photo by Sarah A. Miller/Tyler Morning Telegraph Traditions waitress Meg Hirsch carries a senior plate tray to a customer's table Tuesday during dinner. Senior plates are a smaller portion of entrees and sides at a reduced price to senior citizens.

It’s the fresh salad, friendly staff and senior discount that brings Kevin Cooper, 50, to Traditions Restaurant and Catering six days a week.

Cooper said he eats at the restaurant at least once a day, for lunch or dinner, but sometimes comes for both.

“I’m single and don’t really buy groceries, but I eat breakfast at home every day,” he said. “Sometimes I’ll have a sandwich.”

Traditions offers a senior platter, a plate with smaller portions consisting of half an entree, vegetable and bread, for $4.71.

Jason Bush, Traditions’ general manager, said the discount was started because seniors eat smaller portions.

He estimated a third to 40 percent of clients who visit Traditions are seniors.

“Seniors flock to Traditions,” owner Robert Owen said. 

Cooper said the plate’s portion is “usually plenty.”

He said the discount is helpful, and usually he spends no more than $8.

Cooper added that the discount is more important for many seniors on a fixed income.

Betty Oliver, 82, agreed. She recommends always asking about discounts if a restaurant or store does not advertise them.

“Sometimes, even if they don’t, they’ll give you something,” Ms. Oliver said.

For Tom Moore, 69, and his wife Pearl, 68, finding smaller portions at restaurants is a priority.

“I can’t eat a full plate anymore,” Moore said. “Plus, if you’re trying to lose weight, you can’t when you’re eating large portions.”

He said usually he splits the plate with his wife at other restaurants that don’t have senior-sized portions.

Pam Johnson, 55, and her husband Donal, 53, also often split plates at other restaurants to save money. She said the couple will buy a bigger meal to split for about $10.99.

“We don’t have extra money, so discounts are very important,” Mrs. Johnson said.

Ligia Harmon, 57, loves free coffee, and many fast-food joints offer drink discounts.

That’s why she visits Whataburger at least twice a week for breakfast, her favorite meal of the day.

Whataburger offers seniors a free drink when they purchase a meal.

“My free coffee is always good,” Harmon said. “Any little discount sure does help.”

If your East Texas business offers discounts to seniors, let us know by emailing mygeneration@tylerpaper.com or by calling 903-596-6293.

 

It’s the fresh salad, friendly staff and senior discount that brings Kevin Cooper, 50, to Traditions Restaurant and Catering six days a week.

Cooper said he eats at the restaurant at least once a day, for lunch or dinner, but sometimes comes for both.

“I’m single and don’t really buy groceries, but I eat breakfast at home every day,” he said. “Sometimes I’ll have a sandwich.”

Traditions offers a senior platter, a plate with smaller portions consisting of half an entree, vegetable and bread, for $4.71.

Jason Bush, Traditions’ general manager, said the discount was started because seniors eat smaller portions.

He estimated a third to 40 percent of clients who visit Traditions are seniors.

“Seniors flock to Traditions,” owner Robert Owen said. 

Cooper said the plate’s portion is “usually plenty.”

He said the discount is helpful, and usually he spends no more than $8.

Cooper added that the discount is more important for many seniors on a fixed income.

Betty Oliver, 82, agreed. She recommends always asking about discounts if a restaurant or store does not advertise them.

“Sometimes, even if they don’t, they’ll give you something,” Ms. Oliver said.

For Tom Moore, 69, and his wife Pearl, 68, finding smaller portions at restaurants is a priority.

“I can’t eat a full plate anymore,” Moore said. “Plus, if you’re trying to lose weight, you can’t when you’re eating large portions.”

He said usually he splits the plate with his wife at other restaurants that don’t have senior-sized portions.

Pam Johnson, 55, and her husband Donal, 53, also often split plates at other restaurants to save money. She said the couple will buy a bigger meal to split for about $10.99.

“We don’t have extra money, so discounts are very important,” Mrs. Johnson said.

Ligia Harmon, 57, loves free coffee, and many fast-food joints offer drink discounts.

That’s why she visits Whataburger at least twice a week for breakfast, her favorite meal of the day.

Whataburger offers seniors a free drink when they purchase a meal.

“My free coffee is always good,” Harmon said. “Any little discount sure does help.”

If your East Texas business offers discounts to seniors, let us know by emailing mygeneration@tylerpaper.com or by calling 903-596-6293.