Bringing down the cost of restaurant bills

[Kaspar Houser]

but see how grossly unfair to the business that is (remember I'm talking from an owners side). Let's take it a step further. You come to my establishment and since you only drink pepsi at home, you whip out a 2 liter bottle of pepsi because I only serve coke?
And I'm supposed to be happy with that?

How accomodating am I supposed to be and still make a living? So you only drink Mio, what happens with the next customer who only drinks Hansen natural ice tea,because it has no preservatives comes in and feels no problem bringing in a bottle because they don't like the restaurants ice tea?

If you only drink a certain drink, a certain way why go to the establishment in the first place?

See you are thinking very singular, "I'm only one person doing this, what's the problem". The problem becomes for the proprietor you are not the only one, multiply that 15, 20 times and they are losing money. Very few independant eateries have big profit margins.

Call me crazy but water is only for "cleaning youre taste" between the courses.
In most restaurants in the world they serve water but you have to pay the same as a soda or even more.
And I fully agree it is just plain stealing from the restaurant.

 

[eliza61]

OP here-wow I can't believe how many people frown upon this. I actually started doing this because I cannot drink caffeine and restaurants rarely have decafeinnated diet beverages. Some of my co-workers go out to lunch and a few of us do this, we don't feel ashamed or embarrassed at all. What about people who order water and then want a bunch of "free" lemons on the side? Lemons aren't cheap. My adding a sweetener to my drink is not costing the restaurant anything. Personally, the opinions of others will not deter me from doing this when I eat out because I see nothing wrong with it at all. To each his own. If I ever dine at Victoria and Albert's, I won't bring my sweetner because I don't want to make one of the waiter's pass out.

But that's not what you said, you said you do this to avoid purchasing soda and to cut down the tab on the bill.

As a general rule and not specifically water, as a owner of a restaurant, yes we take exception to people knowingly coming into a restaurant and then "going cheap".
For us it's a slippery slope. once again I ask, how much do I accomodate some one. You don't like coke so I should allow you to bring in outside pepsi? You come to my establishment with some one who is vegan so they whip out their own meal and I'm supposed to say "no problem"? really?

My family use to offer lunch specials, never failed some one would come in and say give me the lunch special and skip the soda. Then when the bill came they'd get bent out of shape because they wanted the price of the soda deducted from the "special" price. We politely informed them that when you change the items in a special, you are charged "a la carte", then all of a sudden they want the soda.
So yes as a previous owner I'd prefer you eat else where if you can't afford my price point.

No one is trying to deter you from doing any thing, but you posted this "tip" on a message board, many simply don't agree with it.

 

[happygirl]

OP here-wow I can't believe how many people frown upon this. I actually started doing this because I cannot drink caffeine and restaurants rarely have decafeinnated diet beverages. Some of my co-workers go out to lunch and a few of us do this, we don't feel ashamed or embarrassed at all. What about people who order water and then want a bunch of "free" lemons on the side? Lemons aren't cheap. My adding a sweetener to my drink is not costing the restaurant anything. Personally, the opinions of others will not deter me from doing this when I eat out because I see nothing wrong with it at all. To each his own. If I ever dine at Victoria and Albert's, I won't bring my sweetner because I don't want to make one of the waiter's pass out.

Changing you story I see.

 

[Ginny Favers]

My parents ALWAYS order water with their meal. Me? No way. I rarely go out to eat and drink water most of the time, so ordering a drink is a special thing for me.

I don't like the taste of tap water and while I think that lemon in the water will make it taste much better, I've heard too many stories about those lemons harboring bacteria. I also don't like those flavoring packets because of the artificial ingredients in them, so I guess I am stuck with drinking unsweetened iced tea and paying full-price for it.

 

[cyndik1111]

I am now concerned. Is it wrong to just order water at a restaurant? ( I don't put anything in it) I just drink water with meals, even if I'm home. To any restaurant owner out there- do you get upset if we order water? I don't do it to be cheap. But I'm wondering if you guys are complaining about me and wishing my family and I won't come back. Is the beverage the only place you make money? Or do you make money on the entrees? I'm not saying this to be snarky. I am feeling a little embarrassed, like I'm doing something wrong.

Oh, and by the way, I don't agree with the OP, but that's just my opinion. I personally couldn't do that. But everyone has their own comfort level.

