Surging egg costs are hitting New York City diners and delis, pushing them to hike the price of popular bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches to protect their bottom lines.
A national index of bacon, egg, cheese, bread and coffee prices has jumped more than 20% in the past 12 months as a nationwide egg shortage due to bird flu adds to price pressure at restaurants.
At Cafe Olympia 55 in Midtown East, head clerk Rossy Gavilanes says weekly wholesale egg costs for the store have doubled to $1,000 since the bird flu crisis began in January. On Feb. 25, the store raised the price of its bacon, egg and cheese sandwich on a roll by $2 to $7.75.
Some customers complained about the new price and stopped ordering the on-the-go breakfast item that was once one of the city’s cheapest hand-held bites.
“We’re kind of slow on breakfast” now, Gavilanes said, in part because of what egg prices have done. “We try to go with the situation, but sometimes customers can’t understand and it’s a little bit difficult for us.”
At NY Grill & Deli on First Avenue, manager Francis Ayala said Thursday the wholesale costs of eggs have nearly doubled since January. After weeks of trying to avoid passing the cost on to customers, the store finally raised the price of the go-to sandwich $1, to $7.45 two weeks ago.
The store hasn’t received many complaints yet, but some customers have opted for lunchtime menu items for breakfast, Ayala said. A patron can buy a chicken sandwich instead of the bacon, egg and cheese and get bigger a portion of food for a little bit more.
The customers are “aware about what’s going on,” Ayala said. “Unfortunately, we’re all living it. Thankfully, we have a good clientele.”
