TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — We're bringing you another Taste of Tucson, and we know many of you have been missing out on a nice dinner or night out lately.
As local restaurants figure out what's going on, businesses are trying to manage their food costs, but the team behind the Tucson brand says they've been able to cut costs, and now they have their neighbors to thank.
I met with one of the minds behind Seis Kitchen and asked him about his decision to give back.
“It's scary to lower your prices, you know? Especially during this time, but we feel like it's the thing to do,” Jake Munoz said.
Munoz, co-owner of Sayce Kitchen, said he has done his best to adapt and make ends meet, but he knows that not long ago, some potential customers might have been put off by the prices on Sayce's menu items.
“We were charging $20 a burrito, but we're careful with our pricing,” Munoz said, adding that Sayce uses automated software to track prices of needed items and make the most of a less-inflated market.
“I've been in this industry for 28, 29 years and this is the first time I've ever seen prices go down. And it's the first time I've seen prices go up so much in such a short period of time. Then, in the last few months, things have calmed down a lot.”
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Munoz said by keeping an eye on trends and maintaining good relationships with local food purveyors, he's now in a position few other restaurants can achieve: lowering prices across the menu.
“We're talking about 15 to 35 percent (reductions). Make it affordable, not something that forces you to save money to eat out or buy something else to eat out.”
How does that affect customers? Jake says Sais is now saving money on the beef they use to make their birria tacos. “Beef is one of those items that has dropped in price a lot. Last year, beef cost double, and now we're able to cut the price and keep the price down.”
Saiss also engages with fans on social media. The cost-cutting has allowed it to roll out new appetizers, including bacon-wrapped torito peppers and mini chimichangas.
Muñoz also spoke about the importance of providing ambiance for customers: The company knows its location in San Agustin Market is unique, and it wants to do something different with its fourth store, located at Tanque Verde and Corbu Streets.
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Jose Zozaya Jose is an anchor and reporter for KGUN 9. Prior to coming to Southern Arizona, he worked in Omaha, Nebraska where he covered a variety of issues from local, state and federal elections to toxic chemical spills and community programs affecting immigrant families. Share your story ideas and important issues with Jose by emailing him at: jose.zozaya@kgun9.com Or Facebook, Instagram, twitter.
