On Long Island, growing taco chain lowers prices

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A growing taco chain on Long Island is lowering prices, and its owner is encouraging other eateries to do the same.

Mike Scotto, the owner of Tony’s Tacos – with locations in Garden City, Franklin Square, Floral Park and Huntington, with plans for expansion – said he is reducing the average meal ticket by 20%.

Scotto said that even though food costs have increased, the price reduction is permanent at Tony’s Tacos. The eateries offer a fusion of Italian and Mexican cuisine, including 18 kinds of tacos.

“The best strategy to fight inflation, both for business owners and consumers, is to lower the profit margins by reducing prices and increasing the number of people who can afford to dine out,” Scotto said in a news release about the price reduction.

The restaurant industry can be volatile. Pressures can include rising food and labor costs, changing consumer preferences and more. According to the September 2024 Consumer Price Index, food prices are up 28% since 2019. These increases have an impact not only on restaurants, but also families.

But Scotto said his approach – it includes analyzing his operation, adjusting the menu, improving efficiencies and reducing costs – is good for business and good for Long Island.

“Instead of raising prices to offset rising costs, I believe that by cutting prices, more customers will be able to enjoy a meal out, which will increase overall traffic to the restaurant,” Scotto said.

“Contrary to what many may believe, this approach allows restaurant owners to maintain the same or even higher profits by serving more customers,” he pointed out. “At the same time, this helps the community by making dining out more affordable.”

Scotto said that with “lower prices, customers can enjoy a night out more often without feeling financial strain. This is a win-win situation that supports both the business and the customer, and I hope this approach inspires other restaurant owners to do the same.”

Scotto said his new strategy, along with shrinking profit margins, allowed him to implement the price changes at all his locations.

For Scotto, these changes are meaningful.

“Growing up in Italy, my family always made sure we had what we needed, but dining out at restaurants was something we couldn’t afford,” he said. “That experience stayed with me. When I came to the United States with very little, I worked relentlessly to build a career driven by the desire to create something better for myself and others. Now, as the owner of four successful restaurants, I want to give more people the chance to enjoy the experience of dining out – something I once couldn’t do.”