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Ex-Waitress Secrets to Eating Cheap. Full bellies, Fat Wallets. This is how you need to eat to get the best restaurant deals. The Rising DamselSpending your hard-earned money on dining out can be such a drain on your wallet. All the little extras you order in a restaurant blow up your bill, and good service is never guaranteed. I drool thinking about food, read menus for the sport of it and eat more than I should. I’ve had to figure out how to eat often, and for less money. Use my secrets to keep that cash in your pocket.

1. Go to Places With No Waiters

No waiters = no need to tip. Many new restaurants are focusing on a ‘fast casual’ model, and we benefit from it. Unlimited refills, extra sauces, as many napkins as you want, no one bothering you to order more, it’s a total family win.

If you don’t want to tip or you can’t, here are a few delicious options for you: Panera, PeiWei, Noodles & Company, Chipotle, Pizzeria Locale, Garbanzo’s, Jason’s Deli, and Qdoba. For 2 people you can eat some pretty unique cuisine, and it’s for a fraction of the cost of sitting down in a fancier restaurant. My fiancé and I challenge ourselves to spend less than $15. Getting your significant other onboard to save, definitely makes it easier and more fun.

Remember when you do go out to eat you do need to be tipping 20%, and that cost should to be pre-emptively considered. That tip is someone’s livelihood. A negative experience, the restaurant, atmosphere, and even the food quality should not be at the cost of your waiter’s tip. If they indeed treated you right and did everything in their power to make your experience enjoyable, don’t take it out on them if something goes wrong.

2. Use Your Club Card To Buy Gift Cards

When you buy restaurant gift cards at a club store like Costco, they still sell them in bulk. Many restaurants offer a free $25.00 gift card when you purchase their gift card packs. This is a great way to stock up on presents during the holidays, and you can pocket the extra gift cards to use throughout the year. The extra nice thing about gift card packs is that often there will be a grouping and 1 card might be valid at 4 different restaurants.

I was able to use ‘free gift’ cards for 2 month after Christmas due to this technique. It’s the gift that keeps giving and really eases the financial burden after the holidays.

Did you know that you can earn gift cards through Swagbucks? Browse their app, watch videos, take surveys, and play games to earn. There’s a $5.00 bonus through The Rising Damsel just for signing up. Visit their local eats page here to see current yummy options that are close to you.

3. Make It a Lifestyle

Food critics come in all shapes and sizes now and you can create your own food publication with a blog and a smart phone. In the restaurant business word of mouth is everything and bloggers are the voice no one ever expected. If you already have an active social media following, you can approach restaurants for discounts in exchange for promotion. There’s a good chance you could be approached too, especially if you are already sharing images for free.

My favorite pizza place actually invited me into their cooking class prior to opening it to the public. Small businesses are aware and they care, your social media can make a difference to their business.

Looking for a way to document your food adventures and take your financial future into your own hands? Starting a blog is the best way to grab that freedom. Run your own advertisements, sign up for affiliate networks and start pulling in money doing what you love. Use my helpful guide to get set up with WordPress and Bluehost: Start Your Own Blog with Bluehost.

4. Go Directly to the Source!How to Save When Your Family Eats Out. Get the best restaurant deals. Tips and Tricks. The Rising Damsel

If you are craving a particular restaurant, check the it’s website before you head out the door. Promotional items are often right on the front page, boosted with discount dollar signs and links to coupons.

Seasonal options will be highlighted, and you can guarantee freshness and quality for your family. Pull up a coupon right on your smartphone when you get there.

5. Take Advantage of Punch Cards

Never throw away your frequent buyer cards! Frozen yogurt shops, bagel places, cookie stores, they all want you to come back frequently! With a low cost product they need to ensure that they get return customers, and the easiest way to do that is to offer an incentive. It might be a small savings, or even a free coffee every 10th purchase… but it’s something.

Fun tip: Have your kiddos hold onto the punch cards. It’s a great opportunity to teach responsibility, but also for your kids to feel trusted with something that is ‘valuable’. They’ll think they are carrying credit cards.

6. What’s On The Calendar?

After a long work week, most people end up going out to dinner on Friday, Saturday or even Sunday. Monday is not a priority and it’s the slowest day of the week in restaurants which means it’s a bonus for us!

