Even Business People Need to Eat

Cost:
$1-$50
Average rating:
Why cook when you can order in? A lot of people think that take out consists of turning up at a restaurant and ordering food to go. Ordering good take out is an art form.

Why cook when you can order in?  Why struggle over a hot stove, when nutritious, delicious, and good looking food is available with take out?  A lot of people think that take out consists of turning up at a restaurant and ordering food to go.  Ordering good take out is an art form.  One which I have mastered -- but I don't mean to brag.

Step 1:

Research the best restaurants you know.  This takes time and effort on your part, but you can do it.  Force yourself to try great restaurants, and determine if the food is suitable to your palate.  If it is, check with the restaurant if they accept orders for "food to go."  If the restaurant does accept food to go, find out what kind of containers the food will come in.  Avoid styrofoam containers because they are not secure, and do you really want to put that type of container in the fridge?  You want a restaurant that puts some thought into their "to go food."

Step 2:

Create a handy list with restaurants and phone numbers.  Program those phone numbers into your cell phone. 

Step 3:

Next, consider what you should order.  Ask the restaurant what it is famous for.  Every restaurant has a signature dish or dishes that people love.  These dishes are always a good bet. 

Step 4:

Collect coupons.  I know this sounds cheap, but coupons are your friend.  Once a month I go to an upscale steak and seafood house with my friends and one of us always brings a coupon.  Our meal includes salad, several appetizers, a main entrée, and dessert for each of us.  We each pay $18 for this feast before tipping which is an amazing deal. 

Step 5:

Consider the cost.  Eating out can be expensive, but take out is less expensive than eating at the restaurant.  This is because if you are smart you won't order beverages such as wine, soda, and coffee "to go."  Nor should you order dessert to go.  Dessert has the highest markup at a restaurant.  This means that a dessert that costs $3 for a restaurant to create will be sold to you for $15.    

Step 6:

Call your order in.  When you call ahead please remember to express your preferences for how the food should be created.  Find out when your take out will be ready, and pick it up.  Always ask for extra plates, utensils, and condiments.  The whole point of take out is for you not to do any dishes. 

Step 7:

Before you leave the restaurant check your take out containers.  Make sure that everything you ordered is there.  If you are missing something let the restaurant know.  Make sure that all the food comes in secure containers.  If you are not comfortable with the containers the restaurant uses, let the restaurant know.  It would not go amiss for you to request something free while the restaurant makes changes. 

Keep these 7 steps in mind before you order take out food!  Following my tips to make the most of your take out meal - literally and financially!
Required Tools:
Appetite

Be the First to Comment on this Article