Unless you live on another planet, you’ve most likely subscribed to one of the many deal sites available in your local 'hood.'  In Hoboken, we’re lucky enough to not only have the larger deal sites like LivingSocial and Groupon supporting our local businesses, but also some smaller ones such as Double Take Deals, Valpak or the Hoboken circulars.  These offers are a great way to explore the more than 100 dining locations in our beloved square mile without breaking the bank.

I’ve had some really good and just OK experiences with these sites before and want to share some of them with you!

Say No to the Sweet Stuff
It pains me to say this but unless you have a wicked sweet tooth, dessert is not usually worth it from the deal level.  I’ve met many diners that typically do not order dessert when they’re out and if they do, tend to either just pick at it or completely leave it behind.  If you see a deal that includes dessert, just ignore it, your pocket and waistline will thank you.  

Always Double-Check Prices
On a recent trip to Marty O’Brien’s, the price for a glass of house wine had gone up several dollars from the listed value of our Groupon.  Where our deal said a value of $6 on house wine - the new price was $8.  We confirmed that Marty’s would still honor that value.  Never get fooled by the fine print!

Watch Out for the Deal "Extras"
When you’re in a food coma after a great meal, it’s easy to ignore the extras and add-ons on the receipt and just sign away. Be sure to give your check a once-over in case there are any “extras” that weren’t expected.  From experience, I’ve had some restaurants implement a “coupon tax” - not cool on their part and always worth a nudge to the manager. Additionally, always remember to tip on the original cost of the food and not the deal price - your server will thank you!

Know a Good Deal When You See One
At San Guiseppe’s (which is BYOB), for the value of a large pizza and entree you are getting a great deal on a delicious meal.  Alternatively, for places that aren’t BYOB in Hoboken, when a deal includes drinks, go for it, it’s usually a great price for a couple of draughts, house wine or signature cocktails.

Don’t Be Afraid to Clip
From Tilted Kilt to Liberty Bar to Biggie’s, there are constantly print and online coupons offering up to 10% off items or even whole meals.  Besides the fact that you would be saving money, if you keep these coupons in an envelope at home or linked to in an online folder, it’s a great game-time decision maker when you’re kicking around options on a Friday night!

Despite the often uncertain news surrounding the online (and print) coupon industry, as a foodie with limited time and an (often) limited dining budget, daily deals are THE best way to try out the many dining riches that Hoboken has to offer.  Just be sure to use them before you lose them and get them while they’re available - these deals don’t last a lifetime!