"The good news is that there are still restaurants out there doing everything they can to save you money. Fast food chains, for example, have resurrected their value menus that used to dominate in the '80s and '90s. And believe it or not, similar kinds of cost savings can also be found at sit-down chains. At select few, you can even find meal deals priced at less than $10 a pop."
"Maybe you don't have to skip the eatery experience after all. From breakfast specials to lunch combos to discounted dinners, there's value to be had all around the clock. Here are some of the best meal deals you can find, based not only on their humble price but also on their quality. They'll keep you on a budget while still enjoying great food."
"And while the lure of discounted three-course dinners or kids-eat-free Wednesdays often meant more work and clean-up for me, I've always appreciated its commitment to providing hearty and affordable meals. Nothing has changed since my serving days. Value continues to be king at Bob's, now in the form of its American Values Menu, which contains 30 different meals all priced at $8.99 or below."
Restaurant dining costs have risen nearly 50% over the last decade, outpacing grocery inflation. Average monthly spending on dining out rose from about $250 in 2015 to $328 in 2023, and urban consumers averaged $385 per month in 2025. Rising prices have made dining out feel like a luxury for many. Fast-food chains revived value menus and some sit-down chains offer sub-$10 meal deals. Meal deals appear across breakfast, lunch, and dinner, balancing low price and quality. Bob Evans offers an American Values Menu with 30 meals priced at $8.99 or below.
Read at Tasting Table
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]