Like eating out but hate the high bills? Here are my tricks to saving as much as possible while still enjoying a meal out!
I like eating out. I don’t like the bills. Seriously — two people, two meals, two drinks and you are easily looking at $50 before tip. Add adult beverages and it skyrockets. It has gotten crazy!
We still eat out but I make sure we are taking advantage of every local deal and special we can find to keep the damage to a minimum. Here is exactly what we do.
How We Eat Out Without Taking a Second Mortgage
We Always Split
Every single time. Restaurant portions are way too big for one person anyway and splitting an entree cuts the bill almost in half. We add a side or an appetizer and we are completely full.
Try it once and you will never go back to ordering two entrees.
I Order Water — He Gets Tea and I Steal a Sip
I never want a full drink anyway so this works perfectly. Drinks are one of the biggest markups on any restaurant menu. I order water, McGuyver gets tea, I take a sip when I want something different. Done.
Saves us $3-$5 every single time we go out. And No we don’t refill lol.
Take Advantage of Kids Eat Free Nights
This is a no brainer if you have kids or grandkids. A ton of restaurants offer free kids meals with an adult meal — and some offer TWO free kids meals per adult.
On Sundays select Margaritas locations offer two free kids meals with every adult meal purchased. Stack a kids eat free night with a rewards deal and you can feed the whole family for the price of two adult meals.
Check my Kids Eat Free page — organized by day of the week so you always know where to go!
One rule: Always tip on what the full bill would have been including the free kids meals. Your server worked just as hard.
Buy Gift Cards During Bonus Offers
This one is a game changer and most people completely miss it. Restaurants regularly run bonus gift card promotions — usually around the holidays — where you buy a $50 gift card and get a $10 or $15 bonus card free.
Most people think these are just for gifting. They aren’t. Buy gift cards during those promotions and you are essentially getting 20-30% off every meal you eat there for the rest of the year.
I stock up every time I see these deals. Check my gift card bonus deals page — I track every bonus offer as they come out so you never miss one!
Teachers, First Responders and Military — You Get Special Discounts!
If you are a teacher, nurse, firefighter, police officer, EMT or active military — restaurants want to show you appreciation for what you do so many of them show it with real discounts.
- Applebee’s — offers military discounts regularly especially around Veterans Day
- Chili’s — offers military discount year round with valid ID
- IHOP — military and first responder discounts available at participating locations
- Denny’s — military discount available with ID
- Golden Corral — famous for their annual free Military Appreciation Night every November
- Texas Roadhouse — free meal for veterans and active military on Veterans Day
- Olive Garden — free meal for military on Veterans Day
- Red Lobster — military discount at participating locations
Always carry your ID and always ask. The worst they can say is no and most of the time the answer is yes.
Check out my full military restaurant discounts page and teacher freebies page for the complete lists — there are way more than most people realize!
Free Food on Holidays — Mark Your Calendar!
Restaurants give away a TON of free food on food holidays and special occasions throughout the year. These are not deals — they are genuinely free with no purchase required at many locations.
Here are the biggest ones to watch for
- National Pancake Day — IHOP gives free pancakes every year in February or March
- National Pizza Day — multiple chains offer free or heavily discounted pizza every February 9th
- National Taco Day — October 4th — Taco Bell, Del Taco and others give away free tacos
- National Pretzel Day — April 26th — Auntie Anne’s, Philly Pretzel Factory and more give free pretzels
- National Ice Cream Day — third Sunday in July — Baskin-Robbins, Dairy Queen and others have free scoops
- National Cookie Day — December 4th — multiple bakeries and chains give free cookies
- National Cheeseburger Day — September 18th — free burgers at multiple chains
- National Coffee Day — September 29th — Dunkin’, Starbucks and others give free coffee
- Tax Day — mid April — tons of restaurants offer free food to ease the pain of tax season
- Veterans Day — November 11th — dozens of restaurants offer free meals to veterans and active military
- Election Day — multiple chains offer free food to voters every November
I track every single one of these on SwagGrabber so you never miss a free food day! Check my Holiday Free Food page — updated every time a new freebie is announced!
Happy Hour is Our Best Friend
We almost always go during happy hour. One of our favorites — $8 Bang Bang Shrimp at Bonefish. That same shrimp costs significantly more at dinner.
We split it with another happy hour item and eat really well for a fraction of the normal price. Most happy hours run 3PM to 6PM so we just plan accordingly.
Find the Local Hidden Deals
This is where the real savings are. Our local taco place does $1 tacos on Tuesdays. ONE DOLLAR. We go constantly. These deals exist everywhere — you just have to look.
Follow local restaurants on social media and you will be amazed what never gets advertised anywhere else.
Use the Apps
Chick-fil-A constantly has free sandwiches and menu items through their app — I have honestly gotten more free food from that app than I have paid for.
Download every app for restaurants you go to regularly and check it before you order. The deals are in there.
Sign Up for Rewards Programs
If you don’t want the app just sign up for their rewards program — most just use your phone number! Chili’s gives free chips and queso with every meal just for being a rewards member. Free. Every time.
Free appetizers, free desserts, birthday freebies, buy one get one — it all just shows up in your inbox when you are signed up. Takes two minutes.
Check out my free food page for every restaurant rewards program worth joining!
Always Check Your Receipt!
This is one of the most overlooked money saving tricks out there and it costs you nothing but two minutes of your time.
Fast food and chain restaurant receipts are loaded with survey offers — complete a quick online survey and get free food on your next visit. I have gotten so many free items this way it is ridiculous.
- McDonald’s — complete the survey on your receipt and get a free item on your next visit. Often a free sandwich or fries
- Burger King — receipt survey gets you a free Whopper or other item with purchase
- Wendy’s — receipt survey gets you a free item — often a sandwich or Frosty
- Taco Bell — complete the survey for a free taco or other menu item
- Subway — receipt survey code gets you free cookies or a discount on your next visit
- KFC — survey on the receipt gets you free items with your next purchase
- Pizza Hut — receipt survey often includes a discount code for your next order
- Chick-fil-A — receipt sometimes includes a free item offer — always check!
The survey usually takes about two minutes and the code is valid for 30 days. Do it right when you get home while the receipt is still in your hand — I have lost count of how many times I forgot and let a free sandwich expire.
Don’t be me. Do the survey immediately!
Pro tip: Some receipts have validation codes printed right on them — no survey required. Always scan your receipt before you throw it away. Free food is hiding in there more often than you think!
Never Eat Out on Holidays
Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, New Year’s Eve — hard pass. Restaurants are packed, service suffers and they often charge more.
We cook something special at home on holidays and save our restaurant nights for $1 taco Tuesdays instead. Way more fun.
Go to Lunch
Same restaurant, same food — lunch menus almost always run $3-$8 cheaper per person. We do lunch dates all the time. Same vibe, better price. Not too mention lots of local places will include free drinks with lunch!
We usually just split lunch portions too — get one lunch meal and a side salad. Done!
Hope this helps you save on your next meal. If you know any other tricks, leave them in the comments!
Want more ways to eat out for less? Check out my Free Food page and Kids Eat Free page — updated regularly!
