Sometimes the last thing you want to do is come home from work and cook a meal — or pack your lunch for the next day. Fortunately, you don’t have to go broke eating at a restaurant or ordering takeout.
Cheapest places to eat “near me”
These are some restaurants with locations across the country where you can get the best deals on food, including through rewards programs. Note that these promotions may not be valid at all locations:
- Applebee’s
- Buffalo Wild Wings
- Burger King
- Carraba’s Italian Grill
- Chili's
- Chipotle
- Dominos
- Golden Corral
- IHOP
- Jimmy John’s
- McDonald’s
- Olive Garden
- Red Robin
- Sonic
- Taco Bell
- Texas Roadhouse
Applebee’s
To get the best cheap eats, stick with the 2 for $20 menu (available for dine-in, carryout, and delivery where available). You can get two entrees and one appetizer for $20.
You can also get half off select appetizers from 3-6 p.m. and from 9 p.m. to close at participating locations. The kids’ menu features multiple items under $6, and side dishes are often $5 or less.
Buffalo Wild Wings
At Buffalo Wild Wings, you can get a buy-one-get-one deal on traditional wings on Tuesdays and boneless wings on Thursdays when you purchase the same style of wings of equal or lesser value.
At participating locations, you can also get drinks and appetizers for $3-$6 between 3 and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Burger King
The home of the Whopper has a value menu with sandwiches, drinks, fries and desserts starting at $1. Some Burger King restaurants offer a $5 snack box that includes a cheeseburger, eight chicken nuggets, small fries, and a small soft drink.
You can also find coupons for free or discounted menu items through the Burger King app or on the Burger King website. Printed coupons also appear in newspapers and mailers.
Some Burger King locations in states that participate in the RMP accept EBT from eligible SNAP recipients.
Carraba’s Italian Grill
At Carraba’s you can order from the Family Bundles menu to save money when you dine out. The meals offer four servings and include a large family-style entree complete with your choice of salad and warm bread. You can also sign up for Carrabba's rewards to earn 5 points for every dollar you spend on food and non-alcoholic beverages. Earn 350 points, and you’ll get a $5 reward.
Chili's
If you sign up for Chili’s rewards and purchase a regular entree, you’ll get a free kids’ meal for a child 12 and under. Chili’s also offers a 3 for Me menu that starts as low as $10.99 and includes a drink, appetizer, and entree.
Chipotle
Chipotle meal portions are so large that you can easily divide one meal into two. Meals include rice and multiple protein options like beans, meat, and soy protein on your choice of salad, burrito bowl, tacos, or traditional burrito.
If you prefer, you can get a single or double serving of meat — the chicken and sofritas have the least expensive upcharge for a double portion. Guacamole is free if you order a vegetarian dish, though it does have an upcharge of $2.65 otherwise.
You can also get extra tortillas on the side at only 25 cents each. Chips and salsa are less than $4.
Dominos
The Dominos Mix & Match Deal allows you to choose two or more options from a list of entrees, appetizers, and desserts that are each $6.99 or less. Some stores have a daily $7.99 carryout deal where you can choose a three-topping pizza, oven baked dip with twists, or wings.
Visit the Dominos website or app to see which deals are currently available at your nearest location.
Golden Corral
Golden Corral is an American-style, all-you-can-eat buffet with more than 150 food choices. You can dine in, take it to go, or have it delivered. Join the Good as Gold club to get free drinks, a birthday reward, and coupons.
Sign up for Golden Corral Rewards, get a $5 joining bonus when you spend $25, and earn points to get free food. Each dollar you spend earns one point. For every 100 points, you earn a $10 reward.
IHOP
Starting at 3 p.m. at participating locations, IHOP offers a reduced-price menu, with entrees starting at $6. Plus, menu items on the 55+ and kids menus are under $10 all day.
Jimmy John’s
When you sign up for Jimmy John’s Freaky Fast Rewards program, you can get a free sandwich after your first purchase. You’ll also regularly be alerted to deals and be able to earn points toward more free food.
At participating stores, you can also buy a 16-inch French bread loaf for just a few dollars (my location listed $3.50), which you can use to make your own sandwiches at home.
McDonald’s restaurant
McDonald’s has long been known as an affordable fast food option. They frequently run deals like two sandwiches for one price, or buy one get one for $1. But there’s also a value menu with breakfast/lunch/dinner items for $1, $2, or $3.
For a more filling meal, try food hacks with the value menu like:
- Buy a breakfast sandwich and add a hash brown in between
- Buy a McDouble, but request an extra bun and make two sandwiches
- Add a large drink (all sizes cost $1) to any meal
If you want a smaller portion, you can ask for a Happy Meal. For less than $5, you can get a hamburger or chicken nuggets, fries, apple slices, and a drink.
Participating McDonald’s locations in RMP states accept EBT from eligible SNAP recipients.
Olive Garden
When you dine in, Olive Garden offers unlimited salad and breadsticks when you purchase an entree. They also run specials like the Never-Ending Pasta Bowl and offer lunches starting at $7.99 if you’re searching for cheapest lunch “near me.”
If you’re getting takeout, you can choose between three classic entrees for $6 with the purchase of one regular priced entree. These are:
- Fettuccine alfredo
- Five cheese ziti al forno
- Spaghetti with meat Sauce*
Red Robin
When you order a burger or entree at Red Robin, you get all-you-can-eat steak fries, kettle chips, sweet potato fries, garlic fries, broccoli, or salad. The restaurant chain also has a lower-priced line of Tavern burgers to help you save money.
During happy hour — Monday through Friday from 3-6 p.m. — you can get 50% off select appetizers, milkshakes, and drinks.
Sonic
Every Tuesday after 5 p.m., Sonic offers half-price cheeseburgers if you order online or through the Sonic app. You can also get half price drinks/slushies through the app/website. Text DRIVEIN to 876642 to receive texts from Sonic with current promotions and deals.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell offers multiple menu items for $5 or less, like the Classic Combo that includes a taco, burrito, a side like chips or cinnamon twists, and a large drink.
The menu is vast and includes vegetarian options, bowls, tacos, burritos, and other food items, many of which are $5 and under. Taco Bell, like many fast-food restaurants, also has a value menu with menu items ranging from $1-$5.
Some Taco Bell locations in RMP states accept EBT from eligible SNAP recipients.
Texas Roadhouse
The Texas Roadhouse VIP Club offers a free appetizer within 48 hours of signing up. It’s free to join, and members get rewards by email just for being in the club. Once you’re in, you’ll get a personal link to sign up for birthday offers, as well.
