Are you ready for some football? OK, OK, maybe not until the Cubs officially blow their wild-card chances. But at least “Monday Night Football” fanatics can rest assured they’ll get a weekly dose of pigskin, along with an excellent selection of food and drink specials.
South Water Kitchen
Twenty bucks may seem a little steep for a pint of beer and a fancied-up TV dinner, but at least you can avoid the rowdy sports bar crowd here. Start out by noshing on complimentary popcorn and nachos, then dig into chef Ricky Moore’s upscale interpretation of a TV dinner, which comes with a hearty portion of meatloaf topped with tomato-red wine sauce, green beans and mashed potato sides, and a seasonal fruit crisp for dessert. Wash it down with a pint of Goose Island’s 312 Urban Wheat brew. Dig in and catch the game on the restaurant’s many flat-screen TVs. 225 N. Wabash Ave. 312-236-9300.
Mother Hubbard’s
This popular River North sports bar just screams “BIG!” with its titanic, 10-foot screens, enormous 11-ounce burgers and massive Monday night specials. Tackle a selection of half-priced, full-sized pizzas, which start around $6. If that’s not enough to curb your hunger, get a free order of wings with a pitcher of Moosehead ($14.50). 5 W. Hubbard St. 312-828-0007.
Schoolyard Tavern
John Madden isn’t the only old-school thing about “Monday Night Football.” This popular neighborhood hang rolls back prices with its $2.50 cheeseburgers and $2.50 Miller Lite bottles every week. Those looking for a slightly swankier beer can order Bell’s Oberon or Two Brothers French Country Ale drafts for only $3.50. 3258 N. Southport Ave. 773-528-8226.
Celtic Crown Public House
Folks in Ireland may not know a lot about American football, but they certainly have a healthy appreciation for big brawls and tasty brews, which is close enough for us. Stop in for $2 Miller Lite drafts and $3 Jack Daniels cocktails and catch the game on the main room’s many screens. 4301 N. Western Ave. 773-588-1110.
Avenue Tavern
You can’t get much for a quarter these days–heck, even a game of pinball costs a buck at most bars. Luckily, the folks at Avenue still appreciate a little silver with 25 cent wings during Monday night games. Bring a few more quarters and score a Bud Light draft for $2.50 or splurge on a $4 bloody mary. 2916 N. Broadway, 773-975-7000.
The Apartment/Lion Head Pub
Every Monday night, the football faithful can stop by this Lincoln Park double-decker bar to chomp down on a 10-ounce New York strip steak for a mere $5.99 and sip on dollar MGD and Miller Lite drafts. If you’re depressed after watching your team blow the spread (as well as your rent money), upgrade to $3 Jack Daniels cocktails. 2251 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-348-5100.
Park ‘n’ go
The “Saturday Night Live” Superfans finally may have something to cheer about since their Ditka glory days, thanks to Park Grill’s $25 indoor tailgate special. Starting at 9 a.m. before every Bears home game, Millennium Park’s gourmet restaurant hosts an all-you-can-eat buffet that features grilled brats, hoagies, cheeseburgers and traditional breakfast fare such as French toast. A free shuttle takes ticket-holders to and from Soldier Field. The next home game is Oct. 3 against the Eagles. 11 N. Michigan Ave. 312-521-7275.
