by 25 cents or 50 cents or a dollar," he said.

The price increases are linked to the ongoing supply chain problems that have created shortages in everything from building materials to computer chips to food.

"Every single day, it is so unpredictable as to why things continue to go up, what's going up and, on top of that, if you can even get the supply," Thanhauser said.

Labor shortages and higher gas prices only add to the price increases, he said.

"You don’t mind paying extra for something that is worth it, so we don’t mind paying for the gas to get here and the food to eat," Judy Cannady said.

"Everything is always beautiful inside," Phillip Cannady said, noting the restaurant is already decked out for Christmas.

"[It's] great food, hospitality – just a warm, inviting place," Judy Cannady said.

"Every year, they will book a year in advance to make sure they have a place at the inn," he said.

Inflation will eventually slow, he said, adding, "I don’t think it’s going to level off this year."