Budget Meals for Traveling Families

My family and I rarely go out to dinner during our normal routine. There’s lots of reasons for that, not the least of which is cost. We live in the northeast, an area of the country with one of the highest cost of living. A meal for the five of us at a restaurant could be upwards of $200. With five entrees, drinks, tax, and then another 20% for tip, it’s very difficult to find a sit-down restaurant where we can spend much less. 

When we’re traveling, we tend to cook less and be out and about more. We inevitably end up at restaurants almost daily, while still trying to stay on budget. There are also times when we don’t want to carry leftovers around all day and avoid paying for food that we won’t actually eat. As part of my personal mission to make traveling more often and for longer periods sustainable for my family, I have tried out a lot of different ways to cut back on unnecessary or inconvenient food expenses. 

Here are the qualifiers we use when we’re traveling and looking for an easy meal that won’t break the bank.

American style BBQ

These restaurants usually offer meat by weight so you can order in different quantities depending on your family.

• Family Style
  I think this one is pretty obvious. You can order a few things for everyone to share instead of a meal each. Everyone eats what they want and you can always order more if anyone is still hungry. This is a great option when you’re looking to spend less and have no leftovers.

• Brewery Restaurants
  These have become much more family-friendly in recent years. They often offer your standard fare that everyone likes and have a louder atmosphere.

Brewery Restaurants

No frills, comfortable atmosphere where your kids don’t have to be quiet!

• Counter Service Dining
  We have had great luck with counter service places. Food is often ready or nearly ready, so it cuts way down on wait times. We look for these most on road trips when everyone is hungry but we don’t want to stop for a long meal.

• Street Food
  This is a great option when you’re exploring a city. We’ve eaten at so many food stalls in a city park or plaza. Portions are not overwhelming, menu items are affordable, and it doesn’t take a lot of time from your sightseeing.

• Casual restaurants
  Many international restaurants are also pretty casual and often very welcoming to kids. Mexican food is a family favorite, so we often end up at Latin American casual restaurants. Outdoor seating is often a great indication of a casual spot.

Casual and Counter service!

Casual, outdoor dining at a seasonal counter-service restaurant

• Regional Fast Food Chains
  We honestly try not to do fast food chains. But there are times when you just need something quick and affordable. In these cases, we opt for regional fast food chains that we can’t get at home.

Skyline Chili

A regional fast food chain that doesn’t have locations in the Northeast