‘Insane’ price of ‘snack plate’ and coffee from trendy LA eatery

An Aussie had a rude shock after ordering lunch overseas – but said the experience made her grateful to live in Sydney.

A tourist from Sydney has shared her shocking bill after ordering lunch at Erewhon, a popular organic grocery store in Los Angeles.

Known for its celebrity clientele and high prices, Erewhon certainly lived up to its reputation for Emma Gillman, who spent an eye-watering $77 AUD on what she described as a “snack plate” and an iced coffee.

Despite her shock at the price, she now has a new-found appreciation for the cost-of-living back home in Sydney, believing it’s “not as bad” as in America.

“Erewhon is everywhere, so I wanted to see what all the hype was about,” Ms Gillman told news.com.au.

“Also, I’ve found the food quality in LA to be poor, making me feel sick, so I was searching for something healthy,” she explained.

A Sydney woman has paid an eye-watering amount for lunch at trendy LA eatery, Erewhon. Picture: Supplied

The $77 snack plate and coffee

As she doesn’t have a car while travelling, she checked her Uber Eats app and found that Erewhon Silver Lake was within delivery distance.

After selecting the organic rotisserie chicken combo plate with broccolini and buffalo cauliflower, she was surprised to find the meal cost $29.50 USD ($47.60 AUD).

According to the website, the chicken is gluten-free and organic, the cauliflower is flash fried in non-GMO avocado oil, and the broccolini is sauteed in organic extra virgin olive oil.

To make matters worse, her large iced latte with organic milk cost $16 USD ($25.80 AUD), and adding coconut cream on top was another $7 USD ($11.30).

After tax and the recommended tip, her total bill reached a staggering $48.13 USD ($77 AUD).

Emma Gillman ordered a chicken plate with two sides at the organic grocer, which cost $29.50 USD. Picture: Supplied

Her iced latte set her back $16 USD. Picture: Supplied

So, was it worth it? Yes and no.

“The coffee tasted like trash, and the snack plate was small,” she admitted. “The chicken was disappointing … American chicken and produce just doesn’t taste the same. But the broccolini and cauliflower hit the spot.

“In saying that, I think it’s still worth every cent to eat high-quality food with clean ingredients while travelling.”

Erewhon is known for its celebrity clientele and expensive groceries and smoothies. Picture: News.com.au

Its hot bar serves an array of organic proteins and salads. Picture: News.com.au

On her Instagram stories, Ms Gillman joked, “It literally costs money to breathe in LA,” but acknowledged that “it’s just the cost of doing business” and seeking healthier options in a major US city.

Reflecting on her life in Sydney, where she lives in Bondi, Ms Gillman said: “We talk about the cost-of-living-crisis in Australia, but honestly, it doesn’t compare. Uber Eats, grocery orders, DoorDash deliveries – food is just so expensive here, and I can see why people are so polarised. It’s a different world. Times are dire.”

Ms Gillman says the experience has left her with a new-found appreciation for living in Sydney. Picture: Instagram/@emma.gillman

Rent-gouging on the rise after LA fires

It comes after news emerged about the rising prices of rent and essentials in LA following the deadly wildfires that devastated the region and displaced thousands of residents.

Critics have accused landlords and realtors of “price gouging,” with some prices increasing by as much as 134 per cent.

These price hikes have occurred despite an emergency declaration by Governor Gavin Newsom, which bans price gouging above 10 per cent of pre-disaster prices, according to ABC.

Locals have condemned this behaviour as “predatory” and “disgusting,” although some agents claimed they were unaware that the declaration was in effect.

Cost-of-living set to get worse

The natural disaster has also impacted other areas of the city’s economic landscape.

A report from TIME indicates that, prior to the fires, around 70 per cent of LA residents were already living paycheck to paycheck.

This unstable situation has worsened for many, particularly in the service industry, which includes housekeepers, drivers, landscapers, and small business owners, all experiencing a sudden halt in work.

“There are no jobs, no income, and no immediate path to recovery,” the report stated.

Supply and demand have also skyrocketed the cost of essentials, making hotels and basic groceries more expensive than ever and placing a strain on already tight budgets.

Before this crisis affected the city, the cost of living in Los Angeles was already 50 per cent higher than the national average.

Originally published as ‘Insane’ price of ‘snack plate’ and coffee from trendy LA eatery