. An online discussion asked which inexpensive foods people would continue to eat regardless of wealth. Responses clustered around comfort staples, nostalgic convenience items and accessible street or fast-food options. Many contributors named simple dishes such as instant noodles, pizza, rice and boxed mac and cheese, while others cited grilled cheese, tacos from trucks, retail food-court staples and canned luncheon meat as enduring favourites. The thread also noted that some items once considered cheap – brisket, wings and certain seafood – have become markedly pricier in recent years, prompting reflection on how culinary status and market forces alter perceptions of affordability.
Staples that persist: familiarity, convenience and flavour. A large share of replies highlighted plain but satisfying staples. Foods repeatedly mentioned included ramen or instant noodles, pizza (frozen or delivery), white rice and boxed mac and cheese. These items are prized for speed, predictable flavour and the ease with which they adapt to additions such as an egg, vegetables or sauces. Their ubiquity across cultures and low barrier to preparation explain why they remain appealing even when cost is no longer a constraint.
Nostalgia and comfort drive choices. Many respondents emphasised the emotional weight of certain inexpensive foods: grilled cheese sandwiches, peanut butter sandwiches, tinned or canned luncheon meat, and simple buttered bread appeared as comfort triggers. Nostalgia frequently surfaced as a reason to preserve these foods in a changing diet; the memories associated with late‑night bowls, childhood meals or student food culture were presented as virtually irreplaceable.
Street food and fast options that retain value. Several comments defended taco trucks, budget Chinese takeout and retail food-court items such as hotdogs or rotisserie chicken. These offerings were valued for flavour-to-price ratio, portion size and convenience. Even among those with more disposable income, such options were described as reliable choices for quick, satisfying meals that are difficult to replicate in form and price elsewhere.
Affordability under pressure: items that changed status. The discussion also acknowledged that some formerly inexpensive items have risen in price and status. Comments cited brisket moving from an inexpensive cut to a higher-priced specialty item; one contributor contrasted historical retail prices they recalled with current per-pound figures at specialty outlets, and another noted wings reaching higher per‑piece prices. These observations illustrate how demand, culinary trends and supply factors can transform the perceived costliness of certain foods.
- Common persisted favourites: instant noodles, pizza, boxed mac and cheese, rice, grilled cheese.
- Comfort and nostalgia: peanut butter sandwiches, canned luncheon meat, eggs, toast.
- Street and quick-service picks: taco truck tacos, budget Chinese takeout, retail hotdogs and rotisserie chicken.
| Food | Representative reasons from the discussion |
|---|---|
| Instant noodles / ramen | Comfort, convenience, easy to dress up with an egg or leftovers. |
| Pizza | Shared staple, nostalgic value and portability. |
| Kraft mac and cheese | Simple, nostalgic, reliably filling. |
| Grilled cheese | Comfort food with minimal preparation and adaptable fillings. |
| Rice | Versatile base, very filling and culturally ubiquitous. |
| Tacos / taco trucks | Flavourful street option, good value and satisfying portions. |
| Costco hotdogs / rotisserie chicken | Recognised as high value for price and convenience. |
| Canned luncheon meat | Long shelf life, nostalgic and versatile in simple meals. |
Practical takeaways. Preference for inexpensive foods often reflects more than price: portability, ritual, nostalgia and adaptability matter. Even with increased means, respondents indicated a willingness to retain these items for convenience or emotional resonance. At the same time, the conversation highlighted how culinary trends and market pressures can elevate formerly humble foods into premium categories, altering availability and price.
Conclusion. The discussion makes clear that affordability alone does not determine culinary loyalty. Instant noodles, boxed mac and cheese, pizza, rice and simple grilled sandwiches repeatedly emerged as foods many would continue to enjoy irrespective of wealth, largely because they combine familiarity, ease and comfort. Street and retail value items – tacos from trucks, food-court hotdogs and rotisserie chicken – were also defended for their flavour-to-cost balance. Yet the thread also serves as a reminder that market forces and shifting tastes can convert once-commonplace items into costly specialties, changing how communities access and perceive classic dishes. For cooks and food lovers, the enduring appeal of these foods suggests opportunities for elevating them at home while preserving their essential character – whether by improving ingredients, adding fresh garnishes or respecting the nostalgic preparation that makes them meaningful.