My goal is to fairly rate all kinds of food — from street snacks to fine dining — based not just on taste, but also on value for money. An Enjoyment-to-Value Score (EV Score) is a metric that I use whenever I eat at a restaurant.
Each meal includes an EV Score from 0 to 10, calculated like this:
- Enjoyment is how much I personally liked the food (taste, texture, etc.), scored from 0 to 10.
- Benchmark Price is what I think the meal was worth based on quality, portion size, and experience.
- The Value Factor is capped at 1 to avoid inflated scores for very cheap food – hence, the min.
- If the price felt fair or better than expected, the score stays high.
- If the meal felt overpriced, the final score reflects that — even if it tasted good.
This system helps highlight truly worthwhile meals, whether they’re $8 or $80.
Examples:
- Amazing tacos (Enjoyment: 9)
- Benchmark Price: $10; Actual Price: $8
- EV Score = 9 x min(1, 10 / 8) = 9 x 1 = 9/10
- One piece (1/2 lb) of very tasty brisket (Enjoyment: 8.5)
- Benchmark Price: $35; Actual Price: $65
- EV Score = 8.5 x min(1, 35 / 65) = 8.5 x 0.58 = 4.6/10
- Japanese A5 wagyu (8oz) (Enjoyment: 9)
- Benchmark Price: $210; Actual Price: $210
- EV Score = 9 x min(1, 210 / 210) = 9/10
Why the EV Score?
This metric matters in my reviews because it reflects how I personally judge food. Generic 5-star systems often separate food quality and price, or just average everything into a vague final score. Many times, I see reviews that say the food was great but then note how expensive it was — and it’s left up to the reader to decide if that price was worth it.
Other times, a place gets high praise simply because of ambiance or a great view, even when the food is just mediocre. I don’t care about the view — I care about the food. The EV Score keeps the focus where I think it should be: on how good the food was, and whether it was worth the price.
The EV Score combines enjoyment and worth into a single number. It’s how I personally evaluate food and decide whether I’d go back.
That said, this is my own metric, based on my own experiences and expectations. I understand it may not be for everyone, but I find it helps bring clarity to how I think about meals — and maybe it will help others, too.