90210 Then and Now: Which Teens Had it Better?

Fans of the original Beverly Hills 90210, the decade-long Fox (NWS) teen drama that debuted in 1990, are now old enough to have high schoolers of their own.

Now the two generations can bond in front of the small screen: The CW (TWX) (CBS) is re-launching the show with new characters, new drama, but the same basic subplot (out of town teens move to California, have problems, deal with them): 90210 debuts September 2.

How has life changed for the 90210 high school set? And which era was more teen-friendly? MainStreet investigates!

FOOD
Peach Pitt proprietor Nat's back! (The actor who played him, Joe E. Tate, is now 71!) Will the 2.0 version of the hot hangout for the gang still have a jukebox or will it have switched over to speakers with an iPod (AAPL) attached? Here is a generic 90210 order from the 90s compared to what it would cost today:

Cheeseburger Burger:
2008: $12.50
1990: $7.97
Inflation Difference: $4.53
+
French Fries
2008: 3.00
1990: $1.91
Inflation Difference: $1.09
+
Peach Pie:
2008: $2.85
1990: $1.82
Inflation Difference: $1.03
+
Soda
2008: $4.95
1990: $3.16
Inflation Difference: $1.79

Peach Pitt Cost for food in 1990: $14.86
Peach Pitt Cost for food in 2008: $23.30

Which era had it better: The 1990s. Prices were cheaper by a third, you did not have to worry about E.coli in the lettuce on your burger, and your date was probably satisfied with a soda, instead of a pricier espresso (which Nat will reportedly offer, among other menu upgrades, on the new show).