The 12 Cheapest Food Chains to Feed a Family On

As parents, we know the healthier option is typically cooking from home. However, we also know that sometimes, with the hustle and bustle of everyday life, eating at a restaurant is the more convenient and easiest option. You may be in a pinch between school, work, sports, and other commitments. Yet, just because you are in a pinch doesn't mean you have to spend an arm and a leg at a restaurant! Here is a list of 12 of the cheapest food chains around. Some are sit-down restaurants, while others are fast food joints. Whatever you are in the mood for, you should be able to find something that won't break the bank to feed you and your family.

The most popular fast-food restaurant around is undoubtedly McDonald's. Though it isn't exactly the healthiest option, there is no denying that they do have cheap menu items, making it one of the cheapest food chains out there.

You can choose from their McValue option, which allows you to buy an item and then buy the same item for only a dollar extra. There is also the choice for the $5 bags. These bags include a four-piece chicken nugget, small fries, a soft drink, and a chicken or a McDouble. These choices, coupled with their already great prices, make McDonald's a great option for families on the go.

Another one of the cheap food chains out there, Bob Evans is an excellent option if you are in the mood for a sit-down casual restaurant that isn't exactly fast food. They offer a $7.99 deal to order breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Options include pancakes, waffles, French toast, eggs, down-home country fried steak, or chicken breasts.

Even more, Bob Evans offers family-sized menu options for low prices. These include family-sized buttered corn for $3.49, mashed potatoes and gravy for $6.99, and a grilled chicken family meal for $19.99. These choices make eating out as a family more appealing when you know you won't be breaking the bank.

Like McDonald's, In-N-Out is another great fast-food restaurant for families. Their secret menu is immensely popular with customers, and so are their cheaper menu items.

These menu items include cheeseburgers for only $4.10 a piece, hamburgers for $3.60, and French fries for only $2.10.

Denny's is a breakfast joint that makes it easy to enjoy a savory and hearty breakfast any time of night. This is an excellent choice if you are on the road late at night, craving a large stack of pancakes.

Denny's has a $4, $6, and $8 value menu that makes dining as a family affordable and enjoyable.

Taco Bell is a tasty destination for those craving Tex-Mex for lunch or dinner. They have a cravings value menu that starts around $1.19 with a cheesy roll-up. From there, choices hover between $1 and 3 dollars, with choices like the three-cheese chicken flatbread melt and the double-stacked taco.

Additionally, many combo options stay around $10 or under, and the tacos and burritos also stay close to $5 and under. This abundance of choices makes it easy to feed a large family for less.

Chili's is another sit-down restaurant that offers value choices. These choices include the 3 For Me deal, which includes a drink, appetizer, and entree. This option begins at $10.99. Additionally, their kid's menu options are around $4.99.

Many perks come with eating at TGI Fridays, from their relaxed atmosphere to their weekly deals.

Fabulous Fridays allows customers to buy a specific menu item and get a different one by purchasing two drinks. TGI Friday's also has a Kids Eat Free Kids Star Menu. This menu gives one free kids meal with the purchase of one adult main.  

Pizza Hut gives customers plenty of choices if they are in the mood for pizza. You could try the $7 Deal Lover's. This includes two or more options, from pizza to dessert, for only $7. Additionally, they have $6.99 Pizza Hut melts or the Big Dinner Box.

Another cheap pizza option for families is Domino's. Like Pizza Hut, they have a choice of two or more select menu options starting at $6.99 each. Also, customers can choose a carryout deal of one topping pizza for $7.99 each. These savings help families eat out when they may be jam-packed with other commitments. Who has time to cook on these nights?

Cracker Barrel is a down-home restaurant that makes customers feel cozy and comfortable as they gather with their loved ones. You can do it more often with their cheaper meal options.

If you are looking for a meal under $12, Cracker Barrel offers customers over 20 of them. These meals include Grandma's Sampler and the Cheesy Bacon Homestyle Chicken. Additionally, all the kid's menu options are under $7.

If you are a fan of buffets, Golden Corral is a great place to get value options. Adults can get the dinner buffet for $16.99 throughout the week, while kids can get it for $8.99. Any child under three eats any meal any day free. The options change depending on the day of the week and what meal; if you are curious, look at the rest of the 2025 buffet prices for Golden Corral.

In the mood for chicken? Popeyes Chicken is offering Popeyes Big Box Value Meal for a limited time. Customers receive two chicken pieces, a side, a drink, and a biscuit for only $6.99 in this box.

Furthermore, many of the popular menu items at Popeyes are under $6. This includes their spicy chicken sandwich for $3.99 and red beans and rice for $2.69. They also have many other great deals, like their butterfly shrimp tackle box for $5.00 and their six-piece nuggets for $3.99. With these deals and values, it would be easy to find something to feed your family that doesn't cost a fortune.

Feeding a family while dining out doesn't have to feel like you are paying a small car loan. These 12 cheap food chains make the family's eating out experience more affordable and enjoyable.