Latest news with #diningout
CBS News
4 hours ago
- Business
- CBS News
Diners in Boston feeling impact of rising restaurant prices: "It's unbearable"
Diners in Boston are feeling the impacts of rising restaurant prices, with some saying even a quick lunch in the city is breaking the bank. "I bought two tacos and a side of street corn, and it was $31," said Kat, a customer at Hub Hall in downtown. She's not alone. Multiple visitors to Hub Hall said they paid over $30 for lunch. "I won't do this every day, it's kind of a treat," one diner said. For Kat Monday was an exception. "I no longer eat out. Today was an exception, but for the most part I try to bring it in," she said. "Because it's like unbearable." Data from the National Restaurant Association shows the overall cost of food in April was nearly 5% higher than a year ago. Menu prices are up nearly 4.3% year over year. Why prices have increased Restaurant owners say the spike in prices is due to a variety of factors, from higher food costs to rising wages and utilities. "You'd only have to charge $18 for a cheeseburger to make your food costs off that cheeseburger," said Marc Sheehan, chef and owner of Northern Spy in Canton. "But then when you're factoring in the price of the cook cooking it, keeping the lights on, the cost of gas, the cost of energy, the rent." Despite these challenges, Sheehan said he has managed to keep his menu relatively affordable by sourcing ingredients locally and maintaining strong relationships with his suppliers. Cheaper in the suburbs? His advice for diners looking to save? Head to the suburbs. "I was at a meeting a couple of months ago with some people in the restaurant industry in Boston, and they were all talking about the challenge of offering a lobster roll on their menu, and I was the only person operating in suburban location," Sheehan said. "They were all listing $50, $60 lobster rolls, and that sort of thing. I got asked what ours was last summer, and I was like, 'uh $28.'" The data backs him up: menu prices at restaurants across Boston continue to climb, encouraging more residents to skip dining out and opt for cooking at home instead.
Fox News
23-05-2025
- General
- Fox News
Splitting a restaurant bill with friends? Expert shares 'most desirable' approach
Dining out can be an expensive undertaking. Dining out with friends can be even more costly. When dining with others at a restaurant, what's the best approach to settling the tab when the check arrives? An etiquette expert revealed the best way to avoid those awkward moments or potential conflicts that could damage a friendship. "It's not uncommon for friends at a restaurant to suggest at the end of the meal, 'Let's just split the bill equally,'" Diane Gottsman, founder and owner of the Protocol School of Texas in San Antonio, told Fox News Digital. "At this point, there are several people at the table agreeing outwardly but secretly irritated that they are overpaying for other people's food and drink. It feels uncomfortable because no one wants to be the person that speaks up." To avoid this situation, said Gottsman, it's important to communicate in advance. Someone with financial constraints might be inclined to pay separately. "Let the server know directly who you are going to be responsible for when the bill comes." "The most desirable and sophisticated way to handle this situation is to look directly at the server when he approaches you and say, 'I'm going to take these two' or 'Please give me a separate check,'" said Gottsman. "Let the server know directly who you are going to be responsible for when the bill comes. It's always better to separate it at the beginning rather than at the end." If you do decide to split the bill evenly, it's best to know what the others at your table are eating or drinking. Alcohol can quickly add up when it comes to the final bill, which might leave some feeling uneasy, especially if someone else at your table isn't drinking. "If someone decides to order an extremely expensive bottle of wine, for example, you can speak up and say, 'Hey guys, please enjoy, but I don't want to pay for that wine because I'm not drinking. Letting you know now.'" Splitting a bill down the middle can sometimes be the easiest, least-complicated way to handle things, but people with children should consider paying separately, said Gottsman. "You should also not expect for everyone to assume that splitting the bill is going to be appreciated," she said. "If you speak out once, there are going to be several others [who] are going to take a huge sigh of relief because you verbalized what they were thinking." Another piece of advice, Gottsman told Fox News Digital, is to avoid such scenarios with someone who you know "historically gouges you on the bill." "You can say, I'm going to pass on the invitation, but let's get together next week for lunch," said Gottsman. "In other words, accept an invitation where you can navigate how the bill is paid." In the end, said Gottsman, setting expectations is one of the best ways "to get around this uncomfortable yet common scenario."
