Dining at home is always the cheapest way to feed your family. But it is fun to hit up a restaurant every now and then to switch things up. There’s something to be said about paying a little more every now and then to have someone else cook for you and do the dishes. I always try to use gift certificates I’ve been given through the years or coupons, but if you have neither or if you want to increase your savings, go out for lunch instead of dinner.
Lunch menus are always cheaper in price, but the plate sizes still seem to fill me up. Many restaurants offer lunch only specials or specialty menu items only available during the lunch hour. Another secret I’ve learned through the years, is that many restaurants will still allow you to order off of their lunch menu even during dinner time if you just ask.
The lunch portions are smaller, so you are essentially just ordering a smaller portion. Not all restaurants allow this, but so many do, and people just don’t know to take advantage of it. It certainly doesn’t hurt to ask, and it could end up saving you a good bit.
Do you take advantage of lunch menus? Where is your favorite restaurant to grab a quick lunch?
~Mavis
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Aunt Kathy says
At our local Pizza Hut, the lunch buffet is $4.99. It includes a salad bar and all you can eat pizza, pasta and cinna-sticks for dessert. It is a great bargain if I’m in the mood for pizza. Much, much cheaper than ordering even a medium pizza.
Susan says
Hubby has Fridays off, so if we go out to eat, it’s for lunch on Friday.
There’s a place called Makoto – it’s a Japanese buffet that we frequent. Lunch is $9.70 – M-F
Dinner is $15.99 M-F and on the weekends it’s close to $20 each!
The only time we go out for diner is on our Anniversary (LOVE Cattle Co.) or if we have our kids/grandkids visiting.
Marcia says
I only eat out occasionally because it’s expensive and not good for my waistline. So mostly it’s only for special occasions – date night or date lunch (when we want to use our B1G1F discount card), or when we are meeting friends. Our preference is to meet friends at home where we can cook or do potluck, but sometimes in a large group it’s the best you can do.
I don’t fee bad about eating what I want when it’s only once in awhile.
Other ways I decrease costs-
The coupon book. Seriously if the kids want a “treat” by eating out, I might as well get the pizza from the place that’s in there with 50% off.
Eat first. My mom’s group met for drinks the other night. We met at 8:00 pm, so I’d already eaten dinner. I had to drive, so I budgeted for a $7 glass of wine and not a $13 cocktail (that’s like 2 to 3 drinks and also would be too much for me to drive). A few of us split an appetizer and dessert.
Also we meet friends at a local casual place and my son likes to get nachos – a huge plate. So rather than order a meal for myself, I may just get a small sandwich and finish off his nachos and the toddler’s chicken.
I also use packaged foods – when it’s Friday night and you are out of leftovers, a frozen pizza is great. Or, I go to the grocery store and look at the “discount” section of stuff that expires that day. I got 2 lb of strawberries for $1.80 (froze them) and 1 lb of taco flavored turkey meat for $1.80 or a tray of enchiladas for $3. These things are heat and eat and involve little to no cooking and cleanup.
Mavis says
Great tips! And the discount section is the bomb!!
Carol says
Eat dinner during Happy Hour! Many restaurants offer a Happy Hour menu and you don’t have to sit in the bar to order from it. And they’re not all just appetizers. Our favorite local place (Mama Stortini’s for those in the Puget Sound area) offers a wonderful HH menu… salmon, salads, lobster mac & cheese, hamburger & fries. The portions are often a bit smaller which we like because we’re trying to watch our portion sizes. And we occasionally get one dessert and split it… for a treat.
Tracy L. says
Mama Stortinis is our go-to place also. Their happy hour menu has a very large variety. Everyone we bring loves it. All day Sunday is happy hour, so you don’t have to worry about getting there before a certain time. We also like the portion sizes. We (family of 4), will often order a few different items and share them between us.
Karen Horne says
On the east coast we have Cracker Barrel restaurants and you can order from the children’s menu no matter how old you are. My husband I order the hamburger on whole wheat sourdough bread with lettuce,tomato and pickles. It comes with one side and a drink for around $4. They also have veggie plates and several other selections all for around $5 or less
Mavis says
That’s a genius idea! Never thought to do that!
Lori Bates says
I had bariatric surgery so I always order either the lunch menu or the kids menu. I have never had a manager refuse to serve me a kid’s meal when I explain why. And my favorite lunch spot is TGI Fridays, because the lunch salads are the perfect size!
Serina C says
We use Groupon all the time! Especially when on trips. You can look up local restaurants and try new things! I always cross-check with Yelp.com to see whether it’s worth going to or not. I like that Groupon is easy to use and restaurants are quite use to them and accept them easily. It’s a good idea to tell the server first that way they can warn you of any restrictions.
Mavis says
Groupon is awesome!