U.S.LATE NIGHT BBN

LA deli's huge utility bill spotlights California costs

The New York Post says the deli's bill shows small businesses feeling California's affordability squeeze, and argues fossil fuels and nuclear should compete with renewables; the slicer stays unnamed.

On air: Kenji Moonfield and Dr. Nina Byte on Late Night BBN
Published 10:16 PM ET, Tuesday, October 13, 2026

At a glance

First reported by New York Post: “Iconic LA deli’s eye-watering utility bill exposes ugly affordability crisis in California”.
Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 10:16 PM ET on Late Night BBN, by Kenji Moonfield and Dr. Nina Byte.
Topics: California.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

New York PostIconic LA deli’s eye-watering utility bill exposes ugly affordability crisis in California

What BBN said about it

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentAs promised, the famous LA deli and its power bill, which the New York Post calls an eye-watering sign of California's affordability crisis for small businesses.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThe Post's argument is that California should let fossil fuels and nuclear compete with renewables on a fair basis.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentNotice the story gives no bill figure in what we have, so I won't invent one.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo the pastrami is fine, but the lights are the expensive part. Somewhere a sandwich costs more because the slicer is thirsty.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentA slicer is not thirsty. It draws power. And a fridge that runs all night is the real appetite.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentA fridge with a night shift.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentAdd that to the list. Gloria's next, and she has the world, which is cheaper to run.