Ideas for meals out with fam when things are tight

[josh wiley 77]

What do u all do when u want to take them out and things are a little tight? Recently I’ve taken my crew to Mexican place and instead of ordering anything myself I’ll order tacos or cheese quesadilla for the kids and something for wifey. Then when they get their food which comes with beans and rice which they mostly have no interest in anyways I’ll just take the chips and put some of the beans maybe rice with some salsa. I named them “chiparitos” which the kids get a kick out of. I know I’ve just disclosed I am the only geek that’s not filthy rich, but any other ideas or things you guys do?

[Bier Meister 1,774]

Mexican, Chinese, pizza all can be cost effective.

 

 

[TommyGavin 790]

$.69 Ramen add half soft boiled egg and meal for a king/college student. 

[lickin_starfish 2,029]

What about making sandwiches at home, and then eating at the park?

[shorepatrol 1,871]

If things are "tight", we aren't eating out

[MLCKAA 586]

36 minutes ago, josh wiley said:

What do u all do when u want to take them out and things are a little tight? Recently I’ve taken my crew to Mexican place and instead of ordering anything myself I’ll order tacos or cheese quesadilla for the kids and something for wifey. Then when they get their food which comes with beans and rice which they mostly have no interest in anyways I’ll just take the chips and put some of the beans maybe rice with some salsa. I named them “chiparitos” which the kids get a kick out of. I know I’ve just disclosed I am the only geek that’s not filthy rich, but any other ideas or things you guys do?

Don’t go out.  Have the kids help prepare low cost meals at home.  I don’t know how old they are, but even young kids can help make grilled cheese sandwiches, bacon/eggs//biscuits, meatloaf, stew, hamburgers, homemade pizza, most pasta dishes, etc.

[5-Points 3,838]

Dine and dash. 

[avoiding injuries 1,655]

Stay away from places with servers to save on having to tip. Counter service is great if you ignore the tip button on the iPad when they turn it around. 

[TommyGavin 790]

7 minutes ago, 5-Points said:

Dine and dash. 

He’s white. We don’t do that. 

[5-Points 3,838]

3 minutes ago, TommyGavin said:

He’s white. We don’t do that. 

He left that part out.

But that's why it would work. It would be totally unexpected. 

[BeenHereBefore 1,669]

Rice is your friend.

[weepaws 3,422]

Meals at home with the family, that’s the best way to come together as one, and it’s going to be cheaper then eating out anywhere, and healthier then most places.   

 

[Gepetto 1,469]

Go to the grocery store deli, buy deli meat (salami, ham, turkey, and/or roast beef) and cheese (swiss, provolone, and/or cheddar or whatever you all like) and hoagie rolls, lettuce, tomatoes, mayo - make awesome sandwiches at home.

[kutulu 1,724]

Dumpster diving

[seafoam1 3,511]

2 hours ago, lickin_starfish said:

What about making sandwiches at home, and then eating at the park?

Yep. Kids will like it even more than going to a restaurant. Save the nights out for you and your wife alone. I grew up in a family of 8 kids. We rarely ever went out to a sit down restaurant. And even when we did, I enjoyed McDonalds as much or more as going to a restaurant. 

[Mike Hunt 318]

3 hours ago, Bier Meister said:

Mexican, Chinese, pizza all can be cost effective.

 

 

 

Not anymore.  

[Bier Meister 1,774]

1 minute ago, Mike Hunt said:

 

Not anymore.  

Depends on where you are.

[Hardcore troubadour 16,040]

There are too many Mexican restaurants now. Amd it’s the same items on the menu at all of them. Just like Chinese. Chinese is played out and Mexican is getting there. 

[Hardcore troubadour 16,040]

3 minutes ago, Bier Meister said:

Depends on where you are.

True.  

[Hardcore troubadour 16,040]

Actually seeing on menus staff requesting that the tips be paid in cash.  Ok. I’ll help ya out.  How about at least some good service then? 

[Bier Meister 1,774]

1 hour ago, Hardcore troubadour said:

True.  

to use chinese as an example.  New York, San Francisco, Seattle, vancouver do it very well and have multiple tiers and high availability.

