Zagat Releases Latest Chicago Restaurants Survey

What effect, if any, has the weak economy had on your dining out habits? (Check all that apply)

I'm eating out less

41%

I'm being more attentive to prices when ordering

38%

I'm eating in less expensive places

32%

I'm skipping appetizers and/or dessert

20%

I'm cutting back on alcohol

18%

I'm less likely to try new places

8%

I'm going to more expensive places for lunch instead of dinner

7%

Other

3%

The weak economy hasn't affected my dining out habits

29%

Compared to 2 years ago, do you spend...?

More per meal

33%

Same amount

46%

Less  per meal

21%

Has the economic downturn had any positive effects on your dining habits? (Check all that apply)

Finding better deals at restaurants

57%

Cooking more and enjoying it

44%

Feel patronage is more appreciated and rewarded

43%

Able to get table at hard-to-get-in places

34%

Eating healthier (cutting back on alcohol/rich foods)

17%

Dining at better quality restaurants to ensure a good value

15%

Other

4%

Compared to 2 years ago, do you eat out...?

More

18%

Same amount

48%

Less

34%

Of 14 possible lunches & dinners in a week, how many do you:

2004/05

2006/07

2008/09

2010/11

Skip?

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.1

Cook at home?

6.2

6.4

6.6

6.8

Eat out/take out?

6.8

6.6

6.4

6.1

Total meals eaten per week:

13.0

13.0

13.0

12.9

% total meals eat out/take out:

52%

51%

49%

47%

Should trans fats be banned from food preparation in restaurants?

Yes

53%

No

47%

How important to you is having low-carb, low-fat, or heart-healthy menu items available when dining out?

Extremely important

10%

Very important

21%

Somewhat important

37%

Not very important

22%

Not at all important

10%

How important is it to you that the food you eat is "green" (i.e. locally sourced, organic, or sustainably raised)?

Extremely important

6%

Very important

15%

Somewhat important

44%

Not very important

24%

Not at all important

11%

Are you willing to pay more for food that is "green" (i.e. locally sourced, organic, or sustainably raised)?

Yes

60%

No

40%

Do you typically seek out restaurants with menus that focus on "green" (i.e. locally sourced, organic, or sustainably raised foods) ingredients?

Yes

30%

No

70%

Since the economic downturn, is eating "green" (i.e. locally sourced, organic, or sustainably raised foods) as important to you as before?

It's even more important to me now

12%

It's just as important to me now

45%

It's less important to me now

4%

It's never been important to me

39%

Should restaurants be required to conspicuously post a letter grade reflecting the results of their health dept. inspection?

Yes

81%

No

19%

Has the environmental impact of bottled water affected the kind of water you drink at restaurants?

Yes, I've changed to tap/filtered water

8%

No, I always drink tap/filtered water

79%

No, I still order bottled water if available

6%

I've changed to tap/filtered water to cut back on my spending

5%

I do not drink water in restaurants

2%

Have the recent reports regarding the mercury levels in fish affected how you order when dining out?

Yes, I'm avoiding certain fish now

19%

Yes, I'm cutting down on all types of fish

4%

No, it hasn't affected how much fish I eat

77%