Community Chat

[LTT1]

When I eat out lately, it has been with family members as a treat.

Yesterday, I took the grands out for lunch.

We went to my favorite Subway, at the mall, and I was very disappointed.

Both of the children ordered 12" subs (this will change in the future...these are too much food for them)

So the bill for all of us with drinks, an order of a churro and tip was

$51.00

And the bread was DRY!

So, poor parents!

Good luck getting caught out with the kids on trips, etc, and being able to afford a fast meal out.

I believe my spending habits will need to be "reined in".

OMG

[sunshine45]

subway has lots of coupons available (i get them in the mail almost every week) AND they have a loyalty program. if you go there frequently you may want to consider using coupons and their loyalty program for better deals.

[cheriere]

@LTT1 

I know just what you mean.  Fast food costs as much as a sit down restaurant these days.  My Subway alone with tip is around $20.  Just the other day, I went through Hardee's and picked up a few breakfast biscuits, one coffe and hash rounds and total was almost $30.  That's just ridiculous!

[lynnie61]

We eat out a few times a month.  I was looking to pick up at Panera earlier this week, almost $10 for just a bowl of soup.  I do try to go when I have coupons if it's fast food places.  I don't know how families with hungry teenagers do it.  Lots of places have cut their portions.  

[haddon9]

I never liked Subway.  Many years ago (20?) one opened up in my local shopping center.  I went in to order a sub and just couldn't get over the bad smell in there so I left without buying.  I went back at some point thinking that I was just a fluke but it still stunk and I never went into a Subway since.  That Subway has been gone for a long time.

I don't tend to do fast food.  I can understand when taking the grands out by my only grandson is still a baby.  

When we go out either as a family or if I do lunch with friends I tend to go to a "farm to table" type of restaurant or an independent mom & pop one that offers quality food.

The last time that I went out for dinner was on Monday.  I went with a friend to a local Italian place.  Good thing I made a reservation!  The place was packed!...on a Monday at 6pm!  They do have really great food and all of their waitstaff are Italian.  Makes me feel for a moment that I'm in Italy!

[beckyb1012]

I look for specials when buying fast food.  KFC last week had their chicken sandwiches on sale through the app at 50% off.  In my town they are $4.99 and KFC sandwiches are much bigger than Popeye or Chick-fil-a.   Freebirds which is similar to Chipotle and I do prefer our Freebirds over Chipotle also overs specials all through each month.  Last Friday I picked up a huge burrito with their Prime Rib meat for only $7.00 and lots of extras added in.  Had to be ordered on the app.  Half of the burrito is still in my freezer it is too big to eat in one sitting.

Order on the app and take the grands to picnic table in the park when the weather is much cooler.  It is not the same as fine restaurant eating in doors but for fast food I would prefer the outside with money saved.

[RespectLife]

@LTT1 

It is sad, isn't it?

That's why we almost never eat out anywhere anymore.

You are more generous than me though.....I would not tip at a Fast Food Place when I have to order it myself, fill my own pop often, get my own utensils and napkins,  trott around with a tray of food and clean up my own mess!

[millieshops]

From the time I was a little kid, I was aware eating out cost more even if portions were smaller than on our kitchen table.  Ever the joker about what we could not afford, I still remember my father asking once if we wanted to go out for dinner.  When we excitedly said yes, he offered we could go Take-a-Peek Inn.  That was a restaurant just a few miles out of town.

We ate dinner in our kitchen that night.

Eating at home now has gotten prohibitive enough.  In the years before the pandemic, I lived within easy walking distance of a Subway shop.  Didn't like the food then even when I had coupons or sales.  No reason to try again at any price.  

[We rescue cats]

I think the costs for dining out are ridiculous, and you are right it is not just for sit down served dining, it's all of them. We have a local eatery that was just sold and reopened, we went with friends for dinner Tuesday. DH had a mixed drinks, a cheesesteak sandwich with fries and I had an Italian salad and water. . . our bill was over $50. We had been to Panera's on Saturday for lunch, I had soup and a small salad, he had a sandwich and soup with iced tea, almost $50. Neither included the tip!

I guess I live in a bubble. I guess if we want to eat out we will start going to all these senior citizen sales programs that include a meal! LOL!!

[LTT1]

I won't tips any more there.
In fact, next time (if there is one) I will ask to be sure to give me fresh bread?

Extenuating circumstances: 

The man who was working has been very good to me in the past (also giving me a free cookie every now and then). I have always tipped there.

But I was always a very regular 2X/week customer.

Have not been there since March (have been ill).

Probably my imagination, but I think he was miffed because I had stopped coming there.

I need to speak with the DGC about the importance of buying smaller portions of food...and getting more if they are still hungry.

I notice that at home they seem to be running low on food ...for a variety of current reasons.

Oh well...at least I tried!