 

When i was in colorado: at the time, denver had plenty of options, but only one area had what i considered good chinese (alameda and federal). Up in the mountains it was very epensive and not very good.  from what i have seen, denver itself has improved a bit...do not not know about the mountains.

[Hardcore troubadour 16,040]

1 minute ago, Bier Meister said:

to use chinese as an example.  New York, San Francisco, Seattle, vancouver do it very well and have multiple tiers and high availability.

 

When i was in colorado: at the time, denver had plenty of options, but only one area had what i considered good chinese (alameda and federal). Up in the mountains it was very epensive and not very good.  from what i have seen, denver itself has improved a bit...do not not know about the mountains.

I’m in suburbia. Chinese food here sucks now.  It was once very good. 

[Bier Meister 1,774]

18 minutes ago, Hardcore troubadour said:

I’m in suburbia. Chinese food here sucks now.  It was once very good. 

[League Champion 1,926]

Box of Pasta $1 and Meat Sauce $1 a jar at dollar store. A $2 meal that feeds the entire family. Add chicken nuggets for the chicken Parm effect. 

[TommyGavin 790]

1 hour ago, Hardcore troubadour said:

I’m in suburbia. Chinese food here sucks now.  It was once very good. 

I was in upstate NY many many years ago and friend said he was getting Chinese food. I said I’ll pass and got something from 7-11. His food sucked. Would never get Chinese outside NYC/Long Island. 

[BeenHereBefore 1,669]

3 hours ago, kutulu said:

Dumpster diving

Knew some hot chicks both named Brandy that lived next door and they would hit McDonalds right after close. Got a lot of fairly fresh big macs, oh I did bang the one 34 C.

[Blue Horseshoe 348]

6 hours ago, josh wiley said:

What do u all do when u want to take them out and things are a little tight? Recently I’ve taken my crew to Mexican place and instead of ordering anything myself I’ll order tacos or cheese quesadilla for the kids and something for wifey. Then when they get their food which comes with beans and rice which they mostly have no interest in anyways I’ll just take the chips and put some of the beans maybe rice with some salsa. I named them “chiparitos” which the kids get a kick out of. I know I’ve just disclosed I am the only geek that’s not filthy rich, but any other ideas or things you guys do?

 

My best suggestion is to find stuff that goes on sale, like meat in a weekly special, then do some grilling. If you check out Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace in your area, sometimes you can find someone giving away a grill for free if you don't have one. You can play board games, be outside, etc, etc. 

I don't think there is an economical way to "eat out" anymore for a lot of people. No judgement here of course. 

Depending on where you are located, if you were close enough, I'd just give you my Big Green Egg. I'm not using it and my health is at the point where I probably won't ever again. 

One thing that kids like to do is "Make Their Own Pizza" kind of activity. You can make a big one for everyone, then let the small ones make their own "mini personal one" as well. You can also make pizzas on a grill using a stone, etc, etc, so that might still be a "grill opportunity" 

One way to see it is to up your level as a "chef" to outpace a restaurant. Aim to make food better than a restaurant. Just not as restaurant prices of course. 

Good luck. 

[BeenHereBefore 1,669]

19 minutes ago, Blue Horseshoe said:

 

My best suggestion is to find stuff that goes on sale, like meat in a weekly special, then do some grilling. If you check out Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace in your area, sometimes you can find someone giving away a grill for free if you don't have one. You can play board games, be outside, etc, etc. 

I don't think there is an economical way to "eat out" anymore for a lot of people. No judgement here of course. 

Depending on where you are located, if you were close enough, I'd just give you my Big Green Egg. I'm not using it and my health is at the point where I probably won't ever again. 

One thing that kids like to do is "Make Their Own Pizza" kind of activity. You can make a big one for everyone, then let the small ones make their own "mini personal one" as well. You can also make pizzas on a grill using a stone, etc, etc, so that might still be a "grill opportunity" 

One way to see it is to up your level as a "chef" to outpace a restaurant. Aim to make food better than a restaurant. Just not as restaurant prices of course. 

Good luck. 

Don't you have some cats to donate ?

