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http://soshiok.com/articles/12977
Teenagers get the best deals for food
Mon Jun 01 2009
Amanda Tan
The Straits Times
Teens are particular about getting the best deals when it comes to eating out.
INDEPTH
Singapore, May 25, 2009 - Take everything else – but leave the food.
When it comes to cost-cutting measures, youths will scrimp on anything but their bellies.
A majority of the 70 teens interviewed at hotspots Far East Plaza, Bugis, Tampines and Bishan Junction 8 say most of their allowance – even when they are short on cash – goes to filling their stomachs.
Almost two-thirds of them would spend at least 50 per cent of a $20 budget on dining out. Five even said that they would not mind splurging all of it on food.
While allowances ranged from $15 to $70 a week, teens across the board said it was important to prioritise.
Clothes, cosmetics, music albums and magazines – these take a backseat to eating better.
Sarah Lee, 16, a Secondary 4 student from Holy Innocents’ High School, is one who is fond of buying magazines but would not skip her meals.
Others hatch plans: “If I don’t have enough then I’ll save $2 and accumulate it for a few weeks before I go shopping again,” Nan Chiau High School’s Jaslyn Chua, 15, said.
Last week, The Straits Times reported that outlets gunning for the teen market are making them regulars with promotions.
The strategy seems to be working, with many saying that they continued to eat at places like Pizza Hut and Yoshinoya because of these deals.
Those like Chng Chin Wei, 15, a Secondary 3 student from Fairfield Methodist Secondary School said: “I’ll spend most of my money on food because it’s the most essential thing for me. I feel happy when I eat my favourite foods such as sliced fish bee hoon.”
Although most cite cheap school canteen options and nearby hawker centres as their main eateries, fast-food outlets such as MacDonalds and Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) have a healthy following too.
Unlike working adults, young foodies with limited budgets go for fixed and discounted priced set meals that come in bigger portions to make their spending worth it.
They tend to avoid restaurants that charge the Goods And Services Tax (GST), saying they patronise such outlets only once in a while, on special occasions like birthdays.
Deals must be regarded as authentic though.
To 15-year-old Athan Leong, a Secondary 4 Holy Innocents’ High School student, “some places have student deals, but it’s still not worth it”.
“There’s still GST. Even though the advertised price is $5, $6, the whole meal will end up to be more. These hidden costs make it less attractive.”
Only a handful – about 20 out of 70 – do not seem to live to eat.
Eunice Ong, 16, a Secondary 4 CHIJ St Theresa’s Convent student said: “I’ll diet in school and stick to drinks. I want to use the money on weekends when I go out, like for a movie.”
McDonald’s
Deals: $4.50++ for a Value Meal Set (A burger/Drink/Fries)
Why it rocks: It is conveniently located, and a great place to chill out.
When: Monday to Friday, valid during operating hours
KFC
Deals: $4.30 onwards
Why it rocks: Outlets are conveniently located islandwide.
When: Monday to Friday, valid during operating hours
Swensen's
Deals: $9.80++. Deal 1: Food and drink. Deal 2: Two ice-cream sundaes. Terms and conditions apply.
Why it rocks: Big portions of food with quality ice-cream. Just right after a long day at school.
When: Monday to Friday, 2.30pm to 5.30pm
Jack's Place (Eatzi Outlets)
Deals: $5.90++ for a main course, soup, drink and ice-cream
Why it rocks: Value-for-money Western food
When: Monday to Friday, 12pm to 5.30pm
Buddy Hoagies
Deals: $5.90 onwards for a main course (choice of baked rice/pasta aglio olio/roasti) + iced tea
Why it rocks: Western food in the heartland at low prices.
When: Monday to Friday, 12pm to 5.30pm
Yoshinoya
Deals: $4.90++ for a regular bowl + one drink + promo side dish
Why it rocks: Upsize your meal to make your rice bowl bigger and better.
When: Monday to Friday, 12pm to 5.30pm
Ajisen Ramen
Deals: $7.90++ for one ramen + one drink + one a la carte
Why it rocks: Oodles of noodles, and you won't feel hungry an hour later.
When: Monday to Friday, 12pm to 6pm
Cafe Galilee
Deals: $4.90++ for one main course (choice of pasta/chicken/fish and chips) + one canned drink
Why it rocks: Western food located near books. Here's where bookworms can fill up.
