The prices of fast-food items have been rising steadily over the years — and some restaurants use a technique that entices people to pay more than perhaps they were planning to, a psychotherapist told Fox News Digital. 

The so-called "charm pricing" technique is why many menu items are not priced at full dollar amounts, Jonathan Alpert, a New York-based psychotherapist and author, told Fox News Digital.

"Our brains process numbers quickly and often emotionally, especially during purchasing decisions," Alpert said.

FAST-FOOD MENU ITEMS THAT CHEFS LIKE TO EAT

When an item is priced at $9.99, "our minds latch onto the '9' as the anchor, associating it with a smaller cost, even if logically we know it's close to $10," he said. 

This is called the "left-digit effect," according to the food and culture website The Takeout. 

"This can trick you into feeling like an item is less expensive," according to The Takeout. 

"If you're buying three items priced at $5.99, your brain might immediately assume the total is $15, when in actuality it's closer to $18."

It added that people may feel they're "getting a bargain or a deal." 

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR HOSTING AN EPIC SUPER BOWL PARTY

Aside from this "charm pricing," restaurants try other ways to get people to spend more money than they planned, Alpert said.  

These include offering an "appealing menu design or descriptive language that makes the purchase feel more worthwhile and indulgent," he said. 

Fox News Digital reached out to the National Restaurant Association, which declined to comment.

Fox News Digital also reached out to several fast-food chains seeking comment.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

Alpert noted that there are ways to combat the pressure to overspend.

"A helpful tip is to always round up," he said. "When you see $9.99, think of it as $10."

Doing this, he said, "can reduce the emotional impact of charm pricing and help you make more rational decisions."

For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle

Another technique is to think through purchases carefully and make a decision to spend less impulsively. 

"Pause and ask yourself if the item is really worth the cost or if you're being swayed by how it's presented," Alpert said.

"Developing mindful spending habits can help you resist psychological tricks and make choices that align with your goals," he also said. 

New Orleans is the host city of this year's Super Bowl — and if you're throwing a party to celebrate the big game, you may want to incorporate some of the Big Easy's culinary flavors into your offerings.

Fox News Digital reached out to chefs in New Orleans for some dishes that are sure to score a touchdown at Super Bowl parties this year.

Whether you're rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs or the Philadelphia Eagles, adding these Creole seasonings, seafood dishes, spicy bites and more can send your party spread soaring and leave a mark on your guests.

HOW TO WATCH SUPER BOWL LIX BETWEEN CHIEFS, EAGLES STREAMED ON TUBI

Here are four dishes to consider.

This comforting favorite can feed a crowd of football fans. 

With shrimp, blue crabs, shucked oysters, chopped vegetables, seafood stock and more, this dish was created by Donald Link, a James Beard Award-winning chef with the New Orleans-based Link Restaurant Group — which includes Herbsaint, Cochon, Cochon Butcher, Calcasieu, Pêche, La Boulangerie and Giannacan. 

"Growing up in southwest Louisiana, there was always a pot of gumbo simmering on Super Bowl Sunday," Link told Fox News Digital. 

EAGLES FAN FAVORITE IS PHILADELPHIA'S SIGNATURE SANDWICH, NO PEPPERS INCLUDED

The gumbo can be prepared while you're watching the pregame coverage. 

Then, once the guests arrive — serve it up and catch their winning reactions. 

NOT JUST FOR KIDS: NFL PLAYERS LOVE A SURPRISING CHILDHOOD SNACK FOR 'FANS OF ALL AGES'

Relying on sweet, sautéed onions and a rich sour cream-mascarpone base, this party dip is delicious and can be served with potato chips or spicy cheddar crackers, Link said. 

This dip comes together by combining ingredients such as onions, mascarpone, mayonnaise, sour cream and a spice blend found in most pantries. 

KANSAS CITY HOME TO AMERICA'S BEST BARBECUE, CHEFS CLAIM: 'OUR VARIETY MAKES US UNIQUE'

"I grew up with an extremely large extended family, so you could always expect to see rooms covered in deviled eggs, boudin, chips and onion dip around the room and, of course, a lot of bowls of gumbo, especially after our annual football game with my uncles," Link recalled.

It's a tradition he's carried on for 37 years, he said.

"One year, I actually gave up Super Bowl tickets because I couldn't stand the idea of not making my gumbo and canceling the annual party."

Ryan Pearson, executive chef at Couvant inside The Eliza Jane hotel in New Orleans, told Fox News Digital that chicken wings with a Big Easy spin can be a party favorite. 

THIS NFL CITY HAS THE COUNTRY'S BEST CHOWDER, RESTAURANT OWNER PROCLAIMS

"Chicken wings with a sauce made from reduced Crystal Hot Sauce, honey and butter are, simply put, delicious," Pearson said. 

"The dish is using beloved southern ingredients, so it feels elevated without being too much work." 

The southern twist uses Crystal Hot Sauce, which has been a New Orleans staple since 1923.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

"My mom used to say, 'Add Tabasco for heat. Add Crystal for flavor,'" the New Orleans chef said.

A change of play on a burger creates a cool party dish that pays tribute to the culinary fame of New Orleans. 

Mark Bucher, a "Taste of the NFL" chef, restaurateur and owner of Medium Rare in New Orleans, uses Andouille sausage to elevate this festive dish, he said. 

Some cocoa powder, cinnamon and hot picks like chili powder and cloves create a stirring flavor combination, said Bucher. 

