Meat and potatoes is a very common standard dinner and common phrasing so much so that it's an adjective.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dic...t-and-potatoes
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dict...t-and-potatoes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o..._potato_dishes
It's a callout to not being able to enjoy the basics and what used to be considered a fairly inexpensive meal.