S/O Typical eating out bill - Page 3

[Smithie]

We are a mom, dad and three young children.

A little over $20 feeds the family at Mickey-D's, inasmuch as Mickey-D's can be said to "feed" anyone. 

We can get out of Denny's or IHOP for under $40, out of Applebee's or Chile's for under $50. 

Indian lunch buffet is a little over $40 since DH insists on adding on a lassi. 

Chinese takeout is $40 and creates lunch leftovers. 

"Real" restaurants, just DH and me, are going to be at least $70 and I don't give a flip, because guess how often we get to go out and eat as a couple? 

As a family, we LOVE eating out. Taking three kids to a restaurant is a supreme hassle, and our current locale is not know for fine dining, so we're not in a phase where we do it much, but when they are older and we live in a city? Boo-yeah. Food carts and ethnic takeout every. freaking. day. if we can afford it. I will save the planet some other way. 

[Dar]

Usually it's the two of us eating out, so two adults. The chains we occasionally go to are Chipotle and Sweet Tomatoes, and we always have a coupon for the latter. Depending on how good the coupon is, either of those will run us $12-18 (no tip at Chipotle but a couple of bucks at Sweet Tomatoes. Oh, and we make occasional fast food runs, but that's more about being stuck in the car and in a hurry and hungry than about eating out, really...

Other than that we go to ethnic places, and usually pay between $15-$30 for the two of us, including tax and tip. There's an Ethiopian place in our town that does a mixed vegetarian plate that literally feeds four women, for $10 or so... but that seems way too cheap so we always get sambusas or coffee there too, if there are four of us eating there. We love Indian food, too. I haven'd found a Mexican place here that I like, but that's to be expected I guess... I grew up in Tucson and traveled to Mexico regularly, and now I'm in Missouri. 

Oh, and we've been trying places with groupons more lately, too, and that's fun and usually saves me 50% or so. :)

[grniys]

We're a family of 4 in a high COL area. There's a lot of variation on how much a meal out costs. We can easily eat for $25 somewhere simple like Rubio's or Souplantation, but we can also easily spend $100+ at Cheesecake Factory or our favorite Italian place. Our favorite Mexican place is usually about $60 for the 4 of us. Chinese takeout for us costs about $30. Pizza is about the same. Going out for Japanese can cost $30 or $150 depending on if it's lunch or dinner and what we order.

I do admit that occasionally (I try for once a month, but I'm not always able to go every month) I go out to Mom's Night Out with girlfriends, and it can get very pricey for just me depending on where we go. I'm going out for Mexican with the girl's next weekend and it'll probably be about $25 (including tip) if I only have one margarita. If we were going somewhere more expensive it could easily come to $75 (it has in the past). So, lots of variation.

If I go somewhere expensive and spend a lot I don't do much eating out for a while. If I go to a cheaper place I'll probably go out to eat again within a week or so. DH and I both enjoy trying new places and new foods, and we love introducing the kids to new foods as well.

[6kids3cats]

What an interesting thread.  I've enjoyed reading everyone's responses!  We have six kids age 10-15 and so don't go out too often.  Going out for us has a wide range of spending options.  I tell the kids we can go out to Mickey D's more often for less money.  Everyone prefers much nicer places, of course.  There's three of them that would always and forever choose the fine china and white table cloth experience.  Mickey D's is Dollar Menu. Chicken or beef, three large fries, water only for the kids, pop for mom and dad, always under $20.  Taco bell is usually under $15.  Skipping the pop is the best choice we make.  Water.

If we go to Outback, it will be about $120, most of the kids will get the kids' meal and eat it all. I get so frustrated seeing people buy a meal that the kid never eats!  My kids love steak and will readily eat a steak dinner with potato and vegetable. A local Italian place is always $80.  The kids share entrees because the portions are huge.  Half a salad, half a soup, and half a chicken parm with ziti is still a huge dinner.  Usually my youngest will just get some of everyone else's.She is not a picky eater and loves to try new stuff so she likes the surprise of getting a sampler platter.  We went to a Greek restaurant in Orlando, that is $225 incl tip.  Everyone tried new things and had a great time.  If we go to Red Robin, it is always $80, never dessert but always onion ring tower and another appetizer.  Four oldest kids split two adult burger choices, they pair up with the same partner since they love the same dish.  That sharing enables them to enjoy appetizers, which they know. The two youngest just order kid meals, they're economical since they'll eat all of it and offer good choices like vegetables. 

We try to not choose places where they offer the trite chicken nuggets, pizza, mac 'n' cheese, or bread/cheese sandwich with fries and a pop.  We call those accomodation menus.  If you can't eat what the restaurant is servering to the grownups, stay home, lol.  Smaller portions is great, enabling kids to eat just those four junky dishes is not responsible. And don't forget the buttered noodle kids!  If we eat out at Chinese, the kids get Chinese, not mac 'n' cheese. If we eat a a Chinese place that is not buffet (I'm just not a fan) then we'll get a Sesame chicken, something all the kids like and it is always pretty consistent on taste so they know what to expect, then a couple other things that mom and dad pick.  They'll all get some of each.  Chinese for us is take out since the best tasting place is only delivery!  It is about $40 and we always get enough steak on a stick for everyone.  Egg rolls for those that want them, and the dinners.  German food was a hit but was pretty expensive.  We had taken relatives with us and our party totalled 14 and the bill was $400.  Everyone except the youngest got a dinner, she was the sampler kid again.  We also had three appetizers and everyone had dessert since the place had a great reputation for specialties. 

