Saving money while eating out

[sweeps]

Does anyone have ideas on saving money when eating out? I use the Entertainment book and other coupons whenever I can. I usually order water to drink and no appetizers which saves money. Other thoughts?

[34saving]

Get a big meal and share it -- don't know if I'd want to do that with anybody but my hubby though If you like one place a lot get some gift certificates "on sale". (Lots of restaurants have them "on sale" during Christmas. You can also get them "on sale" on the internet (search these forums, I don't remember the sites) and eBay.)

[jodi]

I have ordered some gift certificates off of Restaurant.com. I got a half-off lunch coupon for about a buck, and it's good for half off your total bill, up to 6 people. I have used a few and saved at least $5 each time. The problem is that there are not many restaurants near me that participate, and you have to read the fine print very carefully for restrictions.
I also always order water out - started for monetary reasons, but I have actually found that I enjoy my food more. If you are going to a fast-food place, order off the dollar menu. You can usually get a sandwich and fries for $2 instead of spening $3 or $4 on a meal. A lot of restaurants have great dollar menus with chili, baked potatoes, chicken fingers, etc.
One more idea - if there are no restrictions, order the kids meal. it's a ton cheaper, and who needs all that bad-for-you food anyway. KFC has an age restriction on theirs if you go in the store, but if you go through the drive-thru you can get it (same with Arby's, I think). If you are trying to watch the fat intake, it's a good way to go both because it's less calories and they often include some better-for-you choices (applesauce, apple dippers, etc.). A lot of restaurants will not let you do this, however.
Of course, you could always eat out less...but what fun is that?

[sweeps]

Are you serious that KFC has an age restriction on its kids meal?

[jodi]

I *think* it was KFC that told me once in the store that I could not order the kids meal...I know for sure that Arby's has told me that. Maybe each individual store has a different policy, but I know some post right under the kids meal "12 and under please" or something similar. McDonald's, on the other hand, has NEVER given me a problem about ordering the kids meal.
Wow, I sound like I eat out all the time! I used to, but rarely do anymore.

[alliance]

My husband and I split the main meat all the time. We can eat at some really nice places by doing this which is fun. Of course, it helps when you both like the same thing or are willing to eat the same thing! But anyway, what we do is order a side salad and a side veggie if the meal comes with only one side; if it comes with 2 sides, then just a salad and we skip the dessert and order water which saves a ton. We have found a way to inexpensively bring our "drink" with us. We go to the health food store or if you have a Walmart, they carry them and get a box of Emergen-C (tangerine is my favorite and my husbands is Cranberry/Tangerine mixed) and I carry the packets in my purse and we put them in our water and voila' we have a great healthy drink. That is my suggestion.

I am looking forward to seeing what everyone suggests.

[Snoopy2645]

When I buy pizza I go to this place down the street its $5 for a large everyday of the week. If I want chineese I usually go this grocery store down the street that serves it I buy a meal & the kids that work nights usually give me a whole bunch of extra at no charge only the night kids though & then I can split that between me & my 2 youngest & dh my oldest hates it anyways thats only about $5. If I do have to go somewhere expensive I take coupons or get it as a mystery shop.

[lisajane]

Well I usually have in mind the place that has the bang for it's buck. Mostly places like Pizza Pizza or Subway.

But I do order Kid's Meals in order to save money as well.

Sometimes if you just ask for a smaller portion, they may only charge a smaller price. Doesn't hurt to ask.

Secondly, never be afraid to complain or compliment how the service was. Sometimes that will score you a free GC or meal/product etc... But you always have to speak to the manager.

Heck, if you notice any strangers, find out what they want to eat, maybe they only want half a pizza or you have a coupon for 2 can dine. You could work out a deal, but maybe that isn't for the squeamish. But I've done that on occasion.

[Tree0164]

I secon Resturant.com discount gift cert . I got one from a friend and used it at a local resturant. She paid $10 for a $25 gift certificate. It was legit-we couldn't use it on drinks but it covered our meals fine.

Need more local resturants to do it!!

[34saving]

Oh, ask if they'll give you "lunch portions" or a lunch menu. This works really well on Sunday afternoon when lots of restaurants give you the dinner menu even though it's lunch time!

[Bruce Wayne]

Don't tip.

[lisajane]

Does restaurant.com offer gc for Canada too?

It sounds awesome for me if I could. I'm gonna look into that. But saving eating out is always a littel harder then other things.

[sweeps]

I just made my first restaurant.com purchase. Plus used a coupon to get 60% off. Woohoo.

One thing I've noticed though is the restrictions on many of the GC's are strict. A lot of them do not work for Fridays and Saturdays, and some have very high minimum purchases (e.g. $25 off a $75 purchase).

[lisajane]

I'm annoyed though. They don't offer it in canada, so no good for me.

Lisa

[TBH]

Originally Posted by Bruce Wayne

Don't tip.

I guess you've never worked in food service. The hourly wages are abysmal because customers are expected to tip. I've even heard of cases where hourly wages were below minimum wage, and employers were supposed to pay them more if the tips didn't bring them above minimum wage.

[lisajane]

Yeah, you have to tip.

But remember to tip good waitresses/waiters, you don't want to tip good to a bad waiter/waitress, cause they will be around for a while.

My boyfriend and I used to tip really well for this one lady at Swiss Chalet, before we went vegetarian and she literally became our friend. She liked us

[Bruce Wayne]

Originally Posted by claire

I guess you've never worked in food service. The hourly wages are abysmal because customers are expected to tip. I've even heard of cases where hourly wages were below minimum wage, and employers were supposed to pay them more if the tips didn't bring them above minimum wage.

No, I've never worked in the food industry but I've eaten in plenty and paid the enormous prices I'm charged. I pay for my food. It's up to the restaurant to then pay its staff a good wage. If I've received exceptional service then a tip might be given but I resent being obligated to pay one when I already pay an awful lot for my meal in the first place. It isn't my problem to ensure the restaurant pays its staff a fair wage and if the waiting staff don't like it they should get another job.

[lisajane]

Well the truth is that regulations in the industry cause that, at least in canada.

The minimum wage for a tipped job (i.e. Bartender, Waiter,) is 6.00 and hour.

While minimum wage for everyone over 16 is 7.10 an hour.

[Bruce Wayne]

In Britain the minimum wage is the same for all industries.

[lmlhlinc]

If you are dining out ina country where waitstaff is paid at least minimum wage, I agree that tipping is optional and necessary only for outstanding service. That is NOT the case in theUS, where even minimum wage is not enough to rise above the poverty level, and most restaurants pay far less than minimum wage. I am extremely frugal -- but if I do not plan to tip at least 10-15%, I simply don't dine in an establishment where tipping is standard. I will go to a self-service place instead. And yes, I have worked in the food industry and tried to support a family on the lousy wages.