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Make room for another victim of the weak economy: Lunch. Instead of indulging in a roasted portabello sandwich and gourmet chips at a nearby bistro, many workers are now brown-bagging it. Other workers are turning to cheaper alternatives — like subsidized or free corporate cafeterias and fast-food spots.
As a result, restaurateurs cite a decrease in lunchtime traffic — and say existing customers now gravitate toward lower-priced items on the menu. In February, Costello Sandwich & Sides on the North Side added a less-costly half-sandwich option to its menu in response to customer demand, said owner Chris Costello, who added that this will be the first “no-growth year” in the two-location restaurant’s 10-year history.
