Dining on a Dime: Half-Off Meals and Other Deals from "mint.com"

Cooking at home is the best way to save cash, but it’s nice to go out sometimes, too. Check out Frugal Foodie every Friday for a selection of the latest coupons for casual and fancy fare.

This week: half-priced bagels, breakfast prix fixe menus and happy hour discounts, among other deals!

1. Qdoba

Play Qdoba’s “The Cure” game to create a virtual meal, and get a print out coupon good for 50% off one entrée. Don’t play until you’re ready to visit — the deal expires two days after the print date of the coupon. Participating locations only.

2. Luna Rossa

The Naples, Fla., restaurant offers a deal of two dinners and a bottle of wine for $30. NaplesNews.com assessed Luna Rossa’s deal against the same offer at another restaurants, and proclaimed Luna Rossa the winner.

3. Black Angus

Use a print out coupon good for a free happy hour appetizer with the purchase of another (Monday through Friday, 4-7 p.m. in the bar area, only). The page also has a second coupon for a three-course Campfire Feast dinner for two for $38 (regularly $50). Participating locations only. Both deals expire Sept. 6.

4. Chings Hot Wings

Bring a donation of school supplies for local middle schoolers to the Memphis restaurant through Sept. 5, and get a coupon good for a free order of wings when you purchase one.

5. Quiznos

Get a small sub, chips and regular fountain drink for $2.99 with a print out coupon. ($3.99 in Alaska and Hawaii.) Participating locations only. Offer ends Aug. 30.

6. Hot Lunch Lady

The new San Juan Capistrano, Calif. restaurant is offering a deal of a half wrap, half salad, cup of soup and gelato for $7. Mention code FB0810AA and say you saw the deal on the restaurant’s Facebook page. Good through the end of August.

7. Restaurant.com

Coupon code “CLEARANCE” at checkout gets you an extra 80% off already discounted gift certificates to local venues. The code expires Aug. 31. Restaurant.com usually prices $25 certificates at $10. (Spend $20 to get $50; $30 for $75, etc.) With the discount, you’ll pay just $2, $4, or $6. Each restaurant sets conditions regarding the number of diners, days and menu items a certificate can be used for, so check the fine print before you buy.

8. Westport Restaurant Week

From Aug. 29 through Sept. 4, participating restaurants in the Connecticut city are offering special prix fixe menus: $10.10 or $15.10 for lunch for one, $20.10 for lunch for two, and $20.10 or $30.10 for dinner for one.

9. Einstein Bros. Bagels

On August 28 or 29, save 50% on the price of a Bagel Bucket with a print out coupon. Does not include several varieties, while others cost extra. Participating locations only.

10. Maialino

TastingTable.com subscribers can visit the NY restaurant through Sept. 3 and ask for the “Tasting Table special”: a special $21 prix fixe breakfast menu, a cheaper option than the regular one.

Frugal Foodie is a journalist based in New York City who spends her days writing about personal finance and obsessing about what she’ll have for dinner. Chat with her on Twitter through @MintFoodie.

http://www.mint.com/blog/saving/restaurant-coupons-08272010/