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Dining on a Dime: Healthy Meals For a Tight Budget

Written by Mint.com
Published Jul 16, 2010
2 min read
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Cooking at home is the best way to save cash, but it’s nice to go out sometimes, too. Check out Frugal Foodie every Friday for a selection of the latest coupons for casual and fancy fare.

This week: cheap burgers, half-price happy-hour meals and discount hibachi, among other deals!

1. Energy Kitchen

During the month of July, the health-focused NY chain is offering all of its burgers for $5. No coupon necessary.

2. University City Dining Days

Twenty-nine West Philadelphia restaurants are offering special $15, $20, and $25 menus through July 25.

3. Baja Fresh

Use print out coupons to save $2 on a purchase of $7 or more, and $5 off a purchase of $15 or more. Participating locations only. Deal expires July 25.

4. Fig Restaurant at the Fairmont Miramar

The Santa Monica restaurant’s new regular happy hour offers diners 50% off dinner entrees from 5-6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Regular menu prices range from $18 for the vegetable curry to the $31 brick-grilled chicken for two.

5. Benihana

As a new special, Benihana is offering a Hibachi Shrimp & Chicken Meal for Two for $35. Dealnews.com, which spotted the offer, says that’s a savings of roughly $9. The deal includes soup, salad, appetizer, entrees and sides, green tea and dessert. Participating locations only. Offer good through July 31.

6. Biennial of the Americas

A Denver Westword blogger spotted deals at local restaurants during the city celebration, including three-course meals for $20 to $25.

7. Cheesecake Factory

Facebook fans of the chain who make a reservation via its page can get a slice of cheesecake for $1.50 (half-price) on July 29. Must present the print out coupon from making a reservation and a valid ID. Participating locations only. (No luck? Drop by for National Cheesecake Day on July 30 for half-price slices, no coupon required.)

8. Arby’s

DealNews.com has a coupon for a free regular roast beef sandwich when you buy a small drink. Getting the coupon requires some hoop-jumping, though: send a text “roastbeef” to 27297 (regular text rates apply), and then reply to their message with your zip code. If there’s a participating Arby’s nearby, you’ll get the coupon. (Texting for the deal also signs you up for regular offers via text. Opt out by texting “stop.”)

9. T.G.I. Friday’s

While supplies last, get a free $10 gift card with the purchase of two entrees from the chain’s new Caribbean-inspired summer menu. Participating locations only.

Frugal Foodie is a journalist based in New York City who spends her days writing about personal finance and obsessing about what she’ll have for dinner. Chat with her on Twitter through @MintFoodie.