[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/saving-and-budgeting\/eat-out-for-cheap\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/saving-and-budgeting\/eat-out-for-cheap\/","headline":"8 Best Places to Eat Out for Cheap","name":"8 Best Places to Eat Out for Cheap","description":"Preparing your own meals is one of the most common pieces of money-saving advice...","datePublished":"2020-02-11","dateModified":"2021-09-29","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/author\/alex-mcomie\/#Person","name":"Alex McOmie","url":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/author\/alex-mcomie\/","identifier":31,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6eed3b4ac86b2b0da5b20cc3f40d9dd6773d4a7eb37e07b239da297ee0918c3c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6eed3b4ac86b2b0da5b20cc3f40d9dd6773d4a7eb37e07b239da297ee0918c3c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Money Done Right","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Money-Done-Right-Personal-Finance-and-Investing-Blog.png","url":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Money-Done-Right-Personal-Finance-and-Investing-Blog.png","width":488,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/eat-out-for-cheap.jpg","url":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/eat-out-for-cheap.jpg","height":460,"width":1900},"url":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/saving-and-budgeting\/eat-out-for-cheap\/","about":["Saving Money"],"wordCount":2166,"keywords":["schema"],"articleBody":"Preparing your own meals is one of the most common pieces of money-saving advice financial experts offer, but the reality is eating out is sometimes more convenient.While it\u2019s easy to spend a lot of money at restaurants, there are great options available in a wide range of cuisines at any price point. This article will cover some of the best affordable options if you want to eat out on a limited budget.1. Chipotle\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChipotle\t\t\t\t\t\tJoin Chipotle RewardsWe earn a commission on this offer.\t\t\t\tGet a delicious meal for a good price.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPrice range:$12 \u2013 $15Recommended itemBurrito BowlRewards:Yes\t\t\t\tChipotle isn\u2019t necessarily a cheap restaurant compared to other fast food chains, but you can get a delicious meal for a good price. Barbacoa is its cheapest protein option, but you may opt for chicken or another meat for a few extra dollars.Chipotle\u2019s burrito bowls are its most affordable menu item, and you can ask for extra veggies and toppings to receive more food for the same price. The restaurant also offers tortillas on the side for free, allowing you to make your own burrito with the contents of the bowl.Chipotle\u2019s burrito bowls are pretty big, so there could be some food left to save for another meal. Overall, you shouldn\u2019t end up spending more than $12 to $15 on enough to cover two meals, making it one of the better deals you can find when eating out.The Chipotle rewards program lets you save even more money at the restaurant. It also lets you order via the app to spend less time waiting in line.As a Chipotle rewards member, you\u2019ll earn 10 points for every dollar you spend, plus extra for bonuses. For example, you\u2019ll earn 50% more points on specified days or 100 extra for switching to a new order.You\u2019ll get a free entree whenever you reach 1,250 points\u2014this won\u2019t be a frequent reward, but it will still make a difference if you\u2019re a regular customer.2. Chick-fil-A\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChick-fil-A\t\t\t\t\t\tDownload AppWe earn a commission on this offer.\t\t\t\tOne of the most cost-effective ways to eat out. \t\t\t\t\t\t\tPrice range:$3 \u2013 $8Recommended itemChick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich or Grilled NuggetsRewards:Yes\t\t\t\tWhatever you think of Chick-fil-A‘s political contributions, there\u2019s no doubt it\u2019s one of the most cost-effective ways to eat out. With a wide selection of delicious items made with high-quality ingredients, the restaurant lets you come back several times before you\u2019ll eat the same thing twice.Like Chipotle, Chick-fil-A runs a rewards program that lets you earn points whenever you order through the Chick-fil-A One app, scan the QR code when you order at the store or make a catering order online.In addition to the basic rewards plan, you\u2019ll also reach a higher membership status by spending more money each year. Anyone who earns more than 1,000 points in a single year becomes a silver member, and anyone who earns more than 5,000 points becomes a red member.While basic members earn 10 points for every dollar they spend, that increases to 11 and 12 for silver and red members, respectively. This gives you an added incentive to come back to Chick-fil-A.Red members also receive free sweepstakes entries, insider content, the option to send rewards to family and friends, and more.Individual Chick-fil-A franchises are also well-known for customer appreciation, and they may offer additional benefits beyond those available for members. Talk to an employee to learn their policies, and remember to go in during the month of your birthday for a free treat.3. McDonald\u2019s\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMcDonald\u2019s\t\t\t\t\t\tFind Deals in the AppWe earn a commission on this offer.\t\t\t\tWhile there are unhealthy choices, eating at McDonald\u2019s doesn\u2019t necessarily mean you can\u2019t eat well for a low price.