Many restaurant chains quietly cut prices at certain times of day. Happy hours, early dinner specials and weekday lunch menus can save you a few dollars on every order, but only if you know when to show up. Here are the best timed deals at the chains we track.
Times and offers below are typical for participating locations. Deals can change and not every restaurant takes part, so confirm with your local store or the chain’s app.
Timed deals at a glance
| Chain | Deal | When |
|---|---|---|
| Sonic | Half-price drinks and slushes | Daily, 2 PM to 4 PM |
| Taco Bell | Happier Hour drink discounts | 2 PM to 5 PM |
| Arby’s | Discounted sliders, fries and shakes | About 2 PM to 5 PM |
| Applebee’s | Half-price appetizers | About 3 PM to 6 PM |
| Red Lobster | Half-price appetizers at many locations | Weekday afternoons |
| Cheesecake Factory | Social Hour bar specials | Weekdays, about 4 PM to 6 PM |
| Texas Roadhouse | Early Dine entrees from $9.99 | Monday to Thursday afternoons |
| Olive Garden | Lunch portions at lower prices | Weekdays, 11 AM to 3 PM |
| LongHorn Steakhouse | Lunch steaks and Pick Two combos | Monday to Saturday, 11 AM to 3 PM |
Best afternoon drink deal: Sonic Happy Hour
Every day from 2 PM to 4 PM, Sonic cuts drinks and slushes to half price. A Route 44 Slush that normally costs about $3.99 drops to around $2. It is one of the most consistent timed deals in fast food.
Best sit-down happy hour: Applebee’s
Applebee’s runs half-price appetizers from about 3 PM to 6 PM at most locations, and many add a late-night window. Two or three appetizers can easily make a full meal for less than an entree.
Best early dinner: Texas Roadhouse Early Dine
On weekday afternoons, Monday to Thursday, Texas Roadhouse discounts full entrees with two sides. A Pulled Pork Dinner starts around $9.99 and a 6 oz sirloin runs about $10.99, several dollars below regular prices.
Best lunch value: Olive Garden and LongHorn
Olive Garden’s weekday lunch menu offers smaller portions at lower prices, and unlimited soup, salad and breadsticks still come with dine-in entrees. LongHorn’s lunch menu trims steak prices and offers Pick Two combos starting under $10.
How to make the most of timed deals
- Check each chain’s app. Many deals are listed there first, and some are app-only.
- Arrive early. Some deals require you to be seated or to order before the cutoff time.
- Combine deals where allowed, such as a happy hour appetizer with a lunch entree.
- Ask your server. Local restaurants sometimes run their own specials that are not advertised nationally.
See full menus, prices and hours for every chain on our restaurant menus page.