Paesan’s in Latham is especially busy on the last day of the special celebrating Paesan’s 30 years in business. Any two slices and a drink was just $5, half the usual price.

“I believe we are the cheapest eat on the block,” said owner Frank Scavio. “Where else can you go and get any two slices and a soda for ten bucks? You can’t get that, I don’t think anywhere anymore.”

Scavio did a comparison of his costs from 2020 to now.

In 2020, the price of 50 pounds of flour was $15.69. Today, it’s $28.

“At least 50% to double, triple. Items like flour have doubled. Chicken wings, eggs, have tripled quadrupled,” he said.

Four years ago, 15 dozen eggs cost $18. That price has gone to $53.

Scavio says people ordering online can save up to 20% by going through Paesan’s website, not a third party app like Grubhub.

And with the prices of fast food nowadays, owners say you’re better off supporting a local business– and the food is better.

They still strive to keep their menu prices down.

“So in order to stay in business you have to do a few things,” said Scavio. “You have to give a really good product, service has to be better than anyone else, and you have to give a reasonable price, and if you can do those three things, you’ll succeed.”

Gus’s Hot Dogs in Watervliet has been around for 70 years.

The owner says buying from local suppliers like Bella Napoli, Helmbolds, Reliable Brothers, Freihofer’s, and Lusco keeps costs down, plus loyal customers.

“Because we’ve been here for so many years and our following keeps increasing over the years and we’re doing volume buying,” said owner Steve Haita.

He says he sees more families eating here because it’s affordable.

Two mini hot dogs, a hamburger, and a drink is less than seven dollars.

Over 24 years, the price of a hot dog at Gus’s has gone up only 48 cents.

Haita says sometimes customers can’t believe it.

“They kind of do a double take on the menu and they go, ‘Are these right?’ and I say yes they are,” he said with a laugh.