The New Eating "Out"

I love those Target ads which depict the "new" ways of doing things in this current economy, like home haircuts and date nights in lieu of the more expensive alternative. Target should have consulted me about that ad campaign because I have been living most of their suggestions for the past 2 years! Needless to say, about a month ago on a Friday night my husband came home and told me that he thought we should go out to eat dinner. It was the end of a long week and the thought of yummy Mexican food as he suggested did sound like a great option. Then my reality-meter kicked in: eating out with a 6 year old who has zero patience and with a baby really doesn't make for an optimal dining-out experience at least not for the cost involved, most likely $40+. Although initially I burst my husband's bubble, he did agree with my logic and we decided we would rather save the money.

At this point we were hungry for Mexican food, not the pork chops I had planned, and I quickly offered to run to the Grocery Outlet where bargains abound. At the store I bought some tortilla chips, an avocado, tomatoes, and more importantly some beer. Total cost for these ingredients was $11 (including a 12 pack of beer). At home I cooked the pork with some onions and taco seasoning, something I had never tried but has become a new favorite. We then decided to make a huge tray of nachos and involved my 6 year old in the assembly process which he loved. In the end we made taco salads with the vegetables, meat & nachos, and topped it off with fresh guacamole. The result was a delicious meal for a fraction of the cost of eating out, with leftovers and beer well into the future. All in all, two thumbs way up for the new "going out". Is there some way you can turn your favorite restaurant experience into a fun and more affordable at home, dining-in experience? Please share your ideas, I'm getting hungry!