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Food & Drink / Restaurants & Dining

All-You-Can-Eat Deals That Still Cost Less Than $20

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Pizza Hut Buffet
Chris P. / Yelp

If you’re craving a serious feast without the serious price tag, you’re in luck. While inflation has pushed plenty of menu prices past the $20 mark, a handful of beloved chains are still dishing out all-you-can-eat deals that won’t wreck your budget. From pizza and pasta to salad bars, riblets, and full-on buffets, these spots let you load up your plate (and go back for seconds… or thirds) for less than the cost of a typical entrée at many restaurants.

Some of these specials are seasonal favorites that return year after year, while others are everyday values hiding in plain sight — but all of them prove you can still indulge in an unlimited meal without overspending. Here are the best all-you-can-eat deals under $20 at chain restaurants right now.

Cicis Pizza

A pizza buffet featuring all-you-can-eat deals under $20 offers various types of pizza and garlic cheesy bread under a glass sneeze guard. A woman serves food behind the counter, while signs label each delicious pizza variety.
michael m / Tripadvisor

Deal: Endless pizza, pasta, salad, and desserts (dine-in)

Average cost: $9.99

Availability: Year-round at participating locations

Olive Garden

A close-up of fettuccine pasta topped with creamy Alfredo sauce, parmesan cheese, and parsley—perfect for enjoying as part of all-you-can-eat deals under $20. A fork sits on the side of the bowl, ready to dig in.
Donald S / Tripadvisor

Deal: Unlimited pasta + sauces/toppings, plus the never-ending first course (soup or salad + breadsticks)

Average cost: Starts at $13.99 (dine-in refills)

Availability: Limited time; prices/availability vary by location

Applebee’s

A rectangular white plate with boneless chicken wings covered in sauce, French fries, ranch dressing, and coleslaw on a wooden table—perfect for enjoying all-you-can-eat deals under $20.
Matt P. / Yelp

Deal: Unlimited riblets, double crunch shrimp, or tenders with endless fries (dine-in)

Average cost: $15.99

Availability: Limited time; participation/price varies; dine-in only

Golden Corral

A plate with a slice of baked ham, seasoned baked sweet potato, and scrambled eggs on a wooden table—perfect for those craving hearty all-you-can-eat deals under $20.
Mojo S. / Yelp

Deal: Full buffet access, plus there is currently an AYCE steak and butterfly shrimp deal (varies by location)

Average cost: Often cited around $11–$13 for weekday lunch (beverage typically extra)

Availability: Ongoing, but pricing is highly location-dependent (best practice: check your local store).

Pizza Ranch

A buffet at Pizza Ranch displays various pizzas and sides on a long counter under glass sneeze guards, showcasing their all-you-can-eat deals under $20, with a yellow wall and the Pizza Ranch logo in the background.
Avery J. / Yelp

Deal: Buffet with pizza, chicken, sides, salad, desserts

Average cost: Around $10–$12 for lunch (varies by location)

Availability: Ongoing, but each restaurant sets pricing

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Mr Gatti’s Pizza

A buffet with various whole pizzas, desserts, and other foods on display. A person serves themselves a slice of pizza onto a green plate. Signs above the counter advertise all-you-can-eat deals under $20 and remind guests to grab a new plate.
Sylvia P / Tripadvisor

Deal: Buffet includes pizza, pasta, salad bar, dessert.

Average cost: Around $13.99 for an adult; lunch special is $11.99 buffet + drink (varies by location)

Availability: Varies by location; many stores run weekly specials

Chuck-A-Rama

A buffet restaurant interior with all-you-can-eat deals under $20, featuring various food stations, trays under warming lights, stacks of plates, a neon "Bakery" sign in the background, and plants with decorative elements atop the counters.
yasminne33/Tripadvisor

Deal: Full buffet

Average cost: Adults $16.25 for lunch; $18.50–$18.95 for dinner; $15 for breakfast (Sat/Sun at select locations)

Availability: Ongoing; breakfast only at select locations

Jason’s Deli

A salad bar with metal bowls containing various dressings, salsas, dips, pasta, and salads—each with a serving spoon—displayed on a refrigerated counter featuring all-you-can-eat deals under $20.

Ralph M / Tripadvisor

Deal: Unlimited self-serve salad bar (build-your-own)

Average cost: $10.99

Availability: Ongoing; pricing can vary by market/location

Ruby Tuesday

A salad bar with trays of shredded cheese, chopped ham, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, green peppers, bacon bits, and other fresh toppings—all part of all-you-can-eat deals under $20—each with serving tongs on a bed of ice.
KitKat / Tripadvisor

Deal: 30-day Garden Bar (unlimited salad bar)

Average cost: $13.99

Availability: Dine-in only

IHOP

Happy face pancake from IHOP in Brighton, MA
Michelle C. / Yelp

Deal: Free bottomless buttermilk pancakes with purchase of select breakfast combos (dine-in promo)

Average cost: Combo + endless pancakes typically lands under $20 (varies)

Availability: Through the end of March 2026

Pizza Hut

Six pizzas with various toppings are displayed on round black pans at a buffet, each with a metal spatula—several slices gone already. Enjoy tempting all-you-can-eat deals under $20 as you sample every flavor.
Norman S / Tripadvisor

Deal: Lunch buffet has reportedly returned to select locations

Average cost: Often under $20, but pricing/participation varies

Availability: Select locations only

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Julieta Simone

Julieta Simone is a journalism graduate with experience in translation, writing, editing, and transcription across corporate and creative environments. She has worked with brands including Huggies and Caterpillar (CAT), and has contributed to editorial and research projects in the healthcare and entertainment industries.