As you may have noticed from just about every single post on this blog for the last few weeks, 318 Restaurant Week 2019 is all set for March 18-23. While I’m a big fan of the one-night-only dining experiences (this year’s list can be seen here, and includes some of my favorite 318 Restaurant Week events to date), the $10 lunch and $20 dinner specials can really offer up some great deals. This year, as always, there are a few deals that basically amount to a free beverage or bag of chips. But there are also some great offers. Here are a few of my favorites.
1. Gibbons Fine Grill
$20 20-ounce ribeye with whipped potatoes and green beans (dinner only)
See offer here
I haven’t visited Gibbons Fine Grill yet, but I’ll definitely be visiting during 318 Restaurant Week, thanks to this whopper of an affordable steak deal. Even at most chain steakhouses, a 20-ounce ribeye would likely cost $30; at several local places that I love, this steak would range from $48 to $60. Do I think a 20-ounce ribeye in a restaurant should be this cheap? No. Do I mind the opportunity to enjoy one, just this once, at this price? Also no.
2. Frank’s Louisiana Kitchen
$10 for half of any menu po’ boy and a cup of duck and tasso gumbo (lunch only)
See offer here
Update: This special was initially reported as “half off any po’ boy,” but that was the result of a typo. The special should have read “half of any po’ boy,” which is a different matter entirely! The lunch special from Frank’s Louisiana Kitchen is actually half of a po’ boy and a cup of gumbo for $10.
3. Whisk Dessert Bar
Sampler of four desserts for $10
See offer here
If this offer seems familiar, that’s because it was arguably the most popular offer during 318 Restaurant Week 2018, when Whisk Dessert Bar owner Blake Jackson sold hundreds of these tasting samplers to help locals get acquainted with the idea of a chef-driven dessert bar. I blogged about this colorful, Instagram-friendly special here last year. It’s still that good. This year, my goal is to enjoy this special on multiple visits.
4. Abby Singer’s Bistro
Mahaffey Farms pork shoulder special for $20
See offer here
It’s not that this is a bargain, exactly, but holy smokes, it sounds delicious. The description of this dish provided by the restaurant is: “braised Mahaffey Farms pork shoulder, spaetzle, preserved chanterelle mushrooms, and house-cured bacon served with greens and chamomile jus.” I’m sorry, but did you say chamomile jus?
5. Tejas Kitchen
50% off chicken fried steaks and other cool specials
See offer here
I don’t get over to Chef Weston McElwee’s Tejas Kitchen as often as I’d like to, but I’ll definitely be stopping by during 318 Restaurant Week. Not only do they have their really good chicken fried steaks at 50% off all week long, they’ve also created a couple of great-sounding dishes that’ll be served exclusively during 318 Restaurant Week. The $20 dinner special reads as follows: “bone-in 14-oz. pork chop, sweet potato and black bean hash, grilled avocado guacamole salad and chimichurri.”
If you’re out and about during 318 Restaurant Week, please consider sharing your dining experiences using the hashtag #Eat318. Also, if you’re feeling lucky, enter to win $105 in gift cards from 318 Restaurant Week participating eateries.