“Discover the 14 Appetizers You Should Never Order—These Overrated Dishes Are Draining Your Wallet!”
The ingredients themselves are inexpensive, and you can make a large batch at home for less than the price of a single serving at a restaurant. Plus, making it yourself means you can add as much cheese as your heart desires.
4. Bruschetta
Bruschetta is essentially toast with tomatoes, garlic, and basil. While it’s delicious, it’s hard to justify paying more than $10 for a few pieces of bread topped with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
Make this Italian classic at home for a fraction of the cost, and you’ll never feel ripped off again. Plus, you can make as many pieces as you want and load them with extra toppings.
5. Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms may sound fancy, but when you get down to it, they’re usually overpriced for what they are. Most restaurants charge $20 or more for just a few mushrooms filled with cheese and breadcrumbs.
You could easily make a whole tray of stuffed mushrooms at home for much less, and they’d likely taste better because you can customize the filling to your liking.
6. Fried Calamari
Fried calamari is a staple appetizer at many restaurants, but it’s often not worth the price tag. You’re paying $12 or more for a small plate of fried squid that’s mostly breading. While it’s a fun treat, it’s hard to justify the cost when you can make it at home for much less.
Buying calamari at the grocery store and frying it up yourself is not only cheaper, but you also get to control the seasoning and portion size. And let’s face it, homemade calamari is almost always better than the restaurant version.
