In another clarifying cultural moment, New York Times columnist David Brooks lamented about his $78 “meal” at Newark Liberty International Airport. Turns out 80% of that bill was due to his alcohol consumption.
David Brooks Laments His $78 “Meal” At Newark Airport
Brooks writes a column for The NY Times and is a regular commentator on The Newshour on PBS. His politics lean moderate right, though he is difficult to shoehorn into a box. Taking to Twitter (X) on Wednesday, he complained about his “meal” at Newark Airport:
This meal just cost me $78 at Newark Airport. This is why Americans think the economy is terrible.
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
Wow, that is an expensive hamburger and French Fries, isn’t it…?
Well, perhaps not. Brooks was dining at 1911 BBQ in the beautiful new Terminal A and you might notice a dark liquid in his glass. That’s not tap water…
The restaurant left a pithy response on Facebook:
Looks like someone was knocking back some serious drinks – Bar tab was almost 80% and he’s complaining about the cost of his meal
keep drinking buddy – we get paid off everything.
Oh, David. Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive…
His tweet has gone viral (over 25 million views at time of writing) and some of the responses and memes on Twitter have been hilarious.
His tweet likely resonated with many people because we’ve all gawked at paying $5 for a bottle of water at an airport that is $1 in a grocery store. Indeed, airport pricing tends to be higher (and there are both valid and invalid reasons for this).
But the hamburger and French Fries at 1991 BBQ actually is only $17. That means Mr. Brooks either had a lot of liquor or consumed some top-shelf stuff.
And while $17 for a small burger and fries may seem like a travesty, it is quite a different story than $78.
Fittingly, the restaurant is now offering a David Brooks special: a burger with fries and a double shot of whiskey…for $78 $17.78.
Well-played…
Right leaning? Lol yeah, and I’m actually Taiwanese
You are right Chi. If he was right leaning– the Times would have already cancelled him. The Times Editor quit after the blowback of letting Tom Cotton write and Op-Ed. You really think the Times would allow a right leaning employee write for the Times? Shame on you Matt for the blatant lie.
What makes someone right-leaning? Their support for Trump?
Not necessarily, but it helps.
He’s a Republican. I have yet to meet one who’s left leaning. It is true that he’s old school (sensible) though.
He’s a grifter – A leftist pretending to be a conservative for money to make the Times seem like less of an echo chamber. On every policy position he sides with democrats. He is the worst kind of dishonest scum – He lies about his politics like he lied about that burger.
Before Trump he almost always sided against Democrats, at least for the last couple of decades. As I said, he’s sensible.
Sensible? Funny, I would say that sensible people don’t blow almost $80 on a burger and booze and claim the entire bill was for the burger.
Yes, he’s politically sensible. I couldn’t care less about his eating and drinking preferences.
I know, weird to call him right leaning. I’ve never heard anyone designate him that way. He’s pretty much universally disdained on the right and doesn’t represent any right-leaning politics I’ve ever encountered.
Well, in total fairness here, the booze at the airport is a complete rip off as well. But no one is talking about the real issue here – crappy places that give you cheap Soviet prison surplus ketchup and not Heinz. Tough to take the side of any restaurant that does that even if they are right.
I’m with you. It’s Heinz or nothin’
@LAX … you likely already know “The Apple Pan” on Pico Bl. , 1 blook east of Westwood Bl. Best burgers and sandwiches I’ve encountered . It also has an old-fashioned counter to sit . If I need to go to LA , I always find time to stop there . I’m with you on the high prices for any alcohol at the airport . Although once I saw a guy on a Japan Air flight open his duty-free vodka bottle and partake during the flight .
haha! I could go for a hickory burger and a pile of fries from the Apple Pan! I am very near to there – I may just go there for lunch today and ‘ cheers’ you over a slice of apple pie. Have a good weekend!
(Full Disclosure: In-n-Out still my #1!!)
What a clever marketing move on their part!!
Well played 1911 Smoke House, WELL PLAYED!
The guy’s lunch was basically whisky with a side of burgers and fries.
I’d take issue with the assertion that NYT knowingly employs anyone who is actually right-leaning. Good story otherwise.
He’s really an elitist. Refer to his book on the Bohemian Bougeoisie. That may look like old fashioned rich person conservatism sometimes, but it’s not about left or right. It’s about preserving privilege from populism. Doesn’t explain his oblivious tweet, though.
Eat before you travel or after you arrive where you are going or better yet bring a sandwich with you.. To complain about the well known high price of food and booze at the airport is silly.
Actually, it’s not silly. Freedom of expression is one of the most cherished rights in a democracy and particularly when the complaint is valid. The airport authorities utilize the retail space poorly and without regard to the traveling public’s interests. The only way change can be effected isn’t just the “free market” which the airport authorities are sort of insulated from (since the airports will be used regardless) but political to put pressure on improvements.
USA airports are lousy in several ways:
1) No international visa-free transit area which is both inconvenient and undermines the profitability of the airlines.
2) Lack of comfortable, clean areas for passengers to relax if they have a long layover that’s yet too short to get a hotel room.
3) Poor food options.
We deserve better.
Except this wasn’t a really valid complaint…
He’s never been a Republican but has always been something of an **shole. Whether that qualifies him as a Democrat I’ll live to others.
I meant “leave” obviously. Duh.
Judith Miller, deliberately lying about Iraqi WMDs for the CIA, her salary funded to Arty Sulzberger directly under Project Mockingbird, doesn’t sound like any definition of “liberal” I’ve ever heard.
Well if you are stup(e)d enough to pay for it, it’s your fault…nothing to do with the economy or politics.
Matty, why would you give an opinion on his political stance in a travel column? This is why no one reads your left leaning rag.
Millions of “no one” I suppose?
Rich that I get roasted as being a Trumper, a Klansman, and left-leaning all on the same day…