Carrabba's Italian Grill vs Lou Malnati's: Menu Prices Compared (2026)
The short answer
Neither chain is clearly cheaper. Across the 4 comparable items, the two split the wins evenly, with an average gap of $2.13 per item — which one costs you less comes down to what you order.
Deals Worth Knowing at Both
Carrabba's Italian Grill
- Bread with herbed olive oil is free, so a soup or salad plus the bread makes a light meal for under $11.
- Spaghetti at about $14.99 and Fettuccine Alfredo at about $15.99 are the lowest-priced entrées; adding grilled chicken is what pushes a pasta past $19.
- Family bundles feed about four: the Spaghetti Bundle at about $49.99 comes to roughly $12.50 a person.
Lou Malnati's
- A medium deep dish feeds two to three people; at $24.49 for cheese, that is about $8–$12 a person — less than a pasta dinner.
- Large thin crust ($19.99 cheese) is the cheapest way to feed a group at Lou's.
- Lou's rewards program, through its app, earns points toward free food on every order.
Carrabba's Italian Grill vs Lou Malnati's — FAQ
Is Carrabba's Italian Grill cheaper than Lou Malnati's in 2026?
They are close. Across 4 matched items the two chains split the result evenly, with an average difference of only $2.13 per item.
What is the price difference between Carrabba's Italian Grill and Lou Malnati's?
On matched items the average difference is $2.13, or about 13% overall. Carrabba's Italian Grill averages $20.17 across 64 priced items; Lou Malnati's averages $23.24 across 42.
Which has the cheaper entry price, Carrabba's Italian Grill or Lou Malnati's?
Carrabba's Italian Grill starts at $3.99 (Soft Drink) and Lou Malnati's at $3.49 (Fountain Soda).
Are these prices the same at every location?
No. Both chains let franchise owners set prices, so figures move by a dollar or more between markets and run highest at airport, stadium and highway locations. Treat these as the typical U.S. price, not a quote.