DELICIOUS
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REDDITBy Heaven Stubblefield
It seems these days everyone and everything is go, go, go. Kitchens have become another room that holds your things without ever being used. The restaurant business has skyrocketed simply because people are spending less time in their kitchens and more time in the hands of other people to cook for them. If you are a frequent diner, or simply want to save money on your once in a while excursions, here are some tips to help you save money.
1. It’s all about H2O. The average nonalcoholic refillable beverage will cost you between 2 and 4 dollars. If you are imbibing from the bar, double it. Most drinks, whose prices are not published, run between 4 and 10 dollars. And those are not bottomless drinks. When you go to a restaurant, order water. Your server might think you are a cheap table, but you can always say you are watching your weight or “parched.”
2. Save up birthday presents. When my family asks me what I would like for my birthday and Christmas I always share that I want gift cards to my favorite restaurants. Then, instead of using them as I get them, I hold onto them for special occasions. When I was in college, I received a gift certificate to the nicest restaurant in town. Instead of using it the next weekend, I saved it for an anniversary dinner with my boyfriend (now husband). The same thing goes now, six months later; I still have gift cards from Christmas that I will use for my husband’s birthday or a girl’s night out.
3. Promotion, Promotion, Promotion: I am a big fan of restaurant week in my hometown. During this time, high end restaurants will serve you for a flat rate. It helps them promote their wonderful restaurant and helps the average diner eat from a more pristine table cloth for an evening. What would normally cost at least $100 for a meal for a table of two will typically cost $20 during restaurant week.
4. Don’t do the cooking, but do carry it out: Carry out has become the new phenomenon of many restaurants, and not simply chains. I frequent a local Chinese restaurant, which we’ll call “George.” When we dine in, we order drinks, and leave at least a 20% tip. By carrying out, we drink what we have at home, or bring a bottle of water with us, and eliminate the tip. We still get an excellent meal at “George” and it comes with a great savings.
5. Share. With the exception of when I was pregnant, I have never walked out of a restaurant without a doggie bag. My husband and I often order the same thing when we eat out. In addition, we rarely order from the kids menu for our daughter, who is less than 2 years old. If you are dining in, you may incur a slight charge for sharing; however, most restaurants, who appreciate that you came in at all and will not have a problem dishing one portion onto two plates. If you both order a salad or side, it might make your server a little happier to serve.
I hope these tips will help you enjoy eating out without worrying about the bill. Happy dining!
What are some tips you use to enjoy eating out without spending a lot of money?
Kind of confused about the suggestion regarding your young’n. Usually kids meals are pretty cheap, but you order her a full size meal?
I find most restaurant food to be over-priced as it is, so paying more so I have leftovers is backwards logic, to me. I’d rather pay less for the smallest portion needed. If I want more pasta at home, I’ll simply make it for a total cost of a buck.
@MLR Most restaurants are over priced, but hard to determine what is the smaller portion just based on price. Sometimes something expensive could have small portions. Especially with pasta dishes, keeping the leftovers is a good way to have lunch or dinner the next day. Sure the pasta itself may not be expensive, but still depending on how you prepare it plus the effort involved still comes out to be more time and money than a leftover if you already happen to be out. But I get your point, makes perfect sense and agree with it in some ways.
We’ve been trying to make it a policy to eat only in restaurants where we have a coupon. You can usually find coupons in the Savvy Shopper or in junk mail (I’m mystified as to why people are so militant against junkmail when there are occasional deals in there!). 50% makes a real difference, especially in a family of four.
Another thing we do from time to time is to make dinner at home, but go out for dessert later. It usually costs less than half as much as a full dinner at the same restaurant.
Kevin@OutOfYourRut´s last blog ..Day Trading: Investment Program or Career?
Take out and water instead of other beverages does save money. Restaurants are learning that specials and strategic discounting can be useful tools in building traffic and guest loyalty.
RestaurantZoom´s last blog ..Cardamuro’s Italian Cafe
That is one good thing about the credit crunch.. so many more restaurants are giving money-off vouchers in order to get you through their doors – and long may it continue
I don’t think she is saying order her a full size meal, she is saying don’t order the kiddos a meal at all. Just let them eat off of your plate since they aren’t going to eat that much anyway. When we go out to eat our kiddo is stuffed by the time the meal gets there with chips, salsa, bread, and anything else he can get his little fingers on.
Kyle´s last blog ..You are Nothing Without a Good Defense
@Oneadvice Agree, more restaurants are giving out deals trying to get people in, can help the consumer save.
@Kyle That is a better way to look at it and does make a lot of sense, especially for real young kids who barely eat.
@RestaurantZoom Restaurants are thinking differently to attract and retain their customers. Loyalty and reputation is big business for restaurants and they are trying new ways to gain that from their customers. Nice points!
@Kevin I agree, there are a lot of coupons that really do help whether online or in your local circular or in the entertainment book. Why not save a little if you can. That’s a good idea, eat at home and then go out for dessert. Different activities but can save more and going out for dessert is a lot of fun. Thanks for the tip, useful for everyone.