Make the Most of Your Dining Out Budget With a High-Low Method
Eating out can be expensive. If you plan on dining out, make more profit with the high-low method.
Yes, we know that the best way to save money on food is to cook it at home. But some of us enjoy eating out, whether it’s on a date, hanging out with friends, or having a good meal. If you love a restaurant but want the most bang for your buck, try the high-low method invented by food critic Todd Kleeman. He suggests going to cheap, hole-in-the-wall restaurants most of the time and then saving money for fine gourmet food. He advises avoiding anything in the middle:
Most restaurants that call themselves bistros or cafes also fall into this category. Any place that wants you to know that it exists to soothe your weary soul with “comfort food” belongs to this place. Several small independent restaurants favored by gastronomic adventure seekers also occupy this vast middle. Let’s call these points the upper-middle. ..
In other words, the big middle is where most of the restaurants are located.
More precisely: the restaurants that the vast majority of people think of when they think about going out to eat.
And you probably already guessed what I will advise you.
That’s right: ignore them.
Upscale establishments are easy enough to weed out, but here’s what Kilman has to offer for inexpensive meals:
Would you drink a rich and flavorful plate of pho … in one of the ubiquitous pho salons in the area … Maybe your name is a lean dish in an Ethiopian restaurant … Or maybe you crave bright light, fresh ceviche flavors and tiradito … Not only are you giving yourself the chance to explore the richness of the different cultures that make up the dining scene, which is a reward in itself, but with more than $ 200 remaining, you can now splash out on food that used to be considered an expense for a special occasion.
Of course, your definition of a “high-end” restaurant can vary and, in fact, can fall under what Kilman calls the “broad middle.” But this is your budget, so you can adjust your numbers accordingly. The point is, instead of getting six meals a month at average prices, consider enjoying five cheaper meals and then spending your savings on one gourmet meal. Using this method, you can still dine out, but you can have a richer experience. Check out the full post at the link below.
Follow This Simple Principle And You Will Never Eat A Mediocre Food Again | The Washingtonian via Business Insider
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