Best Cheap Restaurants for a Group

Are you looking for a great place to enjoy a meal with friends or family members?

Finding somewhere you can all enjoy eating together when you are on a budget can be tough. Many affordable eateries have limited seating and don’t take reservations. If you love eating out with friends, you will know that the experience is about much more than the food. You also need to choose a restaurant that has a great atmosphere where you’re sure to have fun.

Here are a selection of the very Best Cheap Restaurants for a Group that you can check out right now. 

Olive Garden 

This popular family-friendly chain serves a range of American and Italian-inspired dishes. The atmosphere at Olive Garden is light and friendly, and suitable for diners of all ages. There are plenty of appetizers to share, which typically range from $8 to $10.

The wide range of dishes means that people with various dietary needs are sure to be satisfied. The Mediterranean dishes are particularly hearty and include salmon piccata and chicken Giardino. There are also plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options for different diners to enjoy.

Red Lobster 

With different deals every day of the week, this seafood chain always offers something extra for your money. There are several types of family meal deals, which are designed for up to four people to share. You can also create your own feast for the whole group to share for a very reasonable rate.

You can enjoy daily specials such as the two-for-Tuesday lobster, shrimp, and salmon platter. Another great deal is three seafood dishes for just $15.99. It is worth taking the time to check out the daily deals and planning your dining experience ahead of time. 

P.F. Chang’s 

You can enjoy Asian cuisine on a budget when you head to P.F Chang’s. While the restaurant chain specializes in Chinese cuisine, you can also order Japanese and Thai dishes. The menu is extensive, and the dishes are perfect for sharing.

The average price of dishes is between $10 and $30, and most meals are large enough to share. The chain boasts a décor straight from the Orient and offers a fun place to hang out with friends. A large party menu is also available, which is suitable for groups of eight or more people. 

Outback Steakhouse 

Groups of steak lovers are sure to have fun in this laid-back restaurant chain. While this chain is known as being the home of juicy steaks, there are plenty of other menu options. This includes vegetarian and gluten-free options.

It is a good idea to time your visit to score one of the No Worries Days promotions. This deal treats you to an entrée, a steak, fries, and a beer for just $13.99. There are also happy hour promotions and a range of other great deals to take advantage of. 

International House of Pancakes 

If breakfast for dinner is your bag, you’re sure to have fun at IHOP. While the chain is best known for its pancakes, there are plenty of other dishes to sink your teeth into. Most meals are priced at $15 or less, while there are plenty of deals to take advantage of.

One of the best offers for groups eating out is the Steak Burgers & Chicken Sandwiches Family Feast. This meal deal is designed for four hungry adults and costs just $29.99. There are also gluten-free options, limited-time offers, and deals for people aged 55 and over. 

Chuy’s 

This is the perfect place to enjoy Tex-Mex dishes while soaking up the vibrant atmosphere. Make sure you arrive at happy hour to enjoy $5 house margaritas. The chain also offers a free buffet during happy hour that comes complete with chips, salsa, and taco meat.

Chuy’s is set up for large groups eating out, and it is worth calling ahead. If there are several people in your party, you will be treated to free chips and other dishes. The regular menu is also reasonably priced, and most dishes are large enough to share. 

Bahama Breeze

You can enjoy Caribbean cuisine and grilled dishes at this fun and friendly chain. The atmosphere is lively, and this is the perfect place to celebrate an event. Making a reservation is easy, and there is plenty of space to have fun. Dishes start from just $5 and go up to $25. People who like to party are sure to appreciate the huge selection of cool cocktails. There are regular deals to enjoy as well as gluten-free menu options. 

Joe’s Crab Shack 

This is a great place to have fun while getting your seafood fix. The chain offers experience packages to make sure the evening is extra special. Groups of any size can be catered to, and this is the perfect place to host a special event.

Even if you are just stopping by for a quick bite, you can be sure everyone will have fun. Happy hour lasts from 15:00 to 18:00 from Monday to Friday, and entrees start from just $4 at this time. You can also enjoy blackened fish tacos for just $8 and score huge discounts on drinks.

 

Bawarchi Indian Cuisine 

Enjoying Indian cuisine with family and friends doesn’t have to break the bank when you choose this restaurant chain. Dishes start from just $5 and go up to $30. Most dishes are large and perfect for sharing.

There are numerous locations throughout the United States, and the atmosphere is vibrant and friendly. This is the perfect place to sample a few classic Indian beers and incredibly sweet Indian desserts. The dishes hail from all parts of India, and there are also Chinese-inspired fusion dishes to try. 

Chama Mama 

You can enjoy a taste of traditional Georgia cooking and hospitality at Chama Mama. There are special deals for groups of ten people or more to sink your teeth into. There is a huge wine list complete with refreshing and reasonably priced options.

Lovers of traditional Southern bread are sure to be in for a real treat. The eatery is also celebrated for its dumplings, which start at just $11. You will want to make sure you save room for dessert, as portions are large enough for sharing. 