Even though the kids LOVE them, we avoid all you can eat buffets like Homestyle and Old Country.  I personally don't care for the food, the kids always want to eat only dessert and get sick. 

We go to Rainforest Cafe on vacation and that is always $100 for standard burger fare.  But it's a tradition!

We do take one or two kids out with us on occasion and then they may order whatever they like including pop.  That makes it a special treat and they get to order different things.  We've found the bill to be as much with two as it is with all six of them because of that.  But everyone gets special time that way. 

[Ruthiegirl]

When we are home in the States we get pizza once a month or so -- $20.  There is a Mexican place we like too, but that runs us $40-$50 for a family of 5.  Once a year, dh and I get a babysitter and go out for a fabulous meal that runs us about $100.  That includes wine, a shared appetizer and two meals.  Maybe a dessert, but usually not.    

We are in Sweden right now and the grocery store prices are about a 1/3 more.  Eating out is tremendously expensive and not something we will do very often.  Even the locals eat at home.  If you go out, it is for a coffee or a beer at happy hour.  It is perfectly polite and acceptable to order one drink and nurse it for an hour or more while you are out with friends.  

I know it sounds strange to my American friends, but IKEA has a nice cafeteria here that serves a good meal for $6-8.  Sunday afternoon is packed with families, so we have done that once.  The food was good and the bill came to less than $35. 

[Dar]

Originally Posted by Ruthiegirl 

We are in Sweden right now and the grocery store prices are about a 1/3 more.  Eating out is tremendously expensive and not something we will do very often.  Even the locals eat at home.  If you go out, it is for a coffee or a beer at happy hour.  It is perfectly polite and acceptable to order one drink and nurse it for an hour or more while you are out with friends.  

I know it sounds strange to my American friends, but IKEA has a nice cafeteria here that serves a good meal for $6-8.  Sunday afternoon is packed with families, so we have done that once.  The food was good and the bill came to less than $35. 

You're not kidding about eating out in Sweden! Rain and I did the backpacking around Europe thing last summer and I about had a heart attack in Stockholm. I did love the Knäckis at Nystekt Strömming (weird moment - the family working at the stand were speaking among themselves in Arabic and I responded in the same without thinking) and we had gotten a hotel through Destination Stockholm that came with a huge breakfast buffet (that turned out to be an awesome deal), but even getting coffee for the two of us could be $10-$15.

IKEA's meatballs rock!
 

[wombatclay]

Hmmm... this is tricky.  Because of dd1's celiac disease there are only a few restaurants we can go to.  And only one of those has a "children's menu" that has a gluten free option so in general we have to pay full price.  We're in a HCOL region.

There is a small Chinese all-you-can-eat buffet that we have been eating at since I was about 12 (I'm 36 now lol).  Over the years they've gotten to know us really well and they've been wonderful about keeping dd1 gluten free.  Since it's a flat rate buffet with different prices based on age, we end up paying for two adults, two children, and our youngest is free.  Total bill, with hot tea, is $29 dollars.

There is a Mexican restaurant that is part of a local chain (they have four restaurants I believe).  If we order off the pre-set menu (two adult, three children) the total is $28.  Drinks would add to the total but we nromally have water.

Both of those are fun family places, but they certainly don't use local or organic foods.  For local, organic, or generally "high quality" food the price is significantly higher.

Not too far away is an amazing (and very Celiac friendly!) BBQ joint.  Fabulous food, locally sourced, and prepared with some serious attitude.  But at an hour and a half away it's a "once a year" type outing.  Eating from the lunch menu the tab for 2 adults and three children is around $80-100 dollars (depending on what drinks are ordered, or what desserts are on the menu).  Eating from the dinner menu is about $100-120.  For that we'll get four half chicken platters (half chicken, three sides), a hungry man type platter (chicken, ribs, pulled pork and three sides), and then dessert is usually ice cream for the kiddos and key lime pie for the adults.

Closer to home there is a wonderful Cajun style restaurant that is our "fancy celebration but still kid friendly" spot.  So again, maybe once a year.  They don't offer a gluten free children's menu but do make sure that dd1's plate/portion "looks" a bit more kid friendly even though it's their standard adult plate.  Foods are local, organic, and seasonal, with information provided on where everything came from, when it was harvested or butchered, and so on.  Dinner for two adults and three kiddos is around $120 if everyone orders a simple platter with water and no dessert.  But since this is our "celebration spot" we only go when we're celebrating so... we generally have a few drinks and desserts and even appetizers!  So $180 is more likely.

