Four Years Toward Free Meals

When the cashier flips the screen around to offer a “tip” scale for something like frozen yogurt, which you made entirely yourself, you can’t help but laugh at how far restaurant technology has come. Yet those digital payment terminals also offer something that can actually save the customer money: “Enter your phone number to join our rewards program! Convert your dollars spent into points toward your next meal!”

Since arriving at Yale, I’ve realized something: I’m going to be in New Haven for four years, whether I like it or not. So, while my first instinct is to press skip on the promotional screen so that I can get my receipt and move on with my day, I’ve realized that taking a step back has allowed me to make what I find to be the more economical choice. And while those prompts to enter your phone number might at first feel scammy or seem like they come with some hidden catch, I’ve come to a simple step-by-step conclusion: I’ll be in this city for four years. I’ll likely return to these local restaurants. Why wouldn’t I start earning rewards and money back?

Now, you’re not going to find these types of rewards programs at upscale restaurants, so you probably won’t be saving a fortune. But every dollar counts, right?

One of my favorite mid-scale restaurants (somewhere between fast food and fine dining) is Nice Day Chinese. Whether it’s the annual Nice Day meal my roommates and I have on Halloween—we just finished our second year, which I feel officially makes it a “tradition”—or a random night when I’m just craving Beef and Broccoli, Nice Day Chinese always prevails. Their food offers the deepest kind of comfort, where every ache of a long day is soothed by warm food. If you can’t tell, I love Chinese food. 

Whether you order in person or online, Nice Day Chinese lets you earn credit for every purchase, with each dollar spent translating into one point, and 100 points converting back into $10 off. It’s comfort food that feeds not only your soul, but also your wallet. 

Junzi, owned by the same restaurateurs, has a mirrored rewards system. At both of these restaurants, I’m grateful to earn my “one star for every $1 spent,” as trivial as it might seem. Especially as a loyal user of my dining hall meal plan, I can’t help but feel a little guilty whenever I eat out, so a small “reward” helps soften the blow.

Last week, during our second annual Halloween Nice Day Chinese dinner, I was able to redeem 100 points for $10 off, and that felt incredible. 

Haven Hot Chicken is another New Haven staple with a more extensive rewards program. Not only do they have a sign-on bonus of 250 points (their conversion rate is 100 points = $1 off), but Mondays and Tuesdays are double-points days! 

If you’re not in the mood for a full meal, you can still get credit for your Atticus study breaks. Atticus Coffee Club allows you to earn points for “barista-prepared beverages” that can be redeemed for anything sold at Atticus. 

When I first moved to New Haven at the beginning of last school year, my dad set out on a mission: to try as many New Haven pizzerias as possible. And guess what we discovered…Even Pepe’s, New Haven’s claim to fame, has a rewards program where you are encouraged to “rack up points and cash them in for savings on your favorite menu items.” 

Many other restaurants in New Haven and around Yale’s campus have rewards programs like this. Frankly, most chains around the country now have them. And, as a piece of advice, if you are willing to receive a promotional text every so often, sign up. We are at Yale for four years, and it would be a shame not to be taking advantage of the college experience in every way possible. 

I know, I know. “It’s a marketing scheme,” skeptics (my brother) will say. But, hey! They got me! 

Next time you get to a restaurant or shop you see yourself returning to, in New Haven or anywhere in the country, put your phone number in, and you’ll thank me later.