After months of weakness, restaurant recovery finally taking hold at US diners eat out more

Table by table, restaurants gain ground

CHICAGO — It took more than a year, but American diners are coming out of hiding, splurging every so slightly on everything from tea to tacos.

The meals aren’t fancy, and business is far what it was before the recession sent it spiraling. But restaurateurs say they’re breathing a tentative sigh of relief as tables fill up.

The shift began in late January and has gained steam. Still, it wasn’t until March that the change became downright impressive, sending sales up at scores of fast-food and casual dining chains.

A number of factors could be behind the March upswing: An influx of cash from tax refunds; warm weather that drew people from their homes; or increasing confidence that the economic recovery isn’t a mirage.