First of all, be assured that portion sizes are so large in the US that economy doesn’t mean still hungry!
If there are a lot of people in your group or you have small kids, then eating out can be relatively expensive (but not as expensive as in the UK) if you don’t know where to find good, nourishing food on a budget.
Here are some of our favourites for eating out economy style. Some of them might become your favourites too!
Don' t forget that, if you' re renting a villa, you have your own cooking facilities also.
Waffle House – These are dotted around all over and are not large restaurants. They’re more like small diner style eateries and you’ll most often find locals rather than tourists eating in them.
Good for snacks, lunches, burgers and rather larger meals like great omelettes, all freshly cooked to order (you can check this out as the kitchen is diner style and on display).
Denny’s – There’s also a selection of these restaurants dotted around – some are called Denny’s Diner but, despite the different décor, the menu is much the same.
They serve everything from a snack to a steak with all the trimmings but not at fancy restaurant prices. Some Denny’s have a ‘kids eat free’ night, usually on Tuesdays, so watch out for those for even bigger savings.
Perkins – Not so many of these around but worth searching out. From great breakfasts to steaks and everything in between. Tasty eggs Benedict too. Not every restaurant has teriyaki salmon on the menu – if your Perkins does, it’s excellent.
International House of Pancakes – Not just pancakes although theirs are really great! From a wide selection of breakfasts to light lunches to main meals, these restaurants serve some unusual dishes as well as old favourites. Their blinis are one of our favourites as well as their International Passport breakfast which comes with flavoured crepes (or UK style pancakes).
Bob Evans – Not everywhere but worthwhile searching out. From great breakfasts to full meals, these also have some unusual dishes that you won’t find available everywhere else.
Of course, there are the usual McDonald’s, KFC, Burger King, etc. Out of these types of chains, perhaps you could give Wendy’s a try – especially the chicken salad with orange which is very yummy and makes a very refreshing change from a burger.
Don’t forget – you can usually get kids’ or senior (from 50 or so upwards) discounts to be had, just ask!
If there are a lot of people in your group or you have small kids, then eating out can be relatively expensive (but not as expensive as in the UK) if you don’t know where to find good, nourishing food on a budget.
Here are some of our favourites for eating out economy style. Some of them might become your favourites too!
Don' t forget that, if you' re renting a villa, you have your own cooking facilities also.
Waffle House – These are dotted around all over and are not large restaurants. They’re more like small diner style eateries and you’ll most often find locals rather than tourists eating in them.
Good for snacks, lunches, burgers and rather larger meals like great omelettes, all freshly cooked to order (you can check this out as the kitchen is diner style and on display).
Denny’s – There’s also a selection of these restaurants dotted around – some are called Denny’s Diner but, despite the different décor, the menu is much the same.
They serve everything from a snack to a steak with all the trimmings but not at fancy restaurant prices. Some Denny’s have a ‘kids eat free’ night, usually on Tuesdays, so watch out for those for even bigger savings.
Perkins – Not so many of these around but worth searching out. From great breakfasts to steaks and everything in between. Tasty eggs Benedict too. Not every restaurant has teriyaki salmon on the menu – if your Perkins does, it’s excellent.
International House of Pancakes – Not just pancakes although theirs are really great! From a wide selection of breakfasts to light lunches to main meals, these restaurants serve some unusual dishes as well as old favourites. Their blinis are one of our favourites as well as their International Passport breakfast which comes with flavoured crepes (or UK style pancakes).
Bob Evans – Not everywhere but worthwhile searching out. From great breakfasts to full meals, these also have some unusual dishes that you won’t find available everywhere else.
Of course, there are the usual McDonald’s, KFC, Burger King, etc. Out of these types of chains, perhaps you could give Wendy’s a try – especially the chicken salad with orange which is very yummy and makes a very refreshing change from a burger.
Don’t forget – you can usually get kids’ or senior (from 50 or so upwards) discounts to be had, just ask!