See popular restaurant senior discounts (yes, even if you're 50)

When life gets busy (or even when it doesn’t), there’s something to be said for leaving the house and going out to dinner or grabbing lunch somewhere other than your kitchen. After a long day at the office, the last thing you want to do is cook. And sometimes, it’s nice to not have to hit the supermarket, wait in a long checkout line, prepare food at home, and deal with the cleanup. And while many senior discounts are often mistaken to start at 65 years old, there are many restaurant discounts for those 50 years old and up.

Plus, if you still have kids living at home, cooking can be a hassle. Either your kids don’t like the meal you’ve chosen to make or they love it so much they devour five portions in a single sitting, taking down the leftovers you were hoping to salvage.

That’s why I make a point to carve out room in my budget for restaurant meals. As a naturally frugal person, it’s sometimes hard to justify the cost of eating at a restaurant when I know how much cheaper it is to cook, especially when you shop strategically (thanks, Costco membership). But there’s also such a thing as giving yourself a break and treating yourself to a meal you don’t have to make yourself.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to save money, though. And believe it or not, there are plenty of restaurant discounts available to people who are, well, let’s just say it – on the older side.

Here’s a rundown of some of the discounts you might be able to snag at national chains:

Restaurant	Discount	Rules
Arby’s	10% off	Must be 55 or older
Bonefish Grill	10% off	Must be an AARP member
Carrabba’s Italian Grill	10% off	Must be an AARP member
Chart House	10% off	Must be an AARP member
Chick-fil-A	Varies by location	Varies by location
Cinnabon	10% off	Must be an AARP member
Denny’s	Discounted 55+ menu	Must be 55 or older
IHOP	Discounted 55+ menu	Must be 55 or older
Krispy Kreme	10% off	Must be 50 or older
McCormick & Schmick’s	10% off	Must be an AARP member
Moe’s Southwest Grill	10% off	Must be an AARP member
Outback Steakhouse	10% off	Must be an AARP member
Papa John’s	20% off	Must be an AARP member
Rainforest Cafe	10% off	Must be an AARP member
SaltGrass Steakhouse	10% off	Must be an AARP member

Of course, it’s always best to check with the establishment you’re visiting rather than assume you’ll be able to snag a discount. Some of these discounts vary by location, which means you might get money off your meal in one place but not another even if it’s the same chain.

Another important thing to note is that with AARP, the discount typically only applies to your meal – not necessarily the entire check. It’s always worth verifying each restaurant’s policy before you dine if you’re on a budget.

Another thing I recommend, though, is choosing a restaurant for those special nights out based on where you want to go – not based on who’s offering a discount. If you can afford to dine out, you can probably afford to spend a little bit more on a meal that’s more authentic than what a chain restaurant might serve.

I love a Denny’s breakfast like the next person. But for Date Night, that’s not going to cut it.

Plus, you may find that some of your favorite local restaurants offer either a senior discount or early bird specials for diners of a certain age. There’s no harm in asking, even if you don’t see a deal printed on the menu.

And remember, a lot of individual restaurants offer loyalty programs regardless of age. The diner my family goes to almost every week has such a program where you sign up for an app and have your code scanned each time you pay your bill. I’ve scored my share of discounted meals just by remembering to use it.

Remember, too, that even if your favorite spots don’t offer any discounts, a good credit card for restaurants can help you score extra cash back on dining out. Look for offers where restaurants put 3%, 4%, or 5% back in your pocket. That way, you really get the freedom to eat where you want to.