Despite the rising costs of food and labor, it’s still possible to dine out on a budget.
Several full-service restaurant chains have been advertising specials in the $10 range lately on their websites, tent cards or seasonal menus.
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Most of these deals are limited in scope, and once you’re seated you may be tempted by add-ons and upgrades that will run up the bill, not to mention other offers such as limited-time decadent desserts.
Most of these deals are for dine-in only, not takeout or delivery.
Some of the deals include beverages or soft drinks, but unless you stick to water you may be paying more than you expected. For instance, an $8 order of bacon, eggs and pancakes at Denny’s will turn into a $12.19 breakfast if you add on a $4.19 mug of coffee.
Advertised prices don’t include taxes or tips.
Not all of the following deals are advertised online, or they may not be be at all restaurants or posted at your local restaurant. So check out details and ask questions before you commit.
Red Robin: A $9.99 Big Yummm Burger Deal includes a Double Tavern Burger, a Bottomless Side and a soft drink.
Red Robin serves several Bottomless Sides, meaning all you can eat, but the ones you’ll get with this deal are Steak Fries, a side salad or Caesar salad, steamed broccoli or Yukon Chips. If you’d prefer Garlic Fries or Parmesan Broccoli, it will be $2.99 more. Turning that Diet Coke into a root beer float would be $3.99 more.
The deal is “all day every day” when you dine in, according to the chain’s website. redrobin.com/deals-and-promos
Denny’s: A Summer Slam menu includes four-all day breakfasts at $6.99-$9.99. Choices include Choconana with sliced bananas and Hershey’s chocolate chips and Red, White and Berry with fresh strawberries and blueberries on buttermilk pancakes. dennys.com
California Pizza Kitchen: Mondays and Tuesdays are $10 Pizza Days. Guests can get four kinds of pizza — Original BBQ Chicken Pizza, Five Cheese & Fresh Tomato, Mushroom Pepperoni Sausage, and regular Pepperoni — for dine-in, take-out or online purchases on those days at that price. But there’s a catch. A $20 minimum purchase is required. The offer is limited to five people per check. Use the code CPKPIZZA and read the fine print on the website. cpk.com/pizza
Black Bear Diner: Also somewhat under the radar, this Northern California-based chain is advertising a basket bundle for $11 or $12 in social media and store signage. Choices include a burger or a chicken sandwich with fries or a breakfast sandwich with hash browns, plus a soft drink. blackbeardiner.com
Other offers: Several older combos are still available, although menu items and terms may be updated.
Among them are BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse’s $13 Pizookie Meal Deal; Outback Steakhouse’s Aussie 3-Course Meal, starting at $14.99; Chili’s 3 For Me, starting at $10.99; Lazy Dog lunch specials starting at $8.95; and Polly’s Pies’ $11.99 Lunch & Munch combos.
