Outrage after tourists charged nearly $200 for three hot dogs and a sandwich
A group of tourists have slammed a Rome bar over an unusually hefty bill for their meal.
Leo Recchia told Italian newspaper Il Messaggero that he took his family to the bar on Via dell Conciliazione near St Peter’s Square.
They were charged €119 (NZ$206) for three hot dogs, a ham and cheese sandwich, four cans of Coca Cola and a bottle of mineral water.
Included in the bill was a €17 ($29.5) service fee.
“€22 for each hot dog.... Almost €20 for service,” said Recchia. “To think that the night before we had gone to a restaurant behind the Pantheon – we spent the same, but for a complete dinner.”
The bar owner told the publication, “We had other cases like this, other complaints, but the prices are on the menu, you can check. Also, we are near the Vatican, it costs.”
The complaint is the latest claim of rip-off meals in Europe.
In May, Rome restaurant Caffe Vaticano was criticised after giving diners a bill of €81.4 ($141) for two burgers and three coffees.
In January, an ice cream shop in Florence was fined €2,000 ($3,469) for charging a Taiwanese tourist €25 ($43) for a gelato served in a cone.