Eating in Dallas restaurants can be expensive in 2024, but this list of dinner discounts can help. Check out where to eat on the cheap — and, in some cases, for free — in Dallas, Fort Worth and the suburbs.
Norma’s Cafe — 6 locations in North Texas
On Oct. 23, 2024, all locations of Norma’s Cafe are selling chicken-fried steak for just $1.85. Why so low? It’s “retro pricing,” says a spokesman, meant to turn the clocks way back to Norma’s origins in the 1950s in Dallas. Money from the chicken-fried steak dinner special will be donated to Susan G. Komen during its Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. It’s the second year Norma’s Cafe has done it.
Norma’s is a home-cooking restaurant that sells biscuits and gravy, burgers, blue plate specials like meat loaf, and “mile-high” pies. On the menu, Norma’s chicken-fried steak is called “eNORMAus.” It comes topped with cream gravy.
Norma’s Cafe has six restaurants in Dallas-Fort Worth. Find a location here. The $1.85 chicken-fried steak special runs from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 23, 2024.
Steakyard in Dallas
Dallas restaurant Steakyard is handing out six free oysters on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during October and November 2024. Customers are asked to order two entrees in order to get a plate of gratis charbroiled oysters topped with garlic, parmesan, butter, parsley and spinach.
Steakyard is a one-year-old restaurant on Dallas’ Northwest Highway, across the street from the flagship Half Price Books. We’ve called Steakyard one of the best places to take a group because its large tables. Steakyard is best known for its reasonably-priced steak frites, available for $28 (9-ounce tenderloin), $31 (10-ounce coulotte) or $48 (14-ounce Akaushi rib-eye). The Little Gem Caesar and Rainbow Ceviche are winners, too.
Steakyard is at 6726 Shady Brook Lane, Dallas. Reservations here. Open seven days a week for dinner.
Dave’s Hot Chicken — 11 locations in North Texas
On Oct. 24, 2024, Dave’s Hot Chicken will give away one slider to any customer at its 230 locations. Why? Musician Drake’s birthday is on Oct. 24, and he’s an investor.
Dave’s has offered a freebie on Drake’s birthday since 2022. The catch: You have to download the Dave’s app and find the scannable reward there.
Dave’s Hot Chicken has had pop cultural appeal since nearly the beginning, when fans would line up for hot chicken in a parking lot in Los Angeles during the company’s earliest days in 2017. When it expanded to Texas in 2021, fans drove as far as five hours, then waited in line for several more.
Dave’s Hot Chicken has a tiny menu of chicken tenders, fries and chicken sliders with slaw. The chicken can come in seven spice levels.
The first Dave’s Hot Chicken in Texas opened at 14750 Preston Road (between Spring Valley and Belt Line roads), Dallas. Find a Dave’s here. Limit 1 slider per person on Oct. 24, 2024 between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Fred’s Texas Cafes in Fort Worth
On Oct. 24, 2024, Fred’s Texas Cafe is donating 15% of its sales to the first-year teachers at L.A. Gililland and Luella Merrett, two elementary schools in Fort Worth. Included in that fundraiser is a free float for any teacher with a school ID.
Fred’s Texas Cafe is a historic Fort Worth restaurant that opened in 1978. The original moved after 43 years, but a lot of the decor and menu remains the same.
Fred’s Texas Cafe has restaurants at 2730 Western Center and at 7101 Camp Bowie West, both in Fort Worth.
Whataburger — dozens of locations in North Texas
On Oct. 31, 2024, Whataburger is offering a “Hallowings” special: buy one order of WhataWings, get one free. Customers are required to order on the Whataburger app. The deal can be found on the “More” section of the app; then click on “Offers.”
What are WhataWings? They’re new to the Texas burger chain as of early 2024. Each order of boneless chicken bites can come draped in Buffalo, sweet and spicy, honey barbecue, or honey butter sauce.
Whataburger has nearly 750 restaurants in Texas and more than 1,000 total. Find a location here. WhataWings offer available for dine-in, drive-through, pick-up or delivery.
