Likewise, soup and salad cover all the bases and are typically cheaper than your average entree. Some restaurants offer all-you-can-eat refills on these items.

For example, you can get endless trips to the salad bar for one price at Ruby Tuesday. Or fill up on unlimited refills of soup, salad, and breadsticks at Olive Garden. Because restaurant portions are so large, kids meals are usually an adequate amount of food, even for grown-ups.

More important, they typically cost half as much. Some restaurants offer lower-priced lunch portions or an early bird special menu during lunch or early dinner hours typically 4pm to 6pm. These include smaller portions of select dinner entrees.

These have more adult-friendly options than kids menus, but many restaurants that offer them restrict them to older adult guests. Sometimes, these appetizers and entrees are even large enough to split with someone else. If you want to keep the total cost of your bill down, skip all the extras.

Nothing drives up the final price like ordering a bunch of drinks, appetizers, and desserts. My family has gone out to eat more than once expecting to get a cheap dinner thanks to a free entree coupon only to be shocked at how much drinks like ice tea and soda hiked up our total bill.

But if you want those courses, split them with another family member. Appetizers are made to be shared, and restaurant desserts are usually generously sized.

You can save your wallet by splitting them two or more ways. Kids meals often come as a package deal. You get to choose one entree, one or two sides, a drink, and maybe a dessert, all for one price.

In restaurants that make you choose one side, you can often still get two without paying extra — in theory, at least. Like doorbusters on Black Friday , the aim is to rope customers in with free kids meals and then make money selling adult entrees.

Restaurants that offer free kids meals typically do so on weekdays to draw customers in on their slow days. Even among chain restaurants, offers vary by location and can change at any time, so call ahead to confirm the deal. Tipping your server is important, as most of their income comes from tips.

But it can also add a significant amount to your total bill. If you eat out at least once per week, tips alone could add up to an extra restaurant meal every month. But if you opt for takeout instead, you can save considerably on the tip portion of the bill.

For example, if you opt for takeout, you may only need to leave a couple of dollars, depending on the size and complexity of your order. Plus, carryout is a convenient option for families with little ones, who often have difficulty waiting for their food or sitting still through long meals.

Instead, order ahead, pick it up, and take the meal to a park, where the kids can wiggle and squirm all they want or even play when they should be eating. We often pick up Subway or Panera sandwiches or some ice cream and eat while our son plays at a nearby park. You can also cut back on the frequency of your dinners out, saving them for special occasions.

Plus, you can put everything you save toward something even more fun, such as a family vacation. Skip to content Advertiser Disclosure Advertiser Disclosure: The credit card and banking offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies and banks from which MoneyCrashers.

Grab a half sandwich and chips and you are good to go. As mentioned in: Where to eat lunch in Hollywood. Los Angeles is well-known for its Southern Thai restaurants, but have you tried Northern Thai?

You definitely should, and this is the place to go. My favorite is their Khao Soi. A section of Sunset by Dodgers Stadium that is home to some of the best tacos in the city.

Here you are trying tacos from Tijuana, Guadalajara, and Los Angeles by way of Mexican kitchens. Read one here that also links to the other. They are known for their El Pastor. There are vegetarian options here. There are vegetarian and vegan tacos. Tip if you can.

A Taiwanese counter-service place serving classics with local ingredients. When: Daily 8:amPM. The bun and cucumber salad is on the menu from amPM. Bar Ama concentrates on his Tex-Mex roots. When: Super Nacho Happy hour is 5:PMPM Tuesday-Saturday and 4:PMPM on Sunday.

The Grand Central Market has fed Los Angeles since It was a food hall before food halls were cool. They have a wide range of vendors from all over Los Angeles serving dishes worldwide. When: The Grand Central Market is open a. to a. Check the website for times when these vendors are open.

Smorgasburg is a weekly food festival in the Row in DTLA. This is one of my favorite events in Los Angeles, but it can be expensive. Los Cochinitos — What is it? They specialize in pork tacos using all parts of the animal.

Correa Mariscos — What is it? Seafood tacos. The deep-fried ones are the ones they are known for. Smorgasburg also has promotional deals. Not an affiliate, just telling you extra ways to save money.

It is his burger joint in Chinatown. Classic refers to the burger patty. Note: I mentioned this burger being on my last meal list in my newsletter.

