https://freerepublic.com/tag/restautrants/ en-us Wed, 17 Nov 2004 15:07:11 GMT Focus Forum 15 https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1282037/posts Fried Green  Cucumbers It's been a rough few months for tomatoes. They've been swirled in California floods. They've been smashed by Florida hurricanes. They've been picked at by Mexican bugs. The result has been a national tomato shortage that has sent prices climbing like a vine seeking light. With costs up and quality down, some national restaurant chains are reconsidering their marketing strategies to keep the thought of juicy, tender tomatoes off customers' minds, or switching recipes to make up for the absence of certain hard-to-find varieties. The popular Juice Joint Cafe in Northwest Washington, meanwhile, has at least... washingtonpost.com https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1282037/posts#comment Wed, 17 Nov 2004 15:07:11 GMT