 

[eliza61]

I am now concerned. Is it wrong to just order water at a restaurant? ( I don't put anything in it) I just drink water with meals, even if I'm home. To any restaurant owner out there- do you get upset if we order water? I don't do it to be cheap. But I'm wondering if you guys are complaining about me and wishing my family and I won't come back. Is the beverage the only place you make money? Or do you make money on the entrees? I'm not saying this to be snarky. I am feeling a little embarrassed, like I'm doing something wrong.

Oh, and by the way, I don't agree with the OP, but that's just my opinion. I personally couldn't do that. But everyone has their own comfort level.

LOL. No worries cyndi, ask for your water. Restaurants are weird animals in that, they are so volatile. Many places put emphasis on beverages because they are a bit more "stable" then other operating areas.

For example, my cousins who are still in the business are really stressing because of reports of a coming hike in meat prices due to the drought this summer.
Thanksgiving we are reportedly going to see a spike in Turkey, ham and roast beef prices to the tune of any where from 3% to 7%. So now it's decision time, do we pass that cost onto consumers and possible lose business, do we absorb the cost and possible lose revenue, do we try to make up the cost in other areas.
Can we negotiate with our vendors? etc, etc. soft drinks and water don't come with those issues.

 

[Debbie Jean]

This reminds me of the "frugal vs. cheap" thread from awhile back...

Drinking water at a restaurant: frugal
Putting single-serve crystal light in the water: cheap

Someone should start a poll!

 

[ajpahl]

How does it hurt a business owner if you bring in your own Crystal Light? You say, if you can't afford it, don't go out to eat. Wouldn't that hurt the business owner more? Drinking water vs. drinking water with my own Crystal Light added costs the owner nothing. It certainly isn't stealing from the restaurant either. You're taking away nothing. The restaurant has zero difference in revenue/cost if you drink water or bring in your own flavoring. It certainly is cheap, but it's really not this moral issue people are making it out to be.

 

[Jaime4004]

I am now concerned. Is it wrong to just order water at a restaurant? ( I don't put anything in it) I just drink water with meals, even if I'm home. To any restaurant owner out there- do you get upset if we order water? I don't do it to be cheap. But I'm wondering if you guys are complaining about me and wishing my family and I won't come back. Is the beverage the only place you make money? Or do you make money on the entrees? I'm not saying this to be snarky. I am feeling a little embarrassed, like I'm doing something wrong.

Oh, and by the way, I don't agree with the OP, but that's just my opinion. I personally couldn't do that. But everyone has their own comfort level.

I wouldn't be worried about offending restaurant owners with your choice of beverage. As long as your meal isn't water and the free bread..
Sometime I get water, sometimes I don't. It's whatever I feel like at that moment. Water is water to the restaurant, whether I add anything (flavor, lemons) or not. Personally I prefer plain water, so wouldn't add anything. I've been many places that automatically put a lemon in the water when they serve it. Blech! I usually remove it and dump in in DH's tea.
We are a family of 5 and many times someone in the party doesn't eat, though generally gets a drink. We're not going to skip a restaurant when 4 out of 5 want to go. Sorry if it's taking up a seat at a larger table. You're still getting quite a lot of money and the appetizer has more than made up for the child's meal not ordered.
So to make a long story longer, it doesn't bother me at all if someone adds flavoring to their water, most restaurants don't carry flavored waters. If you (in general) find it offensive, just don't do it yourself.

Edited to add, now you guys are creeping me out with the bacteria-laden, man-handled lemons!

 

[4HppyCamprs]

Edited to add, now you guys are creeping me out with the bacteria-laden, man-handled lemons!

This is the most important thing to take away from this thread!! blech!

 

[MissManda]

Wow, what an interesting thread.

I am more of a water person than a soda, surgary drink person. If I'm at a family style restuarant (such as Chili's, Applebees, etc) I usually do order water. Not because I'm being cheap or frugal but because that is what I want to drink with my meal. Now, in the area that I live in tap water (sometimes even when its filtered) tastes horrible. When I order my water, I will usually taste it first. If it doesn't have a good taste, I will add flavoring to it. If the water tastes okay, I drink it as it is. I don't see anything wrong with it. Really, if the restuarant had a problem with it, they should say so.

