Eating at restaurants on your own dime

Heading out for a vacation this weekend and will be gone for a few days....we'll be eating in and also eating out.
My sister is asking me to make a decision for the family as to where we'll go.....agh. lol.

As I was thinking about this, I realized that of all the food places I've shopped, there's only one where I would
return and spend on my own dime completely - Texas Roadhouse. They just do well at what they do.

Are there any food places that you shop that you would also return to on your own dime?

Peace & have a great holiday.

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When we lived in Florida we shopped Rib City. We liked it well enough to dine there on our own.

This is a great question and my husband and I often say, "Thank goodness that we will be reimbursed! I would be so disappointed if I spent my own money on this!" I will agree with Texas Roadhouse. We also love Jaggers (part of the Texas Roadhouse family.) I wish they were shopped as well. I can't think of many that I have shopped that I would return to on my own dime outside of TXR.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/03/2025 03:18PM by gigishopper.

I completely agree concerning the Roadhouse.

As I am an ultra easy person to, food wise, please, there are only two dishes I absolutely detest: Liver and sauerkraut.

Where will you be?

I wishI knew who shopped Texas Roadhouse and perhaps Bubbas.

Think of a notorious Supreme Court judge.

@Msilk wrote:

Think of a notorious Supreme Court judge.

Good clue!!

@shopperbob wrote:

.... there are only two dishes I absolutely detest: Liver and sauerkraut.

*gasp*

Gardening is how I relax. It is another form of creating and playing with colors. - Oscar de la Renta

I so wish we got to shop Becca Di Beppo or Carabba’s. They’re both great Italian family dining options.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/03/2025 07:00PM by SBP.

Texas Roadhouse for sure, and that's when I might have coupons that can't be used during a regular shop. I've been to Panda Express a few times on my own dime as well, but I am using reward points to cover the meal and spending just a few dollars on an appetizer. I was also quite impressed with Cafe Zupas -- especially the soup and just how fresh it was overall. I'll need to get back there soon and try a few more items. The "Try 2" combo is a decent value. I just won't add an overpriced dessert or drink.

We found a terrific steakhouse restaurant called "Roots" on a shop. It's one of our places to go for special occasions now. Service was excellent. My hubby said it was the best Filet he's ever had. Plus, they serve fresh baked popovers instead of bread. Last year we went there for my birthday and the dessert they brought out was unbelievable and complimentary of course. It was a huge ice cream dish with multiple toppings..strawberries, bananas, hot fudge, whipped cream +. Their presentation is top notch..of course, it costs 5x Texas Roadhouse, but once in a while it's a treat. They canceled the last shop i was scheduled to do when covid hit and as far as I know, they haven't resumed the program, sadly.

*****************************************************************************
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..

Mark Twain

I say In N Out is the only place I can shop that I will gladly visit on my own dime. I love me some TXRH, but I'm not about to spend my own money there when I know I can wait and do a shop. I agree it's very good and reasonably priced, but I'd rather save my visits for shops instead of my $.

My general rule is to never patronize a food place where I get paid to visit. The only exception (so far) is In N Out.

As far as @SBP....I would not claim Buca Di Beppo to be great. I did shops for Buca many years ago. They are a failing chain that is getting smaller. They have closed many locations. I love their Apple Gorgonzola salad. The decor is nice...but if I want quality italian, I will go to Maggiano's (for a chain Italian place).

Now I do go to BJ's Brewhouse on my own dime but that is only because of the current gift card reimbursement, so I have to use the extra money somehow. They have a great happy hour and for NFL games, happy hour is ALL GAME LONG regardless of day of the week. So Sunday all day is basically happy hour prices or until SNF ends (around 8:15 PM PST).

Thier eggplant and Tiramisu are some of the best I’ve ever had…including the Mother Country.

