Italian a Good Bet for the Deli

Valentine’s Day may be in your rear-view mirror, but the results of a recent Restaurant.com survey confirms readers’ ongoing, yearlong love affair with Italian food.

According to the poll, nearly half (49 percent) of people say they prefer Italian for a romantic meal, over the closest romantic contenders of French at 11 percent and fondue at 12 percent. (Forget about Mexican and sushi – they were dubbed least romantic.)

In addition to confirming Italian as a perennially popular away-from-home cuisine, the Restaurant.com survey also underscored consumers’ lingering interest in value. Most people expected a Valentine’s Day check between $50 and $100, while only 4 percent said they planned to spend $150 or more. In addition, 61 percent say that they may love their dates but they also would also love having their date bring a dining coupon.

The takeaway for deli operators? Never underestimate the appeal of Italian dishes – and the importance of value.