Hamakaze's still continuing the story despite the fact that Akigumo shut her down.

Such is the law of boke; It must not be barred from getting tsukommi'd

So the store pretty much went to the brink of being bankrupt?

Aren't places like that still pay by the plate?

Generally, yes.

ithekro said:

Aren't places like that still pay by the plate?

Normally yes, but they were running a fixed-price all-you-can-eat special.

Perhaps the restaurant was hoping that the... enthusiasm of Akagi, Kaga, and Hamakaze would inspire other people to come and eat. And they just didn't fully grasp what they were up against.