Restaurants offer special deals and discounts to get people in the door! Kids ‘eat free’ with the purchase of an adult meal is pretty typical, but discounts on adult menu items are available as well. I’ve seen more restaurants stepping it up and providing entertainment such as a goofy clown that walks around making animals out of balloons. Check around restaurant websites to see if they do any promotional days or events.

7. Eat at Happy Hour 1/2 Price

Cheap eats at half the price or even score a free appetizer? That happens a lot between the hours of 3pm-5pm. Restaurants want to capitalize on the fact that many people have long hard work days and they want to entice you with cheap drinks, which often come with free appetizers. Appetizers aren’t just cheese sticks and nachos anymore. Many restaurants offer crudités, veggies, dip and even hummus.

Small plates are sold at a discount. Be on the lookout for ‘early bird specials’, ‘small plate options’ or ‘meal combos’. You can pair a soup with a salad and create a meal.

This is also a great opportunity to try something new you wouldn’t normally have the guts for! A fig and goat cheese spread on a rosemary cracker seems less daunting at a fraction of the cost.

8. Always Look for Online Deals

Looking for upwards of 50% off? Check Groupon and Livingsocial, if you don’t mind paying upfront you can get some incredible deals. Ethnic restaurants ALWAYS promote on Groupon, that means you can experience something you have never tried before. When searching online deals you can explore the menu, and always check the reviews as people are very candid about food quality and experience.

*True story, I almost bought tickets to a ‘Cabaret & Filet Mignon’ night, upon reading reviews I found out it was a restaurant in a strip club, complete with pole dancing. For myself and my fiancé it would have been hilarious, but maybe your Grandma wouldn’t appreciate the views. It was advertised as a high-class steak restaurant with live entertainment. Avoid that by spending 5 minutes reading reviews.  :)*

Did you know that you can use Ibotta to earn meal rebates? It’s true! Ibotta not only offers discounts/ cashback on retail and grocery items but on restaurants too. Rock Bottom Brewery, Quizno’s, and Buffalo Wild Wings have been the most recent discounts available. Some rebates are upwards of 15% off… which is nothing to ignore. Sign up with my link above and as soon as you do $10.00 is credited to your account!

9. Don’t Order Soda

This is an easy one. For a family of 4 you could almost order an extra meal for the cost of everyone drinking a soda. Are you even guaranteed a refill?

Instead, order water with lemon and absorb a little extra vitamin C. We make our own lemonade whenever we can, and we never miss the bubbles. With the savings, you can take the kids out for an ice cream after dinner.

10. No Upsells and Choose to Veg Out

There are tons of options available on menus that don’t include meat. The cost is much more economical than a meaty entree, however why are they always trying to get you to add 4oz of chicken or steak for an extra $6.00? It’s called an up sell, and you should say no. 

Upsells come in many forms, adding onions and mushrooms to your steak or adding queso to your fajitas. Some restaurants even have contests rewarding the staff members that get the most upsells, but these little extras will cost you dearly and they add up so quickly.

11. Order a Kid’s Meal

Can you get away with ordering a kid’s meal? If you’re going to a fast-food drive-thru or ordering pickup you absolutely can! Restaurants are more cautious about offering kids a balanced meal than they offer adults sometimes. Portions nowadays are huge, kid meals pack more than enough food and calories for an average-sized adult.

Bonus!: There’s a chance that if you order to-go you get a larger portion. Cooks are more likely to ignore portion control in order to make the box look full. No restaurant wants a Yelp review complete with half a meal in a styrofoam box floating around online.

**If you go through a drive-thru you can order ala carte, just the burger and none of the meal. Throw a bag of frozen fries in the oven when you get home and they’ll be hot and fresh plus you’ll save money.

Ex-Waitress Secrets to Eating Cheap. Full bellies, Fat Wallets. This is how you need to eat to get the best restaurant deals. The Rising Damsel12. Coffee Instead of Alcohol/ Dessert

When you want to prolong the meal and you want to spend time with your loved one, ordering a drink is a typical move. But alcoholic beverages are expensive! The same goes for dessert, you’re already stuffed to the brim and your to-go box is sitting there in front of you… Why are you ordering dessert? It may feel obligatory, but speak up, there are options like having a coffee or grabbing a mint from your purse.

If dessert is ‘necessary’ see if your partner will share, there’s no reason to go solo on cost and or calories; I promise they will bring you 2 forks.

13. Make One of Your ‘Eat Out Nights’ a Shopping Night.

Not every meal has to be gourmet. Sometimes not cooking, and not dealing with cleanup is really nice.

