In our February issue, we addressed the topic of Cheap Eats, which is a more complicated matter than one might initially assume, and which requires the sort of serious consideration that can only come after you have read our February