Broke Americans Not Going Out to Restaurants Anymore

Americans are too broke to go out to eat these days (except of course to Subway): a study has found that traffic at many restaurants has flat-lined and isn't expected to pick up any time soon, at least through the beginning of 2012. Not only that, but thanks to rising food costs, diners that do go out are paying 1.3% more than they did a year ago and suffering the indignity of drinking tap water. The only sector of the restaurant industry that's improving? Fine dining, naturally. The poors keep getting poorer, and the rich keep eating diamond chocolates and gold cheese.

· Unemployment and Dour Diners Keep Restaurant Traffic Flat in 2011 [LAT]
· All Poor People Things Coverage on Eater [-E-]