Price Comparision

Isn't Thai takeout still cheaper? Isn't it less expensive if I shop for the ingredients myself?
Recently we set out to put these myths to rest - take a look:

Cook! Grilled Steak with Shitake Mushroom Sauce, Truffle Mash and an Organic Spring Mix Salad with Blue Cheese and Peaches     Cost     Entrée kit, with sides $13.95 x 2     Soup or salad $4.25 x 2     Delivery $3.95 x 1 Delivery to downtown SF     Sales tax $0.00     Gratuity $0.00           Total cost $40.35     Time required 20 minutes     Pros No leftover or wasted ingredients. No shopping, standing in line, chopping, measuring or marinating – we do it for you. High quality ingredients – many natural or organic. We give you the nutritional details.A delicious home-cooked meal family or friends.	Do-it-yourself Grilled Steak with Shitake Mushroom Sauce, Truffle Mash and an Organic Spring Mix Salad with Blue Cheese and Peaches     Ingredients Cost     Flank Steak (Natural) @$7.99 per lb     Organic Shitake mushrooms @$14.99 per lb     Organic potatoes @1.29 per lb     Organic milk @$3.99 for ½ gallon     Butter @$5.89 for 4 sticks     Olive oil @ $9.99 for 34 oz bottle     Truffle oil @$34.99 for 16 oz bottle     Cream @$1.79 for 8 oz container     Dijon Mustard @$2.89 for 8 oz bottle     One bunch parsley @$1.99 per bunch     Organic spring mix @$4.99 per lb     Blue cheese @$12.99 per lb     Pecans @$4.99 for 6 oz     Organic peach @$4.99 per lb     Salad dressing @$2.99 for 8 oz     Organic red onions @$1.99 per lb           Total cost $100.76     Time required 2 to 3 hours     Pros Cost-effective if you do use all the ingredients Cons Shopping and standing in line, chopping, measuring and preparing Several dishes and utensils to clean-up Potential for lots of waste from surplus ingredients
Mid-range Restaurant     Cost     Entrées for two $18.00 x 2     Appetizers for two $7.00 x 2           Sales tax @ 8.5% $4.25     Gratuity @ 18% $9.00           Total cost $63.25     Time required 1.5 to 2 hours     Pros No prepping, cooking or clean-up. Cons A lot more expensive than Cook! Little-to-no nutritional info provided Parking fees	Inexpensive Ethnic Delivery     Cost     Entrées for two $10.95 x 2     Appetizers for two $4.95 x 2     Sales Tax $2.70     Gratuity for delivery $2.00     Dlivery fee Varies           Total cost $36.50     Time required 45 minutes Depending on how far away your restaurant is     Pros No cooking needed and little clean-up. Relatively low cost – especially if you don’t need appetizers Requires little planning Cons Food meant to be enjoyed right away is often delivered long after it is prepared. Lukewarm food may need to be re-heated. Organic and natural ingredients are not the norm No nutritional info provided