Red Robin

Next, on my rundown of the Best Cheap Restaurants for a Group, this family-friendly burger offers hungry diners a range of great deals. You can enjoy bottomless fries and a drink for just $10 when you order a gourmet burger. Bottomless side orders include broccoli, sweet potato fries, and garlic French fries.

You can enjoy extra deals and discounts when you join the Red Robin Royalty program. This includes your ninth burger for free every time you order eight burgers. New deals and happy hour specials are regularly released to keep burger lovers coming back for more. 

Famous Dave’s 

The bench-style seating at Famous Dave’s makes it easy for large groups to sit together. The atmosphere is casual, which can lead to fun experiences for groups of friends. Most dishes are large enough to share and are available at reasonable prices.

The Famous Feasts platters are perfect for sharing and are piled high with food. You can also enjoy great savings by downloading the Famous Dave’s app. You will also receive special attention and perhaps some freebies when you reserve a table. 

California Pizza Kitchen 

If you have a craving for pizza, this chain is a great place to dine on a budget. There are several packages for groups to take advantage of at California Pizza Kitchen, such as Dinner for 4. This meal deal features a full-size salad, one pasta dish, two pizzas, and sliced sourdough bread for $55.

There are also plenty of other deals to take advantage of, and drinks are reasonably priced. Enrolling in CPK Rewards helps you get even more for your money. The treats start as soon as you sign up with a free small plate.

  

Cheesecake Factory

The meals at this popular chain are large enough to share, and there is a huge menu to choose from. With more than 250 dishes made from scratch, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. With happy hour specials every day of the week, you can have a lot of fun and make lasting memories. 

Grabbing a gift card treats you to special discounts, and this is an easy way to save. You can also score a free slice of cheesecake when you sign up for the rewards program. New deals are regularly launched, so it is worth looking out for them. 

Ugly Baby

This restaurant is one of the hidden gems of Brooklyn for diners who are on a budget. Dishes start from just $11 and include house-made spam and a fried egg, and kimchi fried rice with bacon. There are also plenty of huge dishes that are designed for large groups to share.

This eatery is particularly popular with adventurous diners who want to try something a bit different. Exotic options include duck feet with black pepper and fried turmeric sea bream. If you are searching for comfort food, you can enjoy dishes like pork jowl, beef brisket, and pork chops. 

Bangkok Golden 

Indulging in authentic Thai food can be very affordable, thanks to Bangkok Golden. This eatery can be found in Washington and caters to large groups of people. You can make reservations ahead of time to make sure your group can be catered for.

The eatery is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and dishes range from $10 to $30. There are some excellent authentic Thai options for diners who want to turn up the heat. There are also plenty of chili-free options for people with tamer tastes. 

Choosing Where To Go

There are several simple ways to save money on the cost of dining when you know how. Even smaller local eateries often recognize the value in offering groups discounts and deals. Here are some easy ways to save money when you dine as a group. 

Look out for happy hours

If your group likes to party, happy hours are great ways to drink for less. In addition to cheap drinks, you can often score discounted or even free food at certain times. Being willing to dine a little early can help you save on the cost of eating out.

 

Appetier deals

You can save by ordering several appetizers and sharing them. Many appetizers are large and perfect for sharing between several people. Some eateries also offer deals and discounts when you order a few different ones.

Large portion sizes

If the main meals are large, it is easy to share a couple of dishes between a few people. You may only need to order two or three dishes to share between four or six people.

Lunchtime deals

Dining at lunchtime can be much cheaper than eating out in the evening. Many eateries offer deals and discounts to attract the lunchtime crowd.

Midweek deals

Many eateries are much quieter during the week and offer extra deals to attract diners. Dining from Tuesday to Thursday can be much more affordable than on Fridays and Saturdays.

Thinking Of Working In Hospitality?

Then you’ll want to take a look at our superb selection of employment guides! For pizzeria opportunities, check out our in-depth looks at Marcos Pizza Application, the Cicis Pizza Application, and the Round Table Pizza Application, along with the Blaze Pizza Application, the Pizza Hut Application, and the Dominos Pizza Application.

Or perhaps you’d love to work in a Mexican restaurant? Then take a look at our guides to the Taco Bell Application, the Chuys Application, the Qdoba Application, and the Taco Cabana Application, or how about the Chipotle Mexican Grill Application, the Del Taco Application, and the Taco Johns Application for 2023.

You’ll want to prepare for your all-important interview. So, take a look at the most common Taco Bell Interview Questions, Del Taco Interview Questions, and most frequently asked Chipotle Interview Questions.

If you have a criminal record, you’ll want to check up on Does pizza Hut Hire Felons and Does Taco Bell Drug Test before applying.

Final Thoughts

So, now you know the best inexpensive restaurants to go to as a group. With a little planning and research, enjoying a meal with a group on a budget can be easy. If your crowd is particularly large, it is a good idea to call ahead and make a reservation. This makes sure that all members of your group will be seated together and served at the same time.

Many eateries also offer special deals and discounts to entice large groups. It is worth calling ahead and seeing if you can get something a little extra for your money. Your server may also bring out extra drinks or other goodies if you turn on the charm a little.

Enjoy your next delicious meal with friends!