When going out to eat, does price make a difference?

[Ima saver]

Do you pay attention to the prices on the menu?

[Ima saver]

I will be trueful, I usually get just a hamburger. Fortunately, it is one of my favorite foods. [Automated by GetSmile]

[rob62521]

Yes and no! We don't eat out as much as we used to and I try to use coupons when we go one place because they often have them. So, when we eat there, I often pick something that goes with a coupon. On the other hand, our favorite place is an Italian steak and pasta place and it's nice, but not so totally upscale that it's difficult to afford. We often get something good that's kind of expensive, but we know it's wonderful and it's worth the price. After being in the Disneyworld campus last February, very few restaurants are as expensive as the food down there and we appreciate what we have!

[Ima saver]

I know what you mean. We eat out a lot. When we go to Gatlinburg, it is easy to spend close to $100 when you get mixed drinks, steak and leave a 20% tip. Here at home, we can often eat out for $20!

[DivaJen]

I don't usually pay too much attention. Because I order meatless things, they tend to be less expensive anyway.

[Ima saver]

My husband get the chicken finger salad and it is only about $7. He orders that a lot.

[LuxLiving]

Haha - The Hubster can not enjoy his meal if he pays too much - too much being so subjective but in his opinion anything over 5.00 is too much!

I on the other hand get what I want. We eat out so rarely any more that it means that I've budgeted and saved to do it and I'm going to enjoy every bit of it! I spend the time before the waitress comes back to take our order cajoling him into splurging on something! However, I don't do desserts and drinks very often. I like water and usually get that, but if I want pop I'll get it IF the $'s are there.

[Ima saver]

We eat out a lot, but usually under $20. We brown bag it, so we don't pay for drinks.

[Bookie]

Originally Posted by Ima saver

I know what you mean. We eat out a lot. When we go to Gatlinburg, it is easy to spend close to $100 when you get mixed drinks, steak and leave a 20% tip. Here at home, we can often eat out for $20!

You eat in Gatlinburg? And you call yourself frugal.

I've not eaten up there in the past 20 years, but that's because the parking is impossible.

To answer the original question, I'm certainly conscious of prices when I order in a restaurant. That's not to say I won't spend the money to dine well, but I don't intend to be surprised when the check comes. Plus, I want to save room for dessert. Desserts are one of my indulgences. Give me something with double fudge cake, ice cream, hot chocolate syrup, nuts, whipped cream, topped with a cherry, and I'll happily pay the freight.

[Great to be Debt Free]

I love sushi and I have just found out that there is a new, less expensive but very clean place in town and I am SO EXCITED! The only place in town now only serves sushi after 4 and I prefer to go out to lunch -- and I go out as frequently as 2x month!

Now when DH and I go to restaurants, we try to order one entree to share (non-sushi times-- he's not big on raw fishy). It cuts down on the price, and on the portions. We're both on Weight Watchers and so when we go out we eat what we want, but only 1/2.

Were recently in Stowe, VT where there is GREAT food (a culinary institute nearby I think), but a bit pricey and really rich sauces. But it's not too bad when you pass on the wine and split it. We do tip extra well (I was a server for YEARS!).

And especially when on the road, leftovers dont work too well!

[Great to be Debt Free]

Prices, they matter, but not that much b/c we dine out so infrequently and choose the restaurant based on the budget we have.

[kealina]

short answer... yes
long answer... we order water... we use coupons/specials if possible... we also try not to order too much food... if we are with family we will generally all split 1-2 appetizers and then DH and I will share an entree... if alone we might order an appetizer or an entree (or maybe both if hungry) to share... it also depends on where we are eating...
if we are eating at a diner/family restaurant where we are familiar with the food we will generally eat something we like in the cheaper range... stuff like ruebens or french dip sandwiches... yum...
if we are eating somewhere different or new, we don't buy the most expensive items but we also try to balance experience with cost... we try to order things we wouldn't normally have at home or that we've never had before so we can try new foods and enjoy the experience... it might cost more than the cheapest menu items but since we don't eat out often we consider it a waste of money if we don't enjoy ourselves...

