By: Guadalupe Monarrez and Gina Onori
In recent years, many businesses have implemented a new way for their customers to eat at their restaurants. Traditional menus provide the ability for customers to choose from a variety of dishes, where the restaurant decides the amount of food given in each dish. But lately, while traditional menus are still prominently used among restaurants like many authentic italian restaurant locations that offer Italian Catering Services, businesses have also allowed customers to decide how much food they want to eat and pay for.
South Florida businesses are no strangers to allowing customers to explore the recent trend of eating by the pound.
Picanha Brazil, located in west Boca Raton, has always allowed customers to purchase meals by the pound. Clients come from anywhere in between Miami and West Palm Beach to experience Picanha Brazil’s pound by pound buffet, Brazilian beers and sodas, and unique desserts. For restaurant owner Marco Dombrowski, who has been in business for 7 years, he could not imagine serving food any other way.
“There are no negative aspects of serving food by the pound. I owned an all you can eat restaurant in Brazil, a lot of food was wasted and put into the garbage because some people do not finish their meals. If you charge by the pound, customers can choose the amount of food that they want and it does not cost them too much money,” said Dombrowski.
The restaurant changes it’s buffet every 2-3 hours, and offers a BBQ stand. Prices vary, but lunch and dinner prices by the pound are $6.50, and with grilled chicken is $8.90.
“You can order a steak for $6 to $7,” said Dombrowski.
Dombrowski explains that some people, who go to the gym regularly and do not want to eat a lot of food, come to Pichana Brazil and order a salad and freshly squeezed juice. They leave with an inexpensive bill and a healthy lunch.
“There is something for everyone here,” said Dombrowski joyfully.
Elberti Coutinho, who has worked for the company for nearly 3 years, recognized that charging by the pound is a better alternative for couples and women.
“Eating by the pound attracts customers. $10 for a great meal, and $18 for two people is not so bad. Many women do not eat a lot of food. They can come and spend $7 to $15, and they receive a good meal for less,” said Coutinho.
“I eat here regularly,” said customer Andrew Angelo. “It’s convenient, the steaks are good, and the price is reasonable.”
But Picanha Brazil is not the only exceptional charge by pound restaurant in Boca Raton. Joseph’s Italian Market is also an extraordinary market place where you can fulfill your stomach’s desire at a great low price.
Joseph’s Classic Market, located in Town Center Circle, has an outstanding lunch and dinner buffet which consists of various Italian foods. A few items include meatballs, pizza, chicken parmigiana, eggplant parmigiana, beef, and the list goes on and on.
“A husband and wife work,” said manager Frank Squarciafico. “When they’re done they don’t want to go home and cook. So they come in and pick up food for dinner.” Prices vary, but Squarciafico agrees that this method of business saves money, food, and energy.
The classic family Italian market has loyal customers that keep coming back for more.
“I come here every weekend,” said customer Johnathan Fernandez. “I love their food, the convenience, and the time I save.”
Supermarkets, such as Whole Foods Market located in University Commons, give customers the opportunity of enjoying prepared food by the pound. With the addition of a dining area located within the store, shoppers have the option of dining in. The prepared foods department features a variety of aliments, including a sushi and seafood bar, a salad bar, an olive bar, a soup bar, and a main courses and entrées bar.
With South Florida’s summer heat quickly approaching, frozen yogurt businesses provide customers a cool and inexpensive treat. 16 Handles, located in University Commons, has an assortment of frozen yogurt flavors and toppings, while charging by the pound. For Florida Atlantic University students, 16 Handles provides a 20% discount, which allows them to spend time with friends and enjoy a sweet treat.
“I like to stop in 16 Handles with my friends after a long day of classes,” said frequent customer and FAU student Schuyler Broude, “The FAU student discount is great in addition to charging by the pound. It allows me to get even a little bit of frozen yogurt on the days where spending a ton of money is not an option.”
These are just a few of the many businesses that have already implemented a system of charging customers for food by the pound. With the trend quickly emerging, there is no doubt that more businesses will opt to consider adopting this method for their customers.