To think that eating out in chain restaurants like pizza Express without some kind of voucher/discount is madness

[Whistleblower0]

Went to PE at the weekend. We had some Tesco vouchers about to expire.
We, (me dh and dd) had two courses each, a salad, and some bread to share, two large glasses of wine, a diet coke, and hot chocolate, and two coffees.
Te bill came to £74 something.
It was very nice, and we all got our pizza fix, and the atmosphere was lovely. We had just been to see a film beforehand, so all and all a really pleasant relaxed evening.
However, i would never have paid £70 odd in hard cash had we not have the vouchers!!
We had £50 worth of tesco vouchers, so handed over £20 in cash for the balance as well as leaving a tip.
There was a couple next to us who were using some sort of voucher, and the family behind us were also paying with tesco deals.
Who pays full price in chain restaurants any more?

[rookiemater]

I definitely agree on PE. DH thinks it is so much "naicer" than Pizza Hut, but in my mind, in PH we can get a meal for the three of us for around £20, for PE, although the general experience is a bit better and they do yummy salads, it's a minimum of £50, so £30 more for basically the same thing.

DH's preferences are one of the reasons that we fritter through money and are now on a major economy drive.

[glasgowsteven]

people on expenses with work go there too :)

new city, quick pizza, no surprises, claim it back.

[expatinscotland]

That is a lot - two large wines can be over half a bottle, salads, bread to share, pizzas.

[ItsATIARA]

Drives me up the wall. I understand why they do it but I find it really stressful checking that I've got my cards and vouchers together so I don't get stung for the mug's price.

[ivykaty44]

Is it really any good though eating at chain places, I generally avoid and try and pick an independent for dinner though have tried carlicious when taken there and it wasn't awful or expensive but wouldn't rush back

[WorraLiberty]

I wish they'd just stop with the voucher crap and lower their prices full stop. I wish Pizza Hut would do the same.

4 medium pizzas (delivered) from Pizza Hut would cost £56 without the vouchers they keep putting through our door.

And that's without any side orders or even a drink.

[Whistleblower0]

We eat in pleny of independant places as well ivy, but i am partial to a chain restaurant like ask or pizza express every now and then, and dd likes it there. It's also close to the cinema, so it suits when we are going to see a film.
I usually go with tesco vouchers though, or some internet voucher offer. I'm just curious if anyone actually pays full whack, and is happy to do so!
I'd much rather spend £70 plus in an independant restaurant.

[JennySense]

I have the app which helpfully adds available vouchers to it automatically :)

[Oblomov]

Never use vouchers. What vouchers am I missing out on then? Where do you get then from?
Saying that, we very rarely eat at PE or equivalent.
Never use my Tesco points either. Wait for a double up offer, say at Christmas.
Is it worth it? Using Tesco for pizza rather than anything else?

[Creamycoolerwithcream]

Sometimes the only vouchers or offers are for something I don't want or not on Saturday etc. We use tesco vouchers for about 12 £80 meals a year, sometimes other vouchers such as buy one get one free, 20% of etc, sometimes pay full price. There are always the best vouchers in Jamuary as people are often skint.

[Whistleblower0]

oblomov we get quite a few tesco vouchers every three months or so. We have a tesco credit card, and use it everywhere. The points soon mount up!
I use the vouchers for lots of stuff, but i always change some for some of the restaurants in the scheme, as you get four times the value, so if you have say £10 in vouchers you can exchange for £40 in pizza express, or ask, or any if the others.
I think it's a pretty good deal.

[formerbabe]

I have never used a voucher in pizza express...I feel like a mug now!

[glasgowsteven]

they are also all over the net - printable usually....

sign up for their newsletter and you get LOTS!

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

We use vouchers when we can, but they are often quite restrictive, especially difficult if you want to go out on Saturday night. So, sometimes we just cough up for the full price.

[edwinbear]

If I fancy a meal at PE and don't have any vouchers I pay full price and don't think twice about it. Vouchers are always nice but it wouldn't stop me going out to eat if I didn't have one.

[HavantGuard]

Tesco vouchers tend to have more value if you use them away from Tesco. You get 4x their face value in lots of chain restaurants.

[notso]

I agree on the vouchers in PE, we always seem to spend loads even with a voucher though.
Pizza Hut is rank and expensive you would have to pay me to eat there, same with Frankie and Benny's.
Ivy some of us don't have the choice of independent places. There are two in my town, that are child friendly but they are both £££ for a family of 6.

[HavantGuard]

If I fancied a meal out I wouldn't go to Pizza Express. It is seriously overpriced. I happily spend the money on a meal out if I feel like it, just not there!

[MrsDavidBowie]

I don't shop at Tesco, so don't have vouchers, but sometimes get one from the pizzas they sell in the supermarket.
Tbh I wouldn't choose to eat there...too many families!-I give the vouchers as and when to the kids.

[HavantGuard]

We're lucky to be close to lots of independent pubs that do good food, from ones that do £15 a head 3 course special menus to ones where the cheapest starter is £15. The difference is that if they're not good and good value they fold.

[Creamycoolerwithcream]

We did a BOGOF at Prezzo on Sunday which was nice. The bill with tip was £42 for 4 adult meals instead of £64. But still quite a lot of money for an hour and a bit meal.

[umiaisha]

I have nothing against chain restaurants, but think Pizza Express is seriously overpriced.

We only ever go when we have clubcard vouchers. Think italian chain-wise Zizzi and Carluccios are far better value for money and serve better food.

[GhoulWithADragonTattoo]

You see I always use my Tesco vouchers for days out such as Legoland. I wouldn't go there without. I wouldn't dream of using them a somewhere like Pizza Express (which I do go to). I think £70 seems a lot for PE for 3. I don't think we spend that much when we go.

[Scholes34]

I tend to divide my vouchers up between a year's worth of dining out and Eurotunnel. I'd find it hard to stump up all the money for a PE meal after using vouchers for so long and would prefer an independent restaurant if I'm paying full whack.

[MrsOakenshield]

don't shop in Tesco (not one local) so don't get their vouchers, and a lot of the time other vouchers aren't valid on the weekend.

We hardly eat out and PE is a good bet, we all like their food and it;s child-friendly, so not really bothered.

The worst experience we ever had was eating lunch in the V&A cafe which came to a swoon-worthy £56. No booze.