I had to read the first paragraph of the story three times before I believed it. Talk about rising food prices? How about a tray of Carne Asada Nachos for (US)$275? Korean Steam Buns $300? Maine Lobster Rolls $450?
Just to prove I’m not pulling your leg: One side of the Luncheon menu card from the Hard
Rock Stadium pro sports venue, host of the Miami Grand Prix this past weekend…
It’s no joke. The host venue for the second annual Miami Grand Prix actually offered folks a lunch menu with prices ranging from (US)$250 to $500 this past weekend. It was the Hard Rock Stadium, around which was arranged the temporary Formula 1 track for the big race.
Thought it was a mistake
At least one race attendee thought the menu prices were missing a decimal point. That is, for example, that the Nachos mentioned above were really priced at $27.50. A vain hope and an error in itself. The nachos were really, truly $275 bucks. I’d probably have bought into the aforementioned nachos (as in believed the price as printed; not as though I’d actually buy them) at $27.50. That’s not too far off the price you’d expect to pay at most pro sports arenas and stadia, especially at playoff time. But $275? Never!
Some compensations
Now… At most pro sporting events, you’re part of a captive audience. Unless you partake of tailgating vendors before or after the game, you’re compelled to pay the prices the in-venue food guys offer. They’re bad enough, at around $15 – $25. for a burger, and $8 for a tray of sad nachos comprised of chips and runny cheese sauce.
But there were some local one-off restos ‘on the other side of the track’ – outside the Hard Rock dominated infield – that offered less luxy menus at more realistic prices.
No apoloogies
Race organizers offered no apologies for offering food which some attendees knocked as substandard, for prices those same race lovers called ‘insane’.
“We really pride ourselves on delivering the very best food and beverages from the South Florida region and incorporating it into this global event, including 14 locally based, minority-owned restaurants.” Tyler Epp, president of the Miami Grand Prix event, told Miami New Times. “We’ve really upped the ante this year.”
I guess ‘upped the ante’ is one way of describing it.
My take
Who are the people who set the menu and came up with the prices at the Hard Rock Stadium in Maimi for the the big race this past weekend? What were they thinking? We may never know, especially now that their nutty handiwork has received international attention, and they’ve probably moved to another country and changed their names…
~ Maggie J.