The Eating Man

 

Eating Post Pandemic

The pandemic changed everything. Including where and what we eat. For some ridiculous reasons the cost of eating has skyrocketed. 

Grocery shopping has gone from pleasure to pain. You need a second mortgage to pay the exorbitant costs. But, eating in is still much less than eating out. A few suggestions: Beans and Rice / Rice and Beans - You need filler food. Beans, Rice, Potatoes, etc. Foods that won't break the bank. Buy BOGOs - Buy One Get One Free. Buy sale items. Buy store brands vs name brands. If it is not on sale or not a store brand or not a BOGO .... don't buy it. If chicken isn't on sale this week, don't eat chicken this week. 

Eating out is a new adventure. Restaurants are hardly printing menus anymore since they are raising prices faster than than the ink can dry. A few tips to eating out semi ok: Don't be afraid to ask the waiter or cashier for their thought as to the best deal on the menu. If they won't say, ask to speak to someone else. There is a best deal. You just have to find it. As an example, at Panera there is a little known and never pushed item called "Duets". It's the best deal they have. For $6.99 (was $5.99 up until just a few weeks ago) you get a combo of two. Either soup, salad or sandwich. At The Big Clock you can get a Fried Chicken dinner with salad, bread and side for $7.99. You must call head because it takes 20 minutes to make. At Tropical Grille there is what could be the best double smash burger in town with a side for $8.99. At Harris Teeter you an get a large, made from scratch, hot, unlimited toppings pizza on Mondays for $8.99. Waffle House -$5.00 for two eggs, toast and hash browns, with free entertainment. There are deals out there. They just take a little effort to find them (A few more tips - Share. Most portions are plenty big enough for two people to share. That will cut the cost in half. We all eat too much. Try to avoid restaurants where you have to tip. Tips drive your costs up. And lastly, drink water. Restaurants really get you on there drinks. Way too expensive. Especially, alcoholic drinks. They drive your meal cost way up). TEM