I was thinking, you can always meet up for drinks instead or change the place. If you wanted to grab a bite to eat, you could always make it some place that costs less. There's an old saying "Beggars can't be choosers.". In this case, if she's the beggar and you're the one paying, she has no choice in the matter.
You need to TAKE CONTROL. This is meant to be fun. So you can be a little flexible. If she hates coffee, then you don't have to force her to drink coffee. She can order the hot chocolate. If you hate paying lots of $$ on a date, and since she is your guest, then I suggest you pick something suited to your budget.
If you want it to be casual but choose not to meet her for coffee, you can get together for lunch instead. And you can go ANYWHERE you choose. You can take her to a fast food place if you want. It doesn't matter. Or to one of these places that are a step up from a regular fast food place and a step below Applebee's.
You need to test her flexibility and interest level. You also have no idea what she's like so pay attention to her behaviors. And if she offers to pay half of the tab, accept the offer and thank her. If she didn't offer to help with the bill, on future dates observe and see if she ever offers. You're testing to see if she's a giver or a taker.
Also, ALWAYS PAY IN CASH! There's a reason I suggest this. No, it's not to impress a woman. For some reason, it's like the reality that you're spending money on them doesn't hit them as much if you're using a card. You use cash so the reality hits her. She SEES money changing hands. If she's a giver she'll start to feel like she needs at some point to contribute. She has to be willing to work for it too. It doesn't need to be one-sided, where you're putting forth all the effort and she isn't.
Also, if she suggests Applebee's, you pick something else to test her interest in meeting you. Suggest the other place YOU chose. Does she reject the idea? At most suggest a 3rd place if she rejects idea 2. If she doesn't like the 3rd idea, tell her "Maybe we'll get together another time." and then DON'T contact her again. She'll be too much of a hassle to deal with.
I actually tested a woman in a similar way once. We met at a bar. A week later we met up somewhere I chose. SHE said she didn't want to go there after we had already agreed on the place and switched venues as soon as we met for our "date". Strike 1. Then we were at the other place. I got her a drink. Then I payed for our first round on the pool table. She wanted to play a second round. I didn't offer to pay for the second round. It wasn't about the $. It was only 50 cents per game. I wanted to see if she'd catch the hint and offer to pay for the next round.
She said "I want to play another round but I don't want to pay for it!". Strike 2. Of course, I didn't pay for it. A friend of mine offered to pay for it. Well, 2 strikes were enough for me. We finished our date. I gave her a platonic hug and never called her again. You don't agree to a venue and then when we meet up switch the date around, especially when you're not the one paying for it. And if you're going to b*tch about paying 50 cents for a game after I bought you a drink and payed for our first game, you're definitely not a giver. You're a taker. And I don't waste my time on takers.