There was both good and bad news to emerge from Zagat’s latest restaurants survey. The so called ‘burgundy bible’ from Zagat includes opinions from over 145,000 customers across the US.
The diners, who are defying economic conditions and are still eating out, say that they are finding better deals at restaurants. In fact, 40% now feel more appreciated by their local eatery, with 31% enjoying the ease of making a reservation and another 22% are impressed with better levels of service, there are certainly some positives coming from the survey.
But across the country the percentage of meals from both take outs and restaurants has dropped by 2%. The average number of restaurant meals sold per person per week is now 3.2 from 3.3. People are changing their eating habits with 43% saying that they now eat out less; another 22% are not ordering either appetizers and/or desserts while 19% are slashing their intake of alcohol. But there are still 26% of surveyors who are unconcerned by the economy and continue with their usual dining habits.
Across the board the average cost per meal is up 1.2% from last year at $34.62, while amongst the more expensive restaurants the price has only risen by 0.49% to $76.37. Austin is the cheapest place to eat and Las Vegas remains as the most costly to the pocket.
The survey asked about favored cuisines and Italian came out on top with 27%. This was followed by American food (16%), Japanese and French drew in third place with 11%, Mexican cuisine came in fourth with 10% and Thai received 8% of the votes.
In spite of economic conditions 61% of diners are still willing to pay a higher price for ‘green’ products on the menu which is 5% up on last year. Healthy eating is prominent in 69% of the surveyor’s minds who say they would choose low-carb and low-fat options from the menu, while 65% believe that trans fats should be banned from restaurants altogether.
Below are the establishments with the most votes per category across the country:-
Barbecue:
Atlanta - Sam & Dave's
Boston - East Coast Grill
Chicago - Smoque
Hawaii - Scotty's BBQ
Las Vegas - Lucille's
Long Island - Smokin' Al's BBQ
Los Angeles - Phillips BBQ
New Jersey - GRUB Hut
New York - Fette Sau
New Orleans - Joint
Philadelphia - Bomb Bomb BBQ
San Francisco - Buckeye Roadhouse
Seattle - Pecos Pit BBQ
Washington D.C. - Urban Bar-B-Que Company
Westchester/Hudson Valley - Big W's
Burgers:
Atlanta - Vortex B&G
Boston - Mr. Bartley's
Chicago - Wiener's Circle
Hawaii - Duane Ono's
Las Vegas - In-N-Out
Long Island - George Martin Grill
Los Angeles - In-N-Out
New Jersey - Five Guys
New York - burger joint
New Orleans - Port of Call
Philadelphia - Rouge
San Francisco - In-N-Out
Seattle - Red Mill Burgers
Washington D.C. - Matchbox
Westchester/Hudson Valley - Blazer Pub
Pizza:
Atlanta - Cameli's Pizza
Boston - Galleria Umberto
Chicago - Spacca Napoli
Hawaii - Brick Oven
Las Vegas - Metro Pizza
Long Island - Massa's
Los Angeles - Pizzeria Mozza
New Jersey - DeLorenzo's Pies
New York - Di Fara
New Orleans - Theo's
Philadelphia - Osteria
San Francisco - Cheese Board Collective
Seattle - Serious Pie
Washington D.C. - Pasta Plus
Westchester/Hudson Valley - Johnny's
Chinese:
Atlanta - Chopstix
Boston - Sichuan Gourmet
Chicago - Lao
Hawaii - Kirin
Las Vegas - Wing Lei
Long Island - Orient
Los Angeles - Din Tai Fung
New Jersey - Hunan Taste
New York - Philippe
New Orleans - Royal China
Philadelphia - San Kee Duck House
San Francisco - Yank Sing
Seattle - Szechuan Chef
Washington D.C. - Peking Gourmet
Westchester/Hudson Valley - Aberdeen
Thai:
Atlanta - Tamarind Seed
Boston - Brown Sugar / Similans
Chicago - Arun's
Hawaii - Mekong Thai
Las Vegas - Lotus of Siam
Long Island - Siam Lotus
Los Angeles - Jitlada
New Jersey - Origin
New York - Sripraphai
New Orleans - La Thai
Philadelphia - Nan
San Francisco - Manora's Thai
Seattle - Thai Tom
Washington D.C. - Thai Square
Westchester/Hudson Valley - Bangkok Spice
Japanese:
Atlanta - MF Sushibar
Boston - o ya
Chicago - sushi wabi
Hawaii - Sushi Sasabune
Las Vegas - Nobu
Long Island - Aji 53
Los Angeles - Urasawa
New Jersey - Ajihei
New York - Sasabune
New Orleans - Sushi Brothers
Philadelphia - Bluefin
San Francisco - Kiss Seafood
Seattle - Kisaku Sushi
Washington D.C. - Makoto
Westchester/Hudson Valley - Sushi Nanase
Photos courtesy of Zagat and flickr Leo Reynolds, interfolio.