Eating out at restaurants is expensive, there’s no way around that. However, despite most conventional advice, it is possible for people to go easy on their budgets without having to give up eating out altogether.
Do Research Before Leaving the House
Planning ahead for dining out can help save a lot of money that last minute decisions might otherwise cost. When planning a meal out, diners should start with the internet. Restaurant.com offers deals and steeply discounted gift certificates that can be printed out at home and presented at the time of purchase. Prices on these are often up to 80% off, allowing diners to eat at their favorite restaurants for a fraction of the normal price. If a diner has a specific restaurant in mind, they should have a look at the venue's website. They may have a section for promotions or deals, or an option to join a newsletter that will send emails for specials and savings.
Restaurant websites may also provide other money saving information like beverages policies. Some venues allow customers to bring their own drinks, and for a small corkage fee bringing a bottle of wine or a few bottles of beer may end up costing far less than purchasing the same drinks from the restaurant. Some states and restaurants even allow customers to cork a bottle purchased there and bring home whatever hasn’t been finished, so they don’t have to waste the rest of a bottle if they decide not to finish it.
At the Restaurant, Use Financial Sense
A good rule of thumb to follow is not to dine out on a completely empty stomach. If a person's stomach is growling and they haven’t eaten all day, they’re more likely to order too much food. If they have a small snack an hour or so before dining out, they’ll be hungry enough to eat a meal by the time they’re out to eat, but won’t be so famished that they'll want to order everything that looks good on the menu.
For those who have eaten before they go out, they may also be able to get away with ordering an appetizer instead of a full meal. Often, appetizers are large enough to be equal to a full meal, but are about half the price of an entrée size. If they’re too hungry for this option, they should order the full entrée, but take advantage of requesting a take-away box if they end up with leftovers, and eat the rest for another meal the next day.
For those who love to try everything on the menu, it's best to suggest splitting a few appetizers among the dining party, or an appetizer and an entrée, so that everyone gets to taste the variety without ordering double the amount of food they actually need. They can also narrow down options by looking at the true value of the food. Don’t choose dishes that are priced too high for what they are. For instance, if deciding between a chicken dish and a steak dish, take a closer look at the price. If the chicken dish is only minimally less expensive than the steak, choose the steak. Chicken is an inexpensive option that can be bought and prepared at home for multiple days at the same price of a single restaurant entree, which more than makes up for the few dollars difference on the menu.
Customers can avoid being up sold by their server when they ask if a party would like to order drinks, bread or desserts. Unless the diners have come out specifically to have cocktails and snacks or to have dessert, they should only order tap water with their meals and forgo ordering dessert. Alcohol and specialty drinks usually make up a substantial proportion of a party’s bill, especially if more than one round is ordered. Dessert costs can be curbed by either opting not to have it altogether, or taking the party elsewhere for a cheaper selection.
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Maureen Rousseau - Maureen Rousseau is a New England native currently living in London, UK. She earned a BA in English from Providence College and has ...
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