There is an on-going debate, these days, as we all try to stretch our dollars. Is it cheaper to cook at home, or eat out? Now I don’t guess I am the most objective person to comment on this topic, because I own a restaurant. But I also cook dinner at home, and I quite often am shocked at the cost of food at the grocery store. I have, however, been surfing the web, and finding some interesting posts on the subject, like Cook at Home or Eat Out? and Is Eating Out Cheaper Than Cooking?
Things to consider when you evaluate your own circumstances is the quality and quantity of your meals. If you cook at home, using top quality, fresh ingredients, it may cost more than a meal out. However, you have left overs for tomorrow’s lunch. Remember to factor in your shopping, preparation and clean-up time, when you consider your efforts at home. Items like deep fried foods, readily accessible at restaurants are “cheap” calories. They are inexpensive for the restaurateur to purchase. They take little or no labor and time to complete and serve. Items like fresh salads with delicious toppings are actual in contrast are more expensive for people and restaurants alike to prepare. So another important variable to compare. If you are eating out and enjoying cheap calories, but eating at home and eating expensive calories, this could skew your results. Try to compare apples to apples for accurate analysis.
Have tips & tricks? Please share them with our readers. Let us know about your results! Tell us whether you think it is a better value for your money to eat out or cook at home.
