We Found The 12 Absolute Best Texas Roadhouse Entrees Under $20

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Anyone else big-time Texas Roadhouse fans? We sure are. The chain rarely ceases to amaze us in terms of quality for the price paid, and, thankfully, the same is true even for its cheaper-priced entrees. 

Believe it or not, the number of entrees priced under $20 are plentiful, meaning even hungry customers on a budget can manage to snag a decent meal on the cheap. Still, there are bound to be hits and misses on every restaurant menu, which is why we've taken it upon ourselves to present you with the very best inexpensively priced entrees Texas Roadhouse has to offer.

For the upcoming post, we've read the reviews, scoured the threads, and are even throwing in our own two cents to get you the lowdown on the cheapest, most delicious meals on the Texas Roadhouse menu. Bear in mind that the upcoming Texas Roadhouse dishes will likely vary in terms of price and availability. As always, you'll want to check with your local establishment before taking our word for it. With that, grab some wet naps and pull up a seat — we're exploring 12 of the very best Texas Roadhouse entrees under $20, coming up next.

1. Hand-Cut Sirloin

Sirloin steak is a popular cut of beef often celebrated as being lean, flavorful, and affordable. At Texas Roadhouse, expect to pay around $17.49 for an 8-ounce cut, and, though most fine dining restaurants tend to snub this cut of meat, many people claim those sold at Texas Roadhouse are some of the most tender, delicious steaks around.

"I'm a ribeye guy and always have been," a gushing Redditor explains. "I've had 50 at Texas Roadhouse over the years and have never been disappointed. My mom is also a diehard ribeye person and last time we went she convinced me to try the sirloin, and I was prepared to be disappointed and omg was I not. It was delicious." 

Texas Roadhouse's hand-cut sirloin steaks come in multiple sizes, with the 6- and 8-ounce portions priced at under $20, as of September 2026. Each steak comes with your choice of two sides and can be amped up with the addition of sautéed mushrooms, onions, bleu cheese crumbles, or jack cheese, for a small fee.

2. New York Strip

The New York Strip is another winning steak at Texas Roadhouse, and, while not quite as cheap as the sirloin, still rings up under $20 — assuming you purchase the smaller, 8-ounce cut, that is. According to most accounts, the New York Strip at Texas Roadhouse is pretty incredible, especially for the price paid. Fans of the steak often claim it comes perfectly cooked with one customer even referring to it as the best steak they've ever had.

Like the sirloin (and most other steaks at Texas Roadhouse) you can expect two sides to accompany the New York Strip as part of the price. Options like a fresh side salad or loaded steak fries make awesome pairings, but with so many side dish offerings, you can feel free to order as you please. And, though an absolute dynamite selection for under $20, the New York Strip comes with a charred flavor that could potentially prove too overpowering for some taste buds. It's something to take note of, especially if smoky, charred flavors aren't a major selling point for you.

3. Steak Kabob

If you love the combination of juicy steak and smoky, grilled veggies, then look no further than the Texas Roadhouse Steak Kabob to get your fix. Priced at only $15.99, this underrated entree has garnered many fans, including members of our staff. The Texas Roadhouse Steak Kabob consists of bite-sized pieces of perfectly marinated steak assembled on a skewer along with tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers. The kabob is served over seasoned rice and your choice of one side, though you can just as easily swap out the rice for another option if that better suits your fancy.

Texas Roadhouse Steak Kabob tastes so good that some fans have even come up with their own playfully affectionate nicknames as an ode to its shockingly good flavor. "Mannnnn have you had the steak shish kabob from Texas Roadhouse?" a customer on Facebook asks. "First time for me. Might be my new favorite thing from there. Love the marinade. I call it 'Sheesh Kabob'...cuz it'll make ya be all like 'Sheesh...this is good!'" Several other patrons replied to confirm, stating the "sheesh" kabob is indeed their go-to when dining at Texas Roadhouse. 

With all opinions considered, the Steak Kabob is certainly a safe bet when looking for an entree priced under $20 at Texas Roadhouse. There are plenty of people to vouch for its flavor, and at a price this low, who could resist?

4. Half slab of ribs

Texas Roadhouse may be known for steaks, but can we let you in on a little secret? This popular chain is also home to some of the most delicious ribs the industry has to offer. Take it from us — Texas Roadhouse ribs feature a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture that's unmatched, and considering there are two sides included, the price is reasonable, to boot. 

Texas Roadhouse ribs come slathered in the chain's rich, signature BBQ sauce and are complemented by an out-of-this-world charred flavor that makes them some of the best chain-restaurant rib offerings around. These ribs are incredibly meaty. This not only amps up the rib-eating experience, but also makes them an incredible value compared to a few similar restaurant chains at only $18.99 per half slab.