We go to Costco once a week to get our supplies. We eat our dinner in their eatery. For a couple of dollars you can have a sandwich, drink and split a huge frozen yogurt. YUM! We feel like the savings we generate can go towards a tank of their gasoline. We get to fill up the car and we didn’t have to cook…win win.

Where is your favorite place to eat and save money? 

I would love some new suggestions. I hope that this list has inspired you to consider a few more options before you start doling out money. Remember food is for sustainment and health, your body only knows how good it is for you not how much it costs.

Sick of getting taken advantage of and ready to become savvier when it comes to your life and finances? You’ll love these!

When you Subscribe to The Rising Damsel, you will get access to The Rising Damsel’s Library and the exclusive Social Media Scorecard! It’s the only one of it’s kind to help you track all your social media in one place. Learn more about it in this post: Skyrocket Your Traffic Using The Ultimate Social Media Scorecard. Take all the mystery and struggle away when you share enough! 

Be sure and find The Rising Damsel on Pinterest! You can also subscribe for future free printables, and exclusive content using the ‘Subscribe’ button in the right column. Join my Facebook Group Connect and Share for Success. I’d love to help spread your content. If you are looking for a free Tailwind Tribe try The Rising Damsel’s brand new one: Promote Your Blog – A Rising Damsel Tribe. Much Love!! Together we will be great!

Questions and comments are always welcome. I really hope this post inspired you.

My Go-To Resources

AmazonFresh Food delivery, you can skip the physical shopping hassle, avoid the lines, and save money by not being tempted by impulse buying. Amazon Guarantees delivery within 2 hours. With Amazon’s recent acquisition of Whole Foods, I foresee even more healthy options and product availability. The monthly fee is now $14.99 for unlimited deliveries as a standalone and only $10.99/ month with Prime. If you aren’t already a Prime or AmazonFresh member it can add seriously valuable time back into your life. Especially with our busy work schedules.

Ibotta! I save on all my staples from eggs, to paper towels, to coffee, and even uber rides! With Ibotta you just snap a picture of your shopping receipt and match it with current deals available online. Get $10 just for signing up through The Rising Damsel. Redeem your first $10 by verifying a purchase from any of their stores. It’s an obsession.

Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing to earn money blogging. There are tons of ways to make money on your blog. If you want to make money by promoting an affiliate, you need Michelle’s course Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing. It was an invaluable resource to me despite 1,000+ hours of research on how to earn. The money didn’t actually start coming in till I took this course. Save yourself from frustration, Michelle has it figured out for us.

Rakuten Coupons deals and cashback. When you’re shopping online if you aren’t stacking your savings, you’re losing serious money. Get rebates from 1%-20%+ on thousands of stores and get $10.00 for signing up. I won’t shop without Ebates. 

Get The Best Restaurant Deals – 13 Tips From a Former Waitress
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30 thoughts on “Get The Best Restaurant Deals – 13 Tips From a Former Waitress

  • August 17, 2017 at 1:40 pm
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    Anytime we go out to eat, we are trying to get a good deal and spend the least amount possible.

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    • August 17, 2017 at 3:37 pm
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      It’s so important to do that, money just slips through our fingers so easily. Thanks for the comment, I appreciate you taking the time.

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    • August 18, 2017 at 11:15 am
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      Glad to hear it. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting I truly appreciate it.

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  • August 17, 2017 at 4:34 pm
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    This was all handy to know – I’d never even thought about the ‘no waiter, no tip’ idea!!!

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    • August 18, 2017 at 11:18 am
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      The no tip thing helps us so much! The food quality is on par anyways, no lost flavor at all. I’m glad this post will help you and your family in the future. Thanks for commenting.

      Reply
  • August 18, 2017 at 4:39 am
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    Eating out can be so expensive – especially if it’s for the whole family. These are some great tips I shall definitely be trying, thank you!

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    • August 18, 2017 at 11:19 am
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      It really is crazy how quickly things add up when you go out, especially with the whole family. I’m so glad you found the tips helpful. Thanks for stopping in.

      Reply
  • August 18, 2017 at 1:38 pm
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    These are some great ideas! We don’t eat out very often, and we try to use coupons or gift cards when available. But I will definitely be saving these ideas!

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    • August 19, 2017 at 4:33 pm
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      We eat out far more than we should. I should take a tip from you and eat out less. Thanks so much for stopping in and commenting, I’m glad these tips will be useful for you.

