Best Restaurant Deals

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Best Recession Restaurant Deals

It might seem like everyone is raising their prices to combat higher costs, but many restaurant chains are actually lowering their prices to lure in customers with recession specials. And don't worry, there's more on the menu than just hot dogs and beans. For your bargain dollar, you can even eat steak!

First Up: Arby's

Arby's

Meal and deal: Lunch and Dinner Wednesday Freebies

Breaking away from the "Toasted Sub War of '08" Arby's is now offering 'Wednesday FREEbies' now through August. With free food offerings including the Beef and Cheddar Roastburger and Iced Tea and Sidekickers, Wednesday is a good day to dine at Arby's. Free sandwich offers require the purchase of another sandwich and other freebies require a complimentary food purchase. As always, participation varies by location.
Next: Next Deal

Cheesecake Factory

Meal and deal: Lunch and Dinner; $3.95 to $6.95

The Cheesecake Factory, which offers plenty more than cheesecake, recently rolled out a new 'Small Plates and Snacks' menu to its restaurants which offer a cheap way to fill up on a wide array of culinary delights. While the plates are small, the portions are impressive and with 16 varied items on the new menu; there plenty of unique tastes to turn these snacks into a meal.

Next: Next Deal

P.F. Chang's

Meal and deal: $39.99 for 2 / select $9.99 dinners

The recession doesn't mean your taste buds have to take a staycation; grab a friend or loved one and head over to P.F. Chang's for a generous four-course meal including soup, starter, entr'e and mini dessert as part of their 'Chang's for 2' promotion which is just $39. Select P.F. Chang's locations are also featuring 'Regional Classics' for $9.99 with dishes hailing from five regions in China.

Next: Next Deal

Logan's Roadhouse

Meal and deal: Lunch and Dinner 2 for $13.99

One of the newest entrants to the '2 for Dinner Wars' is Logan's Roadhouse. The new menu features 12 options including steak and seafood all of which come with two sides, rolls and a bottomless peanut bucket. Logan's also offers kid's meals starting at $2.99 with beverage, so even your kids can eat cheap. The '2 Full Meals' deal is available on Monday and Tuesday everywhere and select days of the week at certain locations.

Next: Next Deal

Denny's

Meal and deal: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner starting at $4.99

After giving away food for the past several months, Denny's is once again charging for its famous 'Slams' but you can still get a filling meal at a good price. You can score a Grand Slamwich for $4.99 and Denny's continues to offer a Weekday Express Slam from 5AM to 4PM Monday through Friday. This "Serious" breakfast comes with 2 eggs, 2 pancakes, 2 bacon strips and 2 sausage links and partners with coffee for a great breakfast deal.

Next: Next Deal

Applebee's

Meal and deal: Lunch and Dinner 2 for $20

On top of its current 'RealBurgers' promotion, Applebees is running a 2 for $20 dinner deal which includes two full size entrees and the choice of any of four appetizers. From the tasty quesadilla burger to penne pasta or fiesta chicken, this budget friendly menu has something to satisfy even picky eaters.
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T. G. I. Friday's

Meal and deal: Lunch and dinner, starting at $5.

T.G.I. Friday's offers a great selection of value priced entrees -- but full-sized -- including a cheese steak and pecan-crusted chicken salad starting at only $5.

Next: Next Deal

Bob Evans

Meal and deal: Lunch and dinner, starting at $5.99

Bob Evans has always been known for its down-on-the-farm comfort food and that's exactly what it is counting on during these tough times. Bob Evans offers 30 meals for $5.99 including the knife and fork sandwiches as well as the newly famous deep-dish dinners. With plates covered in mashed potatoes, gravy and cheese, there isn't much more you can ask for in a cheap, feel good meal!

Next: Next Deal

Outback Steakhouse

Meal and deal: Dinner, Outback special for under $10

There's steak and there's Outback steak! Outback has expanded its Outback special to include a 6-oz. sirloin offering for only $9.95 and comes with salad, baked potato and bread. Outback also offers 14 other meals for under $15. If you crave steak, Outback is one of the best ways to fit it into your newly reduced budget for eating out!

Next: Next Deal

Ruby Tuesday

Meal and deal: Lunch or dinner, burgers starting at $5.99

Ruby Tuesday is focusing on our baser instincts by offering a great deal on a large hunk of meat strategically placed between 2 pieces of bread in order to draw in diners this fall. With an impressive collection of burgers starting at $5.99 -- and a burger replacement guarantee if you aren't satisfied -- it's hard to see how you could go wrong expanding your dining horizons at Ruby Tuesday.

