Eating out has long been a pleasure for so many of us whether it’s the convenience of having a favorite quick eatery, a sit-down meal with family, or an eat-fast meal with friends. But seriously, eating out can get pricey fast, especially when funds are limited and dollars must stretch. The good news is that you don’t have to entirely give up eating out. Through spending a small amount of time thinking ahead, you can savor tasty meals and pleasant times without breaking the bank. This book is for the foodie and the occasional restaurant-goer who want to fit love of going out to eat with frugality.
Whether you’re eating with a family, snacking between household chores, or having a low-key dinner date, there are many ways to dine well on less. From chain restaurants with unbeatable deals to sneaky tricks like lunch specials and happy hour deals, the following are 12 tips on how to dine out for less without compromising flavor.
1. Applebee’s
Is also special with its happy hour deals, where some appetizers are half price from 3–6 PM and later after 9 PM at the majority of restaurants. Parents like the under-$6 kids’ meals and sides that usually ring in for $5 or less, which stays affordable even when eating out with children.
What sets Applebee’s apart is that they pay attention to how their menu is built. In for a snack or in for dinner, you can trust alike prices and generous helpings a relief in this day’s uncertain economy.
2. Buffalo Wild Wings: Score Big on Wing Nights
If wings are your weak spot, Buffalo Wild Wings brings them within more affordable reach. Tuesdays and Thursdays are the days to keep in mind. On Tuesday, regular wings are buy one and get one free, and on Thursday, boneless wings receive the same deal. That is two times the grub for less than twice the cost.
Pair this with their happy hour specials, running from 3–6 PM on weekdays, and you’ve got a full meal for the cost of just a few appetizers and drinks. For anyone who loves game nights, hanging out with friends, or just indulging in spicy, saucy wings, these deals are a must-know trick.
3. Burger King: The Home of Whopper-Sized Savings
Burger King has long been a quick-service institution, not only because of the Whopper but also for its value. Its Value Menu features sandwiches, fries, drinks, and even desserts for around $1 the perfect way to cobble together an adequate meal cheaply.
For added value, their $5 Snack Box is a steal, combining a cheeseburger, nuggets, fries, and drink. Families particularly like to use this feature when they want a quick, filling meal when there isn’t room for the table.
Yet another standout aspect is Burger King’s acceptance of EBT at some outlets, making hot meals available for those who are eligible. And their app consistently has coupons and special offers on board, allowing savvy diners to save even more.
4. Chili’s: Rewards and “3 for Me” for Maximum Value
Chili’s blends Southwestern flavors with creative savings. Their Rewards program is family-friendly, offering a free kids’ meal with the purchase of a regular entree a perk that parents love.
Even better is Chili’s “3 for Me” special: for $10.99, you receive an appetizer, entree, and drink. It’s one of the most comprehensive and inexpensive full-meal deals you’re going to get, and it takes the anxiety of not knowing how much you’re going to pay out of the picture.
By offering loyalty rewards in conjunction with well-structured promotions, Chili’s shows you don’t have to be destitute to eat a great sit-down meal.
5. Chipotle: Portion Power and Intelligent Customization
Chipotle has established a reputation for big portions and freshly prepared, customizable food. Food savvy consumers double the cost of a dollar by splitting one burrito or bowl into two meals, literally halving the cost per meal.
Vegetarians get a special bonus free guacamole on plant-based meals and meat-eaters can opt for double protein for a minor premium. For an additional 50 cents to include an extra tortilla, you can turn a full bowl of food into tacos, and add-ons such as chips and salsa are less than $3, leaving you with some options regarding how you can enhance the value of your meal.
It’s a great example of how forethought and personalization can turn eating at a fast-casual establishment into a healthy, affordable choice.
6. Domino’s: The Mix & Match Maestro of Pizza Deals
Domino’s makes pizza affordable and enjoyable with its Mix & Match deal. Select any two items medium two-topping pizzas, wings, pasta, or breadsticks for only $6.99 apiece.
