Jean's Blog

Guest Post – Eat Cheap Thanks to Recession Specials

Posted by Arielle

 

I mentioned in my first post that I have a bad habit of emptying my wallet by going out to eat. Although I’ve cut back a bit – the pain in my back tells me my money would be better spent on a new mattress – I’m still managing to hit my favorite spots a few times a month.

How? I don’t know about you, but in my Brooklyn neighborhood, the restaurant deals are flowing.

On Tuesday nights, my fiance and I can bring our own bottle of wine to our favorite Mediterranean spot, saving us at least $20 – $30. On Thursdays, we can get a free entrée at a local French restaurant if we buy another entrée and an appetizer (Although not a deal I can take advantage of, this same restaurant lets kids eat for free on Friday nights). There are more than a handful of restaurants in Manhattan – including David Burke’s Townhouse, where an entrée at dinner will easily run you upwards of $30 or $40 – offering three-course lunches for less than $25.

These kinds of specials aren’t just available in New York. Google the name of your city or town, the word restaurant, and “recession specials,” and you’re guaranteed to return at least one or two hits. And on a national level, the deals at popular chain restaurants are endless. A few examples:

• TGI Friday’s has a menu – available at lunch and dinner – where prices don’t top $9.99. And I’m not talking burgers, I’m talking ribs, salmon, steak and even shrimp. 
• Chili’s is offering a “10 under $7″ menu, with entrees like chicken tacos and quesadillas. 
• Outback has a new menu that includes 15 meals under $15. On it? Crab stuffed shrimp, pork tenderloin, and New York strip. 
• Friendly’s has a $9.99 “Create Your Own” option that lets you pick an entrée, a drink and an ice cream sundae. 
• Even Starbucks had to get in on the action when they launched their new breakfast pairings a few months ago. For $3.95, you can choose between options like oatmeal, coffee cake, and breakfast sandwiches. A tall coffee is included as well.