I didn’t realize that an average American restaurant portion is 2-3 times larger than it should be.  After learning how to cook for myself, I discovered I can put together a gourmet steak dinner complete with grass fed beef, mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables and a glass of wine for about $12.  Total calories is about 400-500.  An equivalent meal at my favorite steakhouse costs $38, and weighs in at over 1000 calories!

My partner and I still enjoy dining out.  We do it economically, and stay slim.  This is how I did it, while still enjoying an occasional dinner out.

1. Take advantage of happy hour prices.  Seattle is blessed with numerous late night happy hour menus at top quality restaurants.  We have two chances daily to catch happy hour.  We enjoy two appetizer sized plates. This can be any two of the following: tacos, shrimp cocktail, chicken wings, nachos, hamburger sliders, salmon/crab cakes, wontons, bbq ribs, small pizza, beef/chicken satay, sashimi/sushi rolls, salads, or soups.  While not ‘health’ food, the portions are small and we’re sharing, so it’s not nearly as bad as eating it on our own. 
Average Saved: Our bill usually tops $24, including drinks at Seattle’s top restaurants.
Calories Saved: 400-1000

2. Share a plate.  Sometimes we’ll order an appetizer and a single main course, then share our plates.  Some restaurants frown on this and charge a $1-2 plate sharing fee.  This is still much cheaper (and fewer calories) than getting two entrees. 
Average Saved: $40
Calories Saved: 400-700

3. Don’t eat bread rolls or chips and salsa.  You’ll have plenty to eat with your meals.  Skip it, and you’ll avoid mindless snacking.
Average Saved: No cost savings here.  These are usually free items.
Calories Saved: 200-1000

4. Take leftovers for lunch.  I order my own entree plate, split all the food in half, then get a take home box.  That effectively gives me two meals for the price of one, and I’m eating closer to a single serving size. 
Average Saved: A $25 entree becomes a $12.50 dinner, and a $12.50 envy-of-the-lunchroom gourmet lunch.
Calories Saved: 400-800

5. Skip the alcohol.  Here’s a secret: restaurants almost never make money on the food.  The margins are very difficult to balance.  Most restaurants make a profit and pay their bills on the alcohol you buy with your meals.
Average Saved: There’s a bottle of cheap Washington red wine that my boyfriend and I frequently buy at Trader Joes’s for $4.99.  A typical bottle of wine has 4.5 glasses in it.  When we go to restaurants, I frequently see a glass of this particular wine for $5.  That’s $17.50 profit on a bottle.  If they bought it with a bulk discount, the profit is greater.  So buy your favorite bottle from Trader Joe’s and enjoy it at home after your dinner.
Calories Saved: For the weight loss portion of this tip, drink wine or beer instead of hard liquor.   It’s typically cheaper, saves calories, and saves strain on your liver.

6. Skip the dessert. My partner and I aren’t much for desserts, so this is an easy one for us.  Desserts are cheap, but the biggest savings is to the waistline.
Average Saved: $3-10
Calories Saved: 800-1600

After you’ve lost weight and paid off your debt, the trick is you have to keep doing it.  You can’t eat salads for a year, lose 30 pounds, then go back to eating double quarter pounders every day.  You can’t eat at home every night for however long it takes you to pay off debt, then go back to eating out every meal. 

I used these tips and trick to help me lose weight and eliminate my debt.  I lost 30 pounds 5 years ago, and have kept it off.  I paid off $35,000 worth of debt 2 years ago, and haven’t had a day of negative net worth since.  Now that I’m 30 pounds lighter and debt free, I continue to eat out like this.  I cook at home, and brown bag lunches six days a week. I eat happy hour snacks or dinner employing these tactics one day a week.

Save money and lose weight.  Two of the most popular new years resolution goals ever!  You can do it!