6 Overlooked Costs of Dining Out Drain Your Budget Fast
Written by
Cynthia Measom
Edited by
Cory Dudak
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Eating out should be a fun experience that allows you to socialize and enjoy good food. Unfortunately, the cost isn’t just about the entree. Instead, other expenses come into play — sometimes even before you sit down.
Before you dine away from home again, consider these often overlooked costs of eating out that can add up fast.
1. Tip
- 15% to 20% of the total bill
Everyone knows tipping your waitperson is customary, but it’s probably not top of mind when you go out to eat. However, it should be. Restaurant owners can pay their waitstaff as little as $2.13 per hour if their tips will equal at least the federal minimum wage, which is currently $7.25 per hour. Still, $7.25 per hour is way below a living wage; in fact, it’s a poverty-level wage, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
2. Service Charges
- 18% of the total bill
Service charges at a restaurant are often automatically added to the bill in the case of a larger party, usually six people or more. Unfortunately, the service charge is different from the tip, and there’s no guarantee that the service charge (or any part of it) will go to your server. Instead, the service charge is considered non-tip wages by the Internal Revenue Service, which means that the restaurant can allocate it as it sees fit.
3. Parking Fees
- Varies
Whether you’re dining in an area with paid parking or you use a valet, parking fees are often an overlooked cost. They could be a flat fee or $5 to $10 per hour or more, depending on where and how long you park.
4. Drinks
- Varies
Unless you opt for complimentary water, non-alcoholic or alcoholic drinks are an added expense when you dine. In some markets, an alcoholic drink has reached upwards of $22, per Food & Wine. Even if you only paid half that, that’s still a lot for a single beverage.
5. Appetizers
- Varies
Maybe you didn’t plan to order an appetizer, but once you’re staring down the menu, you do. Additionally, you may have to order more than one appetizer, depending on how many people are dining with you. Olive Garden’s appetizers, for instance, are typically between $8.49 and $13.49. If you order two of the cheapest options, that’s about $17 added to your bill.
6. Desserts
- Varies
Unless you’re celebrating a special occasion or planning to have dessert, this cost can be easily overlooked when you’re heading to the restaurant. However, once you’re there, waitstaff often try to entice you to order dessert, and sometimes, you give in. Again, as an example, Olive Garden’s desserts are typically $8.99 to $9.49. Order a couple of the cheapest options and you’ll add about $18 to your bill.
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