Guest Post: How to Eat out For Less

The following, is a guest post from one of my readers, Danelle U. on the topic of how she takes her family out to eat for less. Eating out is always a welcome break, but it is not always practical. Read Danelle's tips on the subject. You can also read my post on the topic HERE. If you would like to write a guest post on "how you eat out for cheap", send me an email at: livelarge4less@yahoo.com.

Danelle said:

We have a large family too so going out to eat is a rare treat. However, we've found ways to do it, quite often for around $30 for 2 adults and 8 kids.

Our favorite is a local Mexican restaurant called El Mexico Cafe. Like many Mexican restaurants, it has free chips and salsa which are good for curbing our appetite and keeping the hungry kids happy while they wait for their food. The entree's are large enough that my husband and I can split one and both be full. Even the younger kids can split a kid's meal. A couple weeks ago, they even had a Groupon for half off so we snagged some of those to make it even cheaper. We can leave there under $30, feeling quite full and happy. Even if you don't live in Wichita, I'm sure you could take some of these "tricks" and use them at a place by you.

Another place we love is Cici's, especially when they have $3.99 buffets. The kids love their mac and cheese pizza and my husband can order a protein pie to accomodate his low carb diet. They will also make any pizza you want so if they don't have your favorite on the buffet line, you can still get it.

Applebees also has 99 cent kids meals on Tuesdays and Thursdays and they will allow us to get all the kids a kid's meal, rather than limiting it to one per adult entree like some restaurants.
We also do like you (Live Large 4 Less) do and often take the food home instead of eating it there, especially fast food. Instead of buying pop, we have water at home, which is cheaper and healthier. 

I also make my own sides, like french fries or mashed potatoes, to save money.
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Thank you Danelle for your contribution! I hope to hear from other readers soon!