Chicago’s restaurants would like to say something to you, the dining public:
Let’s make a deal!
Faced with brutal weather, in a depressed market, in a season when restaurant revenues slump even in the best of times, Chicago’s restaurants are fighting back, launching an unprecedented slew of discounts, two-for-one deals and other specials, to lure budget-conscious patrons back into their dining rooms.
But it’s not all about discount dining. Spas are dealing. And retail sales–everybody’s offering incentives.
With a little digging, we were able to uncover dozens of deals, which you’ll find here and on the pages inside. We skipped some of the obvious ones– the irresistible, discounted happy-hour burgers at Viand, the terrific bar menus at 437 Rush, Morton’s and McCormick & Schmick’s, and other deals that have been around a while. We wanted new deals– the more recent, the better. And still we found enough to cover every day of the week.
While we are on the subject of deals, the Chicago Originals, a group of independent city and suburban restaurants, is in the midst of its second-annual Restaurant Week (chicagooriginals.com). Restaurants, such as Cafe Bernard and Hemmingway’s Bistro, are offering three-course lunches ($24.09) and dinners ($29.09) Thursday and Friday, and again Feb. 1-6. Deals are everywhere, if you know where to look.
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Bin Wine Cafe (1559 N. Milwaukee Ave.; 773-486-2233). Half-pound burgers, $5 (toppings $1.50 extra); Tuesdays.
Custom House (500 S. Dearborn St.; 312- 523-0200). Half-pound burgers, $5; Mondays-Fridays until 2 p.m.
One sixtyblue (1400 W. Randolph St.; 312-850-0303). “Burgers, Beers & Beats” in the Blue Bar features $4 signature burgers, $4 craft beers and DJ music on Thursdays.
Poag Mahone’s (333 S. Wells St.; 312-566- 9100). Beginning 3 p.m. Mondays, 9- ounce burgers are $2.50. Dine-in orders only; must buy $2 of other items (drinks, sides) to qualify.
Smoke Daddy (1804 W. Division St.; 773-772-6656). Burgers half-price ($4.25); Thursdays.
For Phil Vettel’s other dining deals, see page 3
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AND MORE …
DOUBLE DEALS: Get a movie or a class with dinner. PAGE 5
GAME ON: Cheap options for video gamers. PAGE 7
SAVVY SHOPPERS: Ellen Warren quizzes local shoppers on their best bargains. PAGE 6
PAMPERING, PLUS: Spas roll out the specials. Now that’s beautiful. PAGE 5
