I love food and I love cooking. While I usually cook at home I do appreciate a really good restaurant meal. there are some foods that you can’t just recreate at home, and you need the pros to do it for you.
Going out to restaurants is one of life’s greatest joys. Unfortunately, it’s extremely expensive. But use our tips to go out to eat more often with less guilt!
Enjoy the BYOB Lifestyle
Many restaurants allow you to bring your own drinks in. Bringing a bottle of wine to dinner that you got at the store, even if it’s a nicer bottle, will cost a fraction of what you’d pay off a restaurant menu.
Check Social Media for Deals
Restaurants often head to social media to promote exclusive or limited-time deals. Follow your favorite dining spots to see if you can snag some savings!
Purchase Discounted Gift Cards
CardCash is an example of a website where you can buy discounted gift cards, many of which are for restaurants. These are excellent to pick up before going out for more significant or costly meals.
Order Carryout
It’s slightly counterintuitive, but ordering carryout (not delivery!) can be cheaper than dining in. You typically don’t have to worry about service charges or be enticed by a wine list.
Go out for Lunch, Not Dinner
Most restaurants offer lighter fare for lunch, which is also usually cheaper. If you want to try a new place but don’t want to break the bank, go earlier in the day and enjoy yourself without worry.
Visit Restaurants for Happy Hour
Happy hour specials are phenomenal for saving on drinks and appetizers. Turn it into a complete dinner by combining multiple appetizers for a fun and frugal way to dine out.
Avoid Desserts
Dessert is a luxury atop the luxury of going out to eat. If you’re really set on satisfying that sweet tooth, stop somewhere cheaper, like an ice cream shop, on the way home instead.
Share Sides
Restaurant sides are often larger than we anticipate. Don’t go overboard with the ordering; share plates instead!
Stretch Your Meals
On the other side of the coin, you can order the average amount you would and eat less. This guarantees you’ll have leftovers, giving you more bang for your buck.
Skip Extras
Restaurants often try to upsell you on additional sauces or mix-ins. While it doesn’t seem like much, they can add up and increase your bill quite a bit if you’re with a bigger group. Skip anything that seems unnecessary for you to enjoy your meal.
Ask About Daily Specials
Aren’t sure if the restaurant has daily specials? Ask your server! Even if they aren’t offering anything that day, you can check if they have specific nights with fun deals like half-price appetizers.
Sign up for Loyalty Programs
If you really love a place that offers a loyalty program, you’re doing your wallet a disservice if you don’t sign up! You might as well get something free if you visit that restaurant often.
Stick with Water
Drinking just water or avoiding alcoholic drinks and opting for something cheaper is an excellent way to keep your bill low. It’s also a great way to justify getting something slightly more expensive with the money you’ll save from going with old-school hydration.
Experts Warn People to Never Refrigerate These 15 Food Items
Refrigeration prevents spoilage and may extend the shelf life of common foods and other perishable items. While we may innocently store some foods in the refrigerator, you may be surprised that you shouldn’t store all of them, as this may affect their nutritional value, taste, and texture.
Although refrigeration can help preserve certain foods, some items shouldn’t be refrigerated to maintain flavor and freshness. Avoiding these foods can ensure your food stays nutritious, fresh, and flavorful.
Here are 15 food items experts warn people never to refrigerate for optimal flavor and freshness.
Experts Warn People to Never Refrigerate These 15 Food Items
20 Shocking Cooking Facts That Will Change Your Kitchen Forever
Image Credit: True Touch Lifestyle/Shutterstock.
Cooking is a journey filled with surprises; sometimes, the most surprising truths are the hardest to swallow. From debunking culinary myths to rethinking kitchen practices, here are 20 facts that might make you rethink your approach to food and cooking.
20 Shocking Cooking Facts That Will Change Your Kitchen Forever
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