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The Most Affordable Steak Dinner At 15 Restaurant Chains
Something magical happens when you head out to a good restaurant. No matter how skilled a cook you are in your own right, it's incredibly nice to have meals prepared for you — not to mention having someone else do all the post-meal and post-cooking clean-up. Restaurant prices can be a bit overwhelming, and we get it. It can be hard to justify going out to enjoy something like a steak dinner, especially when you have an arsenal of tips and tricks for making your own restaurant-quality steak at home. But the restaurant industry is important, and should we be supporting them? Absolutely! On that note, we decided to put together a list of the most affordable steak dinners at a number of restaurant chains, both high-end and those with a more casual vibe. No matter what kind of steak dinner you're looking for, you'll find some options here. That, of course, comes with a disclaimer. Exact pricing is accurate at the time of this writing, but is subject to fluctuation. The market is volatile, and in some cases, we found different restaurants within the same chain had different prices listed. Think of these as estimates and tips as to what entrees to look for, because it turns out that, with some savvy shopping, steaks might just be on the table if you're looking for go-to restaurant dishes to order if you're on a budget. Read more: 9 Items To Avoid Ordering From LongHorn Steakhouse Chain steakhouses like Texas Roadhouse might get a lot of grief — but at the end of the day, if you're looking for a decent steak, some delicious sides, and in the case of this particular chain, some amazing rolls, you're not going to go wrong. There are plenty of people out there in internet-land who say so, particularly those who are looking for a consistently good experience where there's something for everyone. When it comes to the most affordable steak you can order at Texas Roadhouse, look no further than the 6-ounce sirloin. Prices vary by location, but you'll be able to get this steak for around $14. That comes with your choice of two sides, and it makes sense that this has historically been the best-selling steak at Texas Roadhouse. That's not just because of the price, either. Texas Roadhouse gets some serious praise for the quality of its sirloin and how consistently it's cooked, and that's the bonus of ordering a fan favorite off the menu — the kitchen has had plenty of experience. You might go to Outback Steakhouse for the Bloomin' Onion, but there are plenty of Outback fans out there who say that you should stay for the steak. Like chain competitor Texas Roadhouse, the most affordable steak you can order at Outback Steakhouse is a 6-ounce sirloin, which is served at a similar price point of around $14. That said, the two meals aren't created equal. While you might get two sides and rolls with your meal at Texas Roadhouse, Outback gives you the choice between Aussie fries and a veggie side, along with bread. Sides seem to vary based on location, with some menus noting steamed veggies are on offer, while others say mixed veg, and still other locations note that veggie offerings vary based on the season. Redditors also note that the quality and offerings can vary based on the individual restaurant, but many find it a reliable, affordable go-to no matter what the specifics are. At the time of this writing, Del Frisco's Grille has 14 locations spread out across the U.S., from Florida to Massachusetts over to Colorado and Texas. For anyone who stops here looking for an affordable steak, you'll have to look not in the Signature Steaks section of the menu but instead under the heading Knife and Fork. There, you'll find the black angus steak frites, which comes with a 12-ounce New York strip, an overflowing serving of fries, and the chain's chimichurri sauce. We do have to note that there is some fluctuation in prices, but generally speaking, this dish is around $45. We also have to mention that it's not on the menu at all locations. If you're at either of Del Frisco Grille's New York City locations — in Rockefeller Center and the World Trade Center — it's missing from the menu. Instead, the most affordable steak dinner you'll find here is the 8-ounce filet mignon, which is priced at $53 and is only a few dollars less than the 16-ounce New York strip. When it comes to restaurant chains, Smith & Wollensky might not be the one that pops up alongside thoughts of affordability. It was, after all, the chain where one anonymous bidder paid just a tad over $19 million for the chance to have dinner with Warren Buffett. Sure, there were seven other guests in attendance for this shockingly expensive meal, and sure, it was for charity, but that's the kind of upscale place we're talking about here. If you are looking for something affordable, though, that's not entirely out of the question, and you'd want to order the twin petit filet mignon. The two prosciutto-wrapped steaks are served with mushrooms and a brandy peppercorn sauce, and one of the things we were surprised to see is that meal prices were pretty consistent across locations. It doesn't matter if you're in Chicago, Las Vegas, or Miami Beach, this particular dish is priced at $60. Let's be honest here: Planning a trip to the Hard Rock Cafe isn't just about the food, it's a whole experience. Anyone who has any kind of rock on their Spotify playlist should definitely visit one at least once in their lives, and people