I've usually been chatting with someone for a week or two, continuously before a date happens, a month, max. I consider that enough time to decide whether you like me enough to have a date. And why shouldn't you make a memory with that person even if you only end up as casual friends? I'd definitely accept something other than a dinner if it were at least interesting. Coffee is not interesting. Paddleboat? Seeing a gallery or exhibit, Paw Paw Fest? All cheap, but fun and thoughtful.