I take people's word for it that they are getting hustled for time wasting free meals, but appearing scared of eating with a woman makes you look weak, insecure, and broke. I know the economy is bad but wtf bro. If this is really putting you out, you should probably get your finances in order before recruiting for this season's roster.
She's already suggesting drinks after, which is a green flag. It's your ball to fumble really. The more time you have with her, the better chance at ass imo. I don't understand why people want to turn this into speed dating. I'd feel my time was wasted way more if I had to go on 3 whole microdates on different days vs. one long night where you go all in balls out.
You'd probably be better off doubling down on her and getting drinks before dinner too. By the time you get to after dinner drinks after your dinner drinks you will both be sloppy af and you'll probably get head right in the parking lot outside the bar. She won't consider that a body since it's not full sex and doesn't break her no dick riding on the first night rule. A nice mutually beneficial technicality for a job well done and a night well spent.
Even if not, if you legit have a good time on a long first date you'll most likely get a second one before which she will mentally prepare herself to fuck you and that's an easy shoe in.
I guess the game changes and maybe this is unc advice for a bygone age but it looks pretty sad where I'm standing. When I was earlier 20's and laughably poor, sweating overdrafts over bill splits, I'd still scrounge up some loose change somehow for the night at least. One of the few times I remember fumbling hard it was due directly to cheapskate efficiency maneuvering.
So just get your shit together a little bit before you worry about seeding the entire troposphere. Odds are you are not Chad enough to order strange women to your house to fuck with zero buildup like the Doordash of sex without paying for it. You may be able to do this occasionally but it's more of a lucky fluke, and the women may be insane and/or brutally disgusting.
If you really want to dodge dinner come up with a plausible sounding excuse why you can't meet up till later. And then offer to meet her halfway at some bar that also has food. I hope you can afford a measly nacho app or whatever. Jfc.