The Street offers 10 tips for saving money when eating out. Their list:
Have a snack: If you are going to go out to eat, learn to have a light, healthy snack before you go.
Appetizer dining: One way to save money at a restaurant is to cut out the appetizers, but another way is to focus on them instead of a full meal.
Coffee and dessert at home: Coffee and dessert are some of the most expensively marked-up items on restaurant menus. One easy way to save money when dining out is to simply save the coffee and dessert for when you get home.
Pass on alcohol: Like dessert, alcohol is expensive when dining out. Instead, choose a nonalcoholic drink such as iced tea, which many restaurants provide with unlimited refills. If you really want to go frugal, you can skip the drink altogether and ask for a glass of water.
Split meals: If you follow the advice and have a small snack before going out to eat, you may be in a position to split a meal with the person you're dining with instead of each getting a full meal.
Take leftovers home: If splitting a meal in a restaurant makes you feel uncomfortable, getting a full-sized meal with the intent of taking home a portion can also save money. This will mean that you will have a meal to take to work the next day so that you don't need to make or buy one.
Take advantage of discount programs.
Avoid major holidays: This can actually cost you more. Holidays and special events like Mother's Day and Valentine's Day are the busiest times for restaurants, which means that restaurants will often have special, limited menus that cost more than their usual fare.
Change times: Most people think about dining out as an evening event, but if you can change yours to morning or lunch, you can dine for a lot less.
Give feedback: While you won't always receive something for your effort, you'd be surprised at how many times a thank-you response will arrive with discount coupons enclosed.
Here's my take on each of these:
1. Doesn't having a snack before you go out kind of negate the purpose of going out? Why not just eat in?
2. This has worked for me -- especially those sample appetizer dishes that include a bit of everything. On the negative side, they aren't that much cheaper than a normal dinner and they are usually really, really bad for you.
3. We don't drink coffee, but certainly the dessert comment rings true for us. Why pay $5 for each dessert when we can get a half gallon of ice cream for less than that?
4. We drink water all the time. It's better for you and doesn't add another $1 a person (at least) cost to the tab.
5. I can usually eat my meal and be ready for more. On the other hand...
6. ...my wife hardly ever eats all her meal. We always take it home and she'll eat it the next day.
7. My wife can find a coupon for almost everything. We also belong to the birthday club at Bob Evans, though I think that we end up going there more just to get our "free" kids meal (that's the point, isn't it?) ;-)
8. We hardly ever eat out on a "special day" because it's just too crowded. We usually prefer a day or two before the actual "holiday."
9. I love going out for breakfast!
10. Especially if you've had a bad meal, let them know. Most places will take it right off the check immediately.
I would guess they suggest having a snack so you won't be as hungry and won't have to buy as much food. But since restaurants choose your portion sizes for you, it seems like a dumb suggestion unless you pay per bite. And in the case where you do choose your portion size (buffets), the idea is to eat as much as you can to get your money's worth, right?
The biggest cost saver, in my book, is drinking water.
Posted by: David | June 19, 2008 at 05:22 PM
Use Coupons.
Posted by: Robyn | June 19, 2008 at 07:03 PM
Why doesn't skipping the dessert and buying a half gallon tub of ice-cream negate the purpose of dining out?
Posted by: | June 19, 2008 at 07:49 PM
although I don't typically follow the rule, I can totally understand the snack thing. FMF, you said it yourself: when you're finished your meal, you're ready for more -- that could easily translate into "let's just get dessert" or "could I get a side of fries?" Whereas if you'd grabbed a banana before you ate, it might have saved you a $6 slice of cake later in the evening.
Posted by: Jess | June 19, 2008 at 07:51 PM
I suggest splitting a meal with your spouse. Portions are large and will feed two easily. Then you can split dessert too! Both must agree to the same meal however.
Posted by: "Mo" Money | June 19, 2008 at 10:19 PM
Anon --
To me, I'd consider going out to eat to just be the main meal -- appetizers and dessert aren't really part of "eating out" for us.
Jess --
I hate bananas. ;-)
Posted by: FMF | June 20, 2008 at 08:02 AM
Also, another note on avoiding holidays is that Entertainment book coupons are not valid on holidays. If you have an Entertainment book, read the fine print.
Posted by: Ryan S | June 20, 2008 at 08:05 AM
We usually only go to "fast casual" restaurants for our dining out experiences - places like Panera Bread, Qdoba, Chipotle that are a step above a McDonald's but aren't a full sit-down type place where you have to tip. Our usual bill is around $15-18 instead of $30 and upwards at a regular restaurant.
Posted by: Kevin | June 20, 2008 at 09:47 AM