Plenty of restaurant chains are offering exceptional values these days... to try and keep their customers coming.
After surveying its subscribers... about more than 150-thousand visits to 101 restaurants, Consumer Reports has the goods on where to dine well for less.
Tod Marks with Consumer Reports says, "The dining deals out there today are incredible. But not surprising, it doesn't matter how good the deals are, if the food isn't good."
Twenty-one chains received the highest marks for food, with steakhouses ... generally being the priciest category.
In a steak taste-off, Consumer Reports found that Morton's has an excellent strip steak for $53 that bested the rest. But consider Outback, which has a very good strip steak for $22. The strip steaks at Applebee's for $18 and Fridays for $17... were okay, too. But be careful how much lower you go.
Marks says, "The fact is, none of the $9.99 'value' sirloins we tested at Applebee's, Outback, and Friday's were anywhere near as flavorful and tender as their pricier counterparts."
Consumer Reports' Tightwad Tod says there are plenty of other ways to save money, starting with going online.
Marks adds, "I signed up for email alerts at some of my favorite restaurants, and my inbox was flooded with all kinds of offers for freebies, including a free pound of shrimp cocktail from Legal Seafood."
You can also join frequent dining programs at places like Friday's, and get a free appetizer or dessert. Or consider eating at the bar, where food can be cheaper.
Getting food to go rather than sitting down in a restaurant can also be a way to stretch your dollars.
For one, you don't have the cost of a tip.