There are some cities around the world where you will find that it can in fact be cheaper to eat out, than it is to stay at home and cook. Now of course this has to be considered with some level of realism, after all eating a steak meal each night wouldn’t be cheaper than staying at home, but the point is about the low cost options which you will find in many cities around the world. One location where this is certainly the case is Mexico City.
As mentioned, you cannot just go out to a high end restaurant each day or night, in order to live a more low-cost lifestyle. With this being said, there are plenty of options which you will find in the city, that come in at a lower cost than staying at home.
Going to a Fonda
My favorite way to eat here in in a fonda, a dining option my good friend Rose Burillo showed me. A fonda is a traditional place to enjoy a meal, where you will find a set price menu called ‘comida corrida’ literally translated as ‘fast food’. Here you will enjoy a 4 course meal which starts off with a soup, followed by rice or pasta and then your main meal. Usually there will be around 3 or 4 options for your main meal, depending on what you fancy. Following this you will enjoy a dessert and this will all be accompanied by some fresh, flavored water. This lunch will come in at less than $3, which is tough to replicate at home for the same price.
Tacos and Snacks
Given the fact that it isn’t the healthiest meal to enjoy, eating tacos and fried street food every day isn’t recommended. With this being said however, enjoying this once every couple of days is a great way to get a good, tasty meal, and it is way cheaper than anything you could create at home. Take tacos al pastor as the perfect option here, they cost around $0.30, cheaper in some places, and with 3 or 4 you are certainly going to be full up. This cannot be done at home and this is one of the main reasons why so many say that it is cheaper to eat out than to eat at home.
Buffet Style
There are buffets all over the world and if you have an appetite then you can certainly get a good amount of bang for your buck. Here in Mexico City is no different, yet the cost of the buffet is so much lower than other places around the world. Here you will find Indian and Chinese buffets which cost as little as $5, which is an incredible price given what you are able to enjoy. Make sure that you go in with an empty stomach, and then go crazy with the food once you get inside. Even two plates would make sure that you get your money’s worth.
These are just some examples of where it is cheaper to eat out, than to eat in.