do have a lot to say about the dishes that you shouldn't order at any of the Hard Rock's many locations. Those are generally the dishes that just aren't worth it for the price you'll be paying, but we do have some good news for you. There are some steak options on the Hard Rock Cafe's menu that are decently affordable, and the cheapest of those is the 12-ounce New York strip. The steak comes with potatoes and a vegetable side, and while it's consistently the most affordable steak on the menu, we do have to note that pricing varies quite a bit by location. Head to the Hard Rock in San Antonio, for example, and it's a completely reasonable $34.99. When you look at the menu for the Hard Rock in New York City's Times Square, that jumps up to $42.99 for the same dish. Regardless of the exact price, it should be your best bet. When was the last time you went to Ruby Tuesday? Given that this decades-old chain was one of the last holdouts in offering an all-you-can-eat salad bar, fans of that particular dining style might be well acquainted with their local restaurant — and even if you're the type to opt for an all-you-can-eat pass, you might want to mix things up with a steak. The most affordable option on the menu is the 6-ounce top sirloin. And although there are no prices on Ruby Tuesday's standard menu, Grubhub reveals that the steak — which comes with a side — starts at around $21.49. This comes with a footnote, because we have to mention that it's also possible you might find the chain offering some deals that will make this price even lower. Keep an eye on the chain's social media accounts for holiday-related deals, as on at least some occasions, Ruby Tuesday has offered discounts on the sirloin. The admittedly oddly named Ruth's Chris Steak House has a reputation for serving amazing steaks, so it might seem like heading here means you're going to be paying a pretty penny for a meal. It doesn't actually have to be that way, though, and at the time of this writing, the most affordable steak dinner on the menu actually gives steak and seafood lovers the best of both worlds. Ruth's Chris offers a tournedos and shrimp dinner that comes with two medallions of steak and large shrimp for $59, which might bring up a question: What, exactly, are tournedos? The menu at Ruth's Chris describes the dish as consisting of a pair of 4-ounce filet medallions, and here's where we get into technicalities. Filet mignons are slices of steak that come from a larger piece called the tenderloin, and depending on where those cuts came from on the tenderloin, they might be called something different ... but not always. Some places simply use tournedos as another word for filet mignon, while others use it to mean the smallest filets that are cut from the narrowest part of the tenderloin. Does it matter? Ruth's Chris is serving based on weight, and given the reputation for stellar steaks, it's safe to say that no matter how thick these tournedos are sliced, they'll be properly prepared. Bob Evans is the stuff of road trips and early mornings after late nights, and it's no secret that the menu can look a little overwhelming. Spend some time looking at it, and you'll see that many of the items are the same individual components packaged in different ways — so that can make things tricky when it comes to figuring out what the best deal is. We're talking steak dinners, though, and by the narrowest of margins, the most affordable option here is the country-fried steak platter. That comes with two pieces of country-fried steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, and gravy, all for around $18. This one comes with a bit of a caveat, though, and it goes back to Bob Evans' mix-and-match attitude toward the menu. Dinner Bell Plates debuted in 2022 as smaller versions of staple menu items, and there's a country-fried steak platter here, too. Initially advertised as costing $7.99, this option (which offers one piece of steak instead of two) is up to around $11. It's also worth noting that because Bob Evans serves breakfast all day, you can check out the breakfast menu for dinner. If you go this route, you'll find the country-fried steak & farm fresh eggs meal for around $16, which includes steak, two eggs, home fries or hash browns, and biscuits. Going to Cracker Barrel is an entire experience, and the menu itself can seem to present a nearly overwhelming series of different ways to package the same menu items together. Still, we sifted through to find you the most affordable steak option here. (And yes, this comes with a caveat.) For dinner, you're going to want to go with the country fried steak, which comes in at around $20 for the steak, Cracker Barrel's Sawmill Gravy, two sides, and either biscuits or corn muffins. However, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention that there's another option here — especially considering Cracker Barrel's association with all-day breakfast. For around a dollar less, you can opt for grandpa's country fried breakfast, which comes with that country fried steak (or chicken), gravy, a side off the breakfast menu, two eggs, and another side of biscuits and gravy. There are a lot of menu items you should avoid at Cracker Barrel, but the biscuits and gravy are definitely not one of them. This might be a restaurant chain that's fallen off your radar when it comes time to decide where you're going to go for dinner, but in more recent years, Sizzler has made it clear that it's poised to make a nostalgia-fueled comeback. While