Dining Out and Restaurant - Saving Money Tips

[lrjohnson]

Re: Dining Out and Restaurant - Saving Money Tips

Combine charity giving and dining-I give to my local public radio station, and as a member I got a card that gives me discounts at many good local restaurants. Public TV (PBS) members get the same card. Cards are available in many areas. Things I really like about the card (mostly along the lines of get one entree, get one free, etc.) include that I can use it as often as I want, and it's for a lot of small, local, non-franchise restaurants, which are my favorite. I would give to NPR anyway, but I know for some people the card can create enough savings in dining to cover the radio/tv membership plus lots to spare. Win win.

[andimorony]

Re: Dining Out and Restaurant - Saving Money Tips

I spent almost 15 years working in restaurants. Here is what I know:

-if restaurant is dark on Sunday and Mondays, go Tuesday...they'll be slowest then slow= better specials

- Kids eat free or 1/2 price is usually Monday or Tuesday or OCCASIONALLY wednesdays.


-Thursdays are the BUSIEST weeknight.

-Do what we used to do in college...go to happy hour and eat there. We would buy one or two drinks and scarf up the free app's.

-This brings me to cost centers....the GREATEST amount of revenue is from draft beer...then...alcoholic drinks, then bottled beer and wine.

-Here in MD they MUST sell a set % of food to alcohol, so the deals abound.

-Restaurants make very little on food..hence the HH buffet.

-The earlier you go, generally the more generous the portions. The closer to closing time, the worse the quality of the food (speaking here of restarurants that ARE NOT the linen/high class est'bments) because the workers are trying to get out asap.

-Oh and one last tip but not about money...my dh a( a former cook/sous chef type in the restaurant bz) and I start our forays to new restaurants (to us) by going to the restroom. If it is a mess and dirty, you can usually expect the kitchen to be too. Don't bother staying....have an ice tea and then get OUT. Its a good way to get sick. And then you lose money.

HTH y'all

a

This is for anyone with kids:

Check for restaurants that offer KIDS EAT FREE on certain days. I know at Denny's kids eat free on Tuesdays (1 free with each paying adult). I have 3 kids so it saves a lot. Plus, eating out on a weekday night without the crowds is an extra treat because I don't have to cook that night.

[Ima saver]

Re: Dining Out and Restaurant - Saving Money Tips

We eat out almost every night. I have not had anything other than water in a restaurant for years. It helps my diet. we live in a dry country and can brown bag our own drinks, so that it what we do. Our restaurant does not charge us for glasses or ice or anything. we go so much , they call us their stockholders. They are always giving us free loaves of bread and /or jelly to take home., sometimes they just pay for our meal. The waitresses even bought us christmas presents, cause we are good tippers!

[Ima saver]

Re: Dining Out and Restaurant - Saving Money Tips

I always bring home part of my meal. Then I eat it for lunch the next day or worst case, give to my dogs to finish for me.

[acezz4e_tish]

Re: Dining Out and Restaurant - Saving Money Tips

i like grecian steak house here. they have a buffet, food, soup, and a full desert bar. they have daily specials witch includes the bars. for like 11 dollars, you can order a full steak dinner, eat the bar, fill up on the bar and take your whole dinner home in a box! ok and this may sound gross, but i tried it and it s good, to change your water up a bit, my kids do it all the time!, put a creamer in it, the liquid ones they have on the table.

[Scamper]

Re: Dining Out and Restaurant - Saving Money Tips

When my hubby and I don't feel like eating a big meal. We just order one and split it. Ask for an extra plate. Then order two glasses of water with a lemon. The sugar is on the table. Works for us.

[acezz4e_tish]

Re: Dining Out and Restaurant - Saving Money Tips

Problem with that is, almost all places here, charge u for that too. Unless you get it to go. We just went to a chinese buffet tonight, 33 dollars, for five people.buffet, has all kinds of meals, fruit, soups, breads and deserts. drinks are including in a flat fee.

[Scamper]

Re: Dining Out and Restaurant - Saving Money Tips

We have no problem. They know us regulars. We order surf and turf. Hubby eats turf, and I eat surf.

[Mike_Joiner]

I picked up a couple of tips from Money saving advice and tips on dining out. One was to try and get your company to pay by taking clients out. If you can't do this then take colleagues out for "team bonding".

Then when you do go out with them make sure it's a big lunch and the later in the day the better. This means that you then don't need a big evening meal. You therefore save on two meals!

[citypowerhouse]

Save on dining on Mon & Tuesdays, especially in winter

I've had luck saving money on dining in fancy restaurants on Monday or Tuesday nights, especially in the winter months of January & February.