If you haven’t already, you might want to give Restaurant.com a try. Over the weekend, our family went out to eat at a Mexican restaurant.  We had a $25 gift certificate from Restaurant.com.  I’m sure we got the certificate on sale, probably for $2-3.  With their $25 gift certificates, you have to spend $35.  Our family ordered two adult meals, two children’s meals, and two orders of sopapillas for dessert.  The total was right at $35.  The restaurant took off the $25 from the certificate and that left us owing $10 plus tip (on the pre-certificate amount).  Not bad for all the food we had.

Right now, Restaurant.com has their certificates on sale for $2.  Simply enter the discount code PRESENT at the checkout and hit “apply”.  This sale ends Monday, June 15, 2009.

image from restaurant.com

It’s time for another sale at Restaurant.com.  You can get $25 restaurant certificates for only $2.

Simply enter the discount code SPECIAL and hit “apply”. This sale ends Sunday, May 31, 2009.

Restaurant.com is having a President’s Day sale.  Save 70% and get $25 gift certificates for only $3.   Simply enter the discount code PREZ at the checkout and hit “apply”.  This offer ends Thursday, February 19.

image from restaurant.com

Restaurant.com is having another big sale on their restaurant gift certificates.  Right now you can get $25 gift certificates for only $3.  It’s a great time to try out something new.  Simply enter the code SAVE at the checkout and hit “apply”.  This offer ends Monday, October 13. 

So I ran across an article on AOL about how restaurants are cutting food costs this week.  Great minds think alike, because Karen noticed her grocery store doing the same thing.  So I did a little research and here is what I found.  There are lots of sneaky ways restaurants are cutting costs without passing on the savings to you.  I understand that food costs are going sky high and the bottom line is going with it.  But I want restaurants to just say, “we had to raise our prices because our costs went up.”  Just be honest.  So here is what I found:

1. Cutting back on portions - I think we eat too much anyway but if less food is going on the plate, the price should be less as well.
2. Redesigning the menu to make it harder to match price with food item.
3. Using a cheaper meat such as a cheaper cut of meat or swapping chicken for beef.
4. Using frozen for fresh vegetables or getting larger quantities which means the veggies you eat aren’t as fresh as they used to be.
5. Use the left overs for a soup or make croutons from old bread.  IMHO this should be done anyway as long as you aren’t eating the leftovers from someone else’s plate.  YUCK!  We throw too much food away anyway.
6. Not geting the same buzz?  Drinks are getting weaker to save on alcohol expenses.
7. Using cheaper brands instead of those high quality top shelf brands.
8. You might find your take out boxes aren’t as cute as they used to be.  That doesn’t bother me at all.
9. Recipes get fewer of the called for ingredients.  You might find only 3 oz of chicken in a soup instead of 5 oz for the same sized bowl.  Also, your fruits might have more of the parts you normally don’t see like the tops of the strawberry.
10. Prices are getting raised more often.  They are tricky about it though. They raise prices from $6.95 to $6.99.  This might not be a lot but it adds up.
11. They are using smaller plates to make it look like you are getting more food.
12. Happy hour is getting shorter and less is offered to eat during those times.
13. There is no more water being automatically to your table anymore to cut down on water consumption and dishwashing needs.
14. Offering a “Happy hour” with just one of two reduced priced items but promoting several at regular price to make you think you are getting a good deal.
15. Last but not least, Watch your check for added gratuity for smaller parties.  Usually the gratuity is added for parties of 8 or more but more and more they are adding gratuity for every person regardless of the number at the table.

Just be careful and be wise with the money you work so hard for.

Guest post by Heather Johnson. 

Who doesn’t love to go out to eat?  Everyone needs a break from slaving over the stove and then worrying about doing the dishes.  But it seems, just like anything else these days, going out to dinner costs too much.  But there are ways to make sure that you and your family get to a restaurant every now and then.  Follow these tips and you’ll start enjoying those nights out again:

1)  Join the club.  Find out if your town or region has a dining club you can join.  Many dining clubs are affiliated with restaurants and they’ll offer special deals on typically off-nights.  For example, a restaurant may offer a “two-for-one” deal on a Tuesday night.  It helps the restaurant by getting new people into their establishment and makes an off-night busier.  It also lets you try a new restaurant.

