in my area, restaurants still seem busy....but who knows the understory.
Same here in the North east….probably because we have a high population of overpaid government workers.
Lunch for 2 at a nice seafood restaurant in Gloucester MA yesterday 99 bucks including tip. That is no appetizers or dessert just 2 entrees one coke and one glass of rose..I was happy it was under $100. Now if we got the lobster it would have been $200. A couple years ago the same lunch would have been 49 bucks. Place was packed!