Regardless of what the media feeds me, I'd say there is a solid 30-40% inflation on food. Call me stingy but the past year has made me get creative in our eating out as I try to augment the bland with either cheap or flavorful substitutes brought from home.
Yes, we can and do eat at home but I'm referring to the casual quick outings of my spouse and I.
One thing we do is bring an avocado and split it across our Egg McMuffin, Whataburger Taquito, or burger. Paying for the half/cocked spread at the POS is more than twice the price and isn't as fresh. Heck, I have once or twice brought in some fresh spinach to throw on my burger.
Another is to drop into HEB and grab a $12 sushi pack and a coke and eating it in the car. Much cheaper than dinning out.
We also try to avoid places with table servers. Sorry but given we are paying 30% more for food this year, I don't feel like paying another 20% tip just to wait until someone comes by and fills my drink. I don't mind getting it myself thanks.
Any other ideas out there for making dinning out tasty, interesting and cheap?
Yes, we can and do eat at home but I'm referring to the casual quick outings of my spouse and I.
One thing we do is bring an avocado and split it across our Egg McMuffin, Whataburger Taquito, or burger. Paying for the half/cocked spread at the POS is more than twice the price and isn't as fresh. Heck, I have once or twice brought in some fresh spinach to throw on my burger.
Another is to drop into HEB and grab a $12 sushi pack and a coke and eating it in the car. Much cheaper than dinning out.
We also try to avoid places with table servers. Sorry but given we are paying 30% more for food this year, I don't feel like paying another 20% tip just to wait until someone comes by and fills my drink. I don't mind getting it myself thanks.
Any other ideas out there for making dinning out tasty, interesting and cheap?
