How David Brooks Surprisingly Splurged $78 on a Supposedly $17 Airport Burger: A Fascinating Insight Revealed by NYT

Flying has its fair share of drawbacks, but one of the most frustrating aspects is the exorbitant prices of food and drinks. Airport restaurants often take advantage of business travelers who can expense their meals, leaving regular working-class individuals to bear the burden of inflated costs. Conservative commentator David Brooks recently experienced this firsthand when he paid a whopping $78 for a meal at a Newark Airport restaurant.

Before his flight, Brooks shared a photo of a burger and fries on Twitter, expressing his dismay at the $78 price tag and assuming it reflected the state of the economy. As a hardworking individual familiar with long hours and low pay, he made a valid point. Spending $78 on a burger and fries is outrageous! It’s absurd to expect a family of five to spend nearly $400 for a meal at the airport. Who in their right mind would think it’s acceptable to charge such exorbitant prices?

However, many pointed out that there was no way a burger and fries could cost $78 unless Brooks had left an extremely generous tip. Internet sleuths quickly discovered that the photo was from Terminal A’s 1911 Smoke House Barbecue, where the combo actually costs a mere $17. While still pricey for a burger, it is nowhere near the exaggerated $78 price tag.

Furthermore, upon closer inspection of the photo, it becomes apparent that Brooks had also enjoyed a double pour of whiskey. Some may argue that spending around $50 on whiskey would inevitably lead to an expensive bill. However, can we really fault a man for ordering a burger without a double shot of high-priced liquor? It’s a matter of personal preference.

Luckily, we have working-class hero David Brooks to highlight the absurdity of Joe Biden’s inflation through a relatable anecdote.