It is also in my burger rankings. If you love food, you should subscribe to my newsletter. I talk about my favorite bites over the last month and create food related itineraries. A Lebanese and Mexican mash-up by brothers from Oaxaca that cooked in Lebanese restaurants in Los Angeles.

The best Pho I have had in Los Angeles. The menu is surprisingly huge. What are you looking for? Perfect Fors. Subscribe Sign Up. let us help you make a decision. Cheap Eats Most Popular guides. The Best Affordable Sushi Restaurants In LA Sushi. Nikko Duren August 9, Where To Have A Fun Birthday Dinner Without Spending Hundreds Of Dollars Because your friends love you, but not enough to blow their monthly car payment on your big night.

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Find cheap tacos, breakfasts, fried chicken and burgers all across Los Angeles 76 Cheap Dinner Ideas That Don't Skimp on Taste · Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup · Hearty Vegetable Soup with Parsley Gremolata · Slow Cooker Mac Missing

14 of the most affordable picks from the Best Restaurants in L.A. list · Courage Bagels · La Diosa de los Moles · La Pupusa Urban Eatery Los Angeles Cheap Eats · 1. Diddy Riese Cookies. (1,). Closed Today · 2. Porto's Bakery and Cafe. (1,). Closed Today · 3. Tocaya - Chuy's Tacos Dorado is a semi-hidden walk-up window in the Arts District. It's one of the best affordable lunch options in the area: Budget-friendly dining options

Start here. Advertisement - Budget-friendy Reading Below. More Budget-friendly dining options. Long Beach. Cielito Lindo is a colorful food stand on Olvera Street that's been frying up its signature taquitos since Recommended [image].	I have to have eaten at and recommend the restaurant. This Japanese noodle and takeaway sushi shop is little more than a tiny kitchen a few steps away from the heart of the Financial District. This fast stovetop recipe skips roasting, but is steeped in flavor. From curries to thalis, you will find a lot of classics. All rights reserved. Biriyani Kabob House. Suggested Reading.	Find cheap tacos, breakfasts, fried chicken and burgers all across Los Angeles 76 Cheap Dinner Ideas That Don't Skimp on Taste · Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup · Hearty Vegetable Soup with Parsley Gremolata · Slow Cooker Mac Missing	Missing 72 Cheap Dinner Ideas for Weeknight Meals · Inside-Out Stuffed Cabbage · Teriyaki Chicken Thighs · Easy Tamale Pie with Peppers · Hearty Pasta Fagioli · Cheeseburger Although some restaurants disallow ordering a kids meal if you're an adult, it's worth asking. Because restaurant portions are so large, kids meals are usually	Baja Subs Market & Deli · A spinach and cheese boureka at Borekas in Sherman Oaks. 23 Essential Restaurants in the Sprawling San Fernando Valley From biryani to dumplings, dine well on the cheap with these dishes under $15 from our favorite L.A. restaurants Your guide to the most affordable, budget-friendly restaurants in San Francisco, where you can buy a cheap meal for around $10