Still not convinced? There are plenty of online customer reviews confirming Texas Roadhouse ribs as the real deal. A commenter on Reddit took to a thread to pour out their words of adoration for the dish, stating, "Pleasantly surprised by the ribs at Texas Roadhouse last night, beautiful delicious crust and fall-off-the-bone, melt-in-your-mouth tender!" Others chimed in, stating, "Texas Roadhouse ribs are consistently the best of any restaurant I have tried....and I live in Chicago, so there's a ton of competition. They're always tender, juicy, and fall off the bone. The sauce is delicious and tangy. And made like this every time....I've had them probably over 100 times in my life." Impressive, right?

5. Grilled salmon

Texas Roadhouse salmon comes in 5- and 8-ounce sizes, which are priced at $16.99 and $19.99, respectively. The salmon is described by the popular steakhouse chain as a tender and flaky Norwegian filet doused in lemon pepper sauce, and customers agree: Texas Roadhouse aims to please when it comes to this mouth-watering entree. 

"I think it's delicious," states a Texas Roadhouse customer on Facebook. "It's typically my go-to if I'm not in the mood for steak." Another Facebook fan heartily agrees, stating, "That salmon was cooked to perfection—tender, buttery, and full of flavor! I didn't even need extra sauce. The seasoning hit just right, and it paired perfectly with my sides. Definitely a 10/10 for freshness and taste."

Of course, you can pick the two side dishes of your choice when it comes to Texas Roadhouse's grilled salmon, but, to be honest, certain ones just feel right. The steamed veggies and seasoned rice, for example, are two flavorful, yet light, pairings we believe would complement the taste of the salmon beautifully. But, really, just about any side dish pick will do.

6. Grilled Shrimp

You may notice Texas Roadhouse grilled shrimp featured on the menu as an add-on for several Texas Roadhouse entrees for a small fee. But the good news is you can order it as a standalone entree, too. According to customers, Texas Roadhouse grilled shrimp is an affordable dish that tastes just as pleasing as its price — seafood lovers can score an order of nine large shrimp with two sides for only $17.99.

Members of our staff were impressed with this offering, claiming it was perfectly cooked and featured plenty of delicious, char-grilled flavor. The seasoning is described as complementing the natural taste of the shrimp, with notes of dried herbs, garlic, cayenne, and paprika playing front and center. And, though some may consider nine shrimp more of a snack than a main entree, the two complementary side dishes really help round out the meal. Just remember that the seasoned rice it comes with counts as one side. No worries, though, as with most side dishes included with the entrees on the list, it can be subbed out for the side of your choosing, upon request.

7. Herb Crusted Chicken

Herb-flavored chicken is hardly a novel concept, though, for Texas Roadhouse fans, this unassuming dish is easily one of the best on the menu for under $20. This popular chicken entree gets its irresistible taste from the use of a flavorful marinade and is flame-grilled to achieve its scrumptious taste.

Folks over on Facebook insist that one of the best aspects of the herb-crusted chicken is its flavorful char. Meanwhile, fans on TikTok can be found giving the entree two thumbs way up. "The Herb Crusted Chicken at Texas Roadhouse is absolutely phenomenal," a poster on TikTok states. "The chicken is perfectly cooked—juicy, tender, and bursting with flavor. The herb seasoning is a perfect balance, giving it a savory and aromatic touch without overpowering the natural flavor of the meat." Currently, Texas Roadhouse's Herb-Crusted Chicken is composed of one chicken breast and two sides, and goes for $15.99 as of September 2026.

8. Chicken Critters

You might see Texas Roadhouse Chicken Critters on the kids' menu, but, make no mistake, there's a reason they're offered as an adult entree as well. Texas Roadhouse Chicken Critters are fried tenders made from all-white meat and have garnered a lot of attention for their noteworthy flavor. And, though the dish underwent a recipe change that fans started a petition over years ago, there are many who still consider this affordably priced Texas Roadhouse entree a steal.

"Texas Roadhouse Chicken Critters are the BEST," a gleeful customer on Facebook states in a July 2026 post. Another devotee states that the tenders are juicy and crispy with just the right amount of seasoning. As for pricing, expect to pay $14.99, with the inclusion of two sides and two dipping sauces. Choose from a variety of sauce options, including BBQ, honey mustard, hot sauce, and ranch, before pairing the entrée up with Texas Roadhouse's mac and cheese, seasoned green beans, creamy mashed potatoes, or the two sides of your choosing. And, though the website doesn't explicitly state the exact number of critters you get, some customers claim to have managed to snag as many as eight.

