Tag

Restaurants

All articles tagged with #restaurants

Beef-price surge pushes Texas BBQ legends toward closure
business17 hours ago

Beef-price surge pushes Texas BBQ legends toward closure

Beef prices hit a record $9.64 per pound in April, up about 13% year over year, squeezing iconic Texas BBQ joints and forcing closures or drastic changes (e.g., Kirby’s BBQ in Houston). Brisket prices have risen sharply (as high as about $38 per pound for consumers), with other costs pushing shops into survival mode. Industry blame points to inflation, tariffs, and meatpackers who set prices amid a shrinking cattle herd, while regulators investigate meatpackers and policymakers debate tariff responses amid ongoing price pressures.

Texas Barbecue Blues: Brisket Prices Push Old Joints Toward the Brink
national2 days ago

Texas Barbecue Blues: Brisket Prices Push Old Joints Toward the Brink

Texas’s oldest barbecue joints are closing or struggling to stay open as brisket and other meat prices climb, with brisket reportedly around $5.56 per pound in some cases. Owners are trimming menus, shifting to alternative meats, or facing closure, highlighting how rising costs are reshaping Texas’s beloved barbecue scene and threatening a storied regional cuisine.

Takeout Tipping: Not Required, But Appreciated by Some
lifestyle2 days ago

Takeout Tipping: Not Required, But Appreciated by Some

Americans aren’t typically required to tip for takeout, but tips are appreciated, especially for curbside pickup or large orders. Experts say a 10% tip is reasonable for takeout services, while the 15–20% standard for dine-in isn’t mandatory. Factors like extra packaging work, order checks, and dietary accommodations justify tipping. If you pick up in person, a tip to the preparer is a kind gesture. Online tipping prompts can pressure customers, and some diners skip ordering due to tip expectations, per a Tillster report.

Fiesta of Freebies: Cinco de Mayo 2026 Restaurant Roundup
business22 days ago

Fiesta of Freebies: Cinco de Mayo 2026 Restaurant Roundup

A nationwide roundup of Cinco de Mayo 2026 promotions across many chains, from 7-Eleven’s Laredo Taco Co. specials to Chipotle free chips and guac, Del Taco’s $5 Epic Burritos, Chuy’s discounts on margaritas and queso, and various freebies, bundles and rewards at dozens of restaurants and retailers. Offers run primarily May 4–10 (with many focused on May 5) and vary by location, with some menu debuts and prize giveaways as part of the celebration.

Teacher Appreciation Week 2026: Restaurants Roll Out Freebies and Discounts for Educators
local23 days ago

Teacher Appreciation Week 2026: Restaurants Roll Out Freebies and Discounts for Educators

During Teacher Appreciation Week 2026 (May 4–12), numerous restaurant chains are offering freebies and discounts for educators (and some healthcare workers), including Chick-fil-A free minis or a sandwich on May 5 with a school ID, Chipotle entrée e-gift-card entries through May 12, McAlister’s Deli free tea May 4–8, Potbelly free cookie or drink with an entrée, Ruby Tuesday free add-ons with an entrée, and Whataburger breakfast on May 7; promotions vary by location and may require ID verification, with additional catering and gift-card deals—check with your participating local spots for exact details.

Smokey Bones shutters multiple locations as bankruptcy redraws the chain
business28 days ago

Smokey Bones shutters multiple locations as bankruptcy redraws the chain

Smokey Bones BBQ abruptly closed several U.S. locations after its parent company FAT Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January, with Colonie, NY the first reported shutdown and others in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Rhode Island following. The closures come as the chain’s footprint has been rapidly contracting—from a peak of about 130 locations down to the mid‑20s by 2025—and now appear to be accelerating, despite earlier assurances the brands would remain open during restructuring. The company indicated Chapter 11 would deleverage its balance sheet and support growth, but the latest wave of closures suggests a bleaker path ahead for the brand.

Iconic Steakhouses: A State-by-State Tour of America’s Classic Grills
lifestyle1 month ago

Iconic Steakhouses: A State-by-State Tour of America’s Classic Grills

A state-by-state roundup selecting the most iconic steakhouses across the U.S., based on reviews, history, longevity, and cultural significance, featuring standout venues like Peter Luger in New York, Buckhorn Exchange in Colorado, Musso & Frank in California, The Big Texan in Texas, and other regionally celebrated spots that define their states’ dining legacy.

GLP-1 Drugs Push Restaurants Toward Smaller Portions and Protein-Focused Menus
business2 months ago

GLP-1 Drugs Push Restaurants Toward Smaller Portions and Protein-Focused Menus

Rising use of GLP-1 weight‑loss medications is reshaping dining and snacking, with diners eating fewer calories and restaurants trimming portions while boosting protein- and fiber-rich options. Brands are racing to market GLP-1–friendly offerings and messaging, as some analysts warn the drugs could wipe out $30–$55 billion in U.S. food-and-beverage sales by 2030, even as pill versions may hasten adoption and the market shift.

Luck on the Menu: St. Patrick’s Day 2026 dining deals across brands
local2 months ago

Luck on the Menu: St. Patrick’s Day 2026 dining deals across brands

WRAL compiles a wide-ranging list of St. Patrick’s Day 2026 deals and freebies at participating restaurants (through March 17, with some offers extended to March 31). Highlights include Krispy Kreme’s green doughnut freebies and prize drawings, Baskin-Robbins $5 off a $35+ cake, and various app- or online-activated offers across Burger King, Dunkin, Starbucks, Outback, Panera, and more, plus limited-time menu items and rewards bonuses.