You can find two decent breakfasts in the US for $22?!! I need that restaurant! . Just been in USA a month and even Denny’s was coming in at $50 for two (including taxes and gratuities) for a couple of omelettes and coffee, Admittedly free refills. Even the ‘super slam’ didn’t get me below $30 for two! . I spent a month on the ‘gas station’ diet!
Well, TM22, as I recall you were recently visiting on both our coasts in California and Florida;
AHHH Good ole Califor-ni-yey! Yup that'll do it.
Just out of curiosity I pulled up my food expenses for my camino walk (May-June 2022). Its "easy to figure out breakfast because it is the 1st "charge" of the day (that's when using CCs does come in handy.... yeah yeah I know!
) anyways, while majority are somewhere in the 5-7€, some 10s € have crept up. So, i guess it depends on what it was I was in the mood for at "that particular morning".
Compared further - London October 2016. before I finally checked into an accomodation where breakfast was included, we had 3 "out" on the days we were in a different accommodations. Prices (as converted to USD - dont really remember what the £ amount was) were $34.31, $28.24 & $11.94 - for 2 people and the last one was 2 coffees and 2 croissants standing at the bar counter.
Some folks (esp. from US) already mentioned tips. This is something that also could be kept in mind since in Spain you practically see no such thing. If I were to chalk up to my usual habit of 20% then the said €23 should become almost €28 or we can think that the bill when presented was only €19.00
Im not even going to mention that almost throughout US there are various State taxes added as well (some States REALLY get you at 12%!)
Someone also mentioned size. Also true. I remember one "sandwich" in O Cebreiro that would rival a steak in its size. Perhaps something similar was the case here?
So in short... to OP: I am sorry you had this experience! As many already stated - please cahlk it up to "an experience", learn from your mistake (i.e. if no prices are displayed - do ask) and simply enjoy your Camino! You may also consider buying your own provisions (also as some suggested). In the end - its not worth the time and energy wasted on aggravation - I am SURE that it is NOT while you are on Camino!
Good Luck and may Gods of Culinary Delights guide you safely to the final destination we all long for!
P.S. WAIT!!!!! You were hungry and needed something to eat! A place appeared in front of your eyes!
CAMINO PROVIDES! (nobody said it should"provide" the price display, only the food you were longing for.....
)