All that said, we eat out less than once a month and go to a "fancy" restuarant maybe once a year.  Before kids (and even before the celiac diagnosis) we did go out more frequently... maybe twice or even three times a month.  The China Buffet was always a favorite, but also places like Applebees or Friendlys that are no longer an option for us.

[Amylcd]

I live in a low cost of living area, with few choices.  Our family of 5 can eat out for $30 on average. 

[madskye]

We live in a high COL area, and just the other night we went for indian food with me, DH, and and 5 yo DD and it was $70!  BYOB!  DH and I discussed and said we'll only go back for buffet in the future, which is way more reasonable.  Things are just expensive here.

[Ruthiegirl]

Originally Posted by Dar 

Originally Posted by Ruthiegirl 

We are in Sweden right now and the grocery store prices are about a 1/3 more.  Eating out is tremendously expensive and not something we will do very often.  Even the locals eat at home.  If you go out, it is for a coffee or a beer at happy hour.  It is perfectly polite and acceptable to order one drink and nurse it for an hour or more while you are out with friends.  

I know it sounds strange to my American friends, but IKEA has a nice cafeteria here that serves a good meal for $6-8.  Sunday afternoon is packed with families, so we have done that once.  The food was good and the bill came to less than $35. 

You're not kidding about eating out in Sweden! Rain and I did the backpacking around Europe thing last summer and I about had a heart attack in Stockholm. I did love the Knäckis at Nystekt Strömming (weird moment - the family working at the stand were speaking among themselves in Arabic and I responded in the same without thinking) and we had gotten a hotel through Destination Stockholm that came with a huge breakfast buffet (that turned out to be an awesome deal), but even getting coffee for the two of us could be $10-$15.

IKEA's meatballs rock!
 

That food stand looks great.  I never thought I would say it, but fried herring is delicious.  We plan to take the train to Stockholm next month and I bookmarked that as a good food spot.  Thanks.   And what a great adventure for you!  I love to travel.....

[CatsCradle]

We live in a high COL area but we do have a wide variety of options food and price-wise.  We don't do fast-food restaurants - but we do order fast food in the sense that it is carry-out (Indian, Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, etc.).  We prefer to bring it home and do our own thing without the pretense.  We may do this once or twice a month and depending on the cuisine, it usually runs us about $25.  We tend to over-order so that we can snack on it for several days.

Prices range wildly here.  Across the street from my office is an Indian restaraunt (which caters mostly to business people) which has minimum prices for an entree starting at $18 (not including drinks, appetizers, etc.).  About twenty blocks south, we visit an Indian lunch counter-type place and we can get a huge meal for the three of us for under $20.  About another twenty blocks south, we can get the same type of food from a place where cabbies eat for under $10.  Same type of food for all, but location and clientele really dictate the prices.

When we do eat out, it is generally on Saturday nights and it is usually at family-run type restaurants.  For a party of three with drinks for DH and I, the bill usually runs about $40.  Sometimes DD and I go to a local diner for Saturday morning breakfast, and the bill usually runs about $7.  Since we are vegetarian/vegans, we are primarily limited to pastas, rice dishes and salads unless it is a specific vegetarian restaurant.  So ultimately, we're paying less than the average customer. 

Several times a year, DH and I go out to see music and we try to go to a nice restaurant.  There are several high-end vegan restaurants that we like and with drinks, etc. we usually pay about $80. 

[bri276]

Usually about $60 for me, DH and DD1, incl. beer/wine.  We tend to go for non-chain ethnic casual.  A few times a year it'll be 80ish, and maybe once a year DH and I will spend $200-300 for a fancy anniversary or birthday dinner with plenty of booze, apps, dessert, whole 9 yds (usually that's partially a gift certificate, thanks mom or dad!)

Quick take out (pizza, fish & chips, subs) is around 20-40.  We try not to do fast food but I do have a weakness for occasional vegetarian Taco Bell and it's usually about $15.

[JudiAU]

We don't eat fast food or at chains. We live in an exensive urban area and tend to go to places with good quality meat and farmer's market veg, etc. Varies widely. Probably $10-15pp at lunch and 40pp at dinner. We tend to overorder to generate leftovers. We also eat a sushi, which is more. And a couple of times a year we splurge on meals that are going to be closer to $300. But even a pizza is going to cost close to $30. But we never to steakhouses anymore because we can buy such good quality meat locally. Cooking a good steak is easy. Making an Indian feast is not. We can also go to lot of ethnic neighborhoods, even cities, for excellent regional everything and that is cheaper, even at the feast level. The quality of the cooking is great. The quality of the meat is not. We also buy a certain amount of high quality prepared foods for the kids at lunch when we aren't there.

And yes, these are all sources that we should cut for a more frugal lifestyle.

ETA: Why ARE kids menus so lousy? I just want a smaller portion, not junk! We are at a really nice fish restaurant the other day and I got one fish and one macaroni and cheese. It was Kraft!!! Seriously. I don't serve Kraft to my kids at home.