To think you used to be able to get really good deals on meals out and now you can't

[Fragmentedbrain]

I am sure even quite nice places used to do "two for 1 Tuesdays" or whatever but now McDonald's vouchers are the best you can hope for. Or am I looking in the wrong places??

Sadly you can't now. Following in case I've missed something. McDonald's is expensive now

Most of our independent restaurants have a lunch deal or a reasonably priced menu at that time

I went out for Sunday lunch last weekend. Hadn’t taken much notice of the menu, only checked that it did have a Sunday roast option.

When we arrived it was a fully plated Sunday Roast, one course only £25. Don’t often go out for Sunday lunch but most places are normally that price for at least 2 courses.

Even Cote which used to be a “after work for dinner” staple is now a minimum spend of £70.

I don’t think I’ve seen a good deal for a long time.

Quite a few places round my way do fixed price 'early bird' deals if you fancy an early dinner and don't mind less choice on the menu.

I think it's their utility bills and rent. Staffing costs too.

Most places around here you have to pay extra for cauliflower cheese with a roast, whereas it used to be included, which is a bit shit for a vegetarian.

The casual dining chains essentially got into a price war that was driving them all into bankruptcy - margins were non-existent and the were only just about breaking even through the alcohol sales. It just wasn't sustainable, which is why they've dropped it now.

https://www.restaurantonline.co.uk/Article/2010/12/07/Restaurant-brands-facing-discount-voucher-treadmill/

Booooo
Oh well it's nice to have lived through the heyday I guess

I went into a Brewers Fayre yesterday and got a meal for a fiver.

Certain pub classics for £5 if ordered before 6pm. I’ve also got the taste card app that gave us 25% off everything else.

£20.45 for two main meals, two drinks and a starter.

Beefeater, Hungry Horse and Sizzling Pubs all have decent offers on with set menus etc

I had fish and chips, really nice fish tbh, crispy, peas and bread and butter with 2 drinks for about £20, was really impressed.

It's definitely not as cheap as it was. We went to an independent burger place last week. 4 burgers and chips with 5 cokes and 1 beer was £125. Soon adds up

Coupon kid on Instagram sometimes has deals that aren’t well advertised elsewhere - he did one not that long ago where you got a main meal for 1p or something at prezzo if you were a student for example. But there’s definitely a lot less around than there was! I’ve noticed even the Martin Lewis website doesn’t seem to have a restaurant / eating out deal section anymore (unless I’m missing it).

You are completely correct! Local Chinese no longer do a midweek banquet deal, littleItalian used to do any pizza or pasta before 6 o’clock just £10.