Income Taxes (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2011	Jul. 30, 2010	Jul. 31, 2009
Deferred tax assets: [Abstract]
Financial accruals without economic performance	$ 56,954	$ 60,687
Other	15,068	9,821
Deferred tax assets	72,022	70,508
Deferred tax liabilities [Abstract]
Excess tax depreciation over book	90,361	79,503
Other	28,033	25,719
Deferred tax liabilities	118,394	105,222
Net deferred tax liability	46,372	34,714
Current: [Abstract]
Federal	17,231	29,114	20,307
State	5,577	(88)	3,320
Deferred: [Abstract]
Federal	9,019	336	(1,157)
State	(1,344)	1,089	1,635
Total income tax provision	30,483	30,451	24,105
Provision computed at federal statutory income tax rate	40,492	40,498	31,521
State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit	3,050	495	1,697
Employer tax credits for FICA taxes paid on employee tip income	(8,351)	(8,062)	(6,383)
Other employer tax credits	(5,098)	(3,769)	(3,740)
Other-net	390	1,289	1,010
Total income tax provision	30,483	30,451	24,105
U.S. federal statutory rate used	35.00%
Company's liability for uncertain tax positions, gross	19,547	17,467
Company's liability for uncertain tax position, net	13,223	11,791
Related federal tax benefits	6,324	5,676
Amount of uncertain tax positions that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate	13,223	11,791	17,364
Reconciliation of gross liability for uncertain tax positions [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	12,965	21,956	22,879
Tax positions related to the current year: [Abstract]
Additions	2,616	2,195	3,168
Reductions	0	0	0
Tax positions related to prior years: [Abstract]
Additions	987	44	90
Reductions	(24)	(4,458)	(2,146)
Settlements	0	(4,980)	(127)
Expiration of statute of limitations	(2,377)	(1,792)	(1,908)
Balance at end of year	14,167	12,965	21,956
Recognized amounts in interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions	651	271	302
Liability for uncertain tax positions net of tax for potential interest and penalties	4,014	3,363
Potential decrease of liabilities for uncertain tax positions within the next twelve months , minimum	3,000
Potential decrease of liabilities for uncertain tax positions within the next twelve months , maximum	$ 5,000