NJ Restaurants Offer Incentives, Remove Menu Items To Combat Inflation

NEW JERSEY — While unemployment is low in New Jersey, inflation has hit hard this year, and restaurants want to make sure people can still dine out. So they're trying to get creative in enticing patrons to come eat.

Dana Lancellotti, the president of the New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association, told NJ 101.5 this week that restaurants are shifting around to keep prices reasonable. Because of higher labor and delivery costs, the prices of some meat and seafood options have climbed.

She also said some restaurants have removed high-priced items from their menus.

Other restaurants have added "COVID fees" or have added extra fees for using credit cards. But some offer lower prices for patrons who pay cash, because this helps the restaurants avoid their own fees.

Myron Mixon's Pitmaster Barbecue restaurant in Hoboken has a sign at the counter, "As an incentive for our customers we now offer an immediate discount to customers who pay cash. All prices posted and displayed in this business represent the Cash Discount Price."

"A Service Fee of 3.25 percent is applied to all non-cash purchases. We are grateful for your continued support as we strive to provide the same service and quality as you have become accustomed to."

Surcharges for credit card use are legal in New Jersey as long as they are disclosed ahead of time to customers, or near the point of purchase, according to the state. In fact, last month, 14 businesses got warning letters from the state of New Jersey for failing to disclose the fees ahead of time.

This past spring, inflation of items on restaurant menus rose higher than any times since the 1980s, said Restaurant Business Magazine.

But the state unemployment rate is low right now, at 3.7 percent.

Eating out often proves a treat to look forward to when times are tough.

As of this writing, the five-course nightly tasting menu at Elements in Princeton — once listed among the most expensive restaurants in New Jersey — remains at $129 per person.

Is there any place in New Jersey you'd still eat no matter what? Where can you get a favorite food at a reasonable price? Comment below!