It seems that many fast-food and casual restaurants are dropping prices to help business. TGI Friday's is the most recent restaurant to drop prices. Starting today, restaurants will begin offering meals for $5. That's the same amount as a Subway "Five-Dollar-Foot-Looong". The TGI Friday's $5 menu includes all salads and sandwiches. Not a bad deal. It's not stated how long this menu will be around...but I wonder if they are going to make money from it. A steak sandwich normally costs over $10 and the 'big' salads hover around the $10 mark as well. The portion is supposed to be regular size as well. Servers can't be that happy since tips are normally based on the total amount of the bill.



Check out some other low-cost meal options out there:

Subway- All day every day, Subway has offered the $5 foot-long deal since 2008. This is a great option since you can load up on the veggies and make it a healthier option. I've even seen some $4 foot-long signs at some Subway restaurants for a few sub choices. It was a great move that allowed Subway to post double-digit sales growths.

Quizno's - Quizno's is offering the $4 foot-long 'torpedo'. Looks like it's a smaller/thinner version of a regular foot-long sub.

Chili's - Chili's is offering 10 entrees for less than $7. I predict that number will drop to $5.

Boston Market - Boston Market began it's $5 meal deals in August 2008.

Shoney's - Shoney's brought back the $4.99 breakfast bar.

Know any other cheap eats at chain restaurants? Leave a comment and let everyone know.