Restaurants continue rolling out the discount deals on clarkhoward.com

Restaurateurs continue rolling out lower price points to attract more customer traffic. A recent USA TODAY survey found the following deals:

• Chili's has 10 meals for under $7
• T.G.I. Friday's has a promotion with 8 entrees at $9.99
• Applebee's offers 2 entrees and 1 appetizer for $20
• Outback is offering 15 meals under $15, plus many entrees are priced at $9.99
• Texas Roadhouse has a $7.99 early dinner special to drive early week traffic

Rest assured that you'll continue to see this trend spread across the board. Whether you're talking about fast food restaurants, the mid-priced chains, the quick serve spots or the high-end chains, they're all doing heavy promotions.

Of course, 'promotion' is a relative concept. The expense account restaurants may be offering dinner for 2 at $79…but is that really a deal? Well, yes, considering you could easily be paying $100 instead. But on the other hand, $79 for 2 is still $79 for 2!

What others are saying

restaurant deals around town
I ate at La Grotta on Peachtree the other night. They are actually offering a stimulus menu offering 2 courses plus a glass of wine for $21.95. On top of it, the menu from which to choose is quite lengthy around 8 starters and 8 entrees. Needless to say, it made my experience all the better. Buon Appetito.
By kristy @ 04/09/09 12:37:47 AMreport abuse
RESTAURANT DEALS
THERE WAS A COUPON IN MY TUESDAY NEWSPAPER FOR LUNCH FOR 2 ONLY $12.99 AT COLTON'S. YOU CAN ORDER ANYTHING FROM THE LUNCH MUNU! PRETTY GOOD DEAL. I PLAN TO ORDER THE STEAK!
I WENT TO COLTON'S WEBSITE TO CHECK OUT THE LUNCH MENU TO SEE HOW GOOD OF A DEAL IT WOULD BE.
By Jolyne @ 04/01/09 01:07:09 PMreport abuse
Careful Dave
Careful Dave, those 4 chains didn't get an F because of the food that they serve. The fail was because they do not report nutritional information. Partial information can be misleading.
By Brian @ 04/01/09 12:53:19 PMreport abuse
Cattle at the tough
Your right Kerry. Most of these places are junk. Preprocessed line food with some much garbage in they would make you sick if you knew what was really in them. I avoid the chains. The mom and pops are better and cheaper.
By patdesign @ 03/31/09 06:57:29 PMreport abuse
Cattle at the trough
Americans are so in denial. We pack these crappy chain restaurants and as long as they give us a full plate of somethin', we'll eat it all up. Salt? Fat? Sugar? Who cares - just look at those faux, old-timey signs hangin' on the walls and let the good times roll! The Visa card still isn't maxed out yet and the pants still fit.
By Kerry @ 03/31/09 05:50:28 PMreport abuse
Clark, consumers should also be aware that along with these low prices, can come up to 2,500 calories and 180 GRAMS of fat per dish!! Just be careful and choose wisely
By Nick @ 03/31/09 05:09:15 PMreport abuse
Some of these names sound familiar
From yesterday's show notes:

Four chains got an F -- including Applebee's, IHOP, Outback and T.G.I. Friday's, according to a report published by Men's Health magazine.
By Dave @ 03/31/09 04:45:58 PMreport abuse
discount lunch
Consider independent restaurants & different kinds of foods. I eat on Buford Highway everyday I work and there's lots of places with lunch specials for around $4.50-$5 with a drink. Usually fresh & healthier food at these places too.
By shay @ 03/31/09 03:51:18 PMreport abuse

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Mar 31, 2009 -- Restaurants continue rolling out the discount deals

What others are saying