How To Save Money When Eating Out With Your Familia

Lay out the eating out plan at home. You already know where you are going, so let the kids (and papi, too!) know what they can and can’t have, and have them practice placing their order. This avoids confusion and those dreaded awkward moments when the server is asking what you want and the kids are asking for something else. I let my 4-year-old place his order, which makes him feel very grown up and responsible!

A very obvious choice, but one that many don’t take full advantage of: Go to places where kids eat for free. Many chains will offer free meals to children under 12, which leaves a little spare cash for dessert or vino for mami and papi. Take a look at this A-Z guide of national chains for more options where kids dine for free or download smartphone apps for finding affordable family dining options, such as Out To Eat With Kids. Make sure to check first, as the offer may only be for certain days and times.

ecome a fan of local restaurants and chains on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and check in with them on Foursquare when you visit. Many places offer discounts to those who have liked their page where they offer daily deals, give points to returning customers and reward you when you tag them on social media platforms. You can link your Foursquare to your Twitter and Facebook for additional exposure and discounts. I personally have received up to 20 percent off my meal when using Foursquare to check in at my local coffee shop. ¡Dale un LIKE!

Don’t be afraid to ask! Through the years I’ve gotten better at asking and oftentimes it pays off! Many restaurants have discounts for teachers, military, AAA members, frequent buyer or loyalty cards and other affiliations. ¡Sin pena!

Skip the tip (well sort of). Always tip for good service, but consider heading out to local restaurants where you go up to the register to place your order instead of being waited on. Chains such as Chipotle, Subway and Panera Bread offer a wonderful selection of food both healthy and convenient without having to leave a tip. This can save you up to 20 percent off the cost of eating out as a family.

Ordering the kids meal does not always mean it’s less expensive. See what’s offered—does it include the drink and dessert, or are those separate? I tend to get my son milk or juice and my husband and I give him a part of our dinner on a separate plate. Ask for a smaller plate and take out a portion. Kids also don’t eat everything and I’ve often ended up wasting way too much on meals out that he doesn’t finish. Even if a restaurant charges a plate sharing fee, you may still be able to feed the kids cheaper by sharing.

I’m not a couponer, but when you can save with just a few clicks or with loyalty apps on your smartphone, then why not? I found printable restaurant coupons on the Mommy Saves Big blog or restaurant.com to be great resources with links and coupons directly to the restaurant or chain of your choice such as Bertucci’s, Boston Market and Olive Garden, just to name a few! You can also check Spanish-language couponing and savings blogs for deals, such as Cuponeando or Ahorros Para Mamá.

¡Dale tu opinión! Tell them what you think. It may be somewhat annoying if you’ve got the chamacos in tow, but just by filling out a quick survey of their services or your customer service experience, you can often get a discount for your meal or a reduced rate for your next visit. Most are done online at home and offers can be a percentage off, free meal for one guest or free appetizer or dessert.

On the road and need to stop for dinner? I know all too well how expensive it can get when you’re traveling or even just trying to get the niños from place to place. You’ll most likely have your own snacks and drinks in the car, so make sure to include these in your lunch or dinner stop. Fast food joints may be favorites when you are on the open road, but be smart—consider the dollar menu at the where you can get a full meal for under $5 for each family member.

Go early! Most times breakfast and lunch menus are much less expensive than dinner options and offer better value for money. This way you can also avoid the crowds and not have to deal with long waits and hungry and cranky kids.