The Brian Lehrer Show How Economic Trends Are Reshaping Restaurants
Sep 12, 2025
The podcast dives into how fluctuating economic conditions are transforming the restaurant landscape. It highlights the shift towards smaller portion sizes and the soaring popularity of dietary medications. Listeners share their experiences with the growing demand for non-alcoholic beverages as dining habits evolve. Economic challenges, including rising prices, are explored, alongside insights from a musician on employment trends and regulatory impacts on consumer behavior. Expect a fascinating look at the future of dining!
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Portion Sizes Respond To Changing Appetites
- Restaurants are noticing smaller-portion offerings linked to changing diets and medications like GLP-1s that reduce appetites.
- Hosts framed portion shifts as a response to evolving consumer physiology and preferences rather than only price pressure.
Multiple Culinary Trends Surface In Coverage
- The New York Times identified trending items: zero-proof cocktails, chalkboard menus returning, crudo beyond seafood venues, and miso flavors everywhere.
- Brian used these items to prompt callers about how tastes and service styles are shifting in restaurants.
Veteran Bartender Sees Less Drinking
- Monk, a Brooklyn bartender with 14 years' experience, reports noticeably less drinking among customers and staff.
- He contrasts current sober bartenders with the classic 'Sam Malone' bartender archetype from Cheers.