I also do not drink a lot. I can usually have one glass of water with my meal and that's it. My husband on the other hand is a huge soda drinker. He will get his soda refilled numerous times (3 or 4 times at least and at most places free of charge) during the course of our meal. I would think that his numerous soda's would cost the restuarant more than my one glass of water.

I really don't think that you can compare using a little bit of flavoring in your water to bringing in outside food or beverages. A flavor pack or a few drops of Mio does not compare to brinking in your own bottled water or soda.

 

[luvmy3]

Wow, what an interesting thread.

I am more of a water person than a soda, surgary drink person. If I'm at a family style restuarant (such as Chili's, Applebees, etc) I usually do order water. Not because I'm being cheap or frugal but because that is what I want to drink with my meal. Now, in the area that I live in tap water (sometimes even when its filtered) tastes horrible. When I order my water, I will usually taste it first. If it doesn't have a good taste, I will add flavoring to it. If the water tastes okay, I drink it as it is. I don't see anything wrong with it. Really, if the restuarant had a problem with it, they should say so.

I also do not drink a lot. I can usually have one glass of water with my meal and that's it. My husband on the other hand is a huge soda drinker. He will get his soda refilled numerous times (3 or 4 times at least and at most places free of charge) during the course of our meal. I would think that his numerous soda's would cost the restuarant more than my one glass of water.

I really don't think that you can compare using a little bit of flavoring in your water to bringing in outside food or beverages. A flavor pack or a few drops of Mio does not compare to brinking in your own bottled water or soda.

Its the principal of it, its not about the amount of what you are bringing in.
You are making your own beverage with something you brought in from the outside, something you did not purchase at the restaurant. You are doing it to avoid the cost associated with purchasing a beverage. You may be doing it because you don't like the drink choices the restaurant has. Either way it makes no difference, you are still bringing something in from the outside to enjoy while "inside" the restaurant.
So yes, it is exactly the same as bringing in any other type of beverage. Enough people on this thread agree so you may not think you can compare it, but your line of thinking would be wrong.

 

[mikehn]

I dont bring in my own flavor packets but if someone else did, I dont think its a big deal. Especially to chain restaurants owned by corporate titans.

If you are a AAA member, you can save 10% off your check at many restaurants.

 

[MissManda]

Its the principal of it, its not about the amount of what you are bringing in.
You are making your own beverage with something you brought in from the outside, something you did not purchase at the restaurant. You are doing it to avoid the cost associated with purchasing a beverage. You may be doing it because you don't like the drink choices the restaurant has. Either way it makes no difference, you are still bringing something in from the outside to enjoy while "inside" the restaurant.
So yes, it is exactly the same as bringing in any other type of beverage. Enough people on this thread agree so you may not think you can compare it, but your line of thinking would be wrong.

Well, if the restuarant I'm in has a problem with it, they can charge me for it. Its not like I'm trying to hide it. Just like most places charge a "cutting fee" for people that bring in an outside cake, they can charge me a "flavoring fee". As I said, I prefer water to soda or other super sugary drinks and that is why I order water. It has nothing to do with cutting costs or being cheap. I only do it when the water doesn't taste that great and not everytime I go out to eat. Yes, I know that many places have their own lemonade but its usually way too heavy with sugar for my liking. I don't like iced tea b/c of the caffenie and I don't know many places that have decaff tea. I will not pay money for a drink that I don't want, but I am willing to pay for a drink that will satisfy me.

As for the argument I saw earlier that if you don't like the drinks they serve don't go there, I think that a restauarent would prefer to have customers come in, order an app, entree and sometimes even a dessert, leave a 20% tip and drink water (that is slightly flavored with 2 drops of Mio) than have no customer at all; which is the alternative.

 

[Marionnette]

I dont bring in my own flavor packets but if someone else did, I dont think its a big deal. Especially to chain restaurants owned by corporate titans.

If you are a AAA member, you can save 10% off your check at many restaurants.

Chain restaurants are often franchises that are owned by local business men, not "corporate titans".

Not that ownership of a business makes a difference as to whether it is acceptable to do something like that.

 

[t_daniels]

Skimmed the thread.

I wouldn't ever do it...but when I worked at Applebees, I had regulars who brought in their own tea bags, requesting hot water & an orange slice.

