After the revelry of Chick-Fil-A’s July “Git More Chicken” promotion, dressing like a cow to get a delicious chicken sandwich is not always a convenient way to get free, fast food!
Thank goodness for gift certificates!! It appears that so many businesses (even those name brand, well known franchises) are doing the best they can to get customers in the door. It’s fine by me as long as there isn’t a catch…
So I did a little homework.
Some of the most reliable is on local TV station KQCA My 58 and their online “Half Price Deals”.
You pay 25 dollars for a 50 dollar gift certificate good for restaurants, hair salons, even car detailing. The flavor is going to be a drive (no participating locations in our immediate neighborhoods) but could be well worth it. In Roseville and Natomas Mountain Mike’s Pizza offers up the deals. Many other restaurants are in Downtown Sacramento or Fair Oaks.
Just get online: www.kqca.com
Then there is Restaurant.com.
It’s a great site that allows you to search local eateries by zip code so whether you’re staying in town or on vacation you can buy your gift certificates now and save before you hit the road.
The Lion’s Gate Restaurant on McClellan is actually a fine place to dine (they have a mean turkey club) and a $25 gift certificate is only 10 dollars! Here are the “strings attached”:
1) Many of the spots require a minimum bill
2) The “deal” is only eligible for (dine – in) dinner hours
3) An 18% gratuity (usually reserved for large parties) is added to ANY party if you’re using the gift cards.
Still, the cool part is that I was amazed to find so many great restaurants that are well known, like The Melting Pot, The Terrace (located in the Town & Country Shopping Center), Vallejo’s Mexican in Downtown Sacramento, even Steve’s Place Pizza in Fair Oaks (though they were SOLD OUT of gift cards). With prices like these, I’m even tempted to try Chanterelle’s Sunday Brunch at the Sterling Hotel Downtown.
For you night owls (or young parents who can get a sitter for date night) there is Mandango’s and Lounge on 20 in Downtown. But no promises on what will be left there by the time you read this article. Some of the popular spots sell out pretty fast so get in while you can!
One more tip I can pass on: Rather than be fully reliant on the website – I googled individual cafes to get food reviews from people who have been there (i.e. yelp.com).
Even if I am getting in on a meal that won’t cost me quite as much I still don’t want to waste my money on a place with terrible service, and grade B cleanliness. Diners beware! (I do recommend after the reviews to not go at close of business (8:30 pm or later) and not to expect too much from all-you-can-eat or anniversary specials because you’get the cheaper stuff you pay for).
It did bring me some peace to know that the Better Business Bureau approved the site and that McAfee secures the online processing. But you can purchase gift cards over the phone.