CokeGate 2011: David Chang's Soda Price Varies Within Same Location

The scandal continues! (plemeljr's Flickr)

Yesterday, we reported that David Chang is charging $5 for a bottle of Coke at his new restaurant, Duck Lunch, and he doesn't care if you and your food blog think that's straight-up ridiculous. Or does he? The plot thickens!

According to a photo sent in to Zagat Buzz this afternoon, Chang is charging a mere $4 for the very same bottle of Coke at Momofuku Ssam Bar—his restaurant that shares a space and kitchen with Duck Lunch. (And a quick visit to Menupages seems to confirm the price.) What's going on here? Is Chang buckling under the outrage over his $5 soft drink and lowering prices? Or does he have one Coke price for one class of customers, and another price for the others?

Reps from the restaurant told us that "Coke fluctuates between $4 and $5," (what?!) and that the prices are supposed to be the same in both restaurants. We're not sure if Serious Eats stopped in during a $5 day and Zagat on a $4, but everybody knows Mexican Coke can vary with the seasons, weather conditions, and how many bloggers have pissed Chang off on any given day.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jamie Feldmar in Food on May 24, 2011 6:14 PM

Comments [rss]

Christina Berg

How you folks ever wondered or criticized coffee shops for their markup, 75 cents a cup =$4.

Christina Berg

Given that places markup a cheap can of cola for $2 or a glass of cola, its not outrageous.

Peanut_Butter

This shit is hilarious. How much did he pay you guys to do this?

Joey__Blow

so Mexican coke is really code for what? what?!! tell me!

eyekantspel

$5 for a coke? what does he think he is, a movie theater?

Peanut_Butter

http://instantrimshot.com/

robotjuiced

Chang is a talentless ass

pr3t3nd3r

Isn't it awesome that a bottle of soda can generate over a hundred comments?

cr17

Hey David Chang - want to get away with charging $5 for this? Here's what to do: when someone orders a Mexican Coke, have your staff open the bottle and then have them spray some sort of flavoring on the mouth of it, or dip it in something (sort of the way you'd put salt on the rim of a glass). I suggest rubbing a pork bun on it, or dipping it in the residual milk left at the bottom of a sugary cereal, or, y'know, something equal ridiculous that people will say sounds idiotic coming from me but they'll line up down the block to buy from you.

Colonel_Ingus

Good christ. Get a life.

Newhce

You guys have obviously never been to Michael's.

Dwayne Hoover

And how much does everyone think that $2 coke from a soda gun actually costs? I guarantee you it's more than a 500% markup!

AIG_Quant

It is available at your local costo for $16 for a 24 pack

wss233

Do you mean to suggest that soda costs more at fancy restaurants than it does when bought in bulk at Costo? It's almost as if restaurants are trying to offset the high costs of food and service with a mark-up on beverages. This might even explain why sodas cost so much at venues that provide entertainment, like movie theaters and ballparks. I wonder if we could extend your insightful analysis to alcohol--surely some restaurants might be charging more than cost for a bottle of wine.

Thank you for bringing this anomaly to my attention AIG Quant. Now I can enjoy coke with maximum efficiency, by consuming it by the case at home alone.

AScoutingLife

That's great. However, for those of us who live in New York City...

calcetines

And there's one IN MANHATTAN.

Len_Drexler

There are at least five Costcos within city limits.

theevilerone

Uh, do they buy it from Mexico? Then prices could vary based on inventory methodology.

Also, referencing MenuPages as a source? My local Mexican is like 3 menus out of date. It's not some authoritative source.

matteus

It's rude to charge extra for drinks just because you think people want your food that much they'll let you slip some overpriced generic crap onto their check.