2009.05.21
Appetizer, soup or salad? Or not.
Want to save on your restaurant bill? Don't order an appetizer. Or salad. Or soup.
This has become the mantra for more consumers during tight economic times, according to a recent survey by food industry firm, Technomic. Of the 40 percent of people who used to order appetizers with their restaurant meal, only 24 percent are ordering them now.
The same is true for salads. About 51 percent of diners ordered a salad in 2007. That number dropped to 33 percent in 2009. Soup numbers are dwindling as well.
"To justify spending on items from the left side of the menu, they [consumers] want more value--dishes with unique flavors they can't make at home, or are large enough to share or eat as an entree," said Darren Tristano, an executive vice president at Technomic, in a news release.
Being healthy tends to drive the decision to order a salad, based on this Technomic survey of more than 4,500 diners. Salads are most popular at lunchtime, when 66 percent of people will order a salad, compared with 63 percent at dinner.
I don't typically order appetizers, but I like salads with my meals. Still, lately, I've been choosing entrees that include the salad in the price, rather than paying for it separately.
We never ordered a salad separately, and rarely would order an appetizer unless we ate out with a group of people. Nowadays, we usually will look through the menus and see if we can eat for a lower price by splitting a larger dinner entree, rather than ordering 2 separate plates with smaller portions. ALmost always, we wind up splitting the larger because the amount of food is more in line with good serving sizes, we don;t wind up having to truck leftovers home, and it saves a few dollars.
One of the biggest ways to save a few dollars dining out: skip the sodas and get water. I've been amazed at how much a Coke costs now for many sit-downs, it's almost $3 per person at some places! I can get 6 liters of Coke from Kroger for that price, and at a restaurant I might drink the first glass and half of a re-fill, it's just not worth it. For 2 people, the $6 a meal for sodas can just about cover the cost of an appetizer or sandwich plate. Now, some places I can still get a Coke for $1.50 or less, and I'll usually get one there and then see if i can get a to-go cup when I leave. Thankfully, a lot of places serve Pepsi so I just go for water there anyway.
Comment by Other John — May 21, 2009 @ 1:17 pm
I have never truly ordered a appetizer. They are nearly near as much as the meal it's self at some places. I have ordered hot wings (or whatever they call them) but eat them as a meal. They are usually enough to fill me up. A few times I have ordered a salad but that was very rare.
Another way to save is not to order dessert. Again the same problem as most places (the chain resturants mostly) are over priced. No piece of cake or pie is worth $6 and up.
I agree with the drink prices they are getting crazy. It's just as bad for tea. Again it seams to be the chain resturants that over charge for a beverage. OJ watch that they don't charge you for the water as I have heard of some charging just as much for you water.
Comment by Mike D — May 21, 2009 @ 2:00 pm
There is a big difference in what some restaurants call a salad. I enjoy a good salad with a variety of ingredients and will order one. But many restaurants call shredded iceberg lettuce with a rock hard tomatoe a salad. No way I want that. Flat Rock Grill had a good salad before they went to the dogs and then closed.
I agree with the others, the easiest way to cut the bill is to order water.
Comment by RMac — May 21, 2009 @ 2:52 pm
I love Olive Garden's unlimited salad and it's included in the cost of the meal. No need for an appetizer.
Comment by Justafan — May 21, 2009 @ 4:40 pm
I agree with all of you that ordering a drink, other than water, and dessert definitely ups the cost of a restaurant meal.
Splitting the meal also is a great way to save on your bill.
Sometimes, I'll split a milkshake or a smoothie when I'm at an ice cream shop. These treats usually come in one size, and it's typically rather large.
Comment by Jenny Kincaid Boone — May 22, 2009 @ 12:23 pm
I usually don't order appetizers unless I'm with a group and we're using the large appetizer as a substitute for an entree. At least appetizers can be shared. Of course, if no one else was going to eat the appetizer, I wouldn't order one just for myself.
I also agree with justafan, but I wonder how much longer OG will continue this policy.
Comment by Potterfan — May 24, 2009 @ 10:55 am
Don't you just hate it when you are watching your money but decide to splurge for a nice dinner out, then it is terrible?
Comment by Melissa — May 27, 2009 @ 12:35 pm