there are only actually a few steak dinners on Sizzler's menu, there are a number of options for those who like steak and a little something extra, which we can appreciate. It's in these combos that you'll find the most affordable steak dinner, and that's the steak & Malibu chicken, which is priced as starting at $20.99 on Grubhub. The steak part of the meal is a 6-ounce sirloin, and the Malibu chicken is a chicken breast topped with ham and Swiss cheese. There's also a choice of side served with this, so if you have trouble deciding between the steak and the chicken, you can go this route for the best of both worlds and an affordable meal. Applebee's might have a reputation as a place that you either love or hate, but there's no denying that it has its place in the restaurant food chain. Applebee's is, after all, serving some outstanding cocktails, and when it comes to affordability, Applebee's has your back. When it comes to steak, there's a 6-ounce sirloin on the menu that Grubhub lists as starting at $21.19, and that comes with broccoli and garlic mashed potatoes. Not a bad deal, right? We do also have to note that you should definitely keep an eye on the chain's limited-time specials, which vary depending on location but have been reported to take the price of an 8-ounce sirloin (that's normally around $24) down to $13.99. The 2 for $25 deal is a great example of those deals. In 2025, Applebee's launched a meal deal where you can order two skillets — including the garlic sirloin skillet with a 6-ounce steak — for a total of $25. That, too, comes with mashed potatoes and broccoli. The bottom line here is that, while the standard sirloin is a great option, you'll definitely need to see what else your particular location might be offering. Claim Jumper is another chain that has a wide and varied menu that pretty much guarantees there's something for everyone on offer. But if you want to find the most affordable steak dinner, you'll oddly have to look past the section that lists the USDA prime steaks. Instead, you should look under Claim Jumper Classics, a section that includes some ye olde timey favorites like chicken Florentine, pot pie, and fish and chips. That's where you'll also find the country fried steak, which comes with gravy, mashed potatoes, and roasted vegetables and costs just $23. It's also worth mentioning that if you're in the mood for something that's a little more like a traditional steak than this breaded and fried version, you can look in another section of the menu for something else affordable. Under Land & Sea Entrees, there's an option for a 7-ounce sirloin that's served with a Parmesan onion ring and costs $29. Regulars at TGI Fridays might head there primarily for the appetizers, and that makes sense. When we here at Tasting Table ranked frozen mozzarella sticks from worst to best, it was TGI Fridays that took the top spot. If you've got steak on the mind, though, there's an affordable dinner option here that doesn't involve settling for appetizers. That's the 8-ounce center-cut sirloin, and yes, generally speaking, top sirloin is one of the most economical cuts of steak. It's not surprising that it often shows up on our list of most affordable restaurant steaks, but we do appreciate the fact that TGI Fridays is offering a slightly larger portion than the typical 6-ounce sirloin that we found at many other chains. This dish comes with mashed potatoes, broccoli, and either a garlic butter sauce or whiskey glaze, and costs around $24. It's also worth mentioning that TGI Fridays regularly runs special offers, so it's worth keeping an eye on social media if you're looking for an extra-special deal. When Tasting Table ranked the best steakhouse chains in the U.S., Morton's came in the top four. While that might make it seem like you're going to have to plan for a serious investment to give it a try yourself, there are some affordable menu options on offer here. Talking about precise pricing is difficult, though, because each Morton's location has a specific menu with specific pricing, and that pricing isn't the same across the board. Generally speaking, it's the filet mignon that's the most affordable steak on the menu, but let's look at how this varies. In Scottsdale, Arizona, the 8-ounce filet is $56; in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, it's $55; but if you happen to be heading to Morton's at the World Trade Center in New York City, there's no 8-ounce filet on the menu. Here, it's a 12-ounce filet, and that's a dollar more than the 16-ounce, $61 prime New York strip. It's a great example of how menus and pricing can vary even within the same chain, and how things are always a little different in New York. Chili's online menu doesn't list prices until you start to place an order, so that's a great sign right there that actual prices are going to vary by location. We can say, however, that if you're looking for something affordable, you should check out the 6-ounce classic sirloin. That comes with loaded mashed potatoes and broccoli, and standard prices means this one starts at around $19. However, we'd be remiss if we didn't add that Chili's is another chain that often offers incredibly good deals, especially if you're buying a few entrees. At the time of this writing, Chili's is once again offering the 3 for Me deal, which pops up every so often and basically means a drink, starter, and main all come for one low price. In this case, it's $10.99, and yes, the 6-ounce sirloin is one of the options included in that. While not all the chains we've talked about offer deals like this, it's worth keeping an eye out for Chili's offers, especially around holidays and special occasions. Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Reuters
