10 Best Restaurant Family Meal Deals Under $20 + Coupons

Here's a list of my favorite family meal deals under $20.  Because sometimes going out to eat as a family can be cheaper than preparing food at home. 
 

family meal deals under $20

With the average family spending nearly $400 per month per person on groceries, going out to eat can be an enticing way to save some money. Except, unless you're eating at some of the cheapest fast-food chains, or eating one of these budget-friendly meals that go a long way, going out to eat isn't always the more affordable choice. Fortunately, there are plenty of restaurants, fast-food and not, that offer delicious family meal deals under $20 that everyone will love.  You can also even get free food!  

Here's our list of the 10 best family meal deals under $20 you can get right now, plus some that are just over $20 and some of the best fast-food coupons to save you even more. 

1. Panera Bread
Family Meal Packs Are an Easy Dinner Idea with a Variety of Choices. The family value meal deal gives you the choice of some of our most popular Panera menu items, portioned perfectly for a family of four. These options include kid-friendly dinner favorites like simple sandwiches and mac and cheese, to adult options like soups, salads and sandwiches, and artisan flatbreads starting at $23.

2. Whole Foods
Whole Foods may not be one of the most obvious sources of some of the best family meal deals under $20, but this grocer's prepared food section shouldn't be overlooked, especially if you're an Amazon Prime member.  For example, you could get the prepared Whole Foods Market Vegetable Lo Mein for $9.99 and the prepared General Tso's Chicken for $9.99, creating a full meal for 2-3 for just $19.98.

3. Olive Garden
All of Olive Garden's meals are served family–style, meaning huge portions. If you're a family of 2 or 3, the Classic Entrees serve as some of the best comfort-food family meals deals under $21. The Chicken Alfredo and Chicken Parmigiana entrees, for example, are both $20.49. The Lasagne Classico is a bit less at $18.99, and you can save even more with the Ravioli Carbonara for $17.99.

4. Domino's
For just $19.99, you can cash in on Domino's awesome combo bundle, which includes 2 medium 1-topping pizzas, 15-piece parmesan bread bites, 8-piece cinnamon bread twists, and a 2-liter of Coke. This is not only one of the best family meal deals under $20, but it's also a great option for birthdays, holidays, and game nights. 

5. Subway
With the average foot-long sub hovering between $12 and $15 depending on the kind you get and any customizations, you're still getting 4 six-inch subs for less than $20—a perfect deal for lunch or dinner anytime. Also check out these BOGO Deals.

6. Taco Bell
Taco Bell has several combo and pack options to fit any budget and craving. For a family looking for family meal deals under $20, the Taco & Burrito Cravings Pack for $12.50 is a great deal. It includes 2 Crunchwrap Supreme, 2 Bean Burrito, 2 Soft Taco 2 Chips, and Nacho Cheese Sauce. Or, for a modest $20.83, just over the "under $20" mark, you can get 2 Crunchwrap Supreme, 2 Chicken Quesadilla, 4 Soft Taco 2 Chips and Nacho Cheese Sauce.

7. White Castle
If you're lucky to live near a White Castle, then this is another great option for a family meal deal under $20. For just $7.99, you can get 10 cheesy White Castle sliders —that's like $0.80 per slider. Plus, some select locations are $8.99.

8. Jersey Mike's
Sandwiches may be one of the most filling (and often healthier) meal options, and no one does a sandwich quite like Jersey Mike's. In fact, this New Jersey-based sandwich chain offers Giant Subs, which is said to feed four people on their website. So, if you're hunting the best family meal deals under $20, consider grabbing a Giant Sub from Jersey Mike's. While some of the hot or specialty subs may exceed $20, you can get a Giant Ham & Provolone and Jersey Shore Favorite for $15.65 and a Giant  BLT for $16.65

9. Pollo Tropical
If you have a Pollo Tropical near you, this is another one of the best family meal deals under $20. For just $17.59, you can get a whole chicken meal with four rolls, or for $8.89, you can get the A la Carte Family-Size Mojo-Roasted Pulled Pork.