[Pimpadeaux 2,407]

 

[JustinCharge 2,397]

have a cookout.  throw some cheap hot dogs and burger patties on the grill.  tastes way better that way anyway.  maybe chop up some veggies, wrap it in tin foil, and toss it in the fire until cooked.

[seafoam1 3,511]

48 minutes ago, Pimpadeaux said:

 

Ukraine is getting it's ass kicked. 

[josh wiley 77]

These are some good suggestions. We actually did have the kids help make pizzas the other night and they came out great and the kids appreciated even more since they helped. Subs a great idea. I do try to cook out on the grill as often as possible too. And yes I knew someone would say don’t go out if things are tight. And completely understandable. U just feel like the family needs it sometimes. Like when the kids finished school as a congrats, when they finished bible school, when soccer and basketball seasons were over, etc. Mainly like to do it to mark occasions such as these. I did used to cook at a hotel in my early twenties so I’m not terrible at it. No biermeister that’s for sure

[josh wiley 77]

And yes whoever said Mexican or pizza isn’t cheap anymore. U r right on on that

[Blue Horseshoe 348]

15 minutes ago, josh wiley said:

U just feel like the family needs it sometimes. 

 

(This is not a commentary on you specifically, just a general observation) 

It's difficult for kids to not have things that other kids have. I'm not saying kids should be spoiled or anything but when a kid never has anything that the other kids have, if it's a complete drought, then that IMHO hurts the kids perception of hope for a future. Human beings, even kids, need something to look forward to in life. We were built to have some kind of purpose, otherwise we are adrift and it's a lot of suffering.

So, yes, as someone who grew up with nothing extra, I do get that. We want our kids to have better than what we had. Even if it's just by a little. And there's a sting that comes, being a parent, and to keep having to say "No" to everything that kids want to do or share, because it costs too much. 

I'm a parent. I gave exponentially better than what I got myself. But I never forgot what it was like to have nothing. Also some of my employees have complex situations, and it's rough to see some of them struggle. That's something I learned quickly as an employer. Just because things "look" a certain way on the surface, you don't really know for sure. 

Lots of people "appear" to have their finances as flush, but the truth is often far more unsettling for many people in the dark. 

I wish you well, I wish you luck, I wish for you grace and good fortune in all the wars to come. 

[Pimpadeaux 2,407]

2 hours ago, josh wiley said:

These are some good suggestions. We actually did have the kids help make pizzas the other night and they came out great and the kids appreciated even more since they helped. Subs a great idea. I do try to cook out on the grill as often as possible too. And yes I knew someone would say don’t go out if things are tight. And completely understandable. U just feel like the family needs it sometimes. Like when the kids finished school as a congrats, when they finished bible school, when soccer and basketball seasons were over, etc. Mainly like to do it to mark occasions such as these. I did used to cook at a hotel in my early twenties so I’m not terrible at it. No biermeister that’s for sure

Why are things so tight? 

[Cruzer 1,996]

Assuming you have a few basic pantry items on-hand already............... You can buy a big bag of fideo, pinto beans and long grain rice, eat all week for less than $20. 

[BunnysBastatrds 2,707]

Spam, tortillas, cheap pasta Mac and cheese, and cheap chips. Lived on it in college.

[Hardcore troubadour 16,040]

8 hours ago, Pimpadeaux said:

Why are things so tight? 

Bidenomics. Pay attention. 

[Alias Detective 1,474]

13 hours ago, josh wiley said:

And yes whoever said Mexican or pizza isn’t cheap anymore. U r right on on that

You can skip the at home subs.  Deli meat prices are insane.

[Bier Meister 1,774]

14 hours ago, josh wiley said:

And yes whoever said Mexican or pizza isn’t cheap anymore. U r right on on that

Everything is relative and again, it depends upon where you take them.  You don't have to hit the latest trendy pizzeria, nor do you need to only go to round table.

 

Covid changed the food service industry.  Restaurants are still struggling with staffing shortages, higher food costs, and distribution issues.  Everything is higher now (still).

 

Are you still in the east bay? What is your per person budget for dining out? There are many "affordable" restaurants that could meet your needs.