CHICAGO — Chicagoans are among the most generous tippers in the country, and the most likely to pay to get into a hot restaurant, according to a new study.
Restaurant review website Zagat on Tuesday released the results of its big annual survey on American dining trends. Per Chicago, the survey says:
• At 19.6 percent, Chicagoans are the third-most generous tippers in the country. Boston (20 percent) and Philadelphia (19.9 percent) were higher on the list, while the national average is 18.9 percent.
• Chicagoans spend an average of $36.53 per person per dinner, slightly higher than the national average of $36.30. Chicago restaurants are well cheaper than a night out in New York ($48.44) but more expensive than dinner in Atlanta ($30.46) or Detroit ($28.77).
• On average, Chicagoans eat out 4.6 times per week (lunch and dinner), slightly more than the national average of 4.5.
The survey also says 37 percent of Chicagoans polled last year either have or would pay "for a hard-to-get reservation," the second-highest rate in the country. Only Nashville, at 42 percent, was higher, and the national average was 29 percent. A Zagat spokeswoman said the survey question was not meant to include prix fixe tickets that cover the cost of food, but strictly restaurants that basically charge for admission.
WATCH: Zagat's YouTube video on its 2016 survey.
Otherwise, the survey says Chicagoans are split between Italian and American foods being their favorite (20 percent), we yearn most for beef Wellington and bananas Foster as an "old-timey" food to make a comeback (38 percent), and we're most over the gluten-free dining trend (41 percent).
Check out the full results of the survey here:
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