| With hectic schedules filled with business meetings, | | | | fillers like pasta and fried items. Restaurants make |
| soccer and swim team practices and trips to the gym, | | | | huge profits on anything involving pasta and much less |
| eating out can seem like a time saving alternative to | | | | on fresh vegetables and meat items so get your |
| the hassles of grocery shopping, meal planning and | | | | money’s worth when at the all-you-can-eat! |
| cooking at home. However, the trend in these times of | | | | Sharing: It’s no secret that restaurant portions |
| economic uncertainty has been to cut back on eating | | | | are oversized and we’ve really no business |
| out due to the expense. The reality is that eating out | | | | cleaning off our plates while dining out. These |
| does not need to be the expensive occasion that it | | | | super-huge portions can easily serve two and many |
| often is. | | | | restaurants will let you share. Beware though, of the |
| Be aware of discounts, specials and coupons: Those | | | | restaurants that charge an additional fee for sharing or |
| weekly fliers that are delivered to your home mailbox | | | | cleverly disguise this fee as an ‘extra plate |
| can contain a wealth of dining out coupons for both | | | | fee’. Ask ahead of time and if sharing |
| fast food and casual style restaurants. And with | | | | isn’t conducive, then only eat half your meal and |
| restaurants facing economic uncertainty, they are | | | | take the rest home for lunch or dinner the next day. |
| doing all they can to attract customers with flashy | | | | Special occasion dining: Save the fancy restaurants for |
| coupons, half price specials, and kids-eat-free nights or | | | | special occasions! We all like to be pampered with a |
| menus. Pay attention to all these things and let your | | | | five star dining experience, but these establishments |
| homework, instead of your stomach, guide you to your | | | | are supremely costly. Save these outings for truly |
| next restaurant. | | | | special occasions, and leave the kids at home! |
| Drinks & Desserts: Restaurants push flashy wine | | | | Specials are not so special: Restaurants are all about |
| and drink menus for good reason. The profit markup | | | | up-selling. If you go in and just order a glass of water |
| on drinks, from soda to wine, is huge! Stick to water | | | | and a meal you’re getting, hands down, the best |
| with lime or lemon and your bill at the end of the night | | | | value for your dollar. Wait staff are primed to make |
| will be considerably less. If you must drink, look for | | | | the daily special sound fantastic and appetizing but the |
| happy hours where drink prices are reduced and even | | | | reality is that specials are the restaurant’s way |
| many of the meal or appetizer items are discounted | | | | of refurbishing and reselling something that needs to be |
| as well. Desserts are also incredibly marked up and in | | | | sold quickly. The ugly truth is that if the kitchen has a |
| fact most desserts come frozen courtesy of a large | | | | surplus of something from the day before, |
| food distribution company. A restaurant will add a | | | | they’re going to rework it into a fantastic |
| dollop of cream or a fancy sauce and charge you five | | | | sounding special in hopes of selling it the next day. And |
| or six times more than what it cost them, or more! | | | | don’t be fooled, the price won’t be all |
| Save dessert for when you get home and save a | | | | that special. |
| bundle. | | | | Eating out has become a permanent part of the North |
| Buffets: Buffets can offer a great value, if | | | | American culture, and while many people are choosing |
| you’ve got a large stomach. Don’t go if | | | | to eat out less due to less disposable income, it is true |
| all you’re hungry for is a salad, or if you had a | | | | that dining out can be a time saver as well as a |
| big lunch. Always survey the buffet before beginning | | | | pleasant social occasion. However, by following the |
| to eat and hit the high end items first like fish and | | | | tried and true tips listed here, your night out does not |
| shellfish, or meats and vegetables. Stay away from | | | | need to break the bank. |