One local diner recently flagged a pattern that's apparently becoming disturbingly common: restaurants charging $1-2 more per item than what's printed on their own menus — the physical ones, in the restaurant, right now. Not a stale Yelp listing from 2019. Not a DoorDash markup. The actual placard sitting on the bar during happy hour.

"Am I being a Karen? Or am I rightfully annoyed?" the diner asked. Let us settle this: you're rightfully annoyed. In fact, you're not annoyed enough.

This isn't about a buck or two. It's about a principle that used to be pretty straightforward in commerce — the price you advertise is the price you charge. That's not some libertarian fever dream. It's literally California law. Business and Professions Code Section 12024.2 makes it unlawful to charge more than the lowest posted price for a product. Violations can carry penalties of up to $1,000 per incident.

So why does it keep happening? Because most people don't check their receipts. Because tipping culture means we're already doing mental math gymnastics at the end of every meal. Because after SF's mandatory surcharges, service fees, and "equity" add-ons, who can even track what the real total should be anymore? Restaurants have learned that financial exhaustion is a business strategy.

Three restaurants in one year pulling this on a single customer suggests this isn't just sloppy bookkeeping — it's a pattern. And in a city where a dinner for two can easily clear $150, those phantom dollars add up fast.

If you spot a discrepancy, say something. Take a photo of the menu and the receipt. File a complaint with the SF Office of the City Attorney if you want to go full civic warrior. At minimum, stop assuming the listed price is what you'll actually pay.

In a town that prides itself on consumer protection, maybe we should start by protecting consumers from the menu.