RE: The article in the Oct. 26 paper about restaurants struggling:

Twenty dollars may be a "deep discount" to restaurants, but to many people, $20 still is a substantial amount and not "a cheap meal."

For years now, the price of eating out - especially any place a bit upscale - has been out of reach for a large part of the public. I understand about the cost of goods and wages and the need to make a profit; I just want to know how it all went crazy so fast.

It seems to me it wasn't that long ago that you could get a decent steak dinner for $8. Now that price may buy you a 5- or 6-oz. one if you can find it, and the quality is likely lower.

I like having a large variety of restaurants around, so I want them to be able to stay open, but I'd also like to be able to eat at one without feeling guilty about how much I'm spending.

Mike Williams

Corvallis