[Ima saver]

Yes, we eat out in gatlinburg but only when we are staying there, so we walk to every meal. My husband loves going to the old car show in September. The Pancake Pantry is our favorite place to eat for breakfast and lunch. All I get is a waffle but that is about $7. The food is worth waiting in line for.
Dinner is what is expensive for us, I am going to try something cheaper this trip.

[meaghanchan]

Price does make a difference to me, but dining is an area I'd rather spend a little more. When I started tracking my spending, I noticed how my spending on convenience food (mainly lunch and lattes at work) was so out of line with the enjoyment I got out of it. Is it worth paying that much for McDonalds and deli sandwiches? I'd rather spend my dining dollars on a nice dinner out a couple times a month with the boyfriend. And yes, I pay half the time (as long as I'm employed!).

I don't think it's outrageous to pay $100, or even more, on a single meal, as long as it's in line with the enjoyment you get from it. A great dinner to remember is worth way more than 20 forgettable work lunches eaten over your keyboard.

[Kris10Leigh]

Applebarn, Baby! It's in Pigeon Forge, but close enough. I LOVE that place! DH and I stopped there just for dinner on our way home from FL one year! Delicious and reasonably priced, I'd say.

Price does matter to me, but not to DH. I was raised to pick from the cheapest items on the menu....I think DH was raised to pick from the most expensive. LOL! I often eat chicken something or other.

Now when I go to the ocean, DH and I switch. He then goes for cheap and I have no problem with $30 for Alaskan King Crab.

[kealina]

Originally Posted by meaghanchan

I don't think it's outrageous to pay $100, or even more, on a single meal, as long as it's in line with the enjoyment you get from it. A great dinner to remember is worth way more than 20 forgettable work lunches eaten over your keyboard.

that's exactly what i was telling DH regarding MIL the other day... she really, really enjoys eating at fancy restaurants but rarely indulges... when we went to a nice place for mother's day (our treat because we had a gift cert.) it didn't even cost $100 for the three of us and she's still talking about it... but i've seen her plunk down $20-30+ at a casual restaurant without even thinking about it (she eats out a couple times a week) but doesn't realize that if she just skipped it for a week she could easily go out to dinner somewhere that gives her much more enjoyment...

[tabbycat31]

yes I do, but taste first.

For drinks, I always have water. If I go to a bar, I usually get the $2 special beer. I'd love a LI Iced Tea, but I'll take the $2 beer instead.

However it drives me nuts when people go out as a group then divide the check evenly. I've had this happen to me when I order the special, drink water, yet I am subsidizing everyone's wine and lobster.

[getforfree]

Of course the price makes difference. We haven't gone out in about 6 months now. We usually go to a buffet, where we eat as much, as we can, so we can skip the next meal, or fast-food, if we absolutly have to have a snack.

I would rather spend 2 hours cooking and spend $5 on a meal for 5, than go out and spend at least $5 for each person. That's at least $20 overpaying! I would even volunteer to make a meal at someone's house, if they would pay me $20 cash, and I don't have to report it.

Ok, when I am too tired to cook, I will pull out my frozen raviolli, that I prepared weeks ago, it cooks really fast, and everyone loves it, and it doesn't cost much.

I did have some food outside last week. It was paid by my employer, because we had a meeting there. It was nice, just seat and eat there with other 20 people, listen, and get paid for your time. Too bad, it doesn't happen that often.

[Ima saver]

Tabby, I agree with you about the split the bill thing. We went out with about 5 other couples. I am like you, I drink water and only had a hamburger. They had appetizers and desserts, then said, lets split the bill. Ours would have been about $15, but we wound up paying about $35. Needless to say, I have not gone out with these people again.

[Broken Arrow]

Haha, I love sushi too... it's a terrible affliction.

But yes, the prices on the menu certainly does make a difference for me.