Commodity prices for steak, prime rib and lobster have been unusually low, allowing more concepts to include them on the menu.
For example, El Pollo Loco‘s new line of flame-grilled sirloin steak tacos and other items launch this month. The Sirloin Steak & 3-Cheese Quesadilla, $5.99, combines grilled sirloin with cheddar, jack and cotija cheese, guacamole and sour cream on a grilled flour tortilla. And the Sirloin Steak Bowl, $4.99, matches the meat with pinto beans, Spanish rice, pico de gallo, diced onion and cilantro.
In December, The Elephant Bar Global Grill and Wok Kitchen ran a $24.95 special at its 47 units featuring an 8-ounce filet and 6-ounce lobster tail, “made possible by the better prices,†says Reinhard Dorfhuber, senior vice president of culinary and concept design for the La Mirada, Calif.-based casual-dining chain.