Specialty Entrees at BJ’s Restaurant
When you search bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices, you are looking past the famous deep dish pizza to the heartier center of the menu. Specialty entrees are where BJ’s shows it can do classic American plates just as well as pizza: slow cooked baby back ribs, cedar grilled salmon, parmesan crusted chicken, and combo platters built for serious appetites. Most come with two sides, which makes them full dinners rather than snacks. Understanding bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices helps you pick the right plate for your hunger and your budget, from the chicken dishes at the lower end to the full rib racks at the top. This guide covers typical price ranges for every specialty entree, what affects the price, and how to get the most food for your money.
BJ’s Specialty Entrees: Typical Prices
The straightforward answer on bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices is that most plates typically run $17 to $28 in many markets. Chicken based entrees sit near the low end, salmon and tri tip land in the middle to upper middle, and full rib racks and large combo platters reach the high end. Because nearly every specialty entree includes two sides, you are getting a complete dinner for that price, which changes how you should read bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices. A $22 plate with two sides is a different value proposition than a $22 plate with nothing else.
Several factors move bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices within the range. Protein is the biggest driver. Chicken is the most affordable protein, pork ribs sit in the middle, and salmon and steak cuts price highest because the ingredients cost more. Portion size matters too. A half rack of ribs costs notably less than a full rack, and combo platters that pile two proteins together price above single protein plates. Location plays its usual role, with urban restaurants charging a dollar or two more than suburban ones. Preparation also factors in. Slow cooked ribs that spend hours in preparation carry a premium over quicker grilled chicken, and cedar plank salmon costs more than a standard grilled fillet because of the technique.
It helps to read bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices in three bands. The value band, typically $17 to $20, covers parmesan crusted chicken, grilled chicken plates, and smaller rib portions. The mid band, typically $20 to $24, covers cedar grilled salmon, tri tip, shrimp dishes, and half racks of ribs. The premium band, typically $24 to $28, covers full racks of ribs, large combo platters, and steak cuts. With two sides included at every level, even the premium band delivers a lot of food for the money.
Most Popular Specialty Entrees at BJ’s
The lineup is stable, and regulars have clear favorites. Here is what to order and where each plate sits within bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices.
Baby Back Ribs
Slow cooked until tender, finished with barbecue sauce. A half rack typically lands in the middle of bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices, while a full rack reaches the premium band. Rib lovers say the full rack is worth it for the sheer amount of meat, and with two sides it can easily stretch into leftovers.
Parmesan Crusted Chicken
A chicken breast with a crispy parmesan crust, one of the most praised dishes on the menu. It typically sits at the lower end of bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices, making it the value leader among the specialty plates. Big flavor, two sides, and the friendliest price in the category.
Cedar Grilled Salmon
Salmon grilled on a cedar plank for a subtle smoky flavor. It typically lands in the middle to upper middle of bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices. A favorite for diners who want something rich but not heavy, and the cedar preparation sets it apart from standard grilled fish.
Fire Roasted Tri Tip
Sliced tri tip with a smoky char, typically in the middle of bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices. Beef fans who find the steak cuts too pricey often land here. It eats like a steakhouse plate at a casual dining price.
Shrimp and Chicken Combo
Grilled shrimp paired with chicken, a surf and turf for the indecisive. It typically sits in the middle to upper part of bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices. You get two proteins and two sides, which makes it feel generous for the price.
Rib and Chicken Combo Platter
Ribs plus chicken on one plate, built for big appetites. This is one of the larger platters and it prices in the upper middle of bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices. If you cannot choose between ribs and chicken, this solves the problem.
Grilled Chicken with Artichokes
A lighter grilled chicken plate with artichoke and lemon flavors. It typically sits near the lower end of bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices. A good pick when you want the specialty entree experience without the heaviest price or the heaviest meal.
Fish and Chips Style Plate
When offered, a crispy fish plate with fries and slaw. It usually lands in the lower middle of bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices. Simple, satisfying, and priced fairly.
Steak Cuts
The USDA steak options are the premium end of bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices, typically $24 to $28. You are paying for the cut, and the preparation is straightforward steakhouse style. See the USDA steaks and ribs prices for the full steak lineup.
Enlightened Entree Options
Lighter preparations with fewer calories, typically at the lower to middle of bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices. These are the plates to order when you want the sit down experience without the indulgence. The enlightened entrees prices page has the full list.
Seasonal Specialty Plates
BJ’s rotates seasonal entrees a few times a year. These usually price in the middle to upper part of bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices, reflecting premium seasonal ingredients. Worth trying when they appear, since they leave the menu after a few months.
Pasta Topped Chicken
Chicken over pasta with rich sauces, bridging the entree and pasta menus. It typically sits in the lower middle of bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices. Comfort food fans should also check pasta favorites prices.
Shrimp Scampi Style Plate
Garlic shrimp over rice or pasta, typically in the middle of bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices. A solid seafood alternative to the salmon when you want shrimp specifically.