This variety makes Domino’s perfect for households, roommates, or anyone with a taste for variety. Toss in their rotating offers such as the Wisconsin 6 Cheese Pizza, and there’s always something new to experience without breaking the bank. Joining their email list guarantees coupons and promotions in your mailbox, making pizza night both delicious and economical.
7. IHOP: Where Breakfast Favorites Meet Affordable Dinners
IHOP is not just pancakes. After 3 PM, they have all of the entree specials for as low as $6 and beyond, so it’s an excellent choice for early dinner. Their 55+ menu and children’s meals both under $10 share the bargains across all ages.
The steady affordability of IHOP’s menu has it that you would not have to wait for a special event to indulge in a satisfying meal. Whether you get a burger, an omelet, or a short stack of pancakes, the value is always incorporated.
8. McDonald’s: The Original Pioneer of Fast Food Value
McDonald’s is still where to go for affordable meals due to its $1–$3 Value Menu. From breakfast until lunch until dinner, everything on that menu is somewhere in that same range, so you can eat whenever you please.
Elaborate short cuts make the savings all the sweeter. Adding a hash brown on top of a breakfast sandwich or dividing a McDouble into two individual burgers with an additional bun are charming ways to maximize the buck. Children like the Happy Meal, too, which features food, fruit, and a drink for under $5.
With EBT accepted at some locations, McDonald’s solidifies its reputation as one of the most convenient fast food chains for value-conscious consumers.
9. Olive Garden: Endless Comfort and Inexpensive Italian Delights
Olive Garden is evidence that Italian comfort food can be satisfying and inexpensive. Their unlimited breadsticks and salad with any entrée are highlights, and the Never-Ending Pasta Bowl feeds hungry consumers without costing an arm and a leg.
$7.99 lunch specials are a coup, and their takeout value bundles like tossing in the old standby pasta for just $6 with an entree make the Olive Garden experience come to the house for pennies on the dollar.
10. Taco Bell: Flavorful Fast Food For Less Than Five Dollars
Taco Bell’s brand is built on low price points and bold flavors. The fact that most items on the menu cost less than $5 is a major draw for frugal foodies. The Classic Combo, in which a taco, burrito, side item, and beverage can be obtained for $5 or less, is just one example of the strength of value.
They offer unlimited customization in their Value Menu from $1 to $5, allowing customers to build meals they can budget to the size they want. Similar to McDonald’s and Burger King, Taco Bell offers EBT programs in some states, providing an additional level of availability to those present.
11. Unleashing Value with Savvy Lunch Offerings
One of the easier tricks to budget meals is finding lunch specials. Restaurants tend to introduce slashed combinations or reduced portions of their night courses through the day so that it becomes possible to indulge in a high-class meal at a slashed price.
From two-for-one deals to innovative lunch platters, the specials are intended to keep tables filled during off-peak times, without sacrificing quality food to consumers at the dinner price point. For consumers seeking dinner atmosphere at half the price, lunch specials are the holy grail.
12. Happy Hour Love: It’s Not Just a Drink Thing
Happy hour isn’t all about low-cost cocktails anymore. Many restaurants will discount appetizers, smaller plates, and even entrees in those time periods.
For anyone who wants to dine out more frequently without breaking the bank, happy hour is a hidden gem. Whether grabbing drinks after work with buddies or dinner on a midweek night, happy hour allows for ease of indulging in food and ambiance for substantially less. Scanning local listings or restaurant websites for such offers can unlock hidden bargains.
Eating out is not a costly extravagance anymore. With some planning, timing, and smart decisions, you can savor great food at popular restaurants without ever having to feel the pinch of the price. Whether eating out of a Chipotle bowl, enjoying Olive Garden’s breadstick bonanza, or eating happy hour, saving money is all around.
Good food and good times don’t have to be out of reach and with these tips, they won’t be.
