Restaurants in the Atlanta, Ga., area are starting to feel the burden of 2014's lime shortage.
The marketing and events director at Tin Lizzy's Cantina told Atlanta Magazine that the fruit has become more expensive since the shortage began in March, forcing eateries to cut back how they serve the citrus.
"Limes have more than quadrupled in price," Heather Stennis said. "We used to get cases for $30 to $40. Now they cost over $140, and the limes are much smaller. We've [also] changed our cutting procedure. It used to be a wedge, now it's more of a piece."
In efforts to conserve limes, Tin Lizzy's will only give the fruit to customers upon request.
According to Atlanta Magazine, grocery stores like Publix have hiked prices from three for $1.50 to .79 each.
Some Atlanta restaurants have also modified lime use on lobster taco dishes, including Mexican eatery Alma Cocina. Restaurant officials said this dish no longer comes with limes unless customers ask for them. This policy also applies to margaritas and beer.
The director of operations and beverage standards for Fifth Group Restaurants told Atlanta Magazine limes make dishes and drinks more attractive.
"The lime wheel is for aesthetics," Vajra Stratigos said. "Ninety percent of the margarita glasses [used to] come back with the lime still on it, anyway."
A bartender at JCT Kitchen told Atlanta Magazine he often opts for lemon juice over lime.
"I prefer to use lemon juice anyway. The classic cocktails that need lime, I use it. I change the ratios-add a different spirit or syrup or even bitters to promote that flavor," Eduardo Hernandez said.
Another restaurant named Taqueria Del Sol planned to continue operating business as usual.
"We're just going to bite the bullet," executive chef Eddie Hernandez told Atlanta Magazine. "When you make changes, you change your product, and we pride ourselves on being consistent."
The current shortage reportedly stems from 2001's citrus disease, which depleted the majority of lime groves in Florida. Drug cartel activity in Mexico has also prevented the fruit's delivery to the United States, the Associated Press reported.
The crisis, dubbed the Great Green Citrus Crisis of 2014, has also affected the airline industry, particularly Alaska Airlines, which has discontinued using the fruit in beverages served on flights two weeks ago.
