Between school, homework, sports practices, dance lessons, and everything else on the family calendar, dinner can easily become the most stressful part of the day. That's why we've rounded up some of the best family meal deals under $50 from local restaurants serving South Charlotte and Union County. Whether you're craving barbecue, rotisserie chicken, Southern comfort food, or Mediterranean fare, these meals are designed to feed the whole family without breaking the budget - and we've added a few grocery store options for the nights takeout just isn't in the cards.
Prices and availability may vary by location. Be sure to check with your local restaurant before ordering.
South Charlotte / Ballantyne
Viva Chicken
Ballantyne (12206 Copper Way)
Fresh, flavorful, and fast, Viva Chicken's Peruvian rotisserie chicken is a Ballantyne favorite. A Whole Chicken with three family-style sides feeds the crew for around $37 - pair it with their cilantro rice, plantains, or green beans for a healthier takeout option that's perfect for busy weeknights.
Whole chicken family meal around $37 - order at vivachicken.com
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill
Ballantyne (7716 Rea Road, StoneCrest Shopping Center)
Need something a little more upscale without spending a fortune? Firebirds has a dedicated Family Meals menu featuring wood-fired favorites paired with fresh salads and sides - perfect for those evenings when you want restaurant-quality food at home.
Family meal options available - View Firebirds Family Meals HERE
Yafo Kitchen
Ballantyne (12330 Johnston Rd)
Middle Eastern and Mediterranean fast-casual made fresh. Yafo’s Family Meal feeds 3 to 4 with your choice of protein (like shawarma or rotisserie chicken), a family-sized Greek salad, hummus, Jasmine rice, two extra sides, and soft Angel pita bread.
Family meals serve 3-4 starting around $40 - order at yafokitchen.com
Taziki’s Mediterranean Café
Waverly (7107 Waverly Walk Ave)
Taziki’s Family Feasts are built for stress-free weeknights when you want something balanced and wholesome. Choose from grilled chicken breast, beef tenderloin, or chicken kebabs served alongside Greek salad, your choice of side (like lemon potatoes or rice pilaf), and soft or baked pita with tzatziki.
Family Feasts feed 4-6 starting around $58 - View Taziki's Family Feasts HERE
Hawthorne’s New York Pizza & Bar
South Charlotte (Carmel Rd & Rea Rd)
When pizza night calls for a local staple, Hawthorne's delivers with giant 18-inch New Yorker pies, family-style pasta platters, garlic knots, and fresh salads. It’s an easy crowd-pleaser for feeding kids and parents after evening sports practices.
18" New Yorker pies around $19, family pasta options available - View Hawthorne's Menu HERE
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Ballantyne & Blakeney
Moe’s Build Your Own Taco Kit or Fajita Kit makes dinner interactive and effortless. Each kit comes packed with 12 soft tortillas, two proteins, lettuce, cheese, beans, rice, sour cream, handcrafted guacamole or queso, plus free chips and salsa to feed 4 to 6 people.
Taco & Fajita Kits feed 4-6 around $55-60 - order at moes.com
Midwood Smokehouse
Ballantyne (12330 Johnston Rd)
If you're craving authentic Carolina BBQ, Midwood Smokehouse's party packs and whole smoked meats make weeknight dinner effortless. Grab a Whole Chicken Dinner Pack with two sides and hushpuppies, or build a custom BBQ bundle with pulled pork, prime brisket, and classic sides like mac 'n cheese and collard greens.
Family packs & whole chicken meals feed 4-8 starting around $34 - order at midwoodsmokehouse.com
Chuy’s Tex-Mex
Waverly (7314 Waverly Walk Ave)
Known for bold Tex-Mex flavors, Chuy’s offers Family Meal Kits that take the effort out of taco or fajita night. Options like their Taco Kit or Fire-Grilled Fajita Kit come fully loaded with proteins, warm tortillas, Mexican rice, refried beans, chips, salsa, and famous creamy jalapeño dip.
Family meal kits feed 4-6 starting around $35 - order at chuys.com
Brixx Wood Fired Pizza + Craft Bar
Blakeney (9820 Rea Rd)
For an elevated take on classic pizza night, Brixx serves up wood-fired pies made on hand-stretched dough alongside fresh salads and pasta platters. Grab a pair of signature pizzas with a large Brixx salad and wood-roasted wings to easily feed the whole crew on a busy evening.
