We all know that its cheaper to cook at home but sometimes you just want to sit back, relax and let someone else do all the work. But there are ways you can eat out without breaking the bank. Below I list some insider restaurant secrets that can have you dining for less money.

Eat Early. Restaurants must cover their high overhead costs. As a result, they must try to keep their dining rooms full even during off peak hours. To accomplish this many restaurants offer special twilight or early evening deals. This is a great way to get a delicious meal at a discount. Also consider eating lunch instead of dinner. The lunch time meals are generally smaller but the price tag can be significantly cheaper.

Skip the Alcohol. Alcoholic beverage mark-ups are huge. In some cases a restaurant can make more profit off alcohol than they make off the food. Alcohol also makes people inclined to spend more money. To save money simply say no to alcohol or search for a place that allows you to bring your own bottle. They might charge a small corking fee but you still can generally enjoy alcoholic beverages with your meal cheaper this way

Share or Skip Appetizers. With the large portions served at restaurants these days, few people go home hungry. In addition, many restaurants offer free bread or salad to go with your meal. This makes over priced appetizers a waste of money. If you have the taste for an appetizer consider splitting a few with your dinner mates to save money.

Eat on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. The sheer number of people eating on Friday and Saturday makes it less likely that you'll get the optimum dining experience.

In addition, the freshest food is often served during the week. Eat on Sunday or Monday, for example and you're likely to eat food delivered to the restaurant on Friday - nearly two to three days old. chinese delivery peoria il Eat on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday and you're likely to be served food that was delivered to the restaurant on Monday or Wednesday - much fresher.

Finally, to help attract more patrons, many restaurants are now offering mid-week discounts and specials.

Be Careful of Those Menus. Restaurants often practice subtle manipulation when putting together their menus. They may, for example, highlight menu items that create the greatest profit. This can be done by placing a high profit menu item high on the menu, or emphasizing high profit items with boxes placed around them, stars next to them, or by describing these entrees with much more detailed and expressive descriptions.

Watch out for Daily Specials. Your daily special may not be so special. Frequently, daily specials are repositories for restaurant left-overs. Be careful of daily specials that are composed of soups or sauces poured over pasta. Soups and sauces are great places for left-over meat and other foods.

Ask for a Take Home Bag. Don't be embarrassed to ask for your dinner left-overs be placed in a bag to be taken home. This has become an accepted practice. Left-overs make for delicious next day lunches saving you additional money on lunch costs.

Check Your Bill. You restaurant may have already added a standard gratuity to your bill even for groups as small as 4 to 6 people. Carefully check your bill before you tip the waiter so that you don't leave a tip twice.