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A restaurant at Newark Airport had the last laugh after New York Times columnist David Brooks claimed to have charged $78 for a burger and fries – but without mentioning the alcoholic drinks that made up a large portion of his bill made up.
Earlier this week, Mr. Brooks I posted a picture of his meal at 1911 Smoke House Barbeque in New Jersey on X, formerly Twitter, with the caption: “This meal just cost me $78 at Newark Airport. This is why Americans think the economy is terrible.”
1911 Smoke House later clarified that “80 percent” of Mr. Brooks’ tab came from several shots of whiskey.
The exchange was shared widely on social media, with author Joyce Carol Oates, Senator John Fetterman and actor George Takei expressing their opinions.
Now, 1911 Smoke House has capitalized on its viral moment by offering customers the “D Brooks Special” consisting of a burger, fries and a double shot of whiskey for $17.78 – the original price of the meal.
The meal plus drink deal added to the menu on Thursday is 77 percent cheaper than it would normally cost.
Maurice Hallett, owner of 1911 Smoke House, told The Independent on Saturday that the new offering will have a permanent spot at the restaurant’s Trenton location and will be added to the Willingboro location when it opens in October.
“I’m getting great press and mostly five-star reviews,” Mr. Hallett said in a statement.
After Mr. Brooks got them into high gear, the restaurant engaged in some light-hearted trolling.
“Looks like someone downed some serious drinks – the bar was at almost 80% and he’s complaining about the cost of his food, keep drinking mate – we’re getting it all paid off,” the restaurant initially posted on social Media.
Mr Brooks responded to his social media faux pas during an appearance PBS News Hour on Friday.
He told the moderator that the tweet was intended to be a joke, but that it was “insensitive” and that he had made a mistake.
“The problem with the tweet I so stupidly wrote was that it made it seem like I was unaware of something completely obvious – that an upper middle class journalist drinking bourbon in an airport is very different. “as a family living paycheck to paycheck,” Mr. Brooks said.
He added: “I was insensitive, I messed up, I shouldn’t have written that tweet. I probably shouldn’t tweet.”