Eating out as a family is a welcome break from daily routine. It’s a chance to relax, enjoy time with loved ones and get a reprieve from the never-ending chores of meal planning, cooking and washing dishes. For families in the DC area, the abundance of excellent restaurants makes dining out especially tempting. But this high-cost region also makes it challenging to find affordable, family-friendly options.
In a time when many of us are looking for ways to reduce our expenses, it may feel like we need to cut out luxuries like restaurant meals. But despite rising costs, there are still ways to save while eating out. When you need a break from cooking, here are some ways to make the most of your budget while dining out as a family.
Be Strategic with Timing
Restaurant dining isn’t just for Saturday evenings. Dine out on weeknights instead of weekends, or eat earlier in the day, and you’re more likely to score special deals on your meal. Not only will you save money, but the restaurant is likely to be less crowded, making for a more relaxed, pleasant dining experience – a win all around!
Families with young kids may prefer eating out on the earlier side anyway, so look for restaurants that offer an early bird special. Or eat lunch out instead of dinner to keep prices down. Many restaurants offer a lunch special or lunch-size portions at lower prices than dinner menus.
- Mamma Lucia’s, a local restaurant chain with several Maryland locations, offers weeknight specials including Monday night deals on pasta and Tuesday deals on pizza.
- Buena Vida Gastrolounge in Arlington, Virgina has a Taco Twosday special offering discounted tacos or a “bottomless taco package” available for the whole table.
- El Andariego Restaurant in Ashton, Md. specializes in Mexican and Salvadoran food and offers an early bird special from 3:30–6 p.m. that includes a side soup or salad with your entrée.
- Fire Works Pizza in Arlington, Va. has a weekday lunch special offering a choice of sides with a personal pizza, small pasta, taco or half sandwich.
- Samantha’s Restaurant in Silver Spring, Md. serves Mexican and Latin American food and offers a selection of lunch specials on weekdays, 11 a.m. –3 p.m.
Enjoy Family-style Dining
Opt for restaurants known for large portions where sharing plates can stretch your dollar. Buffets or all-you-can-eat spots are also worth considering. Another option is to skip the entrée section of the menu and order appetizers for your meal. Many restaurants have substantial appetizer selections with plenty of kid-friendly fare like chicken tenders or loaded nachos.
- The Brazilian Place in Silver Spring, Md. has an affordable Buffet Clásico offered daily with a variety of meats, roast vegetables, salads, pão de quelijo (cheese bread), plantains and more.
- At Brazil Gourmet Pizzeria & Grill in Damascus, Md. you can enjoy unlimited pizzas on Wednesdays from 6–8 p.m. And it gets even better – kids ages 10 and under eat for free.
- Raaga, an Indian restaurant in Falls Church, Va. has a popular and reasonably priced lunch buffet with a selection of curries, tandoori, biryani, paneer, naan and more.
- Charga Grill in Arlington, Va. has a great family-style chicken dinner option for dine-in or takeout. Order a whole chicken prepared in the international style of your choosing (Peruvian, South African or Pakistani), accompanied by a selection of four sides.
Look for Kids’ Meal Deals
Many local restaurants offer kids-eat-free deals or have membership or loyalty programs that provide discounts and other perks.
- Silver Diner, a locally founded restaurant chain with locations throughout the DC area, has a kids club that provides a variety of freebies and fun swag.
- Kids eat free off the kid’s menu on Mondays at Inca Social, a Peruvian restaurant with locations in Arlington and Vienna, Va.
- On Mondays, kids also eat free at Surfside, a Mexican restaurant in DC.
- On Tuesdays and Wednesdays kids eat free with the purchase of an adult hibachi entrée at Kabuto Japanese Steak House and Sushi Bar in Rockville, Md.
- On Wednesdays kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée at Los Chuorros Restaurant, serving Salvadoran food in Wheaton, Md.
Stock Up on Gift Cards
Another great money-saving hack is to buy restaurant gift cards at a discount through membership warehouses like Costco or Sam’s Club. You can often find a set of gift cards worth $100 in value for the price of around $75. These gift cards are typically for chain restaurants rather than local spots, but it is a good way to get more value for your dollar when going out to eat.
Rebecca Singer is an educator, mom and museum professional with over 20 years’ experience designing fun, cultural events and activities for kids and families. She lives in the Washington, DC area with her husband and daughter.
Rebecca Singer is an educator, mom and museum professional with over 20 years’ experience designing fun, cultural events and activities for kids and families. She lives in the Washington, D.C. area with her husband and daughter.
