Restaurant Hack - Simplify Your Life
I hate ordering the ‘perfect‘ meal at a nice restaurant only to end up paying a fortune for something I barely touched.
I’m so over it, to be honest. I once asked if I could order off the kids’ menu because the portion was reasonable and HELLO $10.
The snooty waitress ‘reminded‘ me that kids menus were for the 12 and under crowd. Thanks.
I’ve discovered that it’s not what you ask, but how you ask it.
If you say ‘can I order off the kids’ menu‘ it’s an immediate no.
If you say ‘I don’t care how much you charge me but THIS is the portion I want’ you’ll get the kids meal item at the kids meal price – just without juice and desert.
I went to dinner with friends last night and was hungry for steak. I had a 6oz New York Striploin with mashed potatoes and veggies…. and it cost me $10.99.
I didn’t over eat, and I didn’t spend a fortune.
Do you have tricks for easier and / or cheaper eating out? Less here your restaurant hack!
That’s actually really cheap – wow, I am amazed, thanks for this one.
$10.99 for a steak dinner is an awesome price. Great tips! I really wish restaurants would allow you to choose what size portions you want and charge based on that. Many restaurants offer to much food and of course charge you for it too and it winds up going to waste.
I’ve found that the best tip is this. Be nice. When you’re nice, the people serving you are nice. They want to help someone that treats them well.
Great info
Ordering food you never had before is hard
Wow, great deal! Great tips too, eating out does not have to be super expensive.
That is good to know, but dang – what restaurant is charging THAT much for a kids meal. I need to stay away from that place.
Yah the kids’ meals are expensive and we still order them. We spend at least $50 on lunch!
Aw man..this didn’t work for me. I mean, usually I don’t even ask if I can order off the kids menu, I just do. But one time I was at an IHop in San Francisco and they were adamant that I could not order off the kids menu (I wanted a smiley face pancake..lol) I told them they could charge me whatever but that’s the portion and style pancake I wanted and they still wouldn’t let me. I was pretty shocked and wrote a letter complaining, only for the IHop to email me directly and pop off on me, saying how they were going to call my work and tell my boss I was “writing complaint emails on company time.” Talk about crazy!!!!!!!!!!
That is awesome that you got that to work for you! Most places i visit they still won’t do it even if you ask kindly saying “I just want the same portion”. You still get the portion but they still charge the adult price. A bit frustrating sometimes. I now just order the regular meal and immediately portion it out and ask for a To-go box and take the rest home for lunch the next day.
I like ordering kids meals at restaurants, but I’ve gotten turned down a few times because of “age limits” – ha! I’m a kid at heart. It’s cool that you got such a cheap meal in Vegas. I spent SO much money on food when I was there, I wish I had thought to do this.
Cheers!
JoAnna
foreverinparadise.net
These are great tips! We have a local restaurant who gives the kid and adult portion the exact same but the price is like 3 dollars difference. doesn’t make any sense!
Looks like a menu i would like.. and the price is right..
I have ordered from the kid’s menu before when I wasn’t that hungry. The age restriction is more like a guideline, and there is not law that says any cannot order from it. It’s just that the restaurant just doesn’t make as much money. I prefer ordering from the kid’s menu. I just can’t eat all that they set before from the regular menu.
That is one great tip, never thought of trying it before!
Thats a great tip! Its great to get a nice meal like that on the kiddie menu — so often its just grilled cheese and chicken fingers with fries.
That is really smart. I would shave never thought to word it like that!
When i am not as hungry i always order from the kids menu. I have never been told i could not. I am always watching for a good deal.
Great tips! I had no idea.
Good tip. I find sometimes just getting an appetizer and a drink is more than enough food.
That is absolutely awesome! I never really even considered doing something like that. I’ve been trying my best to be good financially lately so this tip will definitely be remembered!
Most places around here will not do that even if you ask nicely! I wish because I would totally do it myself!
Make appetizer a meal? LOL! I do that sometimes because I have a small stomach. ;D Then order water instead of colored drinks. 🙂
We do not eat out much because as a family of 7 it gets pricey plus the little ones get antsy. Sounds like a great way to save when you do eat out.
It should be illegal to restrict a dish solely based on age. It is irrelevant. The kids menu is an alternative menu, not a VIP reservation.
I always fill up on the salad that is served before my meal. I then take home the leftovers for lunch/dinner the next day.
Great tip! I never thought to order that way. Makes sense.
Great tip. I like to ask for half at the time of service and the other half in a box. I find that helpful.
I split the meal with my husband and we usually split one or two appetizers and still take home food for the next day. In many cases, portion sizes are too big for one person.
What a great idea to keep you on track with calorie counting. I’m so using this because I tend to not eat a lot when I’m out eating.
We save by sharing!! LOL A bite for you a bite for me… a bit of everything for everyone! Here in Vegas portions are huge. It works well!
I’m the same way. That’s why I always find myself ordering the same things over and over again, because I’m afraid of trying something new and not liking it – restaurant food is too expensive for that! ~lol~ You’re also right about it’s not what you ask, but it is how you ask it. 🙂
That is a REALLY awesome tip and something I am TOTALLY going to try! Brilliant! Sharing a meal (if I can agree with my hubby) is another option too.
I’m surprised by how cheap it is! I didn’t expect that at all.
We hardly ever eat out but when we do we order water instead of a drink.
That’s a great tip for getting the portion size you want. Of course, some restaurants won’t allow this.
I always find myself overeating at restaurants. I find that once leftovers go into my fridge they never come back out until garbage day, so I tend to try and eat it all at the restaurant so I don’t waste it.
Wow what an amazing idea! I never thought of this. This will be great when me and my large family go out to eat!
Amazing tip, thanks for the advice. I eat out quite a lot and it’s so expensive! Ellie x
Nice word play with the kids menu.
Great tip! I didn’t think to do that… but yeah, the portions are much more reasonable.