Anonymous wrote:Eating out of the house = eating out.

Is this some regional linguistic difference where eating out means eating somewhere fancy?

Agree a million percent.

Eating out of the house = eating out.

Is this some regional linguistic difference where eating out means eating somewhere fancy?

Fast food is not eating out.
My sister ways says she is going out to lunch. I ask where, she says SUBWAY. That is not eating out. That's fast food.

Anonymous wrote:What 15:54 said. Eating out is being served somewhere and enjoying the experience. Chipotle is fast food.

Oh for Pete's sake. For some of us, eating out is going somewhere where one of us doesn't have to cook and one of us doesn't have to clean. That's a luxury. Stop looking down your arrogant condescending noses at those of us who consider Ledo's, pizza joints, Bob Evans, etc to be eating out. Let me guess, you all who think that you can't get out of a restaurant for under $100 for a meal for 2 are the ones who complain that you're struggling paycheck to paycheck on your middle class $300K HHI.

Eating out means that you are eating at an establishment where they cook for you and they clean for you. Whether than may be fast food or someplace nice.

What 15:54 said. Eating out is being served somewhere and enjoying the experience. Chipotle is fast food.

Two adults, 5 year old and <1.

Takeout:$30-$35 for pizza or Chinese or whatever. Usually get two meals out of it.
Dinners out: we try to do these alone and not waste a dinner out being miserable with the baby or going somewhere the 5 year old thinks is "gross." We average $100-$150 for these dinners. Went to Ray's the Steaks last Saturday so somewhere in that ballpark is where we typically end up.
Lunch: Maybe $20. Chipotle or Chickfila or whatever.

We never eat breakfast out because like a pp said I just think breakfast prices are CRAZY. I am NOT PAYING $15 for pancakes. I would rather have a croissant and my own coffee at home than blow $50 on breakfast.

We ate out last night - 3 people (kid is 18 so eats adult portions). Soup or salad/sandwiches/nice desserts/2 glasses of wine was $100 at a nicish but very casual place. If we can go out for $80 it means we probably skipped dessert. Even ordering Chinese take away is typically $45. A fast casual like Fish Taco is $60 for 3.

We eat most meals at home, wouldn't go out for chipotle. When we go out it is for something nicer than we would make at home.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always love the DCUMers who claim they take the whole family out once or twice a week and never spend more than $40.

We can't get out of a restaurant for less than $100. Which is why we don't go very often, and never for breakfast. Paying someone to cook your breakfast is nuts.

If you're eating fast food or chipolte then sure you could manage for less than 40.

Chipotle isn't "eating out."

Not the PP but what do you consider to be "eating out"? What is the criteria that needs to be satisfied?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always love the DCUMers who claim they take the whole family out once or twice a week and never spend more than $40.

We can't get out of a restaurant for less than $100. Which is why we don't go very often, and never for breakfast. Paying someone to cook your breakfast is nuts.

If you're eating fast food or chipolte then sure you could manage for less than 40.

Chipotle isn't "eating out."

Actually, it is. Unless you take it to go.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always love the DCUMers who claim they take the whole family out once or twice a week and never spend more than $40.

We can't get out of a restaurant for less than $100. Which is why we don't go very often, and never for breakfast. Paying someone to cook your breakfast is nuts.

If you're eating fast food or chipolte then sure you could manage for less than 40.

Chipotle isn't "eating out."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Panera for 3, 5, 7 yr old + me and DH. I brought along my own cream cheese and fresh fruit to cut down on cost and make it a bit healthier. Cost was $17.

This is so incredibly tacky.

+1 Why didn't she bring the bagels and coffee, too? Cost would be $0.

Anonymous wrote:Panera for 3, 5, 7 yr old + me and DH. I brought along my own cream cheese and fresh fruit to cut down on cost and make it a bit healthier. Cost was $17.

This is so incredibly tacky.

Family of 4 (two boys who no longer order off the kids menu)....very often $100 for dinner.

For the month of July we made a commitment to NOT go out to eat for the whole month unless it is a social obligation. We have saved so much money. I have no idea how much we used to spend. I can't calculate it, I would be so upset. I know it's way too much.

More often than not, we use Groupons and similar services.

Our average bill for two is less than $40, including the cost of the Groupon, and this is eating at halfway decent places .... not fast food.

Anonymous wrote:Panera for 3, 5, 7 yr old + me and DH. I brought along my own cream cheese and fresh fruit to cut down on cost and make it a bit healthier. Cost was $17.

I'm going to echo a few other pps and say that it is weird that you brought your own cream cheese (and fruit.) Did you eat in the restaurant, or did you take it all to a local park or something to have a picnic? It's really terrible to bring outside food into the restaurant (or their outside tables, if they have them and are meant for customers) and I'm surprised they didn't do anything about it.

Actually, I'm not. One of the reasons why I never go to Panera is the people that buy their cup of coffee and then camp out there all day (to use the free wi-fi) bug the crap out of me. It seems Panera really doesn't care that a paying customer who just wants to sit for half an hour to eat the food they bought, can't find a free table because some guy who bought coffee and a muffin 3 hours ago is still parked there on his lap top.