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPrice range:$1 \u2013 $7Recommended itemDollar Menu $1, $2, or $3 itemsRewards:McCaf\u00e9 only\t\t\t\tPeople often avoid McDonald\u2019s because they don\u2019t consider it high-quality food, but you can get a decent meal at a low price, even compared to other fast food chains. While there are\u00a0 unhealthy choices, eating at McDonald\u2019s doesn\u2019t necessarily mean you can\u2019t eat well.The McDonald\u2019s Dollar Menu includes a variety of small options, allowing you to piece together a full dinner for just a few dollars. The McDonald\u2019s app provides a rotating selection of deals to help you save even more money on your favorite items, so download the app and check for the latest discounts before you order.McDonald\u2019s also offers a decent coffee that some customers prefer to that of many popular coffee chains like Starbucks and Dunkin. It\u2019s the perfect place to eat before work if you need some coffee and a quick breakfast on a tight budget.McDonald\u2019s doesn\u2019t have a comprehensive rewards program, but you can earn rewards on McCaf\u00e9 products using the McDonald\u2019s app. You\u2019ll earn a free drink of any size after purchasing five at regular price whether you order through the app or scan your QR code at the restaurant.Its drinks are already more affordable than most competitors\u2019, so this makes a great deal even better.The McDonald\u2019s Dollar Menu includes a number of sandwiches for a single dollar, making it one of the cheapest restaurants available if you\u2019re low on funds.4. Wendy\u2019s\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWendy's\t\t\t\t\t\tDownload AppWe earn a commission on this offer.\t\t\t\tFind fast-food mainstays, plus a wider variety of options compared to competitors.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPrice range:$0.99 \u2013 $7Recommended item4 for $4 dealRewards:No\t\t\t\tWendy\u2019s offers many of the same foods that are available at McDonald\u2019s and similar chains, although some people consider it a higher quality option. While some of its items come at a decent price, you can spend even less money by taking advantage of deals.The two-for-$5 meal deal, for example, lets you choose two out of certain sandwiches, chicken nuggets, and other items for a fairly large meal at a low cost.Similarly, the \u201c4 for $4\u201d includes a number of smaller choices for even less money, and it may be the best deal in all of fast food.You can get most of the conventional fast food menu at Wendy\u2019s, but there\u2019s a wider variety of options compared to most of its competitors. Baked potatoes and chili, for example, are available in addition to things like burgers and fries.Unfortunately, Wendy\u2019s no longer offers a rewards program, so you won\u2019t be able to get any deals aside from those on the regular menu. That said, rewards only represent a small fraction of what you spend, so they shouldn\u2019t be your main consideration when comparing cheap food options.5. Subway\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSubway\t\t\t\t\t\tDownload AppWe earn a commission on this offer.\t\t\t\tLow-fat and low-calorie food at low prices.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPrice range:$5 \u2013 $10Recommended itemFresh Fit Menu ItemsRewards:Yes\t\t\t\tSubway is another popular nationwide chain, and it offers a larger selection of low-fat and low-calorie foods than most fast food restaurants. With choices like wheat bread, lean meats, and fresh veggies, you can create a balanced meal without breaking the bank.Most Subway 6-inch sandwiches are no more than $5, and footlongs can cost as little as $5 at some locations.The $5 footlong rotates monthly at participating restaurants, so look at the latest deal at the beginning of each month. A footlong sandwich is often enough for a filling dinner.Subway\u2019s rewards plan, known as Myway, is accessible through an iOS and Android app, and you\u2019ll be surprised by how quickly you accumulate points.Myway provides four tokens whenever you spend a dollar at Subway, eventually leading to a reward of $2 once you get to 200 tokens. That might not sound like much, but it\u2019s a decent discount, and it will make a real difference over the course of months and years.6. Burger King\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBurger King\t\t\t\t\t\tDownload AppWe earn a commission on this offer.\t\t\t\tOne of the most affordable places to eat when you\u2019re in a pinch.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPrice range:$0.99 \u2013 $6Recommended item5 for $4 dealsRewards:Yes, limited locations\t\t\t\tLike McDonald\u2019s and Wendy\u2019s, Burger King is one of the most affordable places to eat when you\u2019re in a pinch. Its prices and menu are comparable to those of McDonald\u2019s, and some people prefer the ingredients and distinctive taste of Burger King.Burger King\u2019s most well-known deal is its five for $4, intended as a more affordable alternative to the Wendy\u2019s 4 for $4 and similar offers. You can also get 10 chicken nuggets for just $0.99, one of the cheapest ways to eat at any restaurant in the United States.BK Rewards, the Burger King rewards program, provides several of the same benefits you can get at other fast food restaurants. If you live near a participating store, sign up for a rewards account to take advantage of every possible offer and earn points on every purchase.You\u2019ll also get a free Whopper after signing up, so you\u2019ll come out ahead even if you never come back to a Burger King.Unfortunately, BK Rewards is still in its early stages, so it\u2019s only available at a few locations in Little Rock, Lexington, and Fresno. Customers in other areas will have to wait for the program to be expanded throughout the country.7. Olive Garden\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOlive Garden\t\t\t\t\t\tDownload AppWe earn a commission on this offer.