Click on this link to a story on Modern Steak by Republic staffer Megan Finnerty and the comments at the end of the article may take a while to load. No, it’s not your Internet connection. In under 48 hours after the story had appeared online, there were 20-plus pages of comments that pretty much centered on one thing—demonizing Modern Steak’s $78 HeartBrand Akaushi filet as an emblem of excess while the country still struggles to dredge itself out of financial crisis. Even though the restaurant had been open for about as long as the article appeared (which is essentially about one minute), no one stopped in to truthfully critique Finnerty’s comments, try the food, assess the service, or really, offer backup for why they hate this honest, hormone-free, source-verified piece of meat. EATERAZ has a dream: that people will talk about food because it’s food, not a signifier of the current zeitgeist.
“$78 steaks offered when most of my neighbors are losing their homes because they lost their jobs. I guess the recession hasn’t bitten all of us,” says one reader. “Seems a little excessive in the middle of a depression,” says another. “OMG!!! Really? This is the goofiest thing yet. Will they feed and house the homeless? The people that have lost their jobs and everything else in life?”
If you, like us, are wondering how the two things are connected—people losing their homes and Fox Restaurants serving a delicious steak—stop trying to figure it out. Because we’ve spent about a day trying to, and can’t. So meanwhile, read this:
“Just more Snotsdale people with more money than brains trying to impress the unwashed.” Who are the unwashed and why are people trying to impress them? “Only in Snobbsdale would anyone be dumb enough—in this economy—to buy a $78 steak. No wonder places like this are closing all over the country!! I have a better idea. Why doesn’t the city of Snobbsdale take the money and build a community rec center or a shelter for abused kids or something that people actually need?” Someone said: “I bet it closes in less then 1,000 days.” Kind of an odd number, no? The guy gives Modern 2.5 years…
For some reason, Natter67 tells us that “My clothes brand is ‘Clearance’ at Kmart.” And another reader thinks, “those lazy Rwandans should take responsibility for themselves.”
Another one would prefer to stay home because Modern Steak must lack ambiance: “My wife and I create our own ambiance in our house. We invite our kids and grand kids over and have a blast … [the] focus is on good food and not on ensuring that everyone can see how much borrowed money you can spend …”
mama8789 would prefer customers redirect the money while making a totally unsubstantiated comment: “And you know the beef is full of hormones and steroids. Go buy a steak at the store and donate the $70 savings to a good cause.” But then lovesEmma comes to defense of those with money to burn: “Why is it people like you think that people that can afford a little extra should always do without and donate it to someone else. They work hard for their money just like you…
And Peaches123 comes to Modern’s rescue: “Everyone seems to be upset about ONE $78 steak … I’m not sure if you people are aware of this but you DON’T have to buy it.” And Chazzy seems to offer perspective: “Sam Fox is a proven success and I wouldn’t bet against him …If Modern Steak doesn’t produce good results, I am sure they will find something that does.”
We just hope there’s a $77 steak on that menu. Because $78 is just kooky.
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