11 Italian Chain Restaurants That Are Totally Worth Your Money

If you’re looking for an affordable date night or craving some comfort food, the good news is you have dozens of Italian chain restaurants to choose from. 

They may not serve the handcrafted authentic cuisine you’d find in Italy, but they have inexpensive versions that taste just as good and will help you to stop wasting money on dining out.

Here are 11 of our favorite Italian chains to choose from for your next evening out.

Maggiano’s is one of the most popular Italian chains on the market and we can understand why. Not only do they serve generous portion sizes, but they also offer a wide variety of dishes like fettuccine bolognese, shrimp scampi, and even filet mignon

For a single entrée, the prices range from about $22 to $46.

Maggiano’s also offers a complimentary starter for your next visit if you sign up for its free eClub.

Despite the loss of many locations over the past few years, Macaroni Grill still maintains an incredibly loyal following of fans. Guests receive a warm loaf of complimentary rosemary bread and olive oil at the table and they can even build their own pasta dish with up to three free toppings.

The chain’s most popular dishes include their chicken parmesan, mushroom ravioli, and New York-style cheesecake. Macaroni Grill prices are on the cheaper side, with entrées around $20 to $25.

This beloved chain celebrates Southern Italian cuisine and specializes in family-style meals, where everyone around the table shares large portions of different items. One option is to get a four-person meal, which includes garlic bread, a salad, and a pasta for only $40.

Entrée prices are on the more affordable side, ranging from $15 to $18.

Since 1969, The Old Spaghetti Factory has served countless families in its intricately decorated dining rooms, which feature stained glass and even old-fashioned trolley cars for diners. The chain also offers Italian classics such as buttery mizithra cheese pasta, spicy spaghetti, and chicken fettuccine.

Depending on your selection, you’ll probably be spending anywhere from $21 to $25 for one entrée.

What would this list be without Olive Garden? The most popular Italian chain restaurant is famous for a reason: the chain offers your favorite comfort foods at prices you can actually afford. Recently, the chain brought back some fan-favorite menu items, including stuffed chicken marsala, steak gorgonzola alfredo, and four-cheese manicotti, all for under $25.

The real stars? The never-ending soup or salad and breadsticks.

You simply can’t pass up a two-for-$25 meal at Bertucci’s. For only $25, you can get two salads and two pastas as long as you dine in. The chain also offers a Pasta Bundle, a Pizza Bundle, and a Family Bundle, all of which feed at least four people. If you’re looking to save on eating-out expenses, this is the chain for you.

Bertucci’s has every menu item you could think of, from pizza and calzones to salads and sides.

If you want to find a dinner deal, you’ll definitely want to check out Bravo! Italian Kitchen. This chain is always offering meal specials, like its current dine-in Mamma Mia deal: three-course meals for only $25 per person.

Plus, you can grab cocktails at weekend brunch or a family bundle, which is a steal for only $49.99.

Fazoli’s may be a fast-food Italian chain, but that doesn’t mean they skimp on flavor. Whether you’re grabbing a meal on the go or need easy dinner plans, this chain has got you covered with its expansive selection and unlimited garlic breadsticks. You can even get wings, subs, and fried mozzarella bites.

If you sign up for Fazoli’s Rewards App, you can earn one point for every $1 spent to eventually redeem for your favorite dishes.

Johnny Carino’s may have lost over half of its location count over the past decade due to bankruptcy, but that doesn’t mean it’s lost its charm or guest loyalty. The chain’s fan-favorite menu items include its wood-fired pizzas, Italian sandwiches and burgers, and seafood.

Entrées range in price from $22 to $29, making it another affordable option for a family meal.

If you’re looking for a spot that will emulate the iconic Amalfi Coast without the price of a plane ticket, then Brio Italian Grille is the place to start. Brio is currently offering a three-course meal special, which includes a choice of salad, pasta, and dessert for only $25 a person.

You can even pair your meal with wine for only $10 more. Expect entrée prices to range from $19 to $24.

Looking for the perfect place for a weekend dinner date that won’t break the bank? Carrabba’s Dinner & Dolce special is available Friday through Sunday for dine-in guests and includes a three-course dinner for two for only $45.

Spice up the night by adding some delicious specialty cocktails or sangria to your order. Guests who sign up for Carrabba’s Dine Rewards will also receive complimentary calamari.

Opting for more affordable chains will ensure you and your loved ones can not only go out to eat more, but you can experience tasty menus without the anxiety of a high bill at the end of the night.

Don’t forget to check out each restaurant’s app to see if there are additional discounts and promotions you can take advantage of.