15-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Cava beats quarterly revenue estimates on strong demand
May 15 (Reuters) - Cava Group (CAVA.N), opens new tab beat estimates for first-quarter revenue on Thursday, helped by robust demand for its Mediterranean cuisine despite a broader slowdown in dining out across the United States. Cava also maintained its annual forecasts for same-store sales growth and margin at a time when companies are withdrawing or cutting their outlooks as President Donald Trump's shifting trade policy fuels economic uncertainty. The company has been able to temper its price hikes amid fast-food chains raising menu prices significantly over the last few years, increasing consumers' appetite for Cava's fast-casual outlets. First-quarter revenue grew 28.2% to $328.5 million, compared with estimates of $326.9 million, according to data compiled by LSEG. Cava's same-store sales grew 10.8% in the quarter ended April 20, while analysts expected growth of 10.3%. A refreshed loyalty program, more drive-thru lanes as well as new menu items such as its grilled steak have also kept demand steady at Cava. In contrast, burrito chain Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG.N), opens new tab lowered its annual sales target and said consumers were starting to reduce restaurant visits due to economic uncertainty. Cava also has limited exposure to tariffs on products such as olives from Greece and some beef from Australia, while most other ingredients are sourced domestically. It imports, however, some packaging material from China. CEO Brett Schulman told Reuters that the company has no plans to further raise prices as it is able to offset the tariff impact with better supply-chain management. Cava raised its target of net new restaurants for the year to 64 to 68, from 62 to 66 earlier. The company opened 58 new restaurants last year. Cava had advanced purchases for its kitchen equipment and store fixtures for these new outlets, so its capital expenditure wouldn't be impacted by the duties, Schulman added. The Washington, D.C.-based company maintained its annual same-restaurant growth target of 6% to 8%, and profit margin of 24.8% to 25.2%. It reported a quarterly profit margin of 25.1%, compared with 22.4% in the prior quarter.
Forbes
14-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Uber Makes Your Summer Adventures Easier And More Affordable
Make restaurant reservations with Uber's new collaboration with OpenTable. With the summer season just around the corner, weekend getaways and frequent meals out, ideally alfresco, are here. I know that they're what I look forward to most when the warmer weather hits. Uber's new features, announced today, are designed to make these adventures hassle-free and easier on your wallet. While the latest rollouts include benefits for commuters and grocery shoppers, the ones I'm most excited about are perfect for my forays, whether they're in the summer or any time of year. Uber One Member Days is the kick-off. From May 16th to 23rd, Uber One members can score some of the biggest deals the app has ever offered. That means 50% off your UberX Share ride, 40% off Comfort Electric and Courier, 30% off Uber Reserve and 20% off Uber Black. If you're a Starbucks fan, you get 30% off when you order more than $20. If you take ten Uber trips in 20 days, you get 3,000 Delta miles, and if you spend $100 on premium rides between May 21st and June 8th, a $25 Marriott Bonvoy gift card is yours. The list of savings goes on and hits household brands like Ticketmaster, Dunkin' Donuts, and Chipotle. "Spanning Uber rides, Uber Eats, and our partners, this week-long global celebration of deals has something for everyone, " says Abbey Stauffer, Uber's Director of Membership Product. As someone who loves dining out and trying the latest buzzy restaurants, I know I'll take advantage of Uber's perks for people like me. Starting this fall, users can tap the new Dine Out icon on Uber Eats to peruse the area's restaurants, wherever they are, for special deals. Then there's the collaboration between Uber Eats and OpenTable. You can make a reservation in the Uber Eats app powered by OpenTable and get OpenTable points for each one. And you get the best tables at the 'it' spots in town. On the flipside, OpenTable members will be able to spend their points on Uber rides and Uber Eats orders. Also, OpenTable VIPs get six months of free Uber One membership. That means 10% off every order and paying $0 for deliveries. 'You already rely on Uber Eats to order in—now we're helping you dine out," said Rohan Mathew, Head of Delivery Engineering. "With our new Dine Out feature, you can discover new restaurants, claim exclusive in-person deals, and even book a ride to get there with the tap of a button. And, we're proud to team up with OpenTable to make reservations easier than ever. It's all part of our commitment to supporting restaurants, helping them drive revenue and reach more diners. Now, whether you're staying in or going out, Uber Eats has you covered." And here's the most innovative and coolest new Uber announcement: starting in Los Angeles in early 2026, Uber is partnering with Volkswagen on shared autonomous rides. Safe, cheaper, and more sustainable—what's better than that?
