Yesterday was the first day on Whole30 I couldn’t have a meal at home. I had a Brunch & Budget in the afternoon and was meeting a friend for dinner later.

At my Brunch & Budget, I had to dodge hollandaise sauce, biscuits and mushroom gravy, and waffles at Cafe Ghia and instead opted for their potato bowl, which was just potato wedges where I had them add eggs and avocado. Safe. Delicious. I only cried a little inside.

Later that night, I met my friend for dinner at Little Mo, where, instead of ordering the bulgogi cheesesteak, the porkbelly baos, or the ginger soy glazed chicken wings, I got Asian chicken noodle soup, hold the noodles, double the bean sprouts. Oh, and a plate of brussel sprouts, also hold the delicious ginger soy glaze. Also delicious, also a little heartbreaking.

Here was the real eyeopener though:

Cost of meal at Cafe Ghia – $11 for dish + $1 tax + $2 tip = $14
Cost of meal at Little Mo – $15 for dishes + $1.23 tax + $3 tip = $19.23

Now $2.67 a meal doesn’t seem so insane. I did get 2 servings out of that bowl of soup (holy crap it was big!), but that still doesn’t compare to making food at home.