Best Lunch Specials to Try at Popular Restaurants

Best Lunch Specials to Try offer delicious and affordable meals for a satisfying midday break. Many restaurants provide budget-friendly deals, including combo meals, buffet options, and daily specials featuring fresh ingredients. Popular choices include grilled chicken with seasonal vegetables, sushi lunch platters, pasta dishes, and gourmet sandwiches. Some eateries even offer international flavors, such as Mexican tacos or Thai curries, at discounted prices. The Best Lunch Specials to Try often come with sides like salads, soups, or beverages, making them a great value. Whether dining in or grabbing takeout, these meals provide convenience and flavor without breaking the bank.

Best Lunch Specials to Try

If you're looking for the best lunch specials to try at popular restaurants, you’re in for a treat! Many restaurants offer delicious, affordable, and generously portioned midday meals to attract diners. Below is a detailed list of must-try lunch specials across various cuisines:

1. The Cheesecake Factory – Lunch Portions & Specials

• Fried Macaroni and Cheese (Lunch Size) – Bite-sized mac & cheese balls fried to perfection, served with marinara sauce.

• Lunch-Sized Factory Burgers – Choose from classics like the American Burger or the Bacon Bacon Burger, served with fries.

• Lunch Combo (Half Sandwich + Salad/Soup) – Options like the Grilled Chicken & Avocado Club with a Caesar salad.

• Why Try? The Cheesecake Factory is known for huge portions, but their lunch-sized options are more manageable and often cheaper.

2. Olive Garden – $10+ Lunch Duos

• Tour of Italy (Lunch Portion) – Smaller version of their famous trio (Chicken Parmigiana, Lasagna, Fettuccine Alfredo).

• Soup, Salad & Breadsticks Lunch – Unlimited soup (like Zuppa Toscana) and salad with their famous breadsticks.

• Create Your Own Pasta (Lunch Special) – Choose pasta, sauce, and add-ons at a discounted price.

• Why Try? Olive Garden’s lunch deals are hearty, budget-friendly, and come with unlimited refills on soup/salad.

3. P.F. Chang’s – Lunch Menu Combos

• Chang’s Lunch Bowl – Choose from Mongolian Beef, Sweet & Sour Chicken, or Buddha’s Feast with brown or white rice.

• Lunch Prix Fixe Menu – Includes an appetizer (like Dynamite Shrimp), entrée (e.g., Chang’s Spicy Chicken), and dessert (Great Wall of Chocolate).

• Why Try? P.F. Chang’s lunch specials offer a taste of their best dishes at a fraction of dinner prices.

4. Chipotle – Lifestyle Bowls & Value Meals

• Lifestyle Bowls (Keto, Paleo, High-Protein) – Customizable bowls with double meat, guacamole, and no extra charge for premium ingredients.

• Kids’ Meal (Under $6) – A smaller burrito, bowl, or quesadilla with chips and a drink (great for lighter appetites).

• Why Try? Chipotle’s lunch bowls are fresh, filling, and customizable for dietary preferences.

5. Red Lobster – Weekday Lunch Specials

• Create Your Own Combination (Under $12) – Mix and match items like Garlic-Grilled Shrimp, Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut Shrimp, or a half-portion of Lobster Bisque.

• Endless Shrimp (Lunch Portion) – Available seasonally, featuring shrimp scampi, fried shrimp, and more.

• Why Try? Red Lobster’s lunch deals make seafood affordable with generous portions.

6. Panera Bread – You Pick Two

• Half Sandwich + Half Salad/Soup – Favorites like Turkey Avocado BLT with Broccoli Cheddar Soup or Greek Salad.

• Baguette Sandwich Combos – Try the Bacon Turkey Bravo with a side of chips or apple.

• Why Try? Panera’s lunch combos are fresh, healthy, and perfect for a quick yet satisfying meal.

7. Texas Roadhouse – Early Dinner & Lunch Combos

• 6 oz. Sirloin + 2 Sides – A perfectly grilled steak with mashed potatoes and green beans.

• Country Fried Chicken Lunch – Crispy chicken with gravy, served with corn and a house salad.

• Why Try? Texas Roadhouse’s lunch portions are hearty and come with their famous fresh-baked rolls.

8. Panda Express – Plate & Bowl Combos

• 2-Entrée Plate (Orange Chicken + Beijing Beef) – Served with fried rice or chow mein.

• Wok Smart Bowls – Lower-calorie options like Grilled Teriyaki Chicken with mixed veggies.

• Why Try? Panda Express offers quick, flavorful Chinese-American dishes at a great lunch price.

9. Outback Steakhouse – Lunch-Exclusive Specials

• Bloomin’ Burger – A juicy burger topped with their famous Bloomin’ Onion petals.

• Alice Springs Chicken (Lunch Portion) – Grilled chicken with mushrooms, bacon, and cheese, served with a side.

• Why Try? Outback’s lunch menu features smaller, cheaper versions of their best dishes.

10. Applebee’s – Lunch Specials (Under $12)

• 2 for $25 (Lunch Combo) – Includes an appetizer (like Boneless Wings) and two entrees (e.g., Fiesta Lime Chicken + Classic Bacon Cheeseburger).

• Lunch-Sized Entrees – Options like the Oriental Chicken Salad Wrap or Three-Cheese Chicken Penne (smaller portions at lower prices).

• Bourbon Street Steak Lunch – A 6 oz. sirloin with garlic mashed potatoes.

• Why Try? Applebee’s offers affordable, flavorful lunch combos with a mix of salads, pastas, and classic American dishes.