When: Monday to Friday, 12 pm to 6pm
Bakerzin
Deals: Deal 1: 50 per cent off any main course, Deal 2: High Tea Special - pay for your choice of sliced cake or danishes at regular price, plus one drink at $1.90 (T&C apply)
Why it rocks: What do you do for anything at 50 per cent discount - grab!
When: Monday to Friday, Deal 1: from 10.30am to 5pm; deal 2, from 2pm to 6pm
Cafe Cartel
Deals: Deal 1: One-for-one pasta. Students get 10 per cent off, plus a 16oz Pepsi. Deal 2: $4++ for student meal. Deal 3: $5.20++ for afternoon tea with a slice of cake and a cup of cappuccino (T&C apply)
Why it rocks: The large portions will keep you full until your next meal.
When: Monday to Friday, Deal 1 & 2: 2pm to 5.30pm, deal 3: 1.30pm to 5.30pm
Pasta Mania
Deals: All students get 30 per cent off
Why it rocks: Game for Italian? Pick from any wide variety of pasta choices.
When: Monday to Friday, 12pm to 5.30pm
Subway
Deals: Deal 1: $4.80++ for a Student meal special, one sandwich + one drink + one cookie (Northpoint outlet).Deal 2: $5.90++ for Super Saver Meal, one sandwich + one drink + two cookies/a pack of chips (other outlets)
Why it rocks: Nothing beats tucking into a wholesome sandwich.
When: Deal 1: Monday to Friday, Deal 2: Daily
The Soup Spoon
Deals: $5.90++ for a regular bowl of soup
Why it rocks: A hearty bowl of soup ends a long day of school with a much-needed "Ahhh!"
When: Every day
Long John Silver's
Deals: $3.95++ for The Great Combo
Why it rocks: Battered it may be, but it's still seafood at low prices.
When: Every day
Ya Kun Kaya Toast
Deals: $3.90++ Value Meals
Why it rocks: Traditional toast, coffee/tea and two eggs. No better soul-food snack when you have a craving for feel-good food.
Teenagers get the best deals for food
Mon Jun 01 2009
Amanda Tan
The Straits Times
Teens are particular about getting the best deals when it comes to eating out.
INDEPTH
Singapore, May 25, 2009 - Take everything else – but leave the food.
When it comes to cost-cutting measures, youths will scrimp on anything but their bellies.
A majority of the 70 teens interviewed at hotspots Far East Plaza, Bugis, Tampines and Bishan Junction 8 say most of their allowance – even when they are short on cash – goes to filling their stomachs.
Almost two-thirds of them would spend at least 50 per cent of a $20 budget on dining out. Five even said that they would not mind splurging all of it on food.
While allowances ranged from $15 to $70 a week, teens across the board said it was important to prioritise.
Clothes, cosmetics, music albums and magazines – these take a backseat to eating better.
Sarah Lee, 16, a Secondary 4 student from Holy Innocents’ High School, is one who is fond of buying magazines but would not skip her meals.
Others hatch plans: “If I don’t have enough then I’ll save $2 and accumulate it for a few weeks before I go shopping again,” Nan Chiau High School’s Jaslyn Chua, 15, said.
Last week, The Straits Times reported that outlets gunning for the teen market are making them regulars with promotions.
The strategy seems to be working, with many saying that they continued to eat at places like Pizza Hut and Yoshinoya because of these deals.
Those like Chng Chin Wei, 15, a Secondary 3 student from Fairfield Methodist Secondary School said: “I’ll spend most of my money on food because it’s the most essential thing for me. I feel happy when I eat my favourite foods such as sliced fish bee hoon.”
Although most cite cheap school canteen options and nearby hawker centres as their main eateries, fast-food outlets such as MacDonalds and Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) have a healthy following too.
Unlike working adults, young foodies with limited budgets go for fixed and discounted priced set meals that come in bigger portions to make their spending worth it.
They tend to avoid restaurants that charge the Goods And Services Tax (GST), saying they patronise such outlets only once in a while, on special occasions like birthdays.
Deals must be regarded as authentic though.
