So I kept hearing people rave about Chowboys meals lately. Figured I’d actually go check the prices myself and see if this stuff is really worth the hype. Grabbed my phone and keys, drove over to their store near the mall.
The Price Hunt Begins
First thing I noticed? Their damn menu boards aren’t the clearest. Prices are kinda small, and pictures made everything look huge. Typical, right? Pulled out my phone to snap pics of the menu for later, but this lady behind the counter gave me this look like I was planning a heist. Whatever.
Started scanning the options:
- That Cowboy Bowl everyone loves? $14.25. Okay, seems steep for a bowl, but maybe it’s packed.
- Kid’s Meal? Straight up $8.50? For fries, a tiny burger, and a drink? Seriously?
- Regular cheeseburger? Near $12 bucks. Plus tax? Man.
- Add fries? Another $3.50 minimum. Drink? Nearly $4 extra.
Stood there calculating in my head. One adult meal, maybe one kid meal, add the basics… easily pushing $30 before I even blink. For lunch! Felt my wallet getting lighter just thinking about it.
Testing the “Worth It” Factor
Decided I needed proof. Ordered their famous Cowboy Bowl right then. Paid the $14.25 plus tax. Watched the guy make it. Honestly, it looked decent in the container. Got some rice, beans, decent meat chunks, cheese, sauce. Sat down at one of those sticky plastic tables.
First bite? Yeah, flavors are there. Pretty tasty. Meat was cooked alright. Sauce is tangy, rice ain’t dry. But halfway through, I’m thinking… this is it? For nearly fifteen bucks? Felt like I finished it in like, 8 bites. Still kinda hungry afterwards. Grabbed a cookie on the way out – another $3 down the drain.
Drove home, pulled up a similar beef and rice bowl recipe online. Did some quick math on ingredients I already had. Beans, rice, beef? Cooked at home? Probably cost me under $6 for a bigger portion, honestly. And I made two servings easy.
The Final Verdict
Here’s the raw deal: Chowboys tastes fine, no argument. But the prices? Man, they sting. You’re easily looking at $12-$17 per person before you even add fries or a drink. Compared to making it at home? Yeah, it’s convenient. But worth it? Nah. Not unless you absolutely can’t cook or hate leftovers. Even their simple burgers feel overpriced. Felt like I paid mostly for the brand name and the overhead. Won’t be rushing back unless I’m feeling lazy and splurgy. My wallet needs a break after that experiment.
