Saving loads of money on dining out

[two4theroad]

http://restaurant.com

Go to this website, enter your local zip code,browse restaurants (most are in large cities) and put coupons for desired locations in your cart. When done go to checkout and enter SANTA in the discount code box. I used it for 10 coupons and it worked fine. It will take 80% off of your total. I got $250 dollars worth of meal discounts for $20. I do not know how long this discount will last so if you are interested, do it now. The coupons do not have an expiration date.
I have been using this site for several years and it really works.

Have fun,
2fer

When this 80%discount code expires, there is almost always a 50% one available at couponcabin.com

 

[73ss454]

I've been using them for years. In NY it's was great because there were so many restaurant's signed up. Down here in Fla. not so many.

You can sign up with them and they'll email you all the time with the current specials.

Normally you pay 10 bucks for a $25 coupon but with the special it's cheaper. Let's say they have a 50% off, they you pay $5 for the $25 coupon. Pretty good deal if there's enough restaurants in your area signed up.

 

[Moemg]

I've been using them for years. In NY it's was great because there were so many restaurant's signed up. Down here in Fla. not so many.

.

Take another look since the economy downturn a lot of restaurants have signed up .

 

[Notmuchlonger]

None In my area I have heard of. Might be a good time to go try something new

 

[dex]

Just read the minimum requirements at the individual restaurants.

I like to go to restaurants for lunch; often by myself - many of the deals don't work for that.

 

[bssc]

Read the fine print, as Dex mentioned, it is hard to use for parties of one or two but otherwise, it is a deal.

 

[73ss454]

Take another look since the economy downturn a lot of restaurants have signed up .

Yeah, but with the market down I can't afford to go now.

 

[simple girl]

Read the fine print, as Dex mentioned, it is hard to use for parties of one or two but otherwise, it is a deal.

We use the $25 coupon (we are a party of 2). You usually have to spend $35 at minimum to use this coupon. This can be tough to do if it isn't a super expensive restaurant. So, we end up ordering appetizers and 2 entrees. We just don't eat all of the entrees and bring some home for the next day. I love the restaurant.com deals they send you via email. Seems like every other week they are running a 70% special (spend $3 for a $25 coupon, instead of $10). That 80% Santa special is the best deal thus far that I've seen.

 

[mahoneycutt]

Good Site and Some Tips

I've used them for years. I actually think I put a restaurant out of business because I used so many certificates

They let me know if I buy a certificate and I forget and let it expire. The advice on the fine print is good but in my experience there are no major "gotchas". Also, the discounts get higher at the end of the month.

People also sell restaurant.com gift cards on eBay. The last time I got one, I paid 17 cents on the dollar. Usual eBay precautions apply but I haven't been ripped off yet.

Mike Honeycutt

 

[Rustward]

Seems like most of the deals I saw have $10 Certificates for $3, and $25 Certificates for $10 and sometimes other denominations.

For $9 you can buy 3 $10 certificates. Why would anybody ever pay $10 for a $25 certificate?

Anybody know if you can use a certificate for the gratuity?

 

[two4theroad]

I noticed that too but still tend to buy mostlythe $25 coupons. Many places offer the $25 coupon with only a few offering the $10. Also, only one coupon per visit and lots of the places are expensive enough that the $25 is a better deal. After all, spend 2 dollars and save 23 or spend sixty cents and save $9.40. I'll take the 23 dollar savings.
2fer
PS: The tip cannot be paid with the coupon.

 

[Rustward]

Thanks two4, I see now. Some of the listings I saw said "one coupon per visit", so I assumed the others would allow multiple coupons. It still looks like a pretty good deal.

 

[Moemg]

I've used Restaurant.com but lately most of my local restaurants are lowering their prices . Some were already low but went lower . Tonight we went to our favorite Seafood place . I had Chicken Oscar and my SO had fish and chips both were great and they were $7.99 each . They change the specials weekly . They are slightly smaller than their regular dinners but I like that since I usually end up taking half home . It's a great place always mobbed .

 

[TromboneAl]

For me, there's one restaurant, and it's 50 miles away. That's not bad. Usually when I enter my zip code on a web site, the site replies "You're kidding, right?"

 

[73ss454]

Today's email from restaurant.com was 80% off. So, you spend $2 for a $25 coupon. Not a bad deal.

 

[REWahoo]

Usually when I enter my zip code on a web site, the site replies "You're kidding, right?"

I thought the reply would be "Bigfoot? Is that you?"

 

[REWahoo]

Today's email from restaurant.com was 80% off. So, you spend $2 for a $25 coupon. Not a bad deal.

Who are you kidding? Even at 80% off you still can't afford to eat out.

 

[73ss454]

Who are you kidding? Even at 80% off you still can't afford to eat out.

I'm saving them up and when I start getting SS like you I'm goin out.

 

[youbet]

Thanks two4, I see now. Some of the listings I saw said "one coupon per visit", so I assumed the others would allow multiple coupons. It still looks like a pretty good deal.

Don't assume anything. The rules say only one coupon per party (even if asking for seperate checks) and only one coupon per family per month. And make sure you understand the minimums.

I did a deep dive into this today....... Tons and tons of restaurants within five miles of our Chicago suburban home. You do need to read and understand the rules of engagement carefully. And watch the unique details for each restaurant. For example, to use a $25 coupon at some restaurants you need spend only $35. But at others the minimum may be $45 or $50. Generally drinks (alcohol or not) aren't part of the required minimum. Tips are usually calculated at some stated percentage on the basis of what the full bill would have been without the coupon and also aren't part of the minimum.

I got interested..... kinda like looking for a bargain at a flea market.... and found three excellent deals for DW and myself. Also crossed off dozens and dozens of offers because minimums were too high, too far to drive vs. the discount offered, restaurant didn't look that interesting when I went to their web site, etc.

 

[clifp]

Don't feel bad Al it said the same thing for my zipcode. Part of the traditional
"offer not good in Alaska or Hawaii" crap.

 

[Koolau]

Cliffp (and other HI 'expats')

Yeah, we get shut out of lots of stuff here in paradise. I think the following is only for those of us on Oahu, but it might change. Oldies 107.9 has a site you might try.

Half Price Deals: Home

Limited in scope and times you can "get in" to actually purchase discount cards, but looks like some good deals, if you like the restaurants they feature. I scored Crouching Lion cards at 50%. Haven't tried CL since they repoened and this seemed a good enticement beyond the great view from the mountainside. Allow 10 days for delivery and YMMV, etc.

Guess we have to give up a few things to live in the land of ever-summer.

 

[jambo101]

As usual Canada gets left out of the deal.

 

[nphx]

Soooo does anyone feel awkward in presenting a discount coupon or gift certificate at the end of the meal? In some cases the mom and pop is one tier away from the server asking how to handle the coupon. Theres a bit of peace in thinking if they they didn't want you to use the coupon they shouldn't issue it... but scoring a $35 meal with $25 off I feel a bit bad for the business. I guess its just me.

 

[73ss454]

Most of the places that are signed up with restaurant.com are more expensive places. I've used the coupons a lot but always on way more than a 35 dollar meals.

I think I'd feel kinda stupid using a $25 coupon for a $35 meal, I couldn't do it.

 

[Bestwifeever]

I never feel bad using a coupon or gift certificate--without it I likely wouldn't have gone there to eat anyway, and they are probably still making a little profit off me. And they hope I'll come back, too, and bring friends

I think the most important thing is to tip based on the full price of the meal, not the discounted price.