To 15-year-old Athan Leong, a Secondary 4 Holy Innocents’ High School student, “some places have student deals, but it’s still not worth it”.
“There’s still GST. Even though the advertised price is $5, $6, the whole meal will end up to be more. These hidden costs make it less attractive.”
Only a handful – about 20 out of 70 – do not seem to live to eat.
Eunice Ong, 16, a Secondary 4 CHIJ St Theresa’s Convent student said: “I’ll diet in school and stick to drinks. I want to use the money on weekends when I go out, like for a movie.”
McDonald’s
Deals: $4.50++ for a Value Meal Set (A burger/Drink/Fries)
Why it rocks: It is conveniently located, and a great place to chill out.
When: Monday to Friday, valid during operating hours
KFC
Deals: $4.30 onwards
Why it rocks: Outlets are conveniently located islandwide.
When: Monday to Friday, valid during operating hours
Swensen's
Deals: $9.80++. Deal 1: Food and drink. Deal 2: Two ice-cream sundaes. Terms and conditions apply.
Why it rocks: Big portions of food with quality ice-cream. Just right after a long day at school.
When: Monday to Friday, 2.30pm to 5.30pm
Jack's Place (Eatzi Outlets)
Deals: $5.90++ for a main course, soup, drink and ice-cream
Why it rocks: Value-for-money Western food
When: Monday to Friday, 12pm to 5.30pm
Buddy Hoagies
Deals: $5.90 onwards for a main course (choice of baked rice/pasta aglio olio/roasti) + iced tea
Why it rocks: Western food in the heartland at low prices.
When: Monday to Friday, 12pm to 5.30pm
Yoshinoya
Deals: $4.90++ for a regular bowl + one drink + promo side dish
Why it rocks: Upsize your meal to make your rice bowl bigger and better.
When: Monday to Friday, 12pm to 5.30pm
Ajisen Ramen
Deals: $7.90++ for one ramen + one drink + one a la carte
Why it rocks: Oodles of noodles, and you won't feel hungry an hour later.
When: Monday to Friday, 12pm to 6pm
Cafe Galilee
Deals: $4.90++ for one main course (choice of pasta/chicken/fish and chips) + one canned drink
Why it rocks: Western food located near books. Here's where bookworms can fill up.
When: Monday to Friday, 12 pm to 6pm
Bakerzin
Deals: Deal 1: 50 per cent off any main course, Deal 2: High Tea Special - pay for your choice of sliced cake or danishes at regular price, plus one drink at $1.90 (T&C apply)
Why it rocks: What do you do for anything at 50 per cent discount - grab!
When: Monday to Friday, Deal 1: from 10.30am to 5pm; deal 2, from 2pm to 6pm
Cafe Cartel
Deals: Deal 1: One-for-one pasta. Students get 10 per cent off, plus a 16oz Pepsi. Deal 2: $4++ for student meal. Deal 3: $5.20++ for afternoon tea with a slice of cake and a cup of cappuccino (T&C apply)
Why it rocks: The large portions will keep you full until your next meal.
When: Monday to Friday, Deal 1 & 2: 2pm to 5.30pm, deal 3: 1.30pm to 5.30pm
Pasta Mania
Deals: All students get 30 per cent off
Why it rocks: Game for Italian? Pick from any wide variety of pasta choices.
When: Monday to Friday, 12pm to 5.30pm
Subway
Deals: Deal 1: $4.80++ for a Student meal special, one sandwich + one drink + one cookie (Northpoint outlet).Deal 2: $5.90++ for Super Saver Meal, one sandwich + one drink + two cookies/a pack of chips (other outlets)
Why it rocks: Nothing beats tucking into a wholesome sandwich.
When: Deal 1: Monday to Friday, Deal 2: Daily
The Soup Spoon
Deals: $5.90++ for a regular bowl of soup
Why it rocks: A hearty bowl of soup ends a long day of school with a much-needed "Ahhh!"
When: Every day
Long John Silver's
Deals: $3.95++ for The Great Combo
Why it rocks: Battered it may be, but it's still seafood at low prices.
When: Every day
Ya Kun Kaya Toast
Deals: $3.90++ Value Meals
Why it rocks: Traditional toast, coffee/tea and two eggs. No better soul-food snack when you have a craving for feel-good food.
