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It's all about the beef at Morton's Steak House in San Francisco, but the recession has forced the high end chain to cook up something new. You can now get complete steak dinners for half the price.
"In the past Morton's didn't offer specials. We always thought that our food was a great value. We offered the great service and great food, and we never thought we needed to discount it," says Daniel Powell, from Morton's Steak House.
The same could be said about Ruth Chris Steak House. It started offering specials for the first time this year. They're now advertising a three course meal for as little as $39.95.
"We wanted to make our price point a little more appealing to more people, more often," says Eddy Gomez, from Ruth Chris Steak House.
The response from customers has been good. Gwen Daly from San Bruno took up the deal to take out her niece.
"It was a great deal. So we're really looking forward to it," says Daly.
Laurie Jones, from Oakland, came to Ruth Chris to celebrate her second anniversary.
"When we saw the special was $49.99 and it had everything that I wanted, it seemed like a great deal," says Jones.
The restaurant declined to release sales figures, but Morton's in San Francisco says its specials have definitely stimulated sales.
"It attributes to probably 30 percent of our business right now. It's bringing people out who wouldn't normally come out," says Powell.
Steak houses aren't the only restaurants offering specials right now, you can find a whole list of specials at Restaurant.com where you can buy $25 restaurant gift certificates for $10, and sometimes for as little as $2.
One restaurant offering gift certificates on Restaurant.com is Castagnola's on Fisherman's Wharf. The gift certificates are valid, but you have to make a minimum food purchase.
"Who knows whether that person was going to come to the restaurant anyway, but by the incentive of the Restaurant.com coupon, they do come," says Robert Brooks from Castagnolas.
Andrea Holland says she can afford to eat out more because of Restaurant.com.
"I'm actually trying more high tiered restaurants that I actually wouldn't normally go to," says Andrea Holland, from Walnut Creek.
Resturant.com says it has been able to thrive in this down economy as people actively seek out savings.
Deals mentioned:
www.ruthschris.com
www.mortons.com
www.restaurant.com
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