Tornadoes, mudslides, flooding, and dissatisfied salad eaters. They’re all stirring effects of the infamous El Nino.The cursed weather system has struck the nation’s lettuce supply, 80 percent of which is California-grown. Massive rains in the state have flooded and destroyed crops, especially romaine lettuce.The limited supply of romaine lettuce has led to price increases that have nearly quadrupled. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the cost has gone from $10 to $50 per case. Restaurant owners and managers are suffering the costs.”Quality is poor, there’s less product for the price,” said Chuck Kline, executive chef of Martini Ristorante & Bar, 445 N. High St.While some restaurants are charging customers more for romaine lettuce, Martini Ristorante & Bar still offers their Caesar salads at regular price. “We’ll cover the expensive price, and choose to make the customer happy instead,” Kline said.Debbie Negrich, manager of Mill Street Bagels & Deli, 1284 W. Fifth Avenue, cannot.Salads prepared with romaine lettuce cost one dollar extra, in addition to regular price. Negrich said she has received few complaints from customers about the raise in price.”The problem has been so widely publicized in regards to El Nino, so people understand for the most part,” Negrich said.Students agree.”I paid the extra dollar for romaine lettuce because I like it better than iceberg lettuce,” said Shannon McCormick, a sophomore undecided major. “Taste is worth the price increase.”Rather than charge customers more for the leafy vegetable, Wendy’s International Inc. has temporarily pulled their Caesar salads from the menu, nationwide.”We’ve had to stop serving them because of the high costs involved,” said Diane Schley, manager of Wendy’s, 1510 N. High St. Some students disapprove of the removal.”I was disappointed when I couldn’t get the Caesar salad, but even the Chicken Caesar Pita had little lettuce on it,” said Karla Peebles, a sophomore majoring in medical technology. Amid dissatisfied customers and restaurant managers, one Italian restaurant owner is optimistic.”There’s always a positive and negative effect that comes with any major weather pattern change,” said Peter Danis, owner of Figlio, 1369 Grandview Avenue. “El Nino brought a mild winter to Columbus, so more people dined out rather than staying at home.”Figlio has not passed on the higher cost of romaine lettuce to its customers. Produce suppliers have told Danis the high costs will decrease by the end of May. New lettuce crops have been planted, and other sources should be ready for distribution, Danis said.Until then, restaurant owners wait.”If the price goes any higher than it is now, we’ll have to get creative,” Negrich said.