Next: Next Deal

Friendly's

Meal and deal: Lunch or dinner, full meal for $9.99

When money gets tight, desserts are one of the first places to cut back. But thanks to the new create-your-own combo at Friendly's, you don't have to skip the sweet stuff. For $9.99 you can choose an entr'e with fries which also comes with a two-scoop Friendly's sundae and a drink of your choice. By adding dessert and a soft drink to the meal price, Friendly's came up with a real winner and, with the addition of 3 new BIG burgers this deal is more delicious than ever
Next: Next Deal

UNO Chicago Grill

Meal and deal: Lunch or dinner, various deals at $1.99 and up

Not only has Uno Chicago Grill changed its menu offerings to fit the current economy (and the company's struggling bottom line) but it has also come through with five tips for dining out on the cheap. Uno's main cheapies are on the appetizer and dessert menus, but the new lunch sized specials make it an attractive location for a meal with your coworkers. If you're feeling like splurging, one of their "Mini Sweets" at $1.99 is an excellent way to end the meal.
Next: Next Deal

Hooters

Meal and deal: Lunch and dinner, $5.99

Hot on the heels of their $1 draft beer bailout Hooters is offering an economic stimulus package full of wings. Every Wednesday Hooters will offer a 10 piece Boneless wing combo served with a side of fries and a roomful of delightfully tacky d'cor all for only $5.99. Apparently you are going to Hooters for the wings -- or at you should be!
Next: Next Deal

Morton's

Meal and deal: Dinner for two, $99; Bar Bites, $5-6

Clocking in at $99, this dinner for two is clearly the most expensive restaurant deal we have included, but there's no reason you can't get a deal on a high-end meal. This meal includes two steaks, two choices of seafood, two salads, potato and vegetable as well as two delicious desserts at a savings of close to $50! If dinner for two isn't what you're looking for, be sure to check out the new 'Bar Bites' at Morton's including Mini Prime Cheeseburgers, Petite Filet Mignon Sandwiches and more for a cheap treat.
Next: Next Deal

Wendy's

Meal and deal: Lunch and dinner, sandwiches for $.99

Wendy's is trying to give America a finance lesson in their new "3-conomics" sandwich deals. For only 99 cents you can choose from a Crispy Chicken, Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger or a Double Stack, rounding out the meal with fries and a drink for just over $3. This lesson in 3-conomics might prove to be the most delicious way to teach Americans to spend less than they make. How can you pass up a burger with bacon on it for under a buck?

Next: Next Deal

Fazoli's

Meal and deal: Lunch and dinner, BOGO pasta

Fazoli's has launched an "Italian Revolution" as part of an attempt to start a worldwide tomato fight. The good news is that you don't have to get dirty to get a good deal on cheap pasta and as many breadsticks as you can eat. Those who join the revolution are rewarded with a "Buy One Get One" coupon for a small pasta meal; no virtual tomato flinging required.

Next: Next Deal

Tim Hortons

Meal and deal: Breakfast starting at $1.35

Tim Hortons is no stranger to breakfast deals and with the low prices on sandwiches and combos you shouldn't be one either. Right now you can pick up a breakfast sandwich for only $1.35 or a full breakfast combo can be had for $2.29 including a sausage biscuit sandwich, your choice of hash browns or a donut and a coffee! Horton hears a deal this year!

Next: Next Deal

Dunkin' Donuts

Meal and deal: Breakfast, $3.99 flatbread sandwich

Dunkin' Donuts keeps it healthy with their flatbreads (but not so the new waffle sandwich). Their breakfast combo comes with a 300 calorie flatbread sandwich and a medium coffee is $3.99. Or you can now get a latte for 99 cents. If America really runs on Dunkin's it's a good thing breakfast is this cheap.

Next: Next Deal

Starbucks

Meal and deal: Breakfast value meal starting at $3.95

In an attempt to compete with the low priced breakfast offerings of competitors, Starbucks launched new breakfast "pairings" in March. The first combo includes a latte and the choice of oatmeal or a coffee cake while the second combo includes a coffee and one of four breakfast sandwiches. At fast food prices, these breakfast combos still provide the delicious morning start we've come to expect from Starbucks.

Next: Next Deal

Chili's

Meal and deal: Lunch and Dinner at $7

Chili's started the most recent recession special "price war" with 10 entrees priced at $7. Entree choices include burgers, quesadillas and tacos and come with fries, salads or a side of your choice. These recession specials stay true to the 'un-bland' food that Chili's brags about with a plethora of flavors!

Next: Next Deal

Shoney's

Meal and deal: $4.99 breakfast bar

Shoney's cut the price of it breakfast buffet from $7.99 to $4.99 in many markets to help draw in more customers. Evening entrees price in the $7.99 range. Check your local restaurant for exact pricing.

Next: Next Deal

Boston Market

Meal and deal: $5 lunch and dinner

Boston Market's $5 menu includes 11 meal choices made with favorites from their homestyle menu. With options like a quarter of a chicken and pot pie to sandwiches and side dish sampler platters, $5 gets you a meal even mom would approve of.

Next: Next Deal

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Best Restaurant Deals

Best Recession Restaurant Deals

More on Restaurants:

Arby's

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Cheesecake Factory

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P.F. Chang's

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Logan's Roadhouse

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Denny's

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Applebee's

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T. G. I. Friday's

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Bob Evans

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Outback Steakhouse

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Ruby Tuesday

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Friendly's

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UNO Chicago Grill

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Hooters

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Morton's

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Wendy's

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Fazoli's

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Tim Hortons

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Dunkin' Donuts

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Starbucks

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Chili's

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Shoney's

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Boston Market

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