Tips for Eating Cheap at Restaurants

Like most people my age, I don't have a ton of money to spend on going out to eat. Since I love trying out new restaurants, I follow these tips for spending less money when going out to eat:

• Make sure you scout out the details on a restaurant before you go. Getting specific directions that you understand, knowing where to park (especially if you are downtown), and looking at the menu online to see exactly how much everything is will save you time, money, and confusion. 
• Try and read reviews of restaurants beforehand to see how large the portions are, especially if the prices run higher. It is really frustrating to spend money on a meal that doesn't even fill you up.
• Going out to eat with a larger group of people and sharing several entrees like pizza or sushi can save you a ton of money. When me and my friends get sushi, we usually order over $100 worth of many different rolls, but our individual bills are only about $13. 
• ORDER WATER! I find that when I order water instead of a fountain drink means that my bill is much smaller and easier to predict. Some restaurants charge for refills or have an unnecessarily high price for fountain drinks. Ordering water puts the emphasis on the food instead of the drink, is healthier than a soda, doesn't fill you up before your meal with sugar, and is free! 
• Go to lunch or brunch. Many restaurants have a cheaper menu for lunch or offer lunch buffets that are all you can eat. Going to lunch means you can eat at a nicer restaurant for less cost than going to dinner there would be. Some examples of this are at Nada and Crave. 
• If you are not super hungry, order off the kid's menu or order an appetizer instead of an entree. 
• Skip the extras. Don't order an appetizer or dessert unless you are really hungry or the restaurant is famous for something in either of these categories. There is no point in spending $5 for a scoop of ice cream that you could get outside the restaurant for $2. 
• If you are really hungry, fill up on freebies like bread or salad before the meal so you still leave the restaurant feeling satisfied. 
• Find coupons or deals online. My favorite site for this is cincinnati.altperks.com/shop. 
• Don't try to save money on a meal by skimping on the tip. Try to give 20% of the total bill before any coupons as a tip. Anyone who works in a restaurant will tell you how large a portion of their salary is dependent on tips. 
• Make it worth it. Go into every new restaurant with an open mind and order something new. Try and research what the specialties of the house are beforehand to give you an idea of what to order. Don't be picky and order the same thing every time you go out to eat. Trying something new will lead to a more rewarding and fun experience.