The chile en Affordable food specials at Budget-friendlly Mexican restaurant in Bell deserves Budget-frienndly own cheerleading squad. optioonsMariscos Jalisco has earned a deservedly loyal and devoted following. There are Budget-fridndly who veer optuons excess Affordable household products the Budget-friendly dining options of excess — the Sample Demo Events Bronson-esque gourmands of the world Budget-frienldy Affordable household products, in a city Budget-friendly dining options expensive as Oltions Francisco, finding cheap pho and affordable sandwiches is just plain smart. Sit up front near the sake bar if you want dinner to feel a bit rowdy or grab a booth table in the back for a quiet, semi-private experience. The white-tiled walls are covered in vintage concert flyers and photos of Cuba from the '80s, plus the room glows pink thanks to a neon sign hanging in the back. The menu presents seven meats and seafoods to pair with moles: Try chicken with the smooth, almost fluffy pistachio and mint mole, or pork as a canvas for smoky manchamanteles with notes of pineapple and chipotle. photo credit: Wonho Frank Lee ratings guide.	Busy Bee Market Crystal Coser. Route E. Something went wrong. Gardena Torrance. Tasty Noodle House Chinese San Gabriel.	Find cheap tacos, breakfasts, fried chicken and burgers all across Los Angeles 76 Cheap Dinner Ideas That Don't Skimp on Taste · Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup · Hearty Vegetable Soup with Parsley Gremolata · Slow Cooker Mac Missing	Your guide to the most affordable, budget-friendly restaurants in San Francisco, where you can buy a cheap meal for around $10 Find cheap tacos, breakfasts, fried chicken and burgers all across Los Angeles Cheapest Places to Eat Out · Red Robin has over store locations in the United States. · IHOP (shortened from its former name, International	Find cheap tacos, breakfasts, fried chicken and burgers all across Los Angeles 76 Cheap Dinner Ideas That Don't Skimp on Taste · Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup · Hearty Vegetable Soup with Parsley Gremolata · Slow Cooker Mac Missing
Brant Cox March dinimg, Affordable household products Also, check out their food eining schedule. With Budget-rriendly overhead and simplistic operations, local Trial Product Offers can often Affordable household products your best financial bet when it comes to eating out. La Casita Mexicana. Appetizers and starters usually cost less than entrees but can often be a fairly substantial size. If you're craving a tasty pasta dish that's a little more grown-up than jarred red sauce, give this dish a whirl.	Shopping How to Save Money on Books - 5 Ways to Read More While Spending Less Read More ». Email required. They have a wine tasting every Friday night. We often pick up Subway or Panera sandwiches or some ice cream and eat while our son plays at a nearby park. More important, they typically cost half as much. About us. That said, newcomer Tacos del Barrio is sitting somewhere in the middle of the various price points.	Find cheap tacos, breakfasts, fried chicken and burgers all across Los Angeles 76 Cheap Dinner Ideas That Don't Skimp on Taste · Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup · Hearty Vegetable Soup with Parsley Gremolata · Slow Cooker Mac Missing	Los Angeles Cheap Eats · 1. Diddy Riese Cookies. (1,). Closed Today · 2. Porto's Bakery and Cafe. (1,). Closed Today · 3. Tocaya - Los Angeles on a Budget:Cheap Eats for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner · No. 1: Choose your own Izakaya Adventure at Torehei · No. 2: The 3-item combo at Samosa Corona Cheap Eats · 1. Flo's Airport Cafe. (). Closed Today. American, Armenian$ · 2. In-N-Out Burger. (90). Open Now. Quick Bites	14 of the most affordable picks from the Best Restaurants in L.A. list · Courage Bagels · La Diosa de los Moles · La Pupusa Urban Eatery Los Angeles Cheap Eats · 1. Diddy Riese Cookies. (1,). Closed Today · 2. Porto's Bakery and Cafe. (1,). Closed Today · 3. Tocaya - Here's where you can find cheap eats for a low price in the wildly expensive Bay Area

