Looking for a casual dining spot with great deals on food and drinks? Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen is a go-to destination for classic American comfort fare and an amazing happy hour menu. Since 1979, Cheddar’s has been serving up crowd-pleasing dishes made from scratch with fresh, high-quality ingredients.
Introduction to Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen
Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen is a popular casual dining restaurant chain known for its handcrafted American comfort food made from scratch using fresh, high-quality ingredients. Founded in 1979 in Arlington, Texas, Cheddar’s has grown to over 165 locations across 28 states, serving classic dishes like chicken tenders, baby back ribs, hand-breaded onion rings, scratch-made sandwiches, salads, and more.
With its warm, welcoming atmosphere and affordable prices, Cheddar’s aims to be a go-to spot for family dining, gatherings with friends, or just a great meal any day of the week. While Cheddar’s has an extensive all-day menu, they also offer a fantastic happy hour with specials on drinks and select appetizers.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll provide everything you need to know about Cheddar’s happy hour times, menus, specials, tips for getting the most value, frequently asked questions and more. Whether you’re looking for a perfect late lunch spot or an ideal hangout for drinks after work, read on to learn why Cheddar’s happy hour is a can’t-miss! Read In-N-Out Burger Menu & Prices in USA
Cheddar’s Happy Hour Times
Cheddar’s happy hour takes place every Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at participating locations[3]. This gives guests a solid 3 hours to take advantage of Cheddar’s happy hour deals on drinks and appetizers.
Some Cheddar’s restaurants also extend their happy hour all day on Thursdays, making it an excellent option for starting off your weekend a little early. However, happy hour times can vary by location, so it’s always best to check with your local Cheddar restaurant ahead of your visit. Their website or Facebook page will have the most up-to-date happy hour details.
You can also call your nearby Cheddar’s to double-check their happy hour times before heading over. Some locations start happy hour as early as 3 p.m. or extend it to as late as 10 p.m. So don’t rely solely on the standard 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. window. Confirming the exact hours will ensure you don’t miss out on any of the great happy hour specials.
Cheddar’s Happy Hour Menus
The main draw of Cheddar’s happy hour is the opportunity to enjoy discounted prices on select appetizers and drinks. The specific happy hour menus and pricing can vary slightly by location, but here’s an overview of the types of specials you can typically find.
Happy Hour Appetizers
During happy hour, Cheddar’s offers deals on several of their popular appetizers and sharable plates:
- Chips and Homemade Queso – Warm and creamy queso cheese dip served with freshly fried tortilla chips[4].
- Chicken Tenders – Hand-breaded, all-white meat chicken tenders fried to a crispy golden brown. Served with honey mustard sauce.
- Santa Fe Spinach Dip – A blend of spinach, artichoke hearts, cheeses, and spices served with tortilla chips and salsa.
- Loaded Potato Skins – Crispy potato skins loaded with cheddar cheese, bacon bits, and scallions. Served with sour cream.
- Fried Pickles – Dill pickle chips coated in a crispy buttermilk batter and served with ranch dressing.
The prices for these appetizers during happy hour are generally $3 to $5 less than the regular menu prices. For example, the chips and queso maybe $6 instead of the usual $9, while the chicken tenders basket could be $8 instead of $11. Read McDonald’s Menu With Prices in USA
Happy Hour Drinks
In addition to discounted appetizers, Cheddar’s happy hour features deals on a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages:
- Draft Beer – Domestic beers on draft for $2 to $3 per pint.
- House Wines – Discounted glasses of Cheddar’s house cabernet, chardonnay, merlot, and white zinfandel, usually around $4 per glass.
- Well Drinks – Well liquors mixed into classic cocktails like rum and coke or vodka cranberry for around $3 to $4.
- Margaritas – Cheddar’s signature margaritas like strawberry, mango, and classic lime for $4 to $5.
- Long Island Iced Teas – Long Islands made with vodka, rum, gin, tequila, and triple sec for around $5.
Again, exact happy hour drink pricing can vary by location. But you can generally expect to save $2 to $3 per drink compared to regular prices. Read Texas Roadhouse Happy Hour
Tips for Making the Most of Cheddar’s Happy Hour
To help you enjoy Cheddar’s happy hour to the fullest, keep these tips in mind:
Check online for specials – Menu selections and prices can vary, so check Cheddar’s website or social media pages for your location’s offerings before you go. This will allow you to plan what you want to order.
Arrive early – Right at 4 p.m. is the busiest time for happy hour. Arriving a little earlier will help you beat the rush and score a good seat. Late afternoon between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. is less crowded.
Sit at the bar – The bar area is the best spot for quick happy hour service. Bar seating also gives you easy access to refills on discounted drinks.
