10 Mackay restaurants and take away spots with good, cheap family meals

Eating out can be rough in this cost-of-living crisis, but when Maccas and Hungry Jacks raise prices for family packs, we reckon there are a few local places that can beat them for taste and value. SEE THE LIST.

On the days when work has been tough or you’ve just had it, it can be all too tempting to look longingly towards the golden arches of McDonalds or the neon orange lights of Hungry Jacks.

However, these days a small family box meal starting at $45 with two whoppers, two cheeseburgers, 10 chicken nuggets, four small chips and drinks and a large upgrade costing $55 and the equivalent McDonalds bundle for 4 starting at $48.

So, for when cooking is too much, here are 10 Mackay eateries you should look at before pulling into the drive through.

Scroll down to read the full list>>>>>> 

Siv's Seafood is located at 5/2-6 Grandview Dr, Mount Pleasant.

Fish and Chips

If it's dinner time and the kids want chips, instead of settling for one with a McBurger, why not fish and chips?

Vellas

At Vellas on Sydney, or the Vellas Xpress Fishbars across North Mackay, there’s a good option.

For $55 the Vellas family pack includes four pieces of fish, four potato scallops, a medium chips and a 1.25l soft drink.

Vellas also offers burgers starting at $12 and other deals.

Sivs Seafood

Sivs Seafood at Grandview Drive in Mt Pleasant offers a four person family pack for $55.

The pack includes four pieces of fish, four potato scallops, four calamari, one large chips, a large sauce and a 1.25l, beating out Vellas on value by a chip upgrade and calamari.

Sivs seafood also offers a family pack for two at $36 with all the same fixings minus two pieces of fish.

Laffos is located near the River side entrance of Canelands.

Pizza

Laffos Bar and Pizzeria

Laffos, located at Canelands has a number of pricier dine-in menu items, however when it comes to takeaway pizza they’ve got the whole family covered.

Three pizzas at Laffos will only set you back $45.

Ma’s Pizza Kitchen

With a West Mackay location, an Andergrove location, Mount Pleasant and Rural View, chances are there’s a Ma’s near you.

At Ma’s $45 will get you any two value or classic large pizzas, two garlic breads and a 1.25l soft drink.

Poppy’s Pizza Place

Poppy’s Pizza in Walkerston is little bit out of town, but with its prices is well worth the drive.

At Poppy’s the starting price for a pizza is $6.10 for a margherita, a pepperoni for $7.10.

The most expensive pizza on the menu is just $13.90, and comes with seafood.

The Eight Dining is just a short walk of Canelands and offers great dine-in eating.

Asian cuisine

Chow In

On Victoria St near Brisbane St, Chow In is a family run dine in and takeaway restaurant specialising in Hong Kong and Singaporean cuisine.

As well as offering $10 lunch specials, they have family pack options starting at $53.90.

Feeding at least three, the family pack includes four spring rolls, a serving of honey chicken, Mongolian beef and a large serving of fried rice.

Malaysia House

At the other end of Victoria St, near Nelson St, Malaysia house serves Chinese and Malaysian food.

With the family packs starting at $45, family pack A includes four spring rolls, sweet and sour pork, chicken with cashew nuts and large fried rice.

The Eight Dining Mackay

On River St, beneath Rivage apartments, The Eight Dining Chinese restaurant offers two family backs for below $50.

Family pack A contains four spring rolls, sweet and sour pork, beef & black bean and special fried rice for $48.

Family pack B is a dollar more at $49 and swaps out the sweet and sour pork and beef & black bean for sesame honey chicken and Mongolian beef.

Classic takeaway

The Andergrove Store

Located on Bedford Rd, Andergrove, the store has a hot box with classic takeaway items if you’re in a rush, opening as early as 2am for workers on odd hours.

And on weekends, you can pick up a roast dinner pack for $15 big enough to feed hungry two adults, or two adults and the kids.
Stacked with options of potato bake, steamed vegetables, chicken parmigiana, roast lamb or beef, chips, mash potato, and more, you’ll be amazed at how high they fill the container.

Indian food

Miss India

A chain Indian restaurant, Miss India is located on Shakespeare St near Carlyle St.

Starting at $10.90 the Howzat Half’n’Half curry meal costs is a cheap eat, but for the bigger eaters the Holy Cow curry meal comes with a samosa, raita and two pappadums and will only set you back $12.90.

Don’t sweat expensive meals for the kids, as the kids meal at Miss India costs $8 and includes mango chicken, rice, bhatura bread and pappadums.

Pub Feed

Nothing beats a pub feed, but unfortunately with rising prices and cost of living pressures it can cost a pretty penny to dine out at the pub with the family.

At the Golden Gecko, located on Sydney St opposite CQUniversity, a chicken schnitzel will set you back on $20.

With the beef lasagne for $23, grilled barramundi for $24 and kids meals for $8, the Golden Gecko is one of the cheaper pub feeds around.

Where do you go for your cheap feeds? Do you know any pubs that can beat the Golden Gecko for their schnitty prices? Email us at [e-mail]