Anonymous
03/27/2025 19:46
Subject: Least expensive fast casual restaurant for family dinner
I’d look around to see what specials places have on weekdays. I’m not in Bethesda anymore so not sure if this is still the case, but big Greek cafe had $6 gyros one night and fish taco had $8 burritos another night.
Anonymous
03/27/2025 19:40
Subject: Least expensive fast casual restaurant for family dinner
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I feel like there is no such thing as inexpensive fast casual anymore. I just picked up Five Guys for my family (a single burger each plus shared fries, no drinks) and it was over $60!
Are you needing to eat on the go between activities or is it just that you need the occasional night off from cooking?
Okay, but how many people are in your family? Did you all share one order of fries? I can't gauge how egregious this is without more information.
4 people, one cheeseburger (single patty) per person, one large order of fries to share.
Anonymous
03/27/2025 19:28
Subject: Least expensive fast casual restaurant for family dinner
Anonymous wrote:This is OP. Thank you for these ideas! We both love Chipotle, and I love Cava but my kid really does not. And feeding her is 99% of the point. So unfortunately that's a no go. Same with Seoul Spice. I love it. She does not.
Get one bowl from chipotle with double meat and split it.
Anonymous
03/27/2025 19:26
Subject: Least expensive fast casual restaurant for family dinner
2 for $3 pizza slices at Harris teeter.
Anonymous
03/27/2025 19:24
Subject: Least expensive fast casual restaurant for family dinner
Go to the prepared dinner section of Harris teeter, it’s along the deli area. I believe they’re called HT Traders Ready Made Meals. They look like frozen meals - in a black container with a plastic lid, but they’re refrigerator. They are SO good and a quick microwave heat up. They taste like homemade cooking and are great portions and not crazy calories. I like the meatloaf, spaghetti and meatballs, chicken fajitas, etc so many good options! Try them!
Anonymous
03/27/2025 18:31
Subject: Least expensive fast casual restaurant for family dinner
Banh mis, papusas, grocery store chicken
Anonymous
03/27/2025 18:31
Subject: Least expensive fast casual restaurant for family dinner
Anonymous wrote:Just cook dinner at home. It's so easy to throw some meat in a slow cooker at 7am or earlier, set it to low for 8-10hrs, and steam a bag of frozen veg. Serve with some slices bread or rice made in a rice cooker if you want carbs..
This works if you're home at dinner time, but often I'm not. As someone who often goes from work, to activities, or other commitments, and who doesn't work some place where they can refrigerate food or heat it up, it doesn't work.
-- not OP
Anonymous
03/27/2025 18:28
Subject: Least expensive fast casual restaurant for family dinner
My kids loved a rotisserie chicken, sliced baguette and green beans from home. Their favorite takeout meal until they were teenagers. You can pickup the chicken and baguette at BJs for $10.
Anonymous
03/27/2025 18:25
Subject: Least expensive fast casual restaurant for family dinner
Order two chinese/thai/indian/whatever lunch specials at lunch time and save for dinner that night. Usually lunch speciL includes rice/eggroll/naan whatever sides appropriate but dinner does not
Anonymous
03/27/2025 17:57
Subject: Least expensive fast casual restaurant for family dinner
This is OP. Thank you for these ideas! We both love Chipotle, and I love Cava but my kid really does not. And feeding her is 99% of the point. So unfortunately that's a no go. Same with Seoul Spice. I love it. She does not.
Anonymous
03/27/2025 17:54
Subject: Least expensive fast casual restaurant for family dinner
Anonymous wrote:Just cook dinner at home. It's so easy to throw some meat in a slow cooker at 7am or earlier, set it to low for 8-10hrs, and steam a bag of frozen veg. Serve with some slices bread or rice made in a rice cooker if you want carbs..
There's always someone who refuses to answer the question.
Anonymous
03/27/2025 17:20
Subject: Least expensive fast casual restaurant for family dinner
Oh- also taking advantge of kids meals. The kid meal at Chipotle is pretty good. I'd go in and order two kids meals.
Or there aren't as many of these around anymore but Qdoba had some good deals - the kids nachos is the perfect size.
You could also dearch this on instagram. I see reels of people suggesting what to order and how to mix things to maximize what you get.
Or there aren't as many of these around anymore but Qdoba had some good deals - the kids nachos is the perfect size.
You could also dearch this on instagram. I see reels of people suggesting what to order and how to mix things to maximize what you get.
Anonymous
03/27/2025 17:19
Subject: Least expensive fast casual restaurant for family dinner
What is gross about Peruvian chicken, exactly? Genuinely curious if there's something I should understand that I don't.
Anonymous
03/27/2025 17:19
Subject: Least expensive fast casual restaurant for family dinner
Anonymous wrote:Chipotle. A bowl is 2 servings, so you can either split one or make two last two nights. They're as heathy as you make them - load with cheese, sour cream, and high sodium beef = not healthy. Stick with lots of veggies, beans, and guac = the best you're going to get for filling and healthy fast casual. Going with veggie/beans only means means free guac and is cheaper. It'll be ~$11 for one bowl. You can add chips or tortillas on the side if you want to stretch further.
+1 on Chipotle.
Anonymous
03/27/2025 17:18
Subject: Least expensive fast casual restaurant for family dinner
Chipotle kids meal is $6 for a taco or quesadilla, three sides, chips and a drink. Good portion for adults too.