Recipes

Food

Cooking

Travel

  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
The Passport Kitchen

15 Once-Affordable Foods That Have Been Hijacked by Trendy Eaters

September 14, 2024 by Amanda Tyler Leave a Comment

Share on

Some foods are largely eaten by the poor, while others are more popular among the rich. Of course, this can change over time. For example, Lobster was once considered to be disgusting and was fed to prisoners.

Plenty of other foods have been popular among those of little means but have taken off with the rich in recent years. Call it culinary gentrification. These foods were once-affordable and cheap but now have been hijacked by trendy eaters.

1. Banh Mi

Delicious Vietnamese food banh mi.
Image Credit:HOTAKA_N/Shutterstock.

These popular Vietnamese sandwiches were popular for their tasty ingredients and low price. However, the rich have discovered them, and they are now far more expensive than they used to be.

2. Food Truck Food

Food Truck salesperson reaches food for a client.
Image Credit:Simon Mayer/Shutterstock.

It used to be quick and cheap to get food from a truck. You could try a lot of different cuisines easily and still have money for ice cream. Today, this food often costs more than it would at a sit-down restaurant.

3. Hamburgers

Portrait of smiling caucasian woman holding hamburger eating meal with family in garden. family celebrating independence day eating outdoors.
Image Credit: wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock.

There are still some cheap burgers out there, but you can forget that in many restaurants. It’s a dish that many restaurants are trying to elevate in a number of ways. This has led to a steady rise in price.

4. Beef Brisket

Smoke Brisket meal special delicious.
Image Credit:Mazenr7/Shutterstock.

The price of a brisket has gotten extreme over the past couple of years. It used to be a mid-range dish that families served on Sundays. Today, it’s much too hard for many people to afford it.

5. Skirt Steak

Grilled sliced skirt beef meat steak on a cutting board with herbs. Dark wooden background. Top view.
Image Credit:Mironov Vladimir/Shutterstock.

This used to be the cheap and tougher cut of steak for families on a budget. Lately, however, it’s become a trendy cut, and the price has skyrocketed accordingly. It’s no longer a budget-friendly choice.

6. Ox Tails

Raw beef Oxtail cut Meat on wooden cutting board with knife. wooden background. Top view.
Image Credit:Mironov Vladimir/Shutterstock.

These used to be great to put into soups and were cheap enough for everyone to afford. Today, they’re much more expensive and are considered more of a delicacy than a cheap dish.

7. Quinoa

Woman eating healthy quinoa salad with vegetables from plate, closeup.
Image Credit: New Africa/Shutterstock.

A formerly cheap grain, it’s become much more popular and has greatly increased in price. The grain is now used in a lot of upscale foods. It’s also a part of a gluten-free diet, making it instantly more expensive.

8. Crawfish

Delicious cooked crawfish and seafood for restaurant Menu.
Image Credit:Si Vo/Shutterstock.

It was once considered a cheap protein source and was even nicknamed “mud bugs.” It’s still cheap if you can catch your own, but buying them from a restaurant is extremely expensive.

9. Chicken Wings

Spicy Deep Fried Breaded Chicken Wings with Ranch.
Image Credit:Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock.

Chicken wings used to be nearly free. They were a part of the bird that had been thrown away and became a cheap part to eat. Now, they’re highly sought after and far more expensive.

10. Brown Bread

freshly baked ciabatta bread on wooden cutting board.
Image Credit:MaraZe/Shutterstock.

Brown bread used to be the cheap bread that poor people ate. It wasn’t as processed as white bread, and it wasn’t as smooth and soft. Today, the rich love brown bread, and the price reflects that.

11. Tacos

Chicken tacos with avocado, salsa, beans, lettuce and lime on an old rustic wooden table.
Image Credit:photokin/Shutterstock.

The race to elevate tacos has led to runaway prices for this formerly cheap food. Tacos are often made with more upscale ingredients, taking them far from their authentic roots, and this is reflected in the higher price.

12. Kale

Green kale leaves on plate. Healthy clean eating background.
Image Credit: Ekaterina Markelova/Shutterstock.

Kale was once a garnish used on plates and salad bars because it was so cheap. It was a pop of green that was always in the background. Now that the rich have discovered it, it’s an upscale food.

13. Brussel Sprouts

Healthy Organic Brussels Sprouts Ready to Cook.
Image Credit: Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock.

Brussels sprouts were once practically a dare. Few people wanted these foods, as they were bitter and unappealing. But recently, they have been selectively bred to taste better, and they’re being featured in more and more upscale dishes.

14. Chinese Takeout

Chinese takeaway food. Wok with noodles and bottles with cold beer.
Image Credit:M-Production/Shuterstock.

When did this get so expensive? It’s been recognized lately for its amazing food, and the price has soared. Chinese takeout used to be one of the cheapest restaurant food options.

15. Wild Game

Sliced deer meat prepared for stew of game forest mushrooms herbs vegetables and knife.
Image Credit:Marian Weyo/Shutterstock.

The poor often ate wild game because it was free and available. Today, you may see meats like duck and venison on an upscale menu as the rich have discovered the amazing flavors of these foods.

20 Food to Stockpile (For the Best Chance of Survival)

Alarmed female wears medical mask against coronavirus while grocery shopping in supermarket or store.
Image Credit: Elizaveta Galitckaia/Shutterstock.

A well-stocked pantry can provide peace of mind and empower you to handle any situation. Whether it’s a natural disaster, economic instability, or simply unexpected guests, having a stash of versatile essential foods can make all the difference.

Here’s a list of 20 of the best foods to stockpile, ensuring you’re ready for whatever comes your way.

20 Food to Stockpile (For the Best Chance of Survival)

12 Everyday Foods Some People Just Can’t Stand

A girl sniffs a spoiled burger. Fast food diet and food poisoning concept.
Image Credit: frantic00/Shutterstock.

When it comes to their foods, some people are just picky eaters. It’s surprising how certain popular foods can be so divisive. While many people love them, others can’t stand the taste, texture, or even the idea of eating them. Here are some surprising foods that some people just can’t stand.

12 Everyday Foods Some People Just Can’t Stand 

Filed Under: Food

Previous Post: « 15 Foods You’d Never Guess Are Destroying Your Skin
Next Post: 7 Kitchen Hacks So Brilliant, You’ll Wonder How You Ever Lived Without Them »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • This State Has the Best Food in the US
  • 20 Egg Recipes That Will Make You Rethink Breakfast Forever
  • 19 Creative Cottage Cheese Recipes You’ll Actually Love
  • Remember These? 15 Food Traditions That Have Disappeared Over Time
  • 13 Beautiful Macaron Recipes You Are Going To Love

Recent Comments

  • Leszek on 13 Reasons Eating Out Is Unhealthier Than You Ever Imagined
  • Jennifer T Tammy on 21 Cheap, Easy Appetizers That Anyone Can Make (And Are Really Good)
  • Eleanor on 20 Heirloom Recipes Passed Down Through Generations
  • Supriya Kutty on Mango Slushy Recipe
  • anusha sangaraju on 20 Ridiculously Delicious Indian Food Recipes You Must Try at Home

Footer

Categories

  • Food
  • Cooking
  • Great Food

Links

  • About Me
  • Privacy Policy

Email

amanda@thepassportkitchen.com

Copyright © 2026 The Passport Kitchen on the Foodie Pro Theme