ChowDealz version 1.0.22 is now available in the Apple Store and Android Google Play store for download. This version features location based improvements including when setting a manual location and when adding a new restaurant.

When selecting a location manually the app will now perform a search and autocomplete while you type and you can select from the list when your location shows up.

Location settings are at the bottom right of the screen and do not require an account to access. Your location is never shared with us and we do not track or store and of this data on the web. Only the manually set location is stored on your local device.

A similar search and autocomplete function has been included when adding a new restaurant. You no longer have to type in the address but rather can search on the name or street address of the location and select when it is shown in the list.

There is an opportunity to correct the restaurant name and add a unit # if needed once the location has been selected. Once saved, this information cannot be changed as the ChowDealz app uses gps coordinates for distance and locality calculations.

ChowDealz Manager is a web based interface for restaurant owners and event managers to manage their specials. This is not a substitute for the ChowDealz app, rather a way to make it easier to enter and maintain locations and specials. To use the manager you must first create an account using the ChowDealz app then you can log into the manager.

The manager requires a wider screen than is available on small devices and it is recommended to use a tablet in landscape mode or a web browser on a PC or Mac. The ChowDealz Manager link is on the right side of this page or you can click here.

ChowDealz 1.0.18 is now available for installation on all platforms.

This release introduces a Restaurants option, when selected it shows all restaurants within your search range sorted by distance. At the top of the screen you can limit these results to places that have outdoor seating, water views, pet friendly, or have birthday specials.

ChowDealz 1.0.13 is now available for installation on all platforms. This release focused on interface improvements and some user suggested changes.

#1 – On the home screen the icons for food, drinks, and fun have been replaced with fixed width images that are either highlighted or grayed out. This makes the home page easier to read and keeps the text aligned.

#2 – When adding a special you now have the option to add a direct web link. This is useful if there is a lot more detail provided at that web location or to make it easy to keep track of where the special was originally found. Note this is completely optional. Links are always opened by the default web browser for that device.

#3 – The maximum search range for specials has been increased to 100 miles and the default for new installations is now 50 miles. Optimally this should be set to the maximum distance you would be willing to drive for a meal special or event.

#4 – You can now change the display name or email address for your account. Reminder – you only need to create an account if you plan on adding restaurants or specials. If your only purpose is to use the app to find specials and events you do not need an account.

#5 – If you have created an account and added restaurants you now have an option to see just the ones you have added when editing specials and events. Previously you would see all restaurants within your search range and you would have to scroll or search to find the ones you added. Now you can check this box and only yours will show in the list.

Note if the icon on the left is blue it means you added that restaurant, if it is grayed out then someone else added it.

I’ve got some really cool functionality being added to the next release, stay tuned! It will add new functionality to the app that some people will love 🙂

As always, I welcome all suggestions, bug reports, comments, etc related to ChowDealz.

ChowDealz v1.0.12 is now available for installation from the Apple Store, Google Play Store, and on the web at chowdealz.app

This release brings some user requested features, interface improvements, plus a few bug fixes. Most of the improvements are on the special zoom page (when you click to view the details of a special).

The red flagging option will now change to a blue quick edit option if you are the owner of a special or restaurant. This allows you quickly and easily jump to that item to make any required changes, also there is no need for you to be able to flag your own entry.

I’ve added a “Map and Driving Directions” link which will open you default mapping app and show the restaurant location. You can also click the copy icon to copy the address to your clipboard.

The restaurant and menu web links are now cleaned up so they fit on the screen better, you can just click the hyperlink to go to their web sites. If you want the full URL you can click the copy icon next to them. Note these options only show up if a web and/or menu address has been provided for this restaurant.

The specials page for a restaurant now has a “Duplicate” option. An example of why you may want to use is would be if you had live music regularly and wanted to put the band names in the specials description. You could create a special with details about the venue, hours, drink specials, etc then use the duplicate option to create copies that are customized with the band names in the short description. Note if you create a master copy like this and are using a single date as the schedule then put the date way in the future. One time specials are automatically deleted 30 days after their scheduled date.

As always I welcome any suggestions for new features or improvements. There’s a big list of good things coming, in the near term I’m adding more detail to the user account in preparation for allowing restaurant owners to capture and control the specials posted to their page (right now anyone can post to any restaurant).

Please share & post reviews if you like this app 🙂

The 1.0.10 version of ChowDealz is now available for installation in the Apple Store and Google Play store. In addition, you can access ChowDealz on the web at http://chowdealz.app

In this release we have added a lot more scheduling options including the ability to select 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and last days, a reoccurring day of month (ex: 20th of every month), and a single event date. Per user requests, the web and phone links are now clickable when viewing the details of a special and the login screen now gives the option to remember your email address.

Other improvements including greatly increasing the speed when taking a picture, improving the usefulness when a keyboard is visible, and several improvements to accessibility when using magnified text.

We have a big list of improvements and enhancements coming so stay tuned to this site or our Facebook page to see what’s new!

Please let me know of ideas, problems, or bugs via email or through the feedback feature within the app (click the i in the upper right corner).

An updated version of ChowDealz has been uploaded to the Apple Store and Google Play Store and should be available shortly.

In this release there is two major changes to the home page, you can now view upcoming specials up to seven days ahead and the distance to the restaurant is noted. In addition, there has been some interface improvements and an option to re-send the confirmation email when setting up a new account.

Please let me know of ideas, problems, or bugs via email or through the feedback feature within the app (click the i in the upper right corner).

Updates will be released approximately once per week. Updated in this release:

Removed toggle button next to home page filter (see image)

Filter selection will now be remembered when navigating back to home page

Fixed new account password issue

Minor bug fixes

ChowDealz version 1.0 is now available in both the Apple App store for iOS users and the Google Play Store for android users.

This initial version includes:

Home page with Today / Tomorrow view and filters to quickly find what you are looking for

Location aware searching for specials and restaurants when adding new specials

User community added restaurants and specials (requires creating an account, just email address required).

Flagging and feedback for specials and restaurants

Stay tuned for additional information and roadmap!

Planned release date: Late October 2023

What is ChowDealz? Simply put, a marketing platform for restaurants and bars to advertise their off menu specials and events.

ChowDealz from an end user point of view is an easy way to find out what specials and events are happening today or tomorrow. The intuitive user interface is easy to use and allows for easy filtering to quickly find a specific category or type of special.

ChowDealz is free to use and is the content is user submitted. Merchants can also create their own accounts and post their specials. We have incorporated a flagging system to help reduce the amount of incorrect or expired offers.

More details coming soon!