The burger sauce can be blended from a few pantry condiments on hand — but the final play is adding Frito's on top for the crunch, he added. 

For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle

"Chili is a tailgate classic but adding it to a burger turns up the flavor while keeping it fun and accessible," Bucher told Fox News Digital. 

"With the savory heat from the Andouille sausage and the tangy punch from the vinegar and spices, these burgers are built to hold up against a day of game-watching. It's that perfect mix of hearty, satisfying comfort and big flavor that makes it the ideal dish for a Super Bowl party."

The burger sauce also adds a bit of tang and crunch to balance the richness of the chili, he said.

Reservation apps have made it a straightforward process for patrons to book a table just by a few clicks on a smartphone, but sometimes a table at the restaurant you want to book isn't available. 

Whether it's a special anniversary or just a night out to experience chef-curated menus and great service, if you can't cinch a table at your desired restaurant, it can be a disappointment. 

And if the restaurant is a hot spot that's booked for weeks or even months, it can be even more frustrating. 

RESTAURANT LEFTOVERS SPARK DEBATE ABOUT FOOD, BOXES AND TO-GO ETIQUETTE

Still, if you think that securing hard-to-get reservations is only for the elite, think again. 

Three restaurateurs shared insider tricks, tips and strategies to increase your chances of dining at the restaurant on your bucket list. 

If you know you want to dine on a certain date, a sound game plan could be to secure the table as early as possible. This can be attained by asking the restaurant when it opens for reservations. 

Many establishments create this model to even the playing field for securing a table. 

CHI-CHI'S MEXICAN RESTAURANTS TO RETURN AFTER 20-YEAR ABSENCE

"We open our books on a rolling 60-day basis," Rachel Candelaria, general manager at Press, a trendy restaurant in St. Helena, California, told Fox News Digital. 

"There really are not any hacks to getting a reservation at Press. All our reservations are available on Tock," a website dedicated to securing restaurant reservations, Candelaria said. 

If the common seating time is 7:30 or 8 p.m., you can gain an advantage by being flexible about the time you dine. 

Often, establishments want to turn the table over to maximize the night.

COLORADO RESTAURANT OWNED BY 'SOUTH PARK' CREATORS OPENS RESERVATIONS ONCE AGAIN, CHANGES MENU

"Generally, most popular restaurants try to get two seatings on each table, so the easiest times to get reservations are within the first one-and-a-half hours of opening and then again three hours after opening time," Candelaria said. 

If you can dine a bit on the early side or enjoy a later dinnertime, getting a table on your evening of choice could be a better bet. 

If you have some flexibility, consider dining at the hot spot beyond Friday or Saturday nights. 

"Midweek days, like Tuesdays and Wednesdays, usually have less demand, making it easier to secure reservations," Peter Brattander, vice president of food and beverage at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City in New Jersey, told Fox News Digital.

While online platforms are convenient, Brattander said calling the restaurant directly can sometimes yield better results, especially if you're seeking a reservation on short notice or have specific requests.

CRACKER BARREL UNVEILS NEW MENU ITEMS FOR 2025: 'ORIGINAL AND BOLD'

"Personal interaction may also provide opportunities that aren't available online," he said. 

If this is a place you like to regularly dine, "building a rapport with restaurant staff during previous visits can be advantageous," Brattander continued. 

CHICK-FIL-A MAKES CHANGE TO WAFFLE FRIES RECIPE AND PEOPLE ARE NOTICING

Also, consider asking your hotel concierge for an advantage. 

"Resort concierges often have priority access to reservations at popular restaurants, so it may be worth reaching out to them for assistance, especially for special occasions," he also said.

If you find that your desired date and time are not available, go the extra step of setting up alerts.  

"Reservation platforms like OpenTable, Resy, etc., often allow you to set notifications for cancelations or openings," Brattander said. 

"Using these tools can give you real-time updates and increase your chances of snagging a spot." 

YES, FOOD AND DRINKS TASTE DIFFERENT ON A PLANE AND THERE'S A REASON

In addition, he advised having your payment details already loaded to expedite the process and prevent delays that might cause you to miss a reservation.

Things happen and sometimes people have to cancel their dinner plans — so their loss could be your gain. 

"Some restaurants may experience cancellations during the day, so checking for openings in the late morning or early afternoon can be advantageous," Brattander told Fox News Digital.

Once you've got your reservation, you'll want to make sure you follow some suggested steps to keep it.

It's a general rule that restaurants will give patrons a short grace period, but this can vary from place to place. 

For more Lifestyle articles, visit foxnews.com/lifestyle

"Out of courtesy, we hold reservations for 15 minutes," Alex Saitta, general manager of SW Steakhouse inside Wynn Las Vegas in Nevada, told Fox News Digital.

If you are going to be late because of traffic or other unanticipated delays, calling the restaurant could help, but it is not guaranteed. 

Arriving early can allow you a chance to grab a drink at the bar and start your dining experience off without feeling rushed. 

When you arrive, check in with the host or hostess to find out if being seated earlier is an option.  

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

"If the table is available, we are happy to accommodate the reservation in advance," Saitta told Fox News Digital. 

Policies vary from restaurant to restaurant, so there's no across-the-board answer. 

Some fine-dining spots allow guests to sit and wait at a table for the remainder of their party to arrive.

Others, meanwhile, require all in the party to be present before being seated.