Mar 31, 2009 11:00 pm US/Eastern
3 On Your Side: Restaurant Deals
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
Whether it's a night out with the family or an intimate dinner for two, dining out these days doesn't always have to take a big bite out of your budget.
Your Money Team finds that more are more big chain restaurants are serving up savings like never before.
3 On Your Side's Jim Donovan went in search of cheap eats.
Enjoy eating out, but can't stomach a big bill?
"People are really looking for a way to eat out and eat out affordably," said Cathi Chuck with Applebee's and The Rose Group.
The economy has certainly taken a toll.
"The uncertainty tends to create somewhat of a reluctance to spend," said Carol Kaufman-Scarborough, professor of marketing at Rutgers University.
The National Restaurant Association reports that same-store sales have been down for nine consecutive months.
So more and more chains are offering deals to get you in the door hoping that you'll spend more once you're there.
For instance, Applebee's has a two for $20 special.
"You get one appetizer and two entrees for $20," said Chuck.
Like fiesta lime chicken, a shrimp platter and spinach artichoke dip!
"We have another value. Starting at $5.99, you can choose from over 60 combinations of soup, salad and sandwiches and it's a pretty great value," said Chuck.
T.G.I. Friday's offers 10 entrees priced at $9.99.
Cheesecake Factory is offering a small plates and snacks menu with items priced as low as $5.
And Texas Roadhouse launched an early dine for $7.99 promotion. You have 10 value-price dinners to choose before 6 p.m.
"Early hours, special deals, increased loyalty, all of those 10 to reward the customer with savings, while maintaining quality," said Kaufman-Scarborough.
"We went back to basics, we want to have food that our customers crave, at prices they can afford," said Alisa Hudson with Outback Steakhouse.
And we're not talking just appetizers, like the bloomin' onion, at Outback, they've got at least 15 entrees under $15. Like their peppercorn New York strip, roasted pork tenderloin and Alice Springs chicken and rib combo.
"They usually come with two sides, which is either a salad or soup, or a fresh vegetable or our Aussie chips or garlic mashed potatoes," said Hudson.
So dig in. These days the bill may not be as big as you first thought.
RELATED LINKS:
www.applebees.com
www.rosegroupdining.com
www.texasroadhouse.com
www.outback.com
www.cheesecakefactory.com
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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