Restaurant prices are significantly higher than 3-4 years ago. Many of us don’t like dropping $50 for two people every time you go out. Used to be (like a few years ago, not decades) that you could go out for a simple meal, non-fast food and get a quality burger and side or soup/salad for $12 or less. Or a plate full of Mexican food that is non-Taco Bell.
Rare to find anymore! Let’s say you have a budget of $12. Food/drink only, don’t worry about add on’s (tip, fees). What are you ordering and what type of place are you dining at? Maybe it IS fast food because even that can add up unless it’s the dollar menu!
If you don’t eat out then you will not need to reply to the thread - but feel free to enjoy it! And yes, we know you can make a better meal at home for $12
We love Taco Tuesday around here. Our local taco place offers a 3 taco meal (any filling but all 3 have to be the same in a meal) for $10.99 on Tuesdays. Includes rice and beans as a side. It used to be $8.99 on Taco Tuesday so definitely increased, but still worth it. We drink water so no added cost there. Most times we order two different taco meals and split them between DH, myself, and S24 - so $22 for 3 people. I have two tacos and DH and S24 have two tacos each plus the rice and beans sides.
Restaurant? Not possible in MA. Most sandwich shops are $11-$13 for a large sandwich so maybe that (w/o a drink). It’s been a while but last time I was at Chipotle think it was $12 for a burrito/bowl.
Most mid-tier restaurants are going to run $100 for a couple for a dinner - including an alcoholic drink per person.
In Texas we have something called Central Market. They have a cafe with lots of yummy options. You order at a counter and pick it up so no tipping. One reason I love it. And dh works PT for the parent company so we get a 10% discount and sometimes a 25% discount during special promotions. I get an amazing grilled chicken sandwich and sweet potato fries and a fountain drink for $10.47. So without the discount it’s about $12.
Some of you may define “restaurant” differently. For the purpose of this thread a restaurant is a place where you get prepared food that is not in the frozen food or refrigerated section of a grocery store - or let’s say ALL grocery store food is off the table - this thread table , that is.
Not quite a restaurant, but a small local grocery store has an outstanding deli including a hot bar, and a few tables in a quiet sunny corner with windows. Works great for everyone, everybody can get what they want.
ETA: whoops, sorry, cross posted with your “no grocery store” warning above.
This is our new go to place in the “big city.” It’s really good too! Most items are under $12, especially if you drink water. Lately, I’ve been having the Buffalo Chicken Flatbread or the Cuban. H usually picks something from the sandwich grouping, or a hot dog. And their tater tots are the best! I think they like to see us coming now, because I tend to leave a big tip percentage wise since it is so cheap.
I’ll also add that all of my Thursday fast food dinners are <<$12 for me. Typically it’s Chick Fila, Jersey Mike’s, or Fire House Subs. But I also only buy the sandwich - no sides and I bring my own canned drink. We do eat there, or take it to a nearby park to eat.
What are you ordering specifically? We need to know not just a place where you can eat for $12 or less but what your order is. I mean, I can maybe get a side salad for $12 at many places but most of you wouldn’t be too impressed or eager to try it and spend your $12 that way!
We have a number of ethnic restaurants that have all kinds of great lunch specials. They cater to the college kids but some places are actually excellent. Lots of brunch places in town too that would come in under budget.
My personal favorite for $12 would be spicy tuna poke but no left overs for a drink so it will be water ; )
I’ll add that a restaurant is a place with counters or tables for sitting down to eat your meal that doesn’t sell groceries and stuff like diapers and soap.
I would probably argue that a bowl of clam chowder is not a meal (usually on appetizer menu). Not familiar with this place though and could be different.
A practice DH and I began after the we re-started going to restaurants after the pandemic (and we saw the increased costs) is ordering differently.
We often will order one appetizer and one entree and split both between us. Most American restaurants give so much food - we have plenty to eat and we don’t break the bank. It also keeps the bill usually between $22-26 before tax and tip.
At the local Ramen-Shinchan, we usually order Takoyaki ($8 appetizer) and Best Condition Ramen ($15 entree) and share between us.