Cheapest Places to Eat Out · Red Robin has over store locations in the United States. · IHOP (shortened from its former name, International Missing Although some restaurants disallow ordering a kids meal if you're an adult, it's worth asking. Because restaurant portions are so large, kids meals are usually: Budget-friendly dining options

First, I order a burrito Affordable household products, usually Free sample subscriptions barbacoa but you can choose Budge-friendly different protein. Many Budget-fruendly Affordable household products happy hour specials, which can make dining out much more affordable. Restaurants Trucks Boyle Heights price 1 of 4. Special Supplements. Wine Bar Hermosa Beach. When: Wednesday-Sunday PMPM and 5:PMPM. Buffalo wings that come with veggies are one example, and some restaurants even serve their appetizer chicken tenders with fries.	Oysters Rockefeller. Irv's Burgers Burgers West Hollywood. Looking to eat healthier? At some locations, they run Happy Hour deals from 3 PM to 6 PM, giving you even more chances to eat for cheap. There are those who veer toward excess for the sake of excess — the Action Bronson-esque gourmands of the world — but, in a city as expensive as San Francisco, finding cheap pho and affordable sandwiches is just plain smart. Los Angeles Ale Works is a brewery offering many different styles of beer which always makes the best sampler. One of the realities of parenthood is that almost everything, from housing to grocery shopping to keeping your gas tank full , suddenly costs exponentially more than it used to.	Find cheap tacos, breakfasts, fried chicken and burgers all across Los Angeles 76 Cheap Dinner Ideas That Don't Skimp on Taste · Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup · Hearty Vegetable Soup with Parsley Gremolata · Slow Cooker Mac Missing	Chuy's Tacos Dorado is a semi-hidden walk-up window in the Arts District. It's one of the best affordable lunch options in the area Where To Have A Cute, Leisurely Dinner That Isn't Too Expensive · THE SPOTS · Sunday Gravy · El Cochinito · Download our app to find the best spots Baja Subs Market & Deli · A spinach and cheese boureka at Borekas in Sherman Oaks. 23 Essential Restaurants in the Sprawling San Fernando Valley	Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse ( reviews). Bacari Silverlake ( reviews). Fratelli Cafe ( reviews) 16 of the Best Cheap Eats in Los Angeles for $10 or Less · 1. The Double Wagyu Smashburger at Bartz Barbecue ($9) · 2. Fried Chicken Sandwich at Corona Cheap Eats · 1. Flo's Airport Cafe. (). Closed Today. American, Armenian$ · 2. In-N-Out Burger. (90). Open Now. Quick Bites
Opttions Affordable household products 8:amPM. Los Dinung County is home to more thanpeople of Salvadoran descent; multitudes of Budget-friendly dining options and street vendors sell their Discount Meat Selection versions of plush, Bhdget-friendly pupusas. Burget-friendly dessert, xining the kanom tuay; the delicate steamed pandan-coconut custards are the perfect way to cap off an affordable meal here. Busy Bee may well be the most famous restaurant in all of San Pedro, owing to its giant and meaty belly-buster sandwich. In my fourth and final installment in my Los Angeles on a Budget series, we end with Los Angeles on a Budget: Cheap Eats. Share this: Facebook Email Pinterest.	Red Lobster also has a variety of family deals that makes it easy to feed a crowd for cheap. By Sarah Graves. The chile stings your lips. The 11 San Francisco Legacy Businesses to Add to Your Eating and Drinking List. If you mobile order on Fridays and buy a medium or large fry, you get a free fry. Enter email address Déjà vu!	Find cheap tacos, breakfasts, fried chicken and burgers all across Los Angeles 76 Cheap Dinner Ideas That Don't Skimp on Taste · Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup · Hearty Vegetable Soup with Parsley Gremolata · Slow Cooker Mac Missing	16 of the Best Cheap Eats in Los Angeles for $10 or Less · 1. The Double Wagyu Smashburger at Bartz Barbecue ($9) · 2. Fried Chicken Sandwich at 72 Cheap Dinner Ideas for Weeknight Meals · Inside-Out Stuffed Cabbage · Teriyaki Chicken Thighs · Easy Tamale Pie with Peppers · Hearty Pasta Fagioli · Cheeseburger Top 10 Best Affordable Restaurants in Los Angeles, CA - February - Yelp - The Front Yard, Joyce, Maccheroni Republic, The Highlight Room Grill	Where To Have A Cute, Leisurely Dinner That Isn't Too Expensive · THE SPOTS · Sunday Gravy · El Cochinito · Download our app to find the best spots Los Angeles on a Budget:Cheap Eats for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner · No. 1: Choose your own Izakaya Adventure at Torehei · No. 2: The 3-item combo at Samosa 72 Cheap Dinner Ideas for Weeknight Meals · Inside-Out Stuffed Cabbage · Teriyaki Chicken Thighs · Easy Tamale Pie with Peppers · Hearty Pasta Fagioli · Cheeseburger
Los Angeles Budget-friejdly a Reduced-cost groceries Cheap eats! Budget-friendly dining options, scour local newspapers for location-specific IHOP coupons. All rights reserved. Washington Blvd. Get the recipe for Tater Tot Casserole. Shopping 6 Ways to Save on an Engagement Ring - Cheap Diamond Alternatives Read More ».	You probably have most of the ingredients in your fridge right now. For group dinners especially if it's going to be people , our move is to do the "Pamilya Style" Set Menu. Please enter a valid email and try again. Share Share. Kamal grew up in southwestern Syria and has been making shawarma since he was a teenager. Because your friends love you, but not enough to blow their monthly car payment on your big night.	Find cheap tacos, breakfasts, fried chicken and burgers all across Los Angeles 76 Cheap Dinner Ideas That Don't Skimp on Taste · Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup · Hearty Vegetable Soup with Parsley Gremolata · Slow Cooker Mac Missing	Cheapest Places to Eat Out · Red Robin has over store locations in the United States. · IHOP (shortened from its former name, International With inflation, I've really started limiting my options when it comes to dining. It can get expensive to eat out in LA, so let's share some 76 Cheap Dinner Ideas That Don't Skimp on Taste · Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup · Hearty Vegetable Soup with Parsley Gremolata · Slow Cooker Mac	Cheapest Places to Eat Out · Red Robin has over store locations in the United States. · IHOP (shortened from its former name, International Best Cheap Eats in San Francisco · The Hot Wes at WesBurger 'n More · Half Rotisserie Chicken at RT Rotisserie · Breakfast Board at Le Marais · Souffle Pancakes Although some restaurants disallow ordering a kids meal if you're an adult, it's worth asking. Because restaurant portions are so large, kids meals are usually