\t\t\t\tA full-service restaurant with affordable options.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPrice range:$10 \u2013 $20Recommended item$5 Take-Home Entree or Create-Your-Own pastaRewards:Yes, pilot program\t\t\t\tUnlike many of the other affordable chains on this list, Olive Garden is a full-service restaurant rather than a fast-food stop. While its menu isn\u2019t exactly healthy, you can certainly find nutritious options, and it feels like more of a full meal than a fast-food combo.Olive Garden offers unlimited breadsticks and salad to every customer, and the entree prices are extremely competitive for a sit-down restaurant. If you\u2019re looking for something substantial but less heavy, consider the unlimited soup and salad combo.The chain also regularly provides an offer that allows you to buy one entree at full price and receive a second one to go for free, giving you two meals for the price of one. Italian food is easy to heat up at home, so this is an easy way to approach meal planning when you\u2019re busy.Similar to Burger King, Olive Garden is running a pilot rewards program to offer consumers\u00a0 incentives for becoming regular customers. Members can earn points in a variety of ways on every transaction, even stacking these benefits with savings from combos and other deals.After a $5 reward following your first visit as a member, for example, you\u2019ll get 400 points for each entree, 200 for appetizers and lunch combos, and 100 points for desserts and kids meals. You could potentially earn 1,000 or more points for a single family dinner.8. Chuy\u2019s\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChuy\u2019s\t\t\t\t\t\tSee the MenuWe earn a commission on this offer.\t\t\t\tOne of the most well-known brands in Tex-Mex in the South.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPrice range:$9 \u2013 $15Recommended itemHappy Hour Nacho Car (Free)Rewards:No\t\t\t\tOne of the most well-known brands in Tex-Mex, Chuy\u2019s isn\u2019t available in as many areas as the other restaurants on this list. Its locations are concentrated in Texas (the brand\u2019s home state) and other states in the South and eastern U.S., although there is one restaurant in Colorado.While Chuy\u2019s base prices are already pretty low, target its happy hours to minimize the cost without sacrificing quality or quantity. Its website advertises a happy hour every weekday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., giving you an opportunity to get a low-cost meal after work.The Chuy\u2019s Nacho Car is completely free during happy hour, including chips, queso, salsa, meat, jalape\u00f1os, and other great toppings. You can also save money on a range of drinks including $5 margaritas, $8 large margaritas, $9 house martinis, $3.25 domestic beers, $1 off Tecates and glasses of wine, and $3 off bottles of wine.With unlimited free nachos and cheap drinks, you can get a satisfying meal at Chuy\u2019s for much less than what you would likely pay at similar restaurants.You can even buy appetizers rather than entrees and still take advantage of the free cart. While prices will still be decent if you come after 7 p.m. or over the weekend, definitely keep these deals in mind if you live near a Chuy\u2019s.Eating out is one of the most common things stretching budgets, but you don\u2019t always have to stay in if you want to save money. These are just a few of the best restaurants to consider if you\u2019re tired of cooking at home but don\u2019t want to spend too much going out..btn.btn-blue.dift:hover, .btn.btn-default.dift:hover {color: #4db848;border-color: #4db848;background: #fff !important;}\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPrice Range\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRecommended Item\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRewards\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChipotle\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$12 \u2013 $15Burrito BowlYes\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChick-fil-A\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$3 \u2013 $8Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich or Grilled NuggetsYes\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMcDonalds\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$1 \u2013 $7Dollar Menu $1, $2, or $3 items McCaf\u00e9 only\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWendy's\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$0.99 \u2013 $74 for $4 dealNo\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSubway\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$5 \u2013 $10Fresh Fit Menu ItemsYes\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBurger King\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$0.99 \u2013 $65 for $4 dealsYes, limited locations\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOlive Garden\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$10 \u2013 $20$5 Take-Home Entree or Create-Your-Own pastaYes, pilot program\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChuy's \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$9 \u2013 $15Happy Hour Nacho Car (Free)No\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Personal Finance","item":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Saving And Budgeting","item":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/\/saving-and-budgeting\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"8 Best Places to Eat Out for Cheap","item":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/saving-and-budgeting\/eat-out-for-cheap\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]