2)  Check the paper. Look inside your Sunday newspaper or the circulars that you get in the mail every week for coupons. Many national restaurants will offer discounts or a free meal if you purchase another at the same price or higher. These deals will allow you to save a nice chunk of change on a final bill.

3)  Drink water.  Avoid the pricey drinks that a restaurant may offer.  Certainly stay away from the alcoholic drinks, but even avoid sodas and juices, as this is an area where restaurants are looking to rake in serious money.  Order a water and get some lemon slices to spice it up.  You’ll never pay for water and they’ll refill your glass whenever you’re getting low.

4)  Order an appetizer as your meal.  Many times a restaurant’s appetizer is sufficient for a full meal.  They’re always cheaper than entrees.  Order a bowl of soup or a side salad in addition and you’ll save a great deal.

5)  Don’t order dessert.  As enticing as the desserts you’ve seen go to other tables around you, resist the temptation.  If you feel like a treat after your meal, stop off at an ice cream shop on the way home and get a cone or wait until you get home.

6)  Learn to share.  Many entrees are way too big to eat by one person.  If you’re afraid that it won’t be enough then order an appetizer and split that as well.  Maybe you could try an entree that you would never order by yourself!

Heather Johnson is a freelance writer as well as a feature article contributor for Reward Programs, a site which helps consumers pick the best rewards program to best meet their needs. Heather welcomes your comments and emails related to job inquiries at her email,
heatherjohnson2323@gmail.com.

While writing 10 Ways to Save Money When Eating Out, I addressed the fact that a large portion of your tab could be from beverages.  We polled the Thrifty Mommy readers and I am proud to say that you all are very thrifty.  Here’s the results of the poll:

What do you order to drink when eating out? 

167 total votes were received. 

36 (21.5%) people say that they always order water.

47 (28%) people say tha they order tea or soda.

11 (6.5%) people order alcohol.

73 (44%) people said that they usually order water, but sometimes they like a special treat.  I am also in this group.  I would say that less than 8% of the time I order a drink other than water. 

With our busy lives, it seems more and more of our money is going towards eating out.  In fact, I read recently that 40% of food money is spent on eating out.  Here are some tips to help lower the amount you spend.

 1.  Go out for lunch instead of dinner.  Lunch prices are usually much lower.

 2.  Check to see if your restaurant has promotional evenings.  Some restaurants have nights where kids eat free.  This alone can save you at least $10 if you have 2 children.

 3.  See if the restaurant offers frequent visitor cards.  This may sound cheesy, but some Mexican and Chinese restaurants offer punch cards for their frequent customers.  Each time you go in, you can get your card punched and earn free dinner.

 4.  Order water.  Sodas, tea, and alcohol can really spike your bill. 

 5.  Purchase an Entertainment or Attractions Book.  Each year, we buy at least one or two Attractions books.  Most of the coupons are for buy 1 meal get 1 free.  Not only does this save money, but this allows to you try new restaurants without feeling bad about the prices.

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As I mentioned before, we were at winter camp last weekend.  While we were eating out, I asked the waiter how much drinks were. I nearly croaked when he said $2.19.  $2.19??!!!???  I actually laughed out loud.  The waiter offered to give us free drinks since we had a large group eating (and tipping, lol).  Another place we ate at wanted $1.95 for drinks.

It seems as though there has been a steady and fast increase in the prices of drinks in the past few years.  I know it was just a few years ago that I was paying $1.00 for a glass of tea at the Mexican restaurant.  Now they’re charging $1.50 or more.

I usually get water anyway when eating out.  I just know that it’s better for me and it helps me to drink more water.  Sometimes it is nice for a treat, but gosh, I don’t know about paying $2. 

If you’re looking to save money when eating out, try ordering water.  For a family of 4 it could save you $8, which is the price of a meal. 

Do you order water when eating out?  Please vote in our poll to the right.

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