Did you know the average price of a meal in America is $35.62? How about that the average here in Boston actually falls below that national average? According to Zagat, this year an average meal in the Hub cost $33.56 — a drop from $33.64 the year before. Along with this drop: The frequency of our dining-out, which slipped to 2.5 times per week, vs. 2.6 last year.
Today Zagat released these results and more around the Boston Restaurant Survey it conducts every year, a survey which tapped almost 7,500 local diners about nearly 1,400 restaurants in Boston to Cape Code, the Vineyard, Nantucket, and The Berkshires. We recapped some of the survey results we found most interesting, with food trucks at the top of the list… along with a jab towards City Hall to get up to speed:
“What the Truck? Unlike some other markets across the country, the food-truck craze has yet to catch on in Boston, as 79% of surveyors have never tried one. Up until recently, diners’ lack of experience with food-truck fare may have had more to do with city ordinances that made it difficult for food trucks to obtain parking permits. One food truck success story, Clover Food Lab, recently opened a Harvard Square brick-and-mortar location.”
We have to object here at BostInno and say on the craze is definitely on. Next up, Zagat’s survey results show that using your tech at the table is fine if its engaging the people you’re with, but not so much if it’s on your own time:
“Tech Mariners. While 83% feel it is acceptable to take pictures of food or dining companions, 63% say it’s “rude and inappropriate” to text, e-mail, tweet or talk on a mobile phone while at a restaurant.”
Other results from the survey (don’t worry — restaurants who won the locals hearts on everything from having the best food to the best decor follow!):
- We complain that service sucks, but we still tip. The #1 complaint from people Zagat conducted this survey with in Boston: Service. 65% cited this as their top complaint, but that’s way down from 72% last year. Ironically, respondents also claim they leave an above average tip of 19.4% (that’s vs. a 19.2% national average).
- We get restaurants are businesses, but want transparency. 63% of respondents think it’s ok for a restaurant to restrict how long you can stay at peak hours. Regardless, 74% believe Boston should follow in the footsteps of LA and NY by requiring restaurants to prominently display their health inspection results.
- We love the go local trend, and are willing to pay for it. 73% think it’s important that their food be locally sourced, organic or sustainably raised, and 59% say they would be willing to pay more for it.
And the winning restaurants of the 2011/2012 Zagat Boston Restaurant Survey are…
Top Food
- O Ya (surveyed for just the second time)
- Oleana
- La Campania
- Neptune Oyster
- Lumiere
Top Decor
- Menton
- Bristol Lounge
- Sorellina
- L’Espalier
- Oak Room
Top Service
- Menton
- L’Espalier
- No. 9 Park
- T.W. Food
- Bristol Lounge
Most Popular
- Legal Sea Foods (9th year in a row)
- Abe & Louie’s
- Craigie on Main
- Blue Ginger
- Oleana
Also new to me from the survey, our restaurant scene is in a bit of a transition according to Zagat. “The Boston restaurant industry is in a period of transition. Restaurateurs are focusing their efforts on providing affordable dining options and providing better service,” said Tim Zagat, CEO and Co-Founder of Zagat Survey. “These changes appeal to price-sensitive diners and keep restaurants full week in and week out.”
Intersted in reading more about the Zagat Boston Restaurant survey? Check out Zagat’s redesigned site.
