Chef slams ‘ridiculous’ complaints as foodies moan about pricey £19.50 burger

A chef and public owner has hit back at ‘ridiculous’ complaints over the cost of his food after he charged nearly £20 for a burger.

Gary Usher, who owns the White Horse pub in Churton, took to Twitter to address the backlash as he told people ‘there’s an option not to buy that burger.’

The business owner told people in a video that they don’t ‘have’ to go to his pub. He also said it doesn’t make sense to compare his prices to other establishments in the area.

READ MORE: Bloke accidentally forks out £666 on burger on the way home from night out

After sharing the pub’s menu on social media over the weekend, a few people commented on the dry aged beef burger with Comté cheese, mustard, relish and pickle with a side of skinny fries for £19:50.

One person fumed: ‘W**k and overpriced, you’re a pub not a restaurant. Should do simple food such as chips etc.’

While another added: “Wish you all the very best, and I hope it’s a big success but there’s very little on that menu I would eat – £19,50 for burger – I’m not saying I’d expect it to be a lot cheaper, but I would certainly be looking at the menus in places like Brunning & Price.’

A third chimed in: “I personally think that is a lot for a burger, but then looked at all the ingredients, and it makes sense. Think cause it is called a pub, they think of pub prices. That burger is a restaurant prices.”

While a fourth added: “Good luck with the venture pal. But sorry even after explaining this and having worked as a ‘expert’ in this industry I can’t see how a burger can warrant that value. However you have to be confident in your produce and put your own value on it. Good luck.”

In a video clip, which has racked up 1.2 million views, Gary said someone’s suggestion that they should measure their prices against other pubs in their area was ‘just ridiculous’.

He told viewers: ‘Good morning everybody, I wanted to address a view comments about the burger on the menu.

“Well let’s start with a couple of comments – we should be comparing ourself with the pub down the road and that’s how we should come up with our prices. That’s just ridiculous.

“Look, I am not the most confident person, I am quite painfully shy to be honest, but with the business I try not to be arrogant about it, but we have to give ourselves credit for who we are. This pub isn’t our first venture. In fact this is number eight. We are pretty bloody successful at what we do.”

He added: “I have been working my while life in this industry, this is my sector, this what I specialise in. I am an expert at it, we all are, in this business, and to be told things like we should be comparing it to the business down the street, that is ridiculous.

“To price up a menu we source up ingredients, the very best ingredients. We get all our raw ingredients and add them up and then we work out a percentage that all our costs. So that’s why the burger is £19.

“We love looking after people, we’re in hospitality it’s what we do. However, if you don’t want to come that’s also fine. There’s an option not to buy that burger, there’s an option not to come to the pub.

“Love him or hate him Ricky Gervais has a sketch where he mentions in a town centre a big billboard saying ‘guitar lessons £15’ or whatever. Someone looks at the sign and says ‘I don’t want guitar lessons!”

“It’s the same with the burger. It’s not for you. If you don’t want it that’s fine. That menu is an advert for our business, take a look, it is up there for your perusal and social media is a great place to voice your opinions, but you don’t always have to.”

It seems many were convinced by his explanation, as one wrote: “I will make it my business to come to your pub next time I’m in the UK because I do trust you. Bravo sir for this video. don’t mind the haters!”

Another added: “I fully agree with @GaryUsher I would rather have one quality meal in your pub, than buy a cheap burger in another one that taste like rubber. I had to look at the map to see where you are. Next time, I am near by, I shall visit.”

Gary is known for his outspoken views.

Punters threaten to boycott his pub in March last year over their ‘controversial’ dog policy – but again, Gary hit back against the haters.

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