9. Smothered Chicken

Looking to enjoy a hearty, satiating entree that isn't steak at Texas Roadhouse? If so, the Smothered Chicken could be the break from beef you've been craving. Texas Roadhouse's Smothered Chicken has been hailed by many as one of the best chicken options on the menu, with, once again, that irresistible charred flavor seeming to be the crux of most glowing reviews. In addition to being grilled to perfection, the Smothered Chicken comes topped with a generous helping of sautéed onions and mushrooms, all of which are enveloped in gooey, melty jack cheese.

"My husband had the smothered chicken and is still talking about how much he enjoyed it," a first-time customer on Facebook states. Another reviewer from TripAdvisor agrees, saying, "I almost always order steak at Texas Roadhouse but this time decided on the smothered chicken. It was so moist and so delicious, I will be ordering it from now on." 

If you're planning to order Smothered Chicken at Texas Roadhouse, expect to pay $15.99 for it, which seems to be the standard for most of its chicken specialties on the menu. Considering the two side dishes that come with it and its reportedly impeccable flavor, we think Texas Roadhouse's smothered chicken entree is a great value.

10. Portobello Mushroom Chicken

Looking over its description, Texas Roadhouse's Portobello Mushroom Chicken almost comes across as redundant when compared against the aforementioned Smothered Chicken entree. Much like the previous offering, it features mushrooms and jack cheese, though there are a few key differences that may make it worth the extra dollar it costs. 

Texas Roadhouse's Portobello Mushroom Chicken is, naturally, a portobello mushroom-infused chicken dish that comes with an added sprinkling of Parmesan cheese over a rich mushroom sauce. The combination of these upgraded ingredients causes the Texas Roadhouse Portobello Mushroom Chicken to stand out from its Smothered Chicken competitor by infusing more flavor into every bite. Most fans of the dish agree the Portobello Mushroom entrée is in a league of its own; as a member of the staff from Mashed states, "On a menu filled with delicious chicken dishes, the Portobello Mushroom Chicken stands above the rest. It's the perfect marriage of a well-cooked chicken breast and a host of toppings that complement one another."

We personally could see a flavorful dish like this pairing well with a basic baked potato and fresh side salad, but feel free to keep the flavor popping by opting for loaded mashed potatoes or hot steak fries. No matter what's your fancy, one thing is clear — the Texas Roadhouse Portobello Mushroom entree is one dinner under $20 you shouldn't pass up.

11. Smokehouse Burger (and almost every other burger)

The Smokehouse Burger from Texas Roadhouse comes priced at $13.99 and features a flavor so good, it's hard for most people to resist, even at a steakhouse. This burger is described as ginormous by customer accounts and comes topped with tantalizing ingredients that include sautéed mushrooms, grilled onions, lettuce, tomatoes, American and Jack cheese, and a delicious made-from-scratch BBQ sauce. Like most dishes at Texas Roadhouse, you can expect the patty itself to be loaded with lots of charred flavor. Thankfully, though, you aren't limited to the Smokehouse Burger when it comes to snagging a juicy burger entree.

Texas Roadhouse is home to several burger options, most of which fall into the $13-14 range. Aside from the Smokehouse Burger, fans also love the Texas Roadhouse Bacon Cheeseburger as well as the "All-American" classic. "Phenomenal," a customer on Reddit proclaims. "I have one at least 1/2x per week — I like the bacon cheeseburger dipped in honey mustard." Each burger includes a pickle spear and French fries, and, though it doesn't feature the two sides that most other meals on this list include, it does come with steak fries, which can still be switched out for any side dish you choose.

12. All salads

If you're craving a lighter, leafier version of dinner at Texas Roadhouse, most salads on the menu tend to be a safe bet. Every salad is priced at under $20, with most dressings, croutons, and bacon bits made in-house. In our experience, the toppings, including the cheese, bacon, and meat, all taste incredibly fresh, and everything, from the lettuce to the toppings and even the dressing, harmonizes together for one beautifully executed salad dish.

Texas Roadhouse offers customers a wide range of salad types to choose from, including the Steakhouse Filet Salad, Salmon Caesar Salad, Grilled Chicken Salad, and even a Chicken Critter Salad. For those looking for a light side dish or who want to enjoy their meal meat-free, the chain has a number of meatless options to nosh on as well. As expected, you can select any dressing you wish, but don't expect Texas Roadhouse salads to come with a side.

Ah, well. We still think Texas Roadhouse salads are worth your coin — it might not be as filling as some of the other entrees that come with sides included, but for salad fans, it's almost guaranteed to hit the spot.

Methodology

The 12 Texas Roadhouse entrees selected for this article were chosen based on a combination of total cost, overall value, and positive customer reviews. Each entree was priced below $20 as of September 2026 in the central Wisconsin area. As always, pricing and availability are subject to change. 

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