What are your frugal ways to eat out? (items, price, money)

[charmed hour]

Many fast food places like Long John Silvers, Popeyes and Burger King, have survey info on the back of the receipt. Fill it out and get a some free food. LJS for untamed has get free fries and 2 pieces of fish with the purchase of a drink. I get that, my fiancé something else and we have a cheap lunch and another opportunity for another free offer with the new receipt.

[ccm123]

We:

1/ Order take out
2/ Look for specials (2 for 1, etc)
3/ Avoid alcohol or soft drinks at restaurants (high cost which increases the bill and tip size)
4/ Look for great moderate priced restaurants

[in_newengland]

One time we took a road trip and ate entirely at junk food places. I had a few coupon books and we got free burgers, free donuts. It was just for a few days though, I would never eat at junk food places on a regular basis.

Another time we went camping and spend zero on food. Took it all with us and heated it up. Made muffins beforehand, things like that.

[Dayton Sux]

3/ Avoid alcohol or soft drinks at restaurants (high cost which increases the bill and tip size)

excellent point. I do this sort of as a diet thing, but yes...this is a very good budget tip.

[pvande55]

Wendy's dollar menu combined with the key tag that gets you a free frosty. So far as long as you make any purchase the frosty is free with tag.

[davebarnes]

Two 99¢ items.
Free Senior Drink cup.
Side of Jalapeños.
$2.50 inc tax.

[Mightyqueen801]

Originally Posted by Tober138

With no kids, we avoid those places at all costs




One of the things we really like about one of our favorite restaurants at home is that the markup on their wines is on a sliding scale - the more expensive the bottle is to begin with, the less the markup.

Really? That's good to know. Did you do the comparisons yourself or did someone at the restaurant tell you?

[Tober138]

Originally Posted by Mightyqueen801

Really? That's good to know. Did you do the comparisons yourself or did someone at the restaurant tell you?

They make a point of noting that on their website, but we have compared prices on their wine list to retail prices for some wines they carry that we like, especially pricier ones that tend to be something we may buy a couple of times per year for "special occasions", and have found that that is the case.

[augiedogie]

I avoid restaurants with servers. (NO Tip. cost) There's lots of choices like this in our area, yet its also not fast food. YOu walk in, order your food, pay and then sit down. You get up and get your own drinks, no waiting for waitress or waiter. Hope it becomes a trend. Pei Wei is a chain that does this and its very good food.

[jm1982]

I live in a large city (Los ANgeles) and there are usually lots of deals for places between Groupon,Living Social, Yelp, etc.
These are also usually independent places with good ratings versus chains. 50% off is a typical discount . $50 worth of food for $25.

Another thing is finding places that offer happy hour...but these deals don't seem as great as they once were when the economy was a lot worse.