Jubilant Brits celebrated the launch of the Government's new Eat Out to Help Out scheme yesterday by ordering half price meals in their thousands - or at least most of them did.
Because while 72,000 restaurants signed up to offer 50% off food, quite a few people ended up either paying full price or walking away hungry.
The problem - the Eat Out to Help Out scheme doesn't include takeaways.
Writing on Twitter, on confused customers said: "Okay, I’m confused by this Eat Out to Help Out scheme now. It’s not valid on takeaways but is valid on restaurants doing collection only? What’s the difference?!"
A second wrote: "Feel totally cheated by Eat Out to Help Out because it’s not for takeaway (called OUT like away not in like INSIDE restaurant) but nevertheless enjoyed my paneer masala dosa from my fave in Tooting."
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A third said: "Apparently the 'Eat Out' discount only applies to dining in and not takeaway?! So shouldn't they have called it 'Eat In to Help Out'?"
McDonald's even got involved when someone asked "where's my half price food" - responding: "We are participating in the Government's Eat Out To Help Out scheme. This scheme only applies when you Dine in at a participating branch. This does not apply for Drive Thru, Takeaway, or McDelivery."
However, there might be a loophole.
That's because while the scheme only offers discounts for people dining in - there's nothing to stop you taking some of the food home with you in a doggy bag if you don't finish it.
Provided you start your meal in a dedicated dining in section of the restaurant, you are free to take what's left home with you.
Of course, it's not in the spirit of the scheme and in many cases that will still mean you have to book ahead, but it does mean people can get cheap food to friends or relatives stuck at home if needed.
Key Eat Out to Help Out rules
- 50% off food and drink at participating restaurants
- £10 per person limit to discount
- Alcoholic drinks and service charge not included
- Only applies to people ordering food to eat on site
- Applies only on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in August
- Can be used as often as you like on those days
- Automatically applied at the till, no voucher needed
