Beyond “Cheap Eats”: Why Value & Tradition Always Win at Players Retreat
First of all, we want to give a big THANK YOU to all of our incredible patrons, regulars, and INDY Week readers who voted Players Retreat as Raleigh’s Best Cheap Eats for 2026!
We’ll be honest—”cheap” isn’t usually the word we use around here. We grind our Certified Choice Beef in-house daily, serve up hand-cut steaks, curate one of the premier single-malt Scotch collections in the country, and craft Chef-driven weekend specials. But in a year where affordability is top-of-mind for everyone, we wear the “Best Value” crown with immense pride.
To us, great value doesn’t mean cutting corners; it means delivering exceptional food, cold drinks, and warm hospitality at prices that let you pop in whenever you want. You don’t need a special occasion to pull up a stool at Players Retreat.
Whether you’re looking for an everyday staple or a weeknight deal, here are a few of our favorite “Steady Eddies” from the menu, perfectly paired with our daily drink features.
1. The Midweek Comfort Pair
- The Steady Eddie: The Gabby Burger or The PR Sub: Our 4oz Certified Choice Beef burger (ground fresh in-house) served on a local Union Special bun with all your favorite toppings, paired with our house-made chips. Or go for the classic PR Sub loaded with provolone, salami, ham, and our signature PR spices.
- The Drink Pairing:
- Tuesday: Pair your burger with a $3 Miller Lite or High Life.
- Wednesday: Pair your sub with a $2.50 Rolling Rock or a $4 R&D Storm Brew 16oz can.
- The Damage: A complete meal and cold beer for right around $12–$15.
2. The High-Low Friday Night Out
- The Steady Eddie: Chicken Retreats or All-Beef Chili Dog: Who says a Friday night out in Raleigh has to break the bank? Grab our crispy breaded Chicken Retreats with your favorite dipping sauce, or a classic hot dog piled high with chili, onions, and slaw.
- The Drink Pairing: $8 House Martinis & Cosmos or $6.50 Moscow Mules
- The Damage: Enjoy a classic cocktail and dinner on the patio for under $20.
3. The Sunday Family Tradition
- The Steady Eddie: Kids Eat FREE Every Sunday: Sundays are built for families at Players Retreat. Bring the kids after park visits or weekend games—for every full-priced adult meal (like our iconic Reuben or NC Pit Cooked BBQ Sandwich), you get one free Kid’s Meal!
- The Drink Pairing: 30% off all Pitchers, $5 Mimosas & Bloody Marys, or $3.25 Tecate Cans.
- The Damage: Dinner for the whole family without the financial hit.
Daily Specials Recap
MONDAY
Prime Rib with chips or pasta salad & Garden Salad or Sub Small Chopped Salad or Caesar Salad Add $2.50 | $45.95 (Available after 5 p.m.)
Forest Park & University Park Residents 15% off (excludes specials & alcohol)
Dale’s Pale Ale Pints | $4
Stella Artois Bottles | $3.75
TUESDAY
French Dip Sandwich with chips or pasta salad $17.95 (Available all day)
Guinness Draft | $7
High Life & Miller Lite | $3
Salmon Creek Chard & Pinot Grigio | $5.50
WEDNESDAY
20% off all bottles of wine
Rolling Rock | $2.50
Red Oak bottles | $4
R&D Storm Brew (16oz can) | $4
THURSDAY
Martinis & Cosmos with house | $8; with Ketel One/Tanqueray | $10
Luzón Blanco & Luzón Red | $5.50
FRIDAY
Martinis & Cosmos with house | $8; with Ketel One/Tanqueray | $10
Moscow Mule | $6.50
Luzón Blanco & Luzón Red | $5.50
Stella Artois Bottles | $3.75
SATURDAY
Bud/Bud Light Bottles | $3.25
Goldschlager, Rumple Minze, Jagermeister, Fireball shots | $5
SUNDAY
KIDS EAT IN FREE EVERY SUNDAY**
Brunch service from 11-2
All pitchers 30% off
Mimosas, Bloody Marys, & Screwdrivers | $5
Tecate Cans | $3.25
**One Free Kid’s Meal from the Kid’s Menu on Sundays for every FULL-PRICED Adult Meal. Eat In Only. Add-ons and substitutions ARE NOT FREE. A 20% Gratuity based on the full price of all items will be added to any check, including a Free Kid’s Meal.
A Heartfelt Thanks to the Players Retreat Family
Whether you’ve been stopping by since 1951 or just discovered us this year, thank you for continuing to nominate and vote for Players Retreat. We promise to keep serving up the best burgers, cold drinks, and unmatched neighborhood vibes—at prices that respect your wallet.
Come see us this week and raise a glass to Raleigh’s best value!