by Mary Finn

Created on: October 18, 2009   Last Updated: February 01, 2012

Eating out is one of the great pleasures of life, but with all the economic uncertainty, the wise diner looks for ways to cut the tab while still having a blast. Here are five easy ways to eat economically.

1. Join the club.

Many mid-priced and casual dining chains have their own insiders clubs that offer discounts and first looks at new menu offerings. For example, Pizza Uno, has an insider's club that offers a free appetizer with dinner purchase for all new members. Their seasonal menu offerings are announced first to new members as well, and a two for the price of one coupon often accompanies the emails that announce new offerings. Uno also has a lunch club where patrons who purchase 5 lunch entries within a 3 month period get the sixth free.

TGI Friday's Give me More Stripes Club offers patrons a one time pass to skip to the front of the line, free appetizers and discounted food. Qdoba Mexican Grill club offers patrons free chips with their first order and information and discounts on new menu offerings. The sandwich chain, Cosi, gives patrons who register their Cosi gift cards a freebie after 10 purchases.

2. Become a fan.

TGI Friday's recently stormed Facebook with a fictitious character named Woody to drum up interest in their Jack Daniel Burger and Jack Daniel Chicken offerings. All fans received a coupon for a free Jack Daniel Burger or Chicken and additional enticements such as five dollar salads or free appetizers with beverage purchase are e-mailed on a regular basis. If you become a fan of Au Bon Pain you will be the first to know about events like free iced coffee day.

3. Happy Birthday to You

Many firms provide free entrees, desserts and deeply-discounted meals on your birthday. Birthday freebies is a clearinghouse of such offers. Coldstone Creamery, Houlihans, Red Robin, Baskin Robbins, and Red Lobster are just a few of the participants. But Birthday Clubs aren't just for casual dining. Some of New York's high-end restaurants including: The Sea Grill, Brasserie, and Rock Center Cafe, are part of the Patina Group which offers $30.00 or $50.00 off coupons for participant's birthdays. Membership is free.

4. Restaurants.com

Patrons can buy certificates that offer a $10.00 or $25.00 discount on lunch or dinner at a huge number of independently-owned restaurants throughout the United States. The website allows you to search by State, City and Zip Code and further refine results by cuisine or atmosphere. This is an especially valuable site for ethnic

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