Order a few appetizers to share – Cheddar’s happy hour apps are designed for sharing. Order 3 or 4 for your whole table to sample and save money compared to individual entrees.
Take it to-go – You can call in a to-go order during happy hour and still get discounted pricing on drinks and apps. Perfect for grabbing on your way home.
Designate a driver – Be sure to have a designated driver if you plan on drinking during happy hour and always drink responsibly. Never drink and drive.
Enjoy the late-night specials – Some Cheddar’s extend happy hour until 10 p.m. or have late-night specials like half-price apps after 9 p.m. Take advantage of these deals.
Sign up for rewards – Join Cheddar’s eClub to receive alerts about happy hour specials and other exclusive discounts.
Cheddar’s Happy Hour Menu Items
To give you a better idea of the options and savings, here is a sampling of specific happy hour menu items you can expect to find at Cheddar’s along with their usual prices:
Happy Hour Appetizers
| Appetizer | Regular Price | Happy Hour Price |
|---|---|---|
| Chips and Homemade Queso | $8.99 | $5.99 |
| Chicken Tenders Basket with 3 tenders | $10.99 | $7.99 |
| Santa Fe Spinach Dip | $8.49 | $5.49 |
| Loaded Russet Potato Skins | $8.99 | $6.99 |
| Fried Pickles | $7.99 | $4.99 |
Happy Hour Drinks
| Beverage | Regular Price | Happy Hour Price |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic 16oz Draft Beer | $4.99 | $2.99 |
| House Cabernet Wine | $7.99 | $4.99 |
| Well Vodka Cranberry | $6.99 | $3.99 |
| Mango Margarita | $8.99 | $4.99 |
| Long Island Iced Tea | $8.99 | $4.99 |
As you can see, happy hour at Cheddar’s provides an excellent opportunity to save a few bucks while enjoying some of their top appetizers and drinks. Just keep in mind that specific prices vary.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cheddar’s Happy Hour
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about Cheddar’s happy hour:
Are Cheddar’s happy hour times the same at every location?
No, while most Cheddar’s offer happy hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., the exact times can vary by location. Some may start earlier, end later, or even have all-day happy hour on Thursdays. Always call ahead to confirm.
Does Cheddar’s offer food discounts during happy hour?
Currently, Cheddar’s happy hour specials only apply to select appetizers and drinks. Main entrees and other menu items are not discounted.
Can I order happy hour appetizers for takeout?
Yes, you can call in a to-go order during happy hour to get discounted pricing on apps and drinks to enjoy at home. However, options may be limited for takeout.
Are there vegetarian or gluten-free options on the happy hour menu?
Yes, Cheddar’s has several vegetarian and gluten-free appetizers that are included in the happy hour specials like fried pickles, spinach dip, and chips with salsa. There are also GF drink options.
Can I make a reservation for Cheddar’s happy hour?
Most locations do not take reservations specifically for happy hour. However, you can make a regular dinner reservation that starts or extends into happy hour.
Is happy hour available on weekends?
No, Cheddar’s happy hour specials are only available Monday through Friday at participating locations. They do not offer discounted pricing on weekends.
The Best Times to Visit Cheddar’s Happy Hour
Cheddar’s happy hour tends to be most popular on Thursdays and Fridays when many people are looking to kick off their weekend. If you want to avoid large crowds and score a table easily, the best times are:
- Monday – Wednesday – Earlier in the workweek sees smaller happy hour crowds. You’ll have your pick of seating and the best happy hour service.
- Afternoon Hours – Arriving between 2 p.m. 4 p.m. lets you beat the busy after-work rush. You can order apps and drinks before the end of the discount.
- Late Night – Places with late-night happy hour specials like 9 p.m. to close draw fewer customers. You can order more apps at a discount.
While Fridays are certainly lively and fun, you’ll encounter faster service and fewer crowds on off-peak days and times.
Getting the Most Value from Cheddar’s Happy Hour
To maximize your savings at Cheddar’s happy hour:
- Stick to the discounted appetizers and drinks instead of full-priced entrees
- Order a few different apps to share with your whole table
- Go for the draft beers, well drinks, and house wines since they have the lowest happy hour prices
- Add on extra discounted appetizers as late-night snacks if you’re there when the kitchen is still open
- Take home any leftover apps or drinks you don’t finish to enjoy later at the happy hour price
Getting appetizers, beers, and basic mixed drinks will keep your bill lowest. Then you can tip well on the money you saved!
Cheddar’s Signature Cocktails to Try During Happy Hour
In addition to deals on beer, wine, and basic mixed drinks, Cheddar’s happy hour is a great time to sample some of their creatively named signature cocktails for a few dollars off:
Main Squeeze
A refreshing blend of citrus vodka, fresh lemonade, and lemon-lime soda garnished with a lemon wedge.