I know you are not going to be in my area of the country as we do not have TRH but I would use this trip as a chance to eat at some good places where you are going. Check out menus in whatever town you will be near for prices. I always like mom and pop Mexican and usually the prices are reasonable. Thai food is also a favorite or mine and also usually reasonable at one off mom and pop. Look for any coupons too and perhaps places where you can purchase a discounted gift card.
Why eat at places you may be tired of when you can delite in something new since you are paying for it.?

I just visited Bubbas tonight and the food was outstanding, the service was great. I was thinking that I might have paid for it if it wasn't being reimbursed.

I discovered Uncle Julios by doing a shop there. It was good enough that I returned months later with friends.

TBH, another way of asking the good restaurants that are or were shopped.

Please don't feed the MSF trolls!

Feeding the MSF trolls bread or other human food is detrimental to their health and the environment. It can lead to malnutrition, disease, and behavioral problems in trolls, as well as water pollution and the spread of pests. Trolls are capable of finding their own food sources and don't require human assistance.

I've only done one restaurant, and I would go back there based on the quality of the food. It's Pollo Campero.

I don't think there are any Russians / And there ain't no Yanks
Just corporate criminals\ / Playin' with tanks

If you’re traveling in the SE US, I’m always down for finding understated amazing BBQ, shrimp boils, Brunswick Stew, and catfish fry’s.

If I’m anywhere near Kansas City, Joes Garage is the place to go. The original still has working gas pumps outside and you can smell the goodness a mile away.

In Austin…Terry Blacks near the waterfront and Stevie Ray Vaughan memorial.

Enjoy wherever you are!

Agreed re: TXRH, and I'll eat at Cafe Zupas every now and then on my own dime. I frequent Freddy's quite often.

Have synthesizers, will travel...

I hardly ever eat out on my own dime. I honestly can’t remember the last time I did. But if I had to choose a place that I’ve shopped, it would be choolaah. The food is consistently tasty and fresh, portions large, and reasonable prices.

@retrodaddy

funny you mention Pollo Campero. There are quite a few in SoCal. I would do the shops when I lived there.

@Sandyf likes them too.

I would not pay their outrageous prices with my own dime though. The food is great, bu the prices are absurd in my opinion. El Pollo Loco has better deals, but the chicken from Pollo Campero is better and they have unique sides like Plantains and Yuca fries.

But they serve Pepsi products, so it makes me question their overall judgement. People can like Pepsi. But it is known fact, Pepsi is an inferior product to Coca-Cola and priced like it's inferior. Places want to be cheap serve Pepsi. That is why Costco left Coca-Cola more than a decade ago. Coca-Cola wouldn't budge on price, so Costco gave them the boot. I guess Coke wants back in and met Costco's demands and the food courts are switching back.

My husband refuses to eat out if we have to write a report about it. It is not worth it to him, too much to remember, too much to do, and we don't do expensive anyway. We got burned on one of those roadhouse shops. He said never again.

@CoolMusic wrote:

Agreed re: TXRH, and I'll eat at Cafe Zupas every now and then on my own dime. I frequent Freddy's quite often.

I like Freddy's, Also. and they are very generous with their reward points and special offers.

We eat at Indian places many times a month. I have never seen them shopped. It doesnt matter. I'm obsessed.

Is he the shopper or are you (or do you both shop?) My husband is not responsible for remembering anything on a shop. His only job is to tag along and not touch the food before I take a picture.

@Dino29 wrote:

My husband refuses to eat out if we have to write a report about it. It is not worth it to him, too much to remember, too much to do, and we don't do expensive anyway. We got burned on one of those roadhouse shops. He said never again.

I did a McAllister's Deli shop, having never eaten there before, and was impressed enough that I now eat there occasionally when traveling. Yes, I know, it's not exactly fine dining, but it's a step up from fast food and is something different at not too high a price.

I get together with friends at locally-owned restaurants once a month. We've known each other for 60 years. And occasionally TRH which one guy really likes for their prime rib.

I will pick Bubba's 33

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