YumSugar

Is It OK to Write a Yelp Review For a Restaurant Discount?

partysugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 09:15:05 -0700

Mel's Drive-In, a restaurant chain in California, made news this week when a PR firm uncovered the diner's "virtual bribe" - or a deal for Yelpers. Here's how it works: you write a Yelp review (it can be good or bad) of the eatery, bring in a copy, and receive a 20 percent discount on your bill. I've never been into Yelp, the website that lets everyone be a restaurant critic, so I won't be participating in Mel's discount any time soon. However, if it was a restaurant I frequented or was interested in checking out, I might be persuaded to give it some online publicity. How about you?

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Yummy Links: From Breast Milk Cupcakes to Food Discounts

partysugar — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 06:50:47 -0800

Would you eat a cupcake made with breast milk?- Serious Eats
Five simple tips for planning the perfect party. - Simply Stated
Gordon Ramsay cooks a "credit crunch" on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. - Eat Me Daily
The Cupcake Kit provides everything you need to make delicious pretty cupcakes. - The Epi-Log
How to properly separate an egg. - The Kitchn
Coupon-clipping resources: where to find discounts for groceries and restaurants. - Chow

Let's Dish: What's Your Favorite Dirt-Cheap Meal?

YumSugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 13:00:08 -0700

Although prices of almost everything have soared, good deals do exist. The New York Times scoured the boroughs to see what kind of fare could be had for $1, and earlier this year, New York magazine proclaimed that "beggars can be choosers" when it comes to 99-cent finds. Even in my expensive backyard, the Bay Area, there are deals to come by. My favorite bargain? The 99-cent, foot-long hot dog with all-you-can-eat ketchup, mustard, and sauerkraut at Slots-a-Fun in Las Vegas. I also love the McCormick & Schmick's $2 bar menu, which includes mussels and burgers. I have to say that when it comes to these prices, value does in fact have a taste: delicious.

What about you? What's the best thing you can find at a rock-bottom price?

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Boston Market Latest Chain to Promote Cheaper Meals

YumSugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:15:42 -0700

Boston Market is the latest restaurant chain to succumb to sluggish spending. The Golden, CO-based corporation announced yesterday that it will offer a larger discounted menu of 11 meals for $5.

Boston Market joins a list of food chains - such as Subway, Quizno's, and Domino's - that have been promoting meals for $5. The company's chief brand officer, Judy Cantrell, said:

The $5 price point is an important part of the new vernacular in the restaurant industry. It’s become a price point that consumers respond to, and we see an opportunity to increase the quality of choices with our slow-roasted rotisserie chicken meals.

The value menu includes the chain's popular one-quarter rotisserie chicken, classic chicken salad, and rotisserie chicken pot pie, which come with a side dish and a drink. The company will promote its newly-priced menu with a TV commercial and online campaign. Will you try one of their $5 meals?

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Starbucks Announces $2 Afternoon Drink Deal

partysugar — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:16:52 -0700

Starbucks has announced its plan to offer an afternoon discount to morning customers. Present a receipt of your morning beverage after 2 p.m. and you can order any iced grande coffee drink (including Frappuccinos!) for just $2. The promotion begins on Tuesday and runs until Sept. 2. According to Brad Stevens, the vice president of customer relationship management, the discount is a no-brainer:

I think we've kind of hit the nail on the head. It's easy for baristas to implement and it's easy for customers to understand.

Since Starbucks's iced drinks are a little pricey the concept is quite clever. However, I rarely order two Starbucks drinks in one day, so I don't know how often I will be able to use the discount. How about you? Will you use the discount?

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When Buying Groceries, Do You Visit More Than One Store?

YumSugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 06:45:48 -0700

These days, it seems as though food prices are creeping higher on everything from corn to sushi. Since I'm no stranger to a budget, I've increased the amount of time I spend shopping by heading to different stores for certain items.

For instance, I frequent Chinatown and farmers markets for produce, a large-scale grocery store for packaged foods, and a gourmet shop for seafood and specialty items. What about you?

Source

Do You Use Coupons When Grocery Shopping?

YumSugar — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 01:13:39 -0700

On June 26, 1981 one of the world's craziest coupon-clipping excursion occurred. Virginia Campbell of Mountain Home, Idaho is reported to have purchased $24,460 worth of groceries for only 67 cents! I don't know what's more impressive, the fact that she got it for practically free, or the fact that she needed $24,460 worth of groceries! Either way it got me wondering, do you use coupons when grocery shopping?

Source: Benton News

Do You Buy Discounted Seasonal Candy?

YumSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:45:30 -0800

In Season: Fennel

YumSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:00:09 -0700

It's surprising that a hardy green such as fennel is so unknown to so many home cooks, especially considering the vegetable's adaptability: Its bulb, stalks, and fronds are all completely edible, either raw or cooked, and it possesses a pleasing, mild anise flavor. Although it's a perennial, fennel can be found at a reasonable price during Autumn months. Fennel newbies can sniff it at the market for a hint of the flavor to come. Select sturdy bulbs that are firm and free of blemishes, with vibrant, healthy fronds. Store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator, for use within 3 to 5 days. Before preparing, trim the vegetable of any discolored or tough outer layers. Discover your favorite way to use it when you read more.

Starbucks' Holiday Strategy: Deep Discounts, Loyalty Programs

YumSugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:15:00 -0700

Amid slipping sales, Starbucks Coffee has unveiled several plans to boost holiday consumer spending.

This year, the coffee titan will sell five $20 gift cards for the discounted price of $80 - the first time ever that Starbucks has offered a gift card for less than face value. These gift cards, available only at discount retailer Costco, have been flying off shelves. In the promotion's first month, the company has sold nearly 1 million gift cards.

Starbucks is also rolling out its new gold-card loyalty program. The gold card, which can be purchased for $25, allows cardholders 10 percent off most items except gift cards and digital downloads. The company anticipates that millions of gold cards will be sold to customers who are existing cardholders of the regular Starbucks card, as it will save them more money.

Holiday gifts will also be at a lower price point this year. Many stores will also have $10 or less gift tables, and some items, such as CDs and coffee samplers, will retail at a price that is roughly 13 percent lower than similar items last year.

Do you think these promotions will increase sales, or is Starbucks trying too many different things at once? Will you be signing up for the gold card, or racing to Costco for the discounted gift cards?

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