One of the problems with running your own business is that each customer that comes to your establishment has their own idea of what a good experience is like.
Take, for instance, New York Times columnist David Brooks, who visited 1911 Smoke House Barbeque in Newark Airport on Sept. 20 during a recent trip and was less than enchanted with how much his food cost.
Related: Airports with the longest and shortest wait times
This meal just cost me $78 at Newark Airport. This is why Americans think the economy is terrible. pic.twitter.com/1qeV9qOBL3
— David Brooks (@nytdavidbrooks) September 21, 2023
Above-average food prices in an airport are far from shocking, but for what looked to be a burger, fries, and a Coke, it did seem unusually inflated. That is, until the restaurant saw Brooks' tweet and took to its official Facebook page to confirm that 80% of his bill was actually his bar tab.
In the meantime, X (formerly known as Twitter) users set the topic on fire on social media. First X's community notes were updated to clarify that the price of the meal at the restaurant was a lot lower than Brooks claimed.
By the morning of Sept. 22, more than 35,000 tweets about the topic were sent, making fun of Brooks by using the same wording of his tweet with their own images.
This meal cost me $78 at Newark Airport. This is why Americans think the economy is terrible. pic.twitter.com/UoR6WnoQcl
— derek guy (@dieworkwear) September 21, 2023
This meal just cost me $78 at Newark Airport. This is why Americans think the economy is terrible. pic.twitter.com/R4NAd14d0T
— Kristi Yamaguccimane (@TheWapplehouse) September 21, 2023
David Brooks Newark Airport meal is my new favorite genre of Twitter.
— Hadley Sheley (@HadleySheley) September 22, 2023
I can’t get enough.🤣😂🤣 pic.twitter.com/OyllEIfoAF
Brooks has stayed silent since the tweet blew up, but the restaurant decided it wanted to add a cherry on top of the whole situation, adding a brand new special to its menu on Sept. 21. Simply called the D Brooks Special, it advertises a "Super delicious burger with fries and a double shot of whisky." The price is $78, but it's crossed out and replaced with "$17.78".
Get exclusive access to portfolio managers and their proven investing strategies with Real Money Pro. Get started now.
