Texas restaurants are slowly recovering from the recession, but difficult conditions remain because of rising food and utility prices and consumer spending caution, industry officials say.
“It’s still really tough out there,” said Wendy Saari, vice president for marketing with the Texas Restaurant Association.
However, Texas is doing better than some states, with sales projected to grow this year.
Whether they specialize in chicken-fried steaks, Tex-Mex dishes or fine French cuisine, many Texas restaurant owners are trying to find ways to regain the customer base they had before the 2008 economic meltdown.