It was a pain sometimes, but they always tipped, and even gave me (fully wrapped) tea bags sometimes if I commented on the scent.

If a place doesn't have a rule...I'd say go for it. Just don't try to hide it. And tip well.

If you're worried- ask your server or the managers opinion, and if they frown on it, pass.

 

[t_daniels]

I know some places have drink prices higher, to make up for profit losses on things like steak, etc.

 

[maggs1035]

WOW!!!! I wonder how many of you have high blood pressure???

So uptight!

 

[Soben]

Is the beverage the only place you make money? Or do you make money on the entrees?

I think that your average person is less price sensitive on the drink and they can mark it up more than the food. People might notice that more. But $3.50 vs. $2 on the drink seems like nothing to worry about (for your non-budget-board people).

I prefer to order water, and always order it, I wouldn't "enhance" it though. I haven't read the whole thread, just the 1st and last pages. But if you're looking to save a buck, drink your favorite crystal light, and eat Chilis food, you can order it To Go. Call in and they'll pack it up. I wouldn't tip my usual 20%, maybe 10% for that kind of service. Then you save and everybody wins.

 

[pixiewings71]

I was going to suggest ordering water instead of pop/soda because of the steep price of pop but I was a little taken aback at the suggestion to bring flavor packs into a restaurant. It is, in my mind, the same as bringing outside food and drink into a restaurant. I would not order lemon on the side either though because a expose on TV recently showed that those lemons typically come from the bar garnish area and are handled frequently and not cleaned at all. Blah. So if I feel the need to cut back on my bill we order water. It is typically right around 12.00 for 4 sodas at "Family" restaurants and it seems that servers at some of our local restaurants are stingy with refills and personally if it is 3.00 for a pop I want refills or nothing.

Now in the parks or at the zoo we do take water and do add various flavor packs. GREAT way to save money at venues like those!

I've seen those exposes and I've wondered, but I honestly drink water with lemon about 90% of the time at restaurants and haven't been sick from it.

My Apologies for snippets. Not feeling well here so too much time on my hands.

You all really think that if I've taken my family into a restaurant and spent $150 plus a starting tip of 20% that I am ripping someone off for putting a tea bag in my water glass? Weird.

Well, yes, but only if you don't offer to purchase a drink. Sorry, but I disagree with your stance on this, while I have taken in my own tea bags I've always offered to pay for a drink, I don't think it's fair to them to order a cup of hot water if they don't offer my blend from Peet's. So while I'll take my own tea in I will offer to pay for it.

So is it wrong to take Cheerios in for toddlers too? You all never did that?

Of course I did (and do for the DGD) but I also always ordered something for the kids from the restaurant. Whether it be a cup of juice or milk or a full meal, I always ordered something for the little one(s). If restaurants offered things like Goldfish I wouldn't worry about taking my own crackers/Cheerios in, but most don't so I do.

As a server I have had people bring in their own soda and then ask for a glass of ice. I don't know if it was just the smoke my boss was selling, but he said it was against health code to bring in your own drinks to an establishment. When they rebuffed, he asked them to leave. Did he lose a customer, probably, but let's be serious ... you're going out to eat and you're going to bring in a can of coke to save $2?!

If you want to save money, order your food togo. You can tip less (and yes, I believe you should tip on togo orders, since the server/bartender still has to make sure your order is complete, package your order and get condiments, this isn't done automatically) and then you can drink whatever you want at home.

There isn't much of a difference from bringing in your own flavor packets or asking for a glass of water and using a bowl of lemon and all of the packets of sweetner on the table (which I've seen more than once). Both are extremely tacky ... I'm so glad I no longer am a server.

We do order to go often and yes, in that case we will not order drinks. And yes, I do tip on take out orders because someone is still getting your order ready to go.

As I said above, I do order water with lemon but I do not add sweetener in an attempt to make lemonade, if I want lemonade I order it. If my family can't afford $12 in drinks we certainly can't afford a $50-60 meal out, in that case we stay home. BUT I prefer water, tea or lemonade over sodas and many times I simply want water so yes, I will ask for a lemon to squeeze into my water. Restaurants around here do have filtered water so if I don't get the lemon I don't stress, the water by itself is just fine. I would never think to take my own Crystal Light in though, that just doesn't seem right to me.