Over 55? These 11 Chain Restaurants Have Discounted Menus for You

You may enjoy dining out but worry about spending too much. If so, discounts and special menus may be your go-to to stretch your eating-out budget. The good news is that many chain restaurants offer special menus tailored to older adults.

These menus usually offer smaller portions and lower prices, but the same great taste.

Here are 11 chain restaurants that have you covered regardless of what you'd like for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Denny's menu for the over-55 crowd isn't as large as its regular menu, but it'll still fill you up.

The chain's menu includes a scrambled eggs and cheddar breakfast, the 55+ omelette with bacon, cheddar cheese and caramelized onions, and a starter consisting of an egg with one sausage link or a bacon strip.

The prices for these items vary depending on the location but are usually under $10, which is $5 less than items on the regular menu.

This chain's over-55 menu doesn't exclude its famous pancakes. They are served with two eggs and two strips of bacon for $11.59.

In addition to its famous pancakes, IHOP includes a BLT, crispy fish, French toast, crispy shrimp, and the 55+ Rise 'N Shine on its special menu.

These meals range from $9.59 for the French toast to $11.59 for the Rise 'N Shine—two eggs, two strips of bacon, and two hash browns. Seniors can also get discounts on their total bill at the discretion of the franchise owners.

Perkins has more offerings for 55+ folks than other chains. Breakfast items range from $6.89 to $8.69 and include buttermilk pancakes, French toast, and one- and two-egg meals.

For lunch and dinner, you can expect to pay less than $15 and pick from items like grilled pork chops ($12.49), chicken strips ($11.29) or a country-fried steak for $11.29. The savings are impressive, given that the eggs Benedict from the regular menu can cost $14.79, and the regular-menu grilled pork chops set you back $15.39.

Bob Evans's special menu includes items for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It runs the gamut from spaghetti and meatballs and homestyle chicken pot pie to a garden salad and a turkey and dressing meal. Prices can be as low as $2.99 for the soup of the day or as high as $15 for the country-fried steak.

Besides the special menu, 55+ customers can get a 10% discount on drinks, starters, and desserts, further bringing their bill down.

Cracker Barrel's minimalist menu for older adults doesn't include separate breakfast, lunch and dinner options. Instead, the chain lets customers choose between six meals priced between $7.49 for a vegetable plate and $10.99 for a catfish meal.

Other options include a country-fried steak, grilled chicken tenderloins, meatloaf, and a breakfast sampler available all day. Given that the regular menu entrees start at $13.64 and can run over $25, the over-55 menu offers great savings.

Applebee's 55+ menu isn't as well documented as other entries on the list. The chain recommends visiting its official website and searching for your local Applebee's to discover what's included.

Some options you may be able to order are a grilled chicken Caesar salad for $7.99 and a home-style meatloaf for $10.49. The chain also offers vegetable-only options like a Caesar salad with kale for $2.99. These prices are unbeatable—even starters command higher prices on Applebee's regular menu.

Friendly's offers folks over 55 their favorite dishes at affordable prices. For example, diners can order a Friendly's burger for $7.99, or two dollars less than the regular menu.

Other options include a classic Cobb salad for $9.99 and the patty melt for $8.99—a two-dollar savings over the regular menu. The chain also offers seniors complimentary coffees or sundaes and a 10% discount on regular menu items.

Customers over 60 can enjoy Golden Corral's Senior Buffet. This buffet lets you enjoy lunch for $8 and dinner for $12.

In addition, Golden Corral also offers lunch and dinner early bird hours, which vary depending on the store location. This promotion gives older adults the option to get a meal for $11.49.

Corky's welcomes golden-agers with a special breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu. Prices range from $10.29 for a bowl of oatmeal with fruit for breakfast to $11.99 for a cheeseburger for lunch and $15.89 for a breaded fried chicken dinner.

While Corky's prices tend to be higher, customer reviews rave about the delicious homemade food and the great service.

If you crave pasta and pizza and wish Fazoli's had a special menu for seniors, your wish may have come true. Fazoli's menu for 62+ customers includes spaghetti marinara, fettuccine alfredo and spaghetti with meat sauce—all for just $4.

Besides its special menu, this chain offers qualifying customers senior combo meals with unlimited breadsticks and a 10% to 15% discount on regular menu prices.

Some Ponderosa locations have special days for older adults. These days vary by location and apparently only apply during lunch, so call to check before you head out. With this deal, customers can eat buffet meals like fried chicken, soups, and salads for just $8.99.

One smart way to save money is to order smaller portions from the special senior menu many chain restaurants offer. The food quality should be the same, but you'll pay much less than if you ordered from the regular menu.

If a special menu isn't available, check out the restaurant's early bird specials. These usually happen between lunch and dinner hours and include both food and drinks at lower prices.