Pizzas & family pasta platters available - order at brixxpizza.com
Union County (Waxhaw, Matthews, Indian Trail & Monroe)
Cracker Barrel
Matthews (9330 E Independence Blvd)
Bring home all the comfort foods your family loves with Cracker Barrel's family meal options. Choose from favorites like Chicken n' Dumplins, meatloaf, and fried chicken, complete with sides and biscuits or cornbread.
Family meals available under $50 - View Cracker Barrel Family Meals HERE
Texas Roadhouse
Indian Trail & Monroe
Texas Roadhouse makes feeding the family easy with generous Family Value Meals featuring hand-cut steaks, BBQ chicken, pulled pork, ribs, and chicken tenders, plus rolls and sides. Families regularly report feeding four for around $40-45.
Family meal options available around $40-45 - View Texas Roadhouse Family Meals HERE
Ilios Crafted Greek
Near Weddington (with other locations in Charlotte & Fort Mill)
Fresh Mediterranean flavors make Ilios Crafted Greek a great family dinner option when you want something different from the usual takeout rotation. Build your own family feast with grilled chicken, gyro meat, pita, rice, salads, hummus, and fresh toppings everyone can customize. Order online HERE
Showmars
Waxhaw, Indian Trail, Matthews & Monroe
A beloved local staple combining Greek specialties with Southern classics. Showmars offers Family Meals designed for 4 to 5 people featuring items like Chicken Souvlaki skewers, Gyro platters, Southern fried chicken tenders, or Calabash shrimp with pita, salad, rice pilaf, or fries and slaw.
Family meals serve 4-5 starting around $65 - View Showmars Family Meals HERE
Bonefish Grill
Matthews (10430 E Independence Blvd)
For a polished weeknight dinner without the heavy lifting, Bonefish Grill’s Family Bundles feed 4 to 5 people. Select dishes like Lily's Chicken, Wood-Grilled Salmon, or Creamy Tomato Cavatappi Pasta—each bundled with a fresh salad, signature side, bread, and freshly baked cookies.
Family Bundles feed 4-5 starting around $57 - View Bonefish Grill Family Bundles HERE
Metro Diner
Matthews (10412 E Independence Blvd)
When hearty comfort food is in order, Metro Diner’s Family Meals feed four or more with classic diner favorites. Options include their famous Fried Chicken & Waffles, griddle-seared meatloaf, or roasted turkey with mashed potatoes, green beans, and gravy.
Family meals serve 4+ starting around $49 - View Metro Diner Family Meals HERE
City Barbeque
Matthews (1514 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd)
Slow-smoked BBQ is built for sharing, and City Barbeque's Family Packs make weeknight takeout simple. Load up on pulled pork, smoked chicken, or beef brisket paired with crowd-pleasing sides like baked beans, corn pudding, mac 'n cheese, and cornbread.
Family packs serve 4+ starting around $45 - View City Barbeque Family Packs HERE
Salsarita’s Fresh Mexican Grill
Indian Trail & Matthews
Salsarita’s keeps weeknight Mexican food fast and customizable with their Taco and Nacho Family Packs. Each kit comes packed with two choice proteins, warm flour tortillas or fresh chips, black or pinto beans, rice, shredded cheese, lettuce, sour cream, and house-made salsas.
Family taco packs feed 4-5 starting around $40 - order at salsaritas.com
McAlister’s Deli
Matthews (2217-A Matthews Township Pkwy)
When you want a customizable and crowd-pleasing meal, McAlister's offers giant Spud Bars, sandwich bundles, and pasta platters designed for families. Add a gallon of their famous Sweet Tea to complete a quick, balanced dinner after evening activities.
Family bundles feed 4-6 starting around $38 - View McAlister's Family Meals HERE
Bojangles
Waxhaw, Indian Trail, Matthews & Monroe
A legendary North Carolina staple for no-fuss weeknight chicken dinners. Bojangles’ Family Meals feature 8, 12, or 20 pieces of Cajun fried chicken or chicken tenders, complete with scratch-made buttermilk biscuits, family-sized "fixins" (like dirty rice or mac & cheese), and a half-gallon of Legendary Iced Tea.
8-piece family meals with sides & biscuits around $28-36 - order at bojangles.com
Who did we forget? Submit your favorites by sending me an email to rebeccap@macaronikid.com!