      Reply
  • August 19, 2017 at 11:33 am
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    Some great tips. Thank you

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    • August 19, 2017 at 5:44 pm
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      Absolutely, I’m glad that you enjoyed them. Thanks for stopping in and commenting.

      Reply
  • August 20, 2017 at 9:46 am
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    Great tips, this something I have never thought about! I especially like the tips about not adding anything on and no soda. I would definitely rather have ice cream than soda!

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    • August 20, 2017 at 2:06 pm
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      I’m so glad they are helpful Sarah! Soda is ridiculously expensive such an easy way to save. I appreciate you stopping in and commenting.

      Reply
  • August 21, 2017 at 5:19 am
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    Great ideas for saving money! Eating at restaurants can be so expensive for a family. Thanks for sharing!

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    • August 21, 2017 at 6:38 pm
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      Absolutely! I’m glad that you enjoyed them. Sometimes it’s such a necessary evil but definitely can be less of a burden with some tricks. Thanks for stopping in and commenting.

      Reply
  • August 21, 2017 at 7:03 am
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    Something my husband and I do when ordering at a restaurant that gives huge portions is we will share our meal. It’s more than enough for the two of us. We only drink water but we are big tippers.

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    • August 21, 2017 at 6:40 pm
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      Such a smart idea. Are there any nationwide restaurants you’ve had good luck with? I’m still working on my significant other’s tipping skill, but that’s amazing. It really can make someone’s night. I appreciate your comment.

      Reply
  • August 21, 2017 at 8:01 am
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    Wow – these are great tips! Didn’t know about buying the gift cards in bulk trick. 😉 I rarely order wine when dining out unless it’s my birthday, b/c a glass basically it costs as much as a small meal. I would love to eat out on Monday nights but I I live i a small town and guess what day most of the sit-down restaurants close? Yep, Mondays! LOL

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    • August 21, 2017 at 6:45 pm
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      I’m so glad that you enjoyed them! The gift card trick is amazing, bonus card could even be given as a gift. You’re so right about the wine, I just can’t justify drinking what I would spend on a small meal, that’s a great comparison. Too bad about no family nights in a small town, maybe at least when you go out you feel like you’re supporting your community? Thanks so much for stopping in and commenting I really appreciate it.

      Reply
  • August 21, 2017 at 10:56 am
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    These are some super helpful tips, I am constantly eating out and always end up losing so much money on account of it. Definitely will have to remember some of these

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    • August 22, 2017 at 12:06 pm
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      I’m glad you enjoyed it. It’s ridiculous how much money we can waste when we aren’t paying attention, a soda here a cookie there. I do it all the time too. Thanks for commenting.

      Reply
  • August 21, 2017 at 11:20 am
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    These are some great tips! Groupon is so great because even if it’s not the best known restaurants, it gets you to try new places in your area in addition to saving money! I also didn’t know about the Costco thing, so thanks for that tip!

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    • August 22, 2017 at 1:20 pm
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      Thank you! I’ve definitely gotten some really great deals on things that I would have been hesitant to try for full price with groupon. I’m so glad that you found the tips helpful. Thanks so much for stopping in I appreciate it.

      Reply
  • August 21, 2017 at 2:47 pm
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    I really appreciate the time and thought that you put into these ideas. They were really good. I never order soda, always look for coupons, and love a good happy hour special.

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    • August 22, 2017 at 1:24 pm
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      Thanks Stephanie I appreciate it. You are ahead of the game. It’s hard to be diligent with savings until you make it a habit, you should be super proud. Thanks for stopping in and for the comment.

      Reply
  • August 21, 2017 at 6:19 pm
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    Me and my husband usually split a meal because we can’t eat a whole meal. I definitely hadn’t thought of some of these tips though! Thanks!

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    • August 22, 2017 at 1:26 pm
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      I’m happy you enjoyed them. Splitting a meal is the easiest way for us to save too. I hope you have a great rest of your day, and thank you for the comment.

      Reply
  • August 21, 2017 at 8:12 pm
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    These are such great tips! We always try to save as much as we can when we go out to eat since we don’t do it very often. I’ll be putting a few of these tips to use soon!

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    • August 22, 2017 at 1:27 pm
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      Glad to hear it Ashley! When we don’t go out for awhile it’s even harder to part with that sweet cash ha. I hope you and yours have an awesome next meal out, thanks for stopping in.

      Reply

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