10 Food Chains That Offer The Best Bang For Your Buck & 10 That Are Overpriced


10 Food Chains That Offer The Best Bang For Your Buck & 10 That Are Overpriced


Here's Where You Should Take The Family For Dinner... and Where You Shouldn't

With food costs increasing, it's becoming harder to find decent dining options. Luckily, there are still some restaurants where you can stretch your dollar and leave feeling satisfied with the food and the value. Here are ten food chains offering the best bang for your buck and ten that are not worth it.

RestaurantsPhoto by Spencer Davis on Unsplash


 

1. Swiss Chalet

For when you want a fancy-ish meal for a non-fancy price, Swiss Chalet is the place to go. A dinner for two consisting of such delicacies as rotisserie chicken or baby back ribs with heaps of sides will cost you only around $40. 

File:SwissChaletMarkham.JPGRaysonho @ Open Grid Scheduler / Grid Engine on Wikimedia

2. Del Taco

Del Taco is one of the few fast food chains where you can still be fed decently well for just a few dollars. Their tacos and burritos are delicious and they offer very good value in their combo meals or dollar specials. 

File:A Del Taco restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada.jpgHarrison Keely on Wikimedia

3. Chick-fil-A

A chicken lover's heaven, Chik-fil-A has a tasty menu featuring high-quality ingredients for very reasonable prices. If you're a regular customer you can even join their rewards program and save even more.

File:Chick Fil A - Cranberry TWP, PA - panoramio.jpgv343790 on Wikimedia

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4. Taco Bell

The ultimate fast food Tex Mex place, Taco bell has very tasty options and low prices. You can save even more if you order off their value menu. 

File:Taco bell sydney.jpgWhisperToMe on Wikimedia

5. Olive Garden

At Olive Garden, you can rest assured you're not leaving hungry. They have bottomless soup, salad, and bread in addition to large portions. 

File:Olive Garden - Moline, Illinois.jpgFarragutful on Wikimedia

6. Costco Food Court

If you've gone to Costco and didn't get a chicken bake, you're missing out. The food at the food court, while not technically a restaurant, is surprisingly good and very cheap.

File:Costcohotdogstand.jpgPhotographed by user Coolcaesar on January 4, 2006 on Wikimedia

7. Ikea Food Court

Who doesn't like picking up a plate (or plates) of meatballs with their furniture? Ikea became just as famous for their cheap food as their home accessories. 

File:Köttbullar at IKEA Beijing Xihongmen Store (20190917183058).jpgN509FZ on Wikimedia

8. Texas Roadhouse

If you like steak but don't want to pay an arm and a leg for it, you can get a pretty darn good one at Texas Roadhouse for $10. They also have family meal deals so you can take out the whole squad. 

File:Texas Roadhouse restaurant Westland Michigan.JPGDwight Burdette on Wikimedia

9. Outback Steakhouse

Another affordable option for steak lovers that's even more premium than Texas Roadhouse is Outback Steakhouse. It's just a little bit more expensive with a juicy steak equipped with sides and endless free bread starting at around $15.  

File:Outback Steakhouse CA.JPGAlton on Wikimedia

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10. Carrabbas Italian Grill

Gourmet Italian favorites like calamari, chicken marsala, and cannoli without breaking the bank? Yes, please! The restaurant offers all kinds of deals like Amore Monday where you can get even more bang for your buck.

File:Carrabba's (14853206215).jpgMike Mozart from Funny YouTube, USA on Wikimedia

Now that we've talked about the chain restaurant options that offer the best value, let's go over the ones you can skip.

1. Chipotle

We're not saying Chiplotle isn't good, but when you compare it to Del Taco, it's highway robbery. The food is almost the same quality and you will pay easily three times the price for it.

File:Burrito, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Rue de Montfaucon, Paris 001.jpgGuilhem Vellut from Paris, France on Wikimedia

2. Cheesecake Factory

Cheesecake factory is one of the pricier casual chains with entrees usually ranging from $20 to $30, prices that should be reserved for higher quality food than Cheesecake Factory has to offer. You'd be better off going there just for a slice of cake.

File:A Cheesecake Factory restaurant at The Summit mall in Birmingham, Alabama 01.jpgHarrison Keely on Wikimedia

3. Hard Rock Café

It's half expected this place would be expensive as Hard Rock Cafés tend to be located in the most prime spots of any city. However, the prices are even higher than you could imagine and the food has a lot to be desired.

File:(Venice) Hard Rock Cafe - Bacino Orseolo.jpgDidier Descouens on Wikimedia

4. Boston Pizza

Despite its name, Boston Pizza is actually a Canadian pizza chain. If you feel like spending $18 on a sub-par burger, this place is for you.

File:BostonPizzaLondon.JPGRaysonho @ Open Grid Scheduler / Grid Engine on Wikimedia

5. TGI Friday's

TGI Friday's is the kind of place that's banking on the fact that you just need to let loose on Friday and don't care how much you're spending on half-decent food. The entrees here are an outrageous $18 to $20. 

TGI Fridays signageViktor Forgacs on Unsplash

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6. The Keg

The Keg is marketed as a premium steakhouse and therefore has premium prices. However, the food doesn't quite live up to how expensive it is. You'd be much better off going to a real local steakhouse.

A black and white photo of a sign on a buildingMandy Bourke on Unsplash

7. Applebee's

Applebee's is marketed as a casual family restaurant and while the prices aren't as exorbitant as some of the other restaurants on this list, we would argue the food isn't worth it. The restaurant's menu and ambiance lacks anything special. You'd be better off taking your family to a local diner for Sunday dinner. 

File:Applebee's night view.jpgAnthony92931 on Wikimedia

8. IHOP

For anyone who wants to spend $20 for eggs, IHOP is for you. If you're thinking you could get a cheaper meal at the most trendy hipster brunch spot in your city, you'd be right.

File:IHOP, Poughkeepsie.jpgAwesimo on Wikimedia

9. Red Lobster

Sure, lobster is a premium food, but most of the seafood entrees at Red Lobster are at least $30. Unless you're on the coast, it probably won't be very fresh either.

File:Red Lobster - Lobster Lovers Dream (16867521751).jpgElsie Hui on Wikimedia

10. Starbucks

Starbucks brought the concept of specialty coffee to mainstream America, somehow normalizing spending upwards of $4 on a simple coffee. The food is even more expensive with a simple breakfast wrap consisting of cheese and egg going for almost $8. 

Lina KivakaLina Kivaka on Pexels