Zagat: Texans Eat Out More Often Than Anywhere Else in U.S.

Austin and Houston Diners Report Dining Out the Most in America

Though Texas Is Home to Nation's Best Value Dining, Prices Soar

Dining and leisure ratings publisher Zagat released the results of its latest Texas Restaurants survey today, with detailed local information, ratings and reviews on its website, mobile website, and mobile application Zagat to Go.   

The exclusively-digital results include coverage of 1,818 restaurants in Austin/Hill Country, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. Each restaurant was visited an average of 490 times in the past year.

Plugged-In:  When online surveyors were asked how they choose to make their reservations, 23% said they make reservations via the Internet -- up from only 11% two years ago.

Economics: When asked what effects the weak economy has had on their dining-out habits, surveyors report being more attentive to prices (35%), eating out less (32%), eating at less expensive places (26%), skipping appetizers and/or desserts (19%), and cutting back on alcohol (17%). Meal cost inflation is higher than ever before: Austin (7.5%), Houston (5.9%) and San Antonio (7.3%). Compared to two years ago, 37% of surveyors report spending more when dining out vs. 18% who said less. 

However, Texas remains a relative bargain, as the average cost of a meal in all four major Texas markets ranks below the national average of $35.10, especially in Houston ($32.53), San Antonio ($31.34) and Austin ($30.76). Dallas/Ft. Worth, the most expensive dining area ($35.03), had the lowest inflation rate (0.6%). When asked what positive effects the economic downturn has had on their dining habits, 49% of surveyors report finding better deals at restaurants, while 34% say that it's easier for them to get a table at hard-to-get-in places.

Dining Out Less: Confirming the above results, Houstonians say that they are dining out less than they did two years ago - 4.0 times per week down from 4.2 in 2008. Close behind are Dallas at 3.6 (down from 4.0) and San Antonio at 3.5 (down from 4.0). Still, Texas diners eat out more often than anywhere else in the U.S. -- with Los Angeles at 3.4 times per week and New York City at 3.0. The Zagat national average is 3.2 meals out per week.

Winners: This year's top winners in each Texas city are as follows:

  Market                     Top Food    Top Decor        Top Service     Most Popular

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  Austin/Hill Country    Uchi           Driskill Grill      TRIO                 Salt Lick

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  Dallas/Ft. Worth       Bonnell's      French Room   French Room    Abacus

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  Houston                   Le Mistral     Tony's            Tony's               Da Marco

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  San Antonio             Dough           Bohanan's       Il Sogno           Boudro's

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Comments

[linda]

:) i was born and raised in houston and i live in austin. i can vouch for this!

[Creative Recreation]

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