Fifty dollars can buy a surprising amount of food at one restaurant and barely cover dinner for two at another. Depending on where you eat, that money might get you six large pizzas, several sit-down meals, or enough takeout to feed the whole family. With chains like Chili’s offering value meals that include an appetizer, entrée, and drink, dining out doesn’t always have to break the bank. From Costco’s famous hot dogs to steakhouse dinners, here’s what things $50 buys at 12 completely different types of restaurants.
33 Hot Dogs and Drinks at Costco
Costco’s famous $1.50 hot dog and soda combination makes $50 look like an enormous food budget. At that price, you could theoretically buy 33 combinations for $49.50, leaving 50 cents behind. That’s enough hot dogs for a sizable gathering, although ordering that many at once probably isn’t practical. The deal remains a favorite among shoppers looking for an inexpensive lunch, especially compared with fast-food combos that can cost considerably more. The catch is that Costco’s food courts are primarily intended for members, and access policies can vary by warehouse.
Four Swedish Meatball Dinners at IKEA
At IKEA’s cafeteria-style restaurant, $50 can cover four substantial meatball dinners. The chain lists its 12-piece Swedish meatball entrée at $11.49, including mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam. Four plates total $45.96, leaving $4.04. Unlike a typical fast-food order, each person gets a plated meal, making this an appealing option for families shopping together. IKEA also offers plant-based alternatives and other inexpensive dishes. Just remember that the restaurant isn’t a traditional full-service dining experience, and operating hours and menu availability vary between stores.
Three Pancake Breakfasts at IHOP
Breakfast can be surprisingly expensive when everyone orders eggs, bacon, pancakes, and coffee separately. At IHOP, the World-Famous Pancake Combo has been listed at $12.79, including two pancakes, two eggs, bacon or sausage, and hash browns. Three combinations would cost $38.37, leaving $11.63 for an additional item or drinks. That’s a fairly substantial breakfast for three people without reaching the $50 mark. However, menu prices vary between restaurants, and adding specialty coffees, juices, or extra sides can quickly eat into the remaining budget.
Six Large Pizzas at Domino’s
Pizza carryout is one of the clearest examples of how far $50 can stretch when feeding a group. Domino’s advertises a $7.99 carryout deal for qualifying large one-topping pizzas. At that price, six pizzas would cost $47.94 before tax, potentially providing plenty of slices for a family gathering or several meals at home. The trade-off is limited customization. Additional toppings, certain substitutions, and ordering delivery instead of pickup can increase the price. It’s also worth checking the local store’s coupons, since participation and pricing aren’t identical everywhere.
Four Three-Part Meals at Chili’s
Chili’s has made its 3 for Me menu a major selling point for diners watching their spending. Starting at $10.99, the deal includes a selected entrée, appetizer, and nonalcoholic drink. Four meals at that starting price would total $43.96. Depending on the selections, diners might get a burger or chicken sandwich, chips and salsa, and a fountain drink. That’s an appealing amount of food for a sit-down restaurant, although premium entrées and appetizers cost extra. The final check will also be higher once tax and a dine-in tip are included.
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Four Entrées and Two Appetizers at Applebee’s
Applebee’s 2 for $25 menu gives two diners a choice of qualifying entrées plus one shared appetizer. Spend the full $50 before tax, and you could order the deal twice, receiving four entrées and two appetizers. Options have included Fiesta Lime Chicken, burgers, salads, boneless wings, and mozzarella sticks. It’s a convenient arrangement for two couples or a family of four, particularly when everyone wants a separate main course. Some premium dishes carry additional charges, however, and a $50 subtotal leaves no room for the tax or tip on a dine-in bill.
Ten Mix-and-Match Items at Panera Bread
Panera’s Mix & Match menu offers selected sandwiches, soups, and salads for $4.99 each when customers order at least two qualifying items. With $50, you could purchase ten eligible items for $49.90, leaving just ten cents. That could mean several combinations of soup and sandwiches or a collection of lunches to share. The important distinction is that these aren’t necessarily ten complete meals. Portions and selections differ from the regular menu, and the promotion only applies to eligible items. For someone who enjoys variety, though, it’s an interesting alternative to buying a few full-priced café lunches.
Three Three-Course Dinners at Outback Steakhouse
A steakhouse might seem like an unlikely place to stretch $50 across three meals, but Outback’s Aussie 3-Course offer starts at $14.99. Three qualifying dinners would total $44.97 before tax and tip. Each includes a soup or salad, a selected entrée, and dessert, making it a more traditional restaurant experience than grabbing food at a counter. The limitation is that the lowest advertised price doesn’t apply to every entrée. Premium steaks and upgrades cost more, and the promotion is available for dine-in at participating locations. Still, three courses for under $15 is an unusual steakhouse offering.
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Four Meals With Sides and Drinks at Buffalo Wild Wings
Sports bars can become expensive once appetizers, drinks, and extra orders of wings start appearing on the table. Buffalo Wild Wings offers a Pick 6 Meal for Two starting at $19.99, with two entrées, two sides, and two drinks. Ordering the deal twice would cost $39.98 at the advertised starting price, covering four people and leaving roughly $10 before tax. It’s a practical option for friends watching a game, particularly if everyone sticks to the qualifying selections. Premium upgrades and additional drinks can change the total considerably.
Dinner Now and Extra Meals for Later at Cracker Barrel
Cracker Barrel offers a different kind of value through its $5 Take Home Meals program. Customers who purchase a qualifying regular-priced entrée can add a chilled meal for later, with options such as meatloaf and macaroni and cheese or grilled chicken with mashed potatoes. Two diners ordering regular meals could potentially take home two additional dinners while staying within a $50 food budget, depending on the entrée prices. The extra meals aren’t available as standalone $5 purchases, and some locations charge $6. They also need refrigeration and reheating, so the convenience comes later rather than immediately.
A Family-Style Chinese Takeout Meal at Panda Express
Ordering separate plates at a Chinese-American takeout restaurant can add up quickly, especially when several people want different dishes. Panda Express offers a Family Meal designed for five people, with two large sides and three large entrées. One official location menu lists the combination at $45, leaving $5 from a $50 food budget before tax. Diners can choose options such as fried rice, chow mein, and chicken dishes, although premium entrées cost extra. The portions are intended for sharing, which makes the arrangement useful for families who would rather serve themselves at home.
Five Soup, Salad, and Breadstick Lunches at Olive Garden
Olive Garden’s Never-Ending Soup, Salad, and Breadsticks lunch shows how differently $50 can work when refills are part of the meal. The chain has advertised the weekday special starting at $9.99, meaning five qualifying lunches would total $49.95 before tax and tip. Diners receive soup, house salad, and warm breadsticks, with refills available during dine-in service. The biggest restriction is timing: the advertised offer runs Monday through Friday until 3 p.m. at participating restaurants. It also doesn’t include a traditional pasta entrée, so it’s a different experience from ordering a full Italian dinner.