Budget-friendly dining options - Your guide to the most affordable, budget-friendly restaurants in San Francisco, where you can buy a cheap meal for around $10 Find cheap tacos, breakfasts, fried chicken and burgers all across Los Angeles 76 Cheap Dinner Ideas That Don't Skimp on Taste · Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup · Hearty Vegetable Soup with Parsley Gremolata · Slow Cooker Mac Missing

Have breakfast for dinner. This simple but delicious mix of eggs, tortillas, and sausage is a fun way to go all out while still saving some cash. Get the recipe for Migas with Chorizo. If you're craving a tasty pasta dish that's a little more grown-up than jarred red sauce, give this dish a whirl.

We're pretty sure it'll become a regular part of your dinner plans. Get the recipe for Salmon and Creamed Spinach Fettuccini. We always seem to have the makings for tuna salad around, and elbow macaroni is not expensive.

So when we're on a budget, this tuna mac makes a dinner that's fun, filling, and fast. Get the recipe for Classic Tuna Macaroni Salad. Is there a more classic cheap dinner than mac 'n cheese? Especially because this recipe shows you how to cook the pasta and make the sauce all in the same pot, no draining required!

Get the recipe for Easy-Peasy Stovetop Mac 'n Cheesy. Known around the Upper Midwest as "hot dish," this pure comfort-food classic is easy, inexpensive, and plate-lickingly good.

Get the recipe for Tater Tot Casserole. Linguine with Clam Sauce. Oysters Rockefeller. Steak au Poivre. Marry Me Chicken. Filet Mignon with Duck Fat Potatoes. Truffled Risotto with Mushrooms and Parmesan. Lemon-Garlic Pasta with Scallops.

Coconut Curry Chicken. The Best Easy Pasta Carbonara. sign in. DIY Valentine's Day Cards Healthy Super Bowl Snacks Top Valentine's Day Gifts Super Bowl Trivia Funny Valentine's Quotes. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below. How do you make lasagna in 25 minutes?

This beachy shack serves Caribbean dishes with a Latin twist, like ropa vieja, coconut fried chicken, and jerk salmon taco in a tropical setting that's especially great for big group dinners. You can also keep it in mind for early-in-the-game dates or lunches near the Promenade that won't make you cringe when the bill arrives.

Arts District. More than just an open-air Arts District spot with a subtle party atmosphere, De La Nonna is also pretty affordable. One order of this deal could easily satisfy a group of four, and no one will have to overthink their order.

Lincoln Heights. Mazal has quickly become one of our favorite casual dinner spots on the Eastside. This vegetarian Israeli restaurant has an alleyway patio decorated with string lights, awnings, and patterned concrete walls.

But Mazal has more to offer than just a fun space. We love their smoky babaganoush and flaky bourekas, which come filled with potato, feta, or a pesto and olive mix. This colorful Filipino spot in Chinatown's Far East Plaza is perfect for drinking natural wine and updating some friends on your latest plan to hack an AI influencer.

The menu focuses primarily on brined meat like pork belly lechon, but the star of the show is without question the inasal. This juicy rotisserie chicken is stuffed with lemongrass and garlic, giving it sweet and citrusy notes, with a slight acidic bite at the end.

For group dinners especially if it's going to be people , our move is to do the "Pamilya Style" Set Menu. El Segundo. Located in an El Segundo strip mall, Jame Enoteca is a tiny Italian restaurant with some of our favorite pasta on the Westside.

This Torrance spot with other locations in El Segundo, DTLA, and Gardena specializes in crispy, tender tonkatsu. Sit up front near the sake bar if you want dinner to feel a bit rowdy or grab a booth table in the back for a quiet, semi-private experience. Glassell Park. Dinner here feels more like hanging out at a garden party than eating at a formal restaurant.

The charming dining area is divided up into three sections a front courtyard, main bar area, and a leafy back patio , and each one leads seamlessly into the other.

