Bozeman Price Check: $8 Pints, $32 Fried Chicken, $20 Tuna Rolls?

I've sort of lost perspective of the cost of basic things in the last 18 months. Turns out, Bozeman has it's own brand of hefty inflation. Supply chain issues are VERY serious around here and those problems are hitting the restaurants big time.

I didn't start writing this to bitch about the cost of living in Bozeman, really. This is simply for perspective and a reality check if you don't eat out much.

It was more of a "how on earth is fried chicken $30" kind of thing. Have I gotten to some age where you instantly become confused as to why things are "so expensive these days"?

I don't feel old. I'm not, actually that old. But seriously...$32 fried chicken? I wish there was more description to convince me of it's awesomeness.

To be honest, I blow more money on food and drink than just about anyone I know. Good food and friends make me happy. We're blessed with really good restaurants around here and I crave several of them, often.  Expensive purses and huge car payments just aren't my thing.

Point is, I'm more than happy to pick up the whole tab at a dinner with friends because TO ME...that money actually bought joy and memories. I never think back fondly to any purse I've owned, you dig?

Anyway, below I put together a random gathering of current menu prices around the Bozeman area that I thought were pretty steep. No biggie, and not trying to throw anyone under the bus. But hanging out with friends over a decent meal will certainly cost you these days. (I left out the locations to avoid any trash talk.)

• Michelle's "Bozeman Food/Drink Consumer Price Index Check" 2021
• Angus Burger: $18 (cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion, dijonaise) Really?
• Fried Chicken: $32 (savory toast, macha butter, big horn barrel syrup) I'm sure it's great but I just can't with this. THEN, I found yet another expensive fried chicken at a downtown restaurant...
• Fried Chicken: $30 (smashed potato, cha cha vegetable, gravy, iconic hot sauce) - I don't know what "cha cha vegetables" are but I totally want some.
• Milanese Pork Chop: $29 (petit salad, grilled lemon, pecorino) - Are pork chops seriously this pricey? I had no idea.
• Bread and Butter: $7 (betty starter, ash butter) I'm sure it's fancy and delicious. But this will officially be the first time I'll be charged for bread and butter.
• Sautéed Trout: $36 (green lentils, confit potato, balsamic reduction, pea shoots) - Sounds awesome. But all I can think about is how many trout this state has, not how fancy this particular trout dish probably is. Weird, I know.
• Tuna Roll: $20 (slices of ahi tuna stuffed with spicy tuna and avocado, topped with tobiko and spicy mayo) I know good tuna is expensive. Just don't think I've seen this roll hit the $20 mark around Bozeman until now.
• Flat Iron Steak: $32 (10 ounce Flat Iron pan-seared, chimichurri sauce, rosemary and butter fingerling potatoes) I'm pretty sure I find flat iron steak on sale often for like, $6 a pound. This must be fancy pants flat iron steak. Not sure.

So does this sampling of prices surprise you in any way or is it just me getting a little out of touch? Again, I never mind paying a pretty penny for quality food and unique/delicious preparation. Great meals are awesome! These examples of typical fare just seemed a little steep to me. Thoughts?