Never Pay Full Price to Dine in Chicago
Dinner & Drink Deals for Every Night of the Week in the Windy City
Feb 11, 2009
Chicago is a city full of foodies. From sophisticated pub fare to four star dining experiences, every night of the week offers limitless opportunities at prices well within even the most frugal budgets.
Mondays: Burgers, Afternoon Tea, and Shaken, Not Stirred
For a casual Monday night dinner, Northsiders in the know head to Bar Celona (3474 N Clark St.) in the heart of Wrigleyville for $2 burgers, $2 domestic beers, and $3 imports. During baseball season, Bar Celona, which is just around the corner from Wrigley Field, is a prime place to celebrate a Cubs victory.
For a refined Monday dining experience and breathtaking views of the city, afternoon tea at the Ritz Carlton hotel (160 E Pearson St.), just off the Magnificent Mile, is not to be missed. High Tea can be enjoyed for $27 a person and Royal Tea (which includes a glass of champagne) is $37 per person. Tea is served between 2:30 P.M. and 4:30 P.M. daily; reservations are recommended (call 312-266-1000).
Chicago's famed Taylor Street is home to Beviamo Wine Bar (1358 W. Taylor St.), where on Monday nights, $5 martinis are shaken and served alongside delicate plates of cheese and desserts (a great option for a lighter fare evening).
Tuesdays: Wine Down, Mexican & Margaritas, and Back to School
Phil Stefani is one of the premier names in the Chicago restaurant business, and his 437 Rush (437 N. Rush St.) features a Tuesday night "Wine Down" special: $4 a glass on select wines. Paired with surprisingly affordable items from his "Bar Bites" menu, such as the Salmon Sandwicini ($6 ) and Toast al Prosciutto ($7), guests can satisfy their hunger for under $15 a person.
For those who wish to add some Latin flavor to their Tuesday evenings, La Taberna Tapatia (3358 N. Ashland Ave.) and Cafe El Tapatio (its sister restaurant across the street at 3400 N. Ashland Ave.) offer delicious Mexican food and drink for incredibly reasonable prices. On Tuesdays, the Taberna features $3 gringas (a variation on quesadillas) and $4 margaritas. The Cafe offers delectable and sumptuous enchilada platters for only $8.50 a piece every night.
Who says pub food and grease have to go hand in hand? With $5 chopped salads every Tuesday, the Schoolyard Tavern & Grill (3258 N. Southport Ave.) is the exception. Additional Tuesday night deals include $4.50 pints of Guiness, Harp, and Smithwick's, and trivia games beginning at 8:00 P.M.
Wednesdays: Prix Fixe, Luck o' the Irish, and Free Wing Buffet!
Three paired dinner courses at a wine bar may sound pricy, but at In Fine Spirits (5420 N. Clark), it's just $40 per person on Wednesdays. With delicious menu items like Pulled Pork Flatbread and Chocolate Chunk Bread Pudding alongside expertly selected wines, this tasting menu offers the most bang for any diner's buck.
The Galway Arms (2442 N. Clark St.) prides itself on having the "soul of Ireland, heart of Chicago," and on Wednesday nights, the purchase of any entree on the menu comes with a half-priced bottle of wine. Entrees from their self-described "Celtic Fusion" menu include Sweet Potato-Encrusted Salmon ($17.95) and Traditional Shepherd's Pie ($10.95).
Sports fans looking for somewhere to take in a Wednesday night game would do will to visit another popular Irish spot: Lion Head Pub (2251 N. Lincoln Ave.). Wednesday nights, Lion Head, which proclaims itself "King of All Pubs," offers a free wing buffet from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. with the purchase of any beverage.
Thursdays: Thank Guiness, Soccer & Meatloaf, and NY Strip for Under $10
An upscale alternative to its sporty sister establishment the Cubby Bear, Vines on Clark (3554 N. Clark) hosts "Thank Guiness its Thursday," offering $3 pints of Guiness and Harp and half-priced Angus cheeseburgers and fries ($4 after discount).
In 2007 and 2008, soccer fans around the world voted The Globe Pub (1934 W. Irving Park Rd.) the "Best Soccer Bar in the U.S." Soccer fans drink $4 Belhaven Scottish Ale while feasting on a the Thursday night special: a hearty dinner of Meatloaf with potatoes and gravy for only $7.
A New York Strip Steak dinner downtown may cost restaurant-goers a pretty penny; but at Big City Tap (1010 W. Belmont Ave.), it is only $7 on Thursday nights. To wash it down, diners can enjoy the beer of the day for only a buck.
Friday: Swim with the Fish-T's and Happy Hour Buffet
For the diner who's ever wondered just how many platters of fish & chips they can finish, T's Bar & Restaurant (5025 N. Clark St.) offers all-you-can-eat Smithwick's-battered Fish & Chips for just $14 on Friday nights. Topped off with $7 double pints of anything on tap, dinner and drinks should cost under $25 per person.
Kincade's (950 W. Armitage) offers a free Happy Hour Buffet from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., featuring most of their popular appetizers, such as Jumbo Chicken Wings and Chicken Fingers. Drink specials include $5 Jim Beam cocktails.