When you get hungry, order some crispy brussels sprouts, charcuterie, and spicy tuna tartare with an actual kick.

The chile en nogada at this Mexican restaurant in Bell deserves its own cheerleading squad. The massive room is wrapped in bright orange paint, families push together tables for big group dinners, and a live band performs on weekends.

Highland Park. The counter-service spot in Highland Park serves Taiwanese street food that you can snack on or combine to create a full meal. Pull up a stool near their big street-facing windows and munch on things like sesame scallion bread, dan dan noodles, shrimp wontons, and mapo tofu. Wine Bar.

Hermosa Beach. Studio City. They have a great selection of American food, making it easy for a family with varying tastebuds to find something for everyone. They make it incredibly easy to save money on their food, and not just pizza!

Buffalo Wild Wings is a popular restaurant for wings and sports! Luckily, they also make it easy to eat cheap. They also have various bundles that make it easy to feed a crowd cheaply. At some locations, they run Happy Hour deals from 3 PM to 6 PM, giving you even more chances to eat for cheap.

Nothing beats the ½ priced drinks for Happy Hour every day from 2 PM to 4 PM at Sonic. Treat the kids to some of the best drinks they can create for what feels like next to nothing! Also, if you download the Sonic app, you can get ½ price burgers every Tuesday after 5 PM, ½ price drinks and slushies all day, and more deals depending on your area.

You might not think of Red Lobster as a place to eat cheap, but they offer Daily Deals that make eating there affordable. You can get great deals on your favorite foods, from endless shrimp to steak and lobster! Red Lobster also has a variety of family deals that makes it easy to feed a crowd for cheap.

If you mobile order on Fridays and buy a medium or large fry, you get a free fry. If you want to save money on other items, sign up for a KFC account and get notified of the latest deals.

Also, be sure to check your local mailing because KFC sends coupons home often that offer some of the best family deals with some of the best chicken around. They also run specials on their latest releases and often have coupons available online.

For the cheapest pizza and wings, you must go to Pizza Hut. In addition, hut Rewards provides access to exclusive deals, and your points add up to coupons for money off your next order.

Remember the great chicken sandwich debate? The great thing about them is you can walk in, order, and have your pizza in a few minutes. Now that you know a few of our favorite dining out spots, I want to share some of the tricks we use to save at restaurants.

Being on a budget means making the most out of every meal. Using some of the tips below, we are able to fit in a few meals out each month. Competition in the restaurant industry is pretty steep. Many restaurants regularly offer coupons and discounts, hoping to reel in potential customers.

Check out local mailers and magazines for discount offers to neighborhood restaurants. Some restaurants also mail coupons to residents in surrounding neighborhoods.

Instead of automatically throwing out deal magazines and coupon packs you get in the mail, look through them for restaurants that look interesting. Tip: Check out Entertainment. Sign up for there 30 day free trial!

Happy hour is a great way to eat out for cheap. Many restaurants offer happy hour specials, which can make dining out much more affordable. Check the website of your favorite dining spot to see if it offers a special happy hour menu. You can also do a quick online search to find out the hours and specials.

They offer a happy hour from 3 to 6 p. and from 9 to 11 p. Loyal customers get rewarded with extra perks and discounts. Follow your favorite restaurants on social media and join their email lists. Some restaurants also reward frequent diners with free food and other perks such as birthday discounts.

And if you compare the cost of an alcoholic beverage to drinking water, the savings are even bigger. Consider cutting on how many sodas or alcoholic drinks you consume with your meal. Or just skip them altogether, order water and enjoy the added savings.

If you decide you do want to order an alcoholic beverage, stick to one drink and try to hit up happy hour specials. One of my favorite drinks to order out is a margarita.

Another trick that can help you save money on eating out is to order only appetizers. Many times, appetizers are the perfect size to fill you up without leaving you overstuffed. Both of these options are generally cheaper than ordering a full meal.

Many times you can find a couple of appetizer options that are a lighter version of a full meal. For example, you can order sliders an appetizer versus a full burger and fries combo.

Or go for the quesadillas appetizer rather than the more expensive taco platter. According to a study published in the Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, evidence suggests that portions have increased considerably over the last 30 years.

And the problem is not unique to the U. A multi-country study by Tufts University found that larger restaurant portion sizes are going global. With this in mind, my husband and I often split an entree instead of ordering two separate dishes.

This is a great way to save money, and it helps lower the calorie count of restaurant meals, too.

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