Restaurant dining options altered based on consumer choices

05.10.09
By Lewis Green

With a growing number of American families hunting for debt relief, many are opting to cook at home rather than eat out at their favorite restaurants.

A survey of New Jersey diners by famed restaurant review guide Zagat shows that the 1,003 eateries it rates across the state are ramping up customer service and altering menus to attract consumers more focused on debt reduction than four-star dining.

The 2009/10 New Jersey Restaurants Survey revealed that 74 percent of respondents are dining out less, ordering fewer alcoholic beverages and cutting dessert from their order to help reduce the size of their bill.

And restaurants are listening to consumer concerns. Instead of pushing pricey steaks at one of his upscale restaurants, Zagat notes that celebrity chef Bobby Flay is turning his attention to more wallet-friendly options at his Bobby's Burger Palace in two NJ locations.

With financial stress taking its toll on families, restaurants serving comfort food like mac'n'cheese are seeing an increase in business. Home style cuisine seems to be helping hungry customers weather the economic storm.

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Eating out less is one way families are saving money