Moonshine Mule
A twist on a Moscow Mule made with moonshine, ginger beer, lime, and mint.
Rum Runner
Layers of rum, blackberry liqueur, banana liqueur, grenadine, and pineapple juice.
Painkiller
Pusser’s rum, pineapple and orange juice mixed with coconut cream. Garnished with fresh pineapple.
Fox Trot
A sweet and fruity mix of raspberry vodka, pineapple juice, cranberry juice, and grenadine.
Sip your way through the cocktail list during happy hour to discover new favorites to order on your next visit. The bartenders at Cheddar’s are always coming up with new signature drink recipes to try.
Enjoying Cheddar’s Happy Hour Responsibly
Cheddar’s happy hour provides a great opportunity to relax over apps and drinks with friends. However, it’s important to remember a few key tips for drinking responsibly:
- Pace yourself by alternating alcoholic drinks with water to stay hydrated
- Order some substantial appetizers like queso and chips or potato skins to avoid drinking on an empty stomach
- Appoint a designated driver who refrains from alcohol if you plan on having more than one or two drinks
- Never drink and drive; take a taxi or rideshare home if needed
- Be courteous to your server and other guests enjoying the atmosphere
Following these simple guidelines will allow everyone to have an enjoyable and safe happy hour experience at Cheddar’s.
Cheddar’s Happy Hour Offers Excellent Value for Casual Dining
With its warm and welcoming atmosphere, generous portions, and scratch-made dishes, Cheddar’s is a go-to spot for casual dining and happy hour. The relaxing environment coupled with discounted drink prices provides an ideal way to unwind after work or enjoy a bite with friends.
During the 3-hour weekday happy hour from 4 pm to 7 pm, you can sip on $3 draft beers, $4 glasses of house wine, and $5 signature cocktails. Pair your drinks with sharable apps like queso and chips, crispy chicken tenders, or loaded potato skins, with prices discounted a few dollars below the regular menu.
Compared to the typical happy hour offerings at more upscale restaurants, Cheddar’s provides excellent value. You’ll find the same comforting, made-from-scratch dishes Cheddar’s is known for, at budget-friendly happy hour pricing. Going for the well drinks and house wines will get you the best deals.
While Cheddar’s doesn’t discount food during happy hour, most entrees are under $10. You can enjoy their hand-breaded chicken tenders, slow-smoked baby back ribs, steaks, salads, and more at everyday reasonable prices. Happy hour is a chance to sample Cheddar’s classics for less.
The relaxed, welcoming vibe also makes Cheddar’s a great choice for dining with kids and family. There’s no need to find a babysitter to enjoy their happy hour deals. Kids can order from the children’s menu while parents take advantage of drink specials at the bar.
With both weekday happy hour and daily regular menu deals, Cheddar’s offers some of the best value for casual dining and American comfort food. It’s an ideal spot for everyone from coworkers unwinding after work to families looking for an affordable night out.
Enjoying Cheddar’s Happy Hour Responsibly
While Cheddar’s happy hour is a great opportunity to save money on drinks and apps with friends, it’s important to keep in mind a few responsible drinking tips:
- Pace yourself by having a glass of water between alcoholic drinks to stay hydrated.
- Order some substantial shareable apps like cheese queso or potato skins to avoid drinking on an empty stomach.
- Appoint a designated driver who abstains from alcohol if you plan on having more than 1-2 drinks.
- Never drink and drive. Take a taxi or rideshare service home if needed.
- Be respectful of your server and other guests enjoying the atmosphere.
Following these simple guidelines allows everyone to have a fun and safe happy hour experience at Cheddar’s. The relaxing ambiance coupled with discounted prices makes it an ideal spot to unwind – just be sure to drink responsibly.
Conclusion
With generous happy hour deals on drinks and appetizers, Cheddar’s offers excellent casual dining value. The welcoming atmosphere and classic American dishes pair perfectly with cheap beer, wine, and cocktails.
Just be sure to check your local Cheddar’s hours and menus, as happy hour times and pricing can vary by location. Arrive early to secure a good seat, and take advantage of shareable apps and well-drink specials to maximize value.
Cheddar’s dependable comfort food and drink deals make it a great spot for unwinding with coworkers, enjoying a family dinner, or grabbing a cheap bite any day of the week. Taking a few sensible precautions allows everyone to have an enjoyable and safe happy hour experience.
So next time you’re looking for an amazing value on casual dining and drinks, head to your local Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen. Their happy hour specials deliver big savings on classic American fare and drinks in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