10. Papa Johns
While Papa John's doesn't have bundle deals like Domino's, they do offer some amazing deals on large pizzas. Right now, you can get a large specialty pizza with up to 5 toppings for just $14.99, or get a Large 1-Topping Pizza for $9 when you buy two or more.



 

Family Meal Deals at Food Courts

If you're out shopping at one of the big retailers that has a food court or small bistro, this can be another great way to get one of the best meal deals for under $20. Here are some retailers worth stopping for lunch or dinner at while you're there. 

  • BJ's Wholesale Club: With a BJ's Wholesale Club membership, you can shop BJ's Kitchen, where you'll find prepared foods of all kinds, including family dinners. For example, you can get a 2.4lb Wellsley Farms breaded chicken tray for $12.99, or a 2.25lb package of prepared beef & bean chili for less than $12. 
  • IKEA: With the price of a dinner item at the IKEA Swedish Restaurant and Bistro averaging around $4.72, and many entrees coming in at under $10, IKEA offers family meal deals you won't want to miss.
  • Costco: At Costco, members can get a whole pizza for $9.95, an all-beef hot dog for $1.50, and many other items at an average price of just $4.00. 
  • Sam's Club: Similar to Costco, at Sam's Club you can get a whole large pizza for less than $10, plus a slice for $1.99, a rotisserie chicken salad for $6.99, and a "chicken bake" entree for $3.99. With prices like that, you can feed the whole family for under $20 and your kids' friends!



 

Family Meal Deals Just Over $20

Sometimes, the best family meal deals are just over $20. Therefore, if you have a few extra dollars, here are some of the best restaurants serving up family meals at family-friendly prices. 

Bojangles
For $22.99, your family can enjoy an 8-Piece Tailgate Family Meal from Bojangles. This includes 8 pieces of seasoned chicken, two picnic sides, four biscuits, and a half gallon of tea. *At this time you can reach them by contacting your closest location.

Panera Bread
Starting at just $23, you can pick from several different family feast value meals. Options include a toasted baguette meal with a group soup and salad, a flatbread pizza meal with 2 large salads, and a traditional "family feast" meal with 4 half sandwiches, a large salad, a large soup, and cookies.

IHOP
For just a little over $20, you can score big at IHOP. The Pancake Creations Family Feast with Bacon, for example, is $26.99 and includes 8 buttermilk pancakes, scrambled eggs and hash browns for 4, 8 bacon strips, and a choice of 2 pancake toppings. Plus, at IHOP, kids eat free daily between 4pm and 10pm. Not to mention, you can catch the IHOP Happy Hour with delicious entrees starting at just $6 every day at 3pm. 

Church's Texas Chicken
Where most chicken-based restaurants only give packs of up 12 pieces of chicken, the Texas Grande Meal at Church's offers 16 hand-breaded pieces. The meal also includes one large mashed potato, a large coleslaw, a large mac & cheese, and six biscuits—all for starting at just $25.99. 

Tijuana Flats
If you're feeling flat, the Taco Take-Home Meal Kit for $40 from Tijuana Flats may be the perfect pick-me-up. With the kit, you get a choice or hard or soft taco shells, chicken, beef, toppings, and chips for up to six people. That's enough for a family of four plus leftovers!

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen
Cheddar's offers multiple family meal bundles at a really great price. The most affordable one is the Chicken Tender Bundle at $27.99. With this meal, you get 16 hand-breaded chicken tenders, 2 family-sized sides, and 6 honey-butter biscuits. 


 

Some Active Deals for Food

Saving money with free food coupons is one of the best ways to cut down on costs. And, fortunately, there are always food and drink coupons you can find and redeem. Here are just a few on our radar:

For more ways to score free food and free food samples, check out our Big List of 110 Restaurants to Get Free Food.

And to never miss out on more money-saving tips, coupons and deals, be sure to sign up for our daily newsletter as well as follow MySavings on Facebook, Telegram, Instagram, and Twitter.
 

- Vanessa