Best Value in BJ’s Specialty Entrees
The parmesan crusted chicken is the value champion. It sits at the bottom of bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices while delivering one of the most loved flavors on the menu, plus two sides. There is no value trap here: the cheapest plate is genuinely one of the best.
Combo platters are the next best value, but for a different reason. The rib and chicken combo and the shrimp and chicken combo price in the upper middle of bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices, yet they deliver two proteins and two sides. Measured by food per dollar, combos beat single protein plates. If you arrive hungry, the combo math works in your favor.
The half rack of ribs deserves a mention. It gives you the rib experience at a mid range price instead of the premium full rack price, and with two sides it is still a full dinner. Unless you are truly ravenous, the half rack satisfies most rib cravings for less.
Two Sides Included: Why It Matters
Every specialty entree comes with two sides, which is easy to overlook when comparing bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices to other restaurants. Mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, rice, and fries are all on the side list. Choosing filling sides like mashed potatoes and rice stretches the meal further, and the sides alone would cost several dollars as add ons elsewhere. Factor them in and bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices look even better.
How to Save on BJ’s Specialty Entrees
First, order chicken. The chicken based specialty entrees anchor the bottom of bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices, and the parmesan crusted chicken is a standout. You save several dollars versus salmon or ribs without sacrificing flavor.
Second, consider the half rack. Full racks are impressive but the half rack delivers the rib experience for meaningfully less. Unless you plan on leftovers, the half rack is the smarter order.
Third, check for promotions. BJ’s runs limited time offers and seasonal features that can discount specialty entrees or bundle them with appetizers. A promotional price can move a mid band plate down into the value band.
Fourth, join the rewards program. BJ’s loyalty program earns points on every visit, and specialty entrees are exactly the kind of purchase where points accumulate fast. Free rewards bring your effective bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices down over time.
Fifth, share a combo. The large combo platters with two proteins and two sides can feed two moderate appetites, especially with an appetizer to start. Splitting a $26 combo beats two $20 individual entrees.
FAQs About BJ’s Specialty Entrees Prices
How much are specialty entrees at BJ’s?
Most specialty entrees typically run $17 to $28 in many markets. Chicken plates sit near the low end, salmon and tri tip in the middle, and full rib racks and large combos at the high end. Two sides are included with most plates.
Do specialty entrees come with sides?
Yes, most include two sides from a list that covers mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, rice, and fries. The included sides are a big part of the value in bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices.
What is the best specialty entree at BJ’s?
Regulars praise the baby back ribs, the parmesan crusted chicken, and the cedar grilled salmon most. The parmesan chicken is also the best value, sitting at the bottom of bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices.
What is the cheapest specialty entree?
The parmesan crusted chicken and grilled chicken plates are usually the cheapest, near the bottom of bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices. Both include two sides.
Are the combo platters a good deal?
Yes. Combos deliver two proteins plus two sides for a price in the upper middle of bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices. By food per dollar, they beat single protein plates.
Do prices vary by location?
Yes. Urban locations typically charge a dollar or two more than suburban ones. The relative ranking holds everywhere: chicken cheapest, ribs and combos dearest.
Bjs Restaurant Specialty Entrees Prices Versus Other Menus
Specialty entrees occupy the upper middle of the BJ’s menu, so comparing bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices to neighboring categories helps you choose. Deep dish pizza, the signature, typically runs less than most specialty entrees. A large pizza feeds two or more, so per person the deep dish pizza often beats bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices for groups. But pizza is shared food; when everyone wants their own plate, specialty entrees are the move.
Against USDA steaks and ribs, specialty entrees are the cheaper path to a hearty dinner. The dedicated steak menu runs higher, while specialty entrees deliver ribs, salmon, and chicken at friendlier prices. If you want meat without the steakhouse bill, bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices are your zone.
Against pasta favorites, specialty entrees cost more but deliver more protein. Pasta is the budget comfort choice; specialty entrees are the protein forward choice. The enlightened entrees overlap in price with the lower end of specialty entrees while cutting calories, so health focused diners should compare both.
When to Choose Specialty Entrees Over Pizza
Choose the specialty entree when everyone wants their own plate, when you are craving ribs or salmon specifically, or when the table has mixed tastes that one pizza cannot satisfy. The two included sides make bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices competitive with a pizza plus add ons once you do the full math.
Feeding a Table on Specialty Entrees
A table of four ordering four specialty entrees spends roughly $80 to $100 before drinks. That is real money, but it is also four complete dinners with sides. Compare it to appetizers plus pizza: a starter to share plus two large pizzas often lands in the same range while feeding the same table. Both are valid; the specialty entree route just feels more like a traditional dinner out.
Getting the Most From Your Specialty Entree
A few strategies stretch bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices further without sacrificing the experience.
Pick Your Sides Strategically
The two included sides are free choice, so choose the most filling ones. Mashed potatoes and rice stretch further than a light vegetable. This is the easiest way to maximize what bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices buy you.
Plan for Leftovers
The rib plates and combos are generous enough that leftovers are common. Ordering with tomorrow’s lunch in mind effectively halves the per meal cost. A $24 combo that covers dinner and lunch is $12 per meal, which reframes bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices entirely.
Pair With Happy Hour
Arrive during happy hour for discounted drinks and appetizers, then order your specialty entree at menu price. The total evening cost drops even though the entree price stays the same.
Save Room for Pizookies
The famous pizookies are the signature dessert. If dessert is in the plan, consider the parmesan chicken rather than the full rib rack. You will stay at the bottom of bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices and still have room.
Ask About Preparation
Servers can tell you which entrees are the most popular and which run large. A quick question can steer you to the best value plate within bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices for your appetite.
More Specialty Entree Questions Answered
Which specialty entree is the most filling?
The full rack of ribs and the large combo platters. These are the biggest plates in bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices and they eat like two meals.
Are there lighter specialty entrees?
The grilled chicken plates and the cedar salmon are the lighter end. For the lightest options overall, see enlightened entrees.
Can I substitute the sides?
Yes, most locations allow side swaps within the included two. Premium sides may add a small charge on top of bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices.
Do specialty entrees work for takeout?
Yes, they travel well, especially the chicken and rib plates. Salmon is best eaten fresh, so dine in for that one if you can.
BJ’s Specialty Entrees for Groups and Celebrations
Specialty entrees scale well for groups. Here is how to think about bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices when you are feeding more than yourself.
Family Dinners
A family of four ordering four specialty entrees spends roughly $80 to $100. That is a real dinner out, but each person gets a complete meal with two sides. For families that dine out rarely, the specialty entree menu is the occasion menu. The parmesan chicken keeps the total at the lower end while still feeling like a proper dinner.
Birthday Dinners
The birthday guest often gets the premium plate: the full rack of ribs or the large combo. Everyone else orders across the range of specialty entree prices at BJ’s. Add a pizookie with a candle and the celebration is complete. The restaurant handles groups well, so call ahead for large parties.
Business Meals
The salmon and tri tip are the business appropriate orders: substantial, easy to eat while talking, and mid priced. They sit in the comfortable middle of bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices, which is exactly where you want to be when someone else might be paying.
Mixing With Pizza for Groups
Large groups often do both: a couple of deep dish pizzas for the table plus individual specialty entrees for the hearty appetites. This hybrid covers all preferences and the blended per person cost lands in the middle of bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices. It is the most flexible group strategy on the menu.
BJ’s Specialty Entrees: Quick Reference
The short version for planners. Chicken is cheapest, combos feed the hungriest, and the two included sides make every plate a full dinner.
Cheapest Plate
Parmesan crusted chicken, typically $17 to $20 with two sides. The value leader and a genuine crowd pleaser.
Most Food
The full rib rack or the large rib and chicken combo. These are the biggest plates and they generate leftovers.
Best for Health Conscious Diners
Cedar grilled salmon or the grilled chicken plates. Lighter without sacrificing the sit down experience.
Best for Groups
Mix specialty entrees with a deep dish pizza or two. The hybrid covers all appetites at a controlled per person cost.
Do Not Forget
The two sides are included and they are free choice. Pick filling sides to maximize the meal.
What BJ’s Regulars Wish Newcomers Knew
A few parting insights from people who order specialty entrees often. The parmesan chicken is the insider pick. The combos are the hunger pick. And the sides are not an afterthought: choose them like they matter, because they do.
How Portion Sizes Affect Specialty Entree Value
Portion size is the quiet factor behind bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices, because many of these plates arrive big enough to share or to save for a second meal. Slow roasted ribs, tri tip, and stuffed chicken dishes often land between $20 and $32, and the plates usually include sides that would cost extra at many other restaurants. When diners judge bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices against what actually reaches the table, the cost per meal often drops once tomorrow’s leftovers enter the picture.
There are practical ways to use that size to your advantage. Two guests can split one specialty entree and add a shared appetizer, keeping bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices working for the table instead of against it. Taking half the plate home turns a single order into lunch the next day, which stretches the same dollars further without another trip. Servers can also point you toward the heartiest plates on the current menu, since recipes and portions change over time. Keeping bjs restaurant specialty entrees prices tied to portion value, not just the printed number, leads to better orders. A family that shares one entree and orders a smaller plate for the youngest eater often leaves with the lowest bill of the night.
Keep Exploring BJ’s Prices
Specialty entrees are one part of a big menu. See the BJ’s menu prices overview, compare with deep dish pizza, USDA steaks and ribs, or enlightened entrees. Start lighter with appetizers and starters, and save room for famous pizookies. You can also visit the BJ’s hub, check happy hour, browse the secret menus collection, all menu prices, or head back to The Menu Vault homepage.