We dread the thought of going on a diet with the start of a new year. As lovers of all things food and drink, it’s just too depressing a thought to have to restrain ourselves during a cold, blustery month like this one, the best time of year for filling up on seasonal comforts like pot roast, rich red wines and winter brews. Rather, we’ve got tightening the belt on our minds. After all of that holiday splurging on gifts, meals out and in-home feasts of beef tenderloin or leg of lamb, we’re ready to pinch a penny or two. With that, we’ve managed to round up some of the best restaurant deals in the area, and believe it or not, the options go way beyond quick meals and fast food fare—we’ve even included a couple of upscale bargains.
$10 Lunch Special: Two Tacos with a Side of Guacamole
Don’t think of Cocina del Barrio just for the top-shelf margaritas and hearty, Latin-inspired dinners. The $10 lunch special is a draw to shoppers and business people meeting up for lunch in the 50th and France area, and includes two specialty tacos, two signature salsas, fresh guacamole and chips. The plate is just about perfect for lunch—not only is the price reasonable, but so is the portion size, and you’ll feel satisfied, not sluggish, for the rest of the afternoon. The taco fillings change weekly, but have recently included Tecate-battered shrimp with watercress, green radishes, cucumber pico de gallo and chipotle aioli, served in two fresh corn tortillas. Salsas might include salsa verde or ancho tomatillo. The offer is on Monday through Friday, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
5036 France Ave. S.; 952.920.1860
Hours: 11 a.m.–1 a.m. Mon.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–2 a.m. Fri.–Sat., 11 p.m.–1 a.m. Sun.
$2 Cup of Cookies
Maybe you’re just never going to be one of those moms that set out a tray of freshly baked cookies in the minutes before the children arrive home from school. With the after-school happy hour at Franklin Street Bakery, you don’t have to be. From 3–5 p.m., Monday through Friday, two dolars will get you a cup of six three-inch chocolate chunk cookies. The bakery keeps putting new batches of cookies in the oven right around that time so you can be sure that they are warm and fresh, not to mention, the place smells like heaven. With tables to eat in, the grown-ups can sip on espresso drinks while kids wash down the cookies with plain or chocolate milk. Manager Tacy Lancrete also let us in on a couple of lunch deals to ponder. Bring in the kids for a midday sandwich, when a children’s sandwich comes free with the purchase of any adult sandwich (child must be present), or consider the box lunch deal for your next working lunch—a big sandwich, kettle chips, large cookie and soda or water is just $9.50, with free neighborhood delivery on orders of $50 or more.
3904 Sunnyside Rd.; 952.929.2253
Hours: 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Sun.
Bottomless Glass of House Wine
When you need to grab lunch on the go or even Saturday night takeout, you’ll be more than happy with an order of spaghetti napolitana, chicken gorgonzola pasta salad or a woodfired pizza from D’Amico & Sons. When you’ve got time to dine in, it gets even better, as the quick-service Italian restaurant has become famous for its bottomless glass of house wine. For just $6.89, choose from the house chianti or pinot grigio and staff will keep it generously filled throughout your meal. Other deals include “kids eat free Sundays” (with an adult purchase) and the Amici Club, which gets you the inside scoop via email updates on upcoming events and special offers, including a free entrée when you first sign up.
3948 W. 50th St.; 952.926.1187
Hours: 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Sun.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Sun.
$2.95 Half-pound Cheeseburger
The happy hour steals are many at McCormick & Schmick’s, but the $2.95 half-pound cheeseburger with fries (regularly $9.95) outsells them all by a mile, says general manager Mike Herstine. Many customers come in and make an early dinner of it, from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday (and also from 9:30 p.m. to midnight). Among the 13 special $1.95–$4.95 happy hour items, you’ll find sliders with pulled pork, pot roast nachos with chipotle sour cream, cheddar cheese and roasted corn salsa, and cheese curds. Vegetarians won’t feel snubbed, either, with the bruschetta ($1.95), topped with fresh mozzarella, garlic, tomatoes, olive oil and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Some happy hour items change seasonally and sometimes weekly. The happy hour menu is available in the bar only, but you can also order from the full dinner menu in the bar. Anchored in the Westin Edina Galleria, the restaurant is open all 365 days of the year, and sees a good mix of Galleria shoppers, hotel guests and locals.
Galleria, 3203 Galleria.; 952.920.1142
Hours: 6 a.m.–11 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 6 a.m.–12 a.m. Sat., 6 a.m.–10 p.m. Sun.
$10 Two-course Lunch
Savvy diners know that the best time to hit up their favorite upscale haunts is during lunch, when the menu prices are always cheaper. At Parma 8200, the two-course lunch menu for $10 is a sound choice for your midday meal, offering the opportunity to try out one of D’Amico’s flagship restaurants while lessening the dent on the pocketbook. Choose from three starters (including a gorgonzola caesar salad, the Parma house salad or minestrone) and from up to eight main courses, like a steak sandwich with horseradish mayonnaise or penne in a tomato vodka cream sauce. The menu is available for dine-in or takeout. The restaurant also offers an express takeout menu of handcrafted sandwiches and salads at $9, with sweets like panna cotta, cannoli or tiramisu. The $3 happy hour (weekdays 3–6 p.m.) includes small bites like calamari or meatball sliders, along with rail drinks, house wines, tap beers and tiny tinis.
5600 W. 83rd St.; 952.896.8888
Hours: 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m., 5 p.m.–10:00 p.m. Mon.–Thurs.; 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m., 5 p.m.–11 p.m. Fri.; 5 p.m.–11 p.m. Sat.; 5 p.m.–10 p.m. Sun.
“Just Right for You” Three Courses for $9.95
Keep your eyes peeled for the “Just Right for You” section on Good Earth’s monthly menu. The options change each month, but always include a first course of soup or small field green salad, chicken or fish entrée, and fresh fruit or a dessert bar. Your $9.95 couldn’t be spent in a healthier way. The eatery also offers ten wines for $10 per bottle on Mondays (regularly priced at $20–$30).
Galleria, 3460 Galleria; 952.925.1001
Hours: 7 a.m.–10 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 7 a.m.–9 p.m. Sun.
99¢ Kids’ Meal
All kids will find something to love at the buffet-style Q Cumbers, from macaroni and cheese to spaghetti with meatballs to tacos. On Mondays, when children 12 and younger eat for 99¢ cents and adults pay $11.50, a family of four can get a balanced meal for right around $25, including a hot entrée bar, soup and bakery, salad bar, fruit and dessert, and beverages.
7465 France Ave. S.; 952.831.0235
Hours: 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–8:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Sun.
