(USAToday) - Americans seem to be fed up with frugality.

As the recession ever so slowly recedes, an increasing number of Americans say they are less frugal than they were a few years ago. At the same time, sales at restaurants are at an all-time high and at least one survey says consumers expect to spend more eating out as soon as their pocketbooks allow.

Sales at eating and drinking places in April reached $45.9 billion, a $200 million seasonally-adjusted increase from the previous high in December 2012, according to preliminary figures from the U.S. Census Bureau.

"Last month was a shock," said Ryan Lowder, the chef and owner of the Copper Onion in Salt Lake City, where his sales were up 20 % over April of 2012. "The increase last month was killer. I'm not complaining."