Income Taxes (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 03, 2012	Jul. 29, 2011	Jul. 30, 2010
Deferred tax assets: [Abstract]
Financial accruals without economic performance	$ 57,881	$ 56,954
Other	13,282	15,068
Deferred tax assets	71,163	72,022
Deferred tax liabilities [Abstract]
Excess tax depreciation over book	91,149	90,361
Other	27,992	28,033
Deferred tax liabilities	119,141	118,394
Net deferred tax liability	47,978	46,372
Current Income Tax Expense Benefit [Abstract]
Federal	34,074	17,231	29,114
State	7,928	5,577	(88)
Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit [Abstract]
Federal	886	9,019	336
State	319	(1,344)	1,089
Provision for income taxes	43,207	30,483	30,451
U.S. federal statutory rate used	35.00%
Provision computed at federal statutory income tax rate	51,201	40,492	40,498
State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit	6,424	3,050	495
Employer tax credits for FICA taxes paid on employee tip income	(9,114)	(8,351)	(8,062)
Other employer tax credits	(4,938)	(5,098)	(3,769)
Other-net	(366)	390	1,289
Provision for income taxes	43,207	30,483	30,451
Company's liability for uncertain tax positions, gross	24,703	19,547
Company's liability for uncertain tax position, net	16,607	13,223
Related federal tax benefits	8,096	6,324
Amount of uncertain tax positions that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate	16,607	13,223	11,791
Reconciliation of gross liability for uncertain tax positions [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	14,167	12,965	21,956
Tax positions related to the current year: [Abstract]
Additions	3,326	2,616	2,195
Reductions	0	0	0
Tax positions related to prior years: [Abstract]
Additions	2,556	987	44
Reductions	(1,043)	(24)	(4,458)
Settlements	0	0	(4,980)
Expiration of statute of limitations	(908)	(2,377)	(1,792)
Balance at end of year	18,098	14,167	12,965
Interest and penalties [Abstract]
Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions	830	651	271
Potential interest and penalties
Interest and penalties, net of tax	4,844	4,014
Potential decrease of liabilities for uncertain tax positions within the next twelve months , minimum	5,000
Potential decrease of liabilities for uncertain tax positions within the next twelve months , maximum	$ 7,000