Buy Cheap Gift Certificates(01 of15)
Open Image ModalSnag Online Coupons(02 of15)
Open Image ModalCheck In(03 of15)
Open Image ModalAsk For Special Occasion Deals(04 of15)
Open Image ModalFollow Restaurants On Twitter(05 of15)
Open Image ModalSocial media-savvy restaurants post special deals on Twitter. Some even post code words. If you tell your server the code word, you'll get a discount or a freebie. Last month, I got a free dessert for saying "Free Sean Payton" to my server. (I live in New Orleans, and the code words referred to our NFL coach who has been suspended by the league.)To find a restaurant's Twitter info, visit its website and look for the "Follow Us" links. One should be for Twitter. Another should be for Facebook. Speaking of which... (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr:" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bb324ffe4b0480ca666f59c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="26" data-vars-position-in-unit="32">Flickr:</a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevegarfield/" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name=" stevegarfield" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bb324ffe4b0480ca666f59c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevegarfield/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="27" data-vars-position-in-unit="33"> stevegarfield</a>)
Become Facebook Friends(06 of15)
Open Image ModalHere at Money Talks News, we take surveys, hold contests, and give out freebies on our Facebook page as a way to keep in touch with you. Many restaurants do the same thing. By "liking" the restaurant page, you'll get access to special deals not mentioned anywhere else. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr:" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bb324ffe4b0480ca666f59c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="24" data-vars-position-in-unit="30">Flickr:</a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/johanl/" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name=" Johan Larsson" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bb324ffe4b0480ca666f59c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/people/johanl/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="25" data-vars-position-in-unit="31"> Johan Larsson</a>)
Use Apps To Find Deals(07 of15)
Open Image ModalDine In Off-Hours(08 of15)
Open Image ModalMany restaurants in my area extend their lunch hours until late afternoon. By eating dinner early, I get the lunch prices, which are often 25 to 50 percent cheaper than the dinner prices for the same entrees. Before you try somewhere new, visit the restaurant's website and see if they have a lunch or early bird special. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr:" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bb324ffe4b0480ca666f59c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="17" data-vars-position-in-unit="23">Flickr:</a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/churchstreetmarketplace/" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name=" churchstreetmarketplace" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bb324ffe4b0480ca666f59c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/people/churchstreetmarketplace/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="18" data-vars-position-in-unit="24"> churchstreetmarketplace</a>)
BYOB(09 of15)
Open Image ModalIt's uncommon, but some restaurants let you bring your own beer or wine, which is usually cheaper than the cost of paying per glass. Before you go, call ahead and ask if the establishment is BYOB. If they're not, skip the cocktail and have one somewhere else. Some places will charge a "corkage fee" if you bring your own wine, but even at $10 per bottle, it's still often cheaper than buying the same bottle in the restaurant.Most restaurants in my area overcharge for alcohol. For example, my local bar charges $3 for a mixed drink, but the restaurant next door charges $6. I save 50 percent stopping by the bar for my after-dinner drink. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr:" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bb324ffe4b0480ca666f59c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="15" data-vars-position-in-unit="21">Flickr:</a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/elleyo/" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name=" l . e . o" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bb324ffe4b0480ca666f59c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/people/elleyo/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="16" data-vars-position-in-unit="22"> l . e . o</a>)
Split Your Meal In Two(10 of15)
Open Image ModalRestaurant meals are over-proportioned, so split your meal in two. You'll eat dinner tonight and lunch tomorrow for one price. It may seem like obvious advice, but it's harder in practice. If you're not careful, you'll end up eating everything on the plate. To beat the extra calories and save money, I divide my plate in half before I start eating. I only eat from my "now" half of the plate and ask for a to-go box for the rest. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr:" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bb324ffe4b0480ca666f59c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="13" data-vars-position-in-unit="19">Flickr:</a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/marc_smith/" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name=" Marc_Smith" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bb324ffe4b0480ca666f59c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/people/marc_smith/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="14" data-vars-position-in-unit="20"> Marc_Smith</a>)
Know Your Steaks(11 of15)
Open Image ModalPlan Before You Travel(12 of15)
Open Image ModalPick The Place(13 of15)
Open Image ModalI'm fortunate to have very cheap friends. "I don't care where we go as long as it's cheap," is a common refrain on a Friday night. But I also have some less-than-frugal friends who visit from out of town. Since I know they'll want to try that expensive five-star restaurant they heard about on the Food Network, I jump the gun and suggest a similar but cheaper place.If you're dining out with a group, suggest reasonably priced places ahead of time. It will keep you from having to choose between a $25 salad or a $30 piece of chicken. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr:" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bb324ffe4b0480ca666f59c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="4" data-vars-position-in-unit="10">Flickr:</a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/littledebbie11/" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name=" Debs (ò‿ó)♪" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bb324ffe4b0480ca666f59c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/people/littledebbie11/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="5" data-vars-position-in-unit="11"> Debs (ò‿ó)♪</a>)
Become A Regular(14 of15)
Open Image ModalAround here they call it lagniappe - the little something extra you get for being a great customer. Like the free cup of gumbo I've gotten every time I visit a diner in my neighborhood. I get that little something extra because I'm a regular.Trying new places is great, but you can get a discount (or a lagniappe) by building a relationship with the servers or owners of local restaurants. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr:" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bb324ffe4b0480ca666f59c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="2" data-vars-position-in-unit="8">Flickr:</a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/26254305@N08/" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name=" roanokecollege" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bb324ffe4b0480ca666f59c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/people/26254305@N08/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="3" data-vars-position-in-unit="9"> roanokecollege</a>)
Take Surveys And Earn Cash Back(15 of15)
Open Image ModalWith iDine, you can earn 5 to 15 percent back any time you eat out. Just sign up on their website. Within 30 days of your meal, sign on and complete a quick survey. For every survey you take, you'll earn cash back. When you reach $20, iDine will mail you an American Express gift card. It takes some effort, but it's free money.See? Dining out doesn't have to mean going all in - or staying in. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr:" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bb324ffe4b0480ca666f59c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="0" data-vars-position-in-unit="6">Flickr:</a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/daquellamanera/" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name=" Daquella manera" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bb324ffe4b0480ca666f59c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/people/daquellamanera/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="1" data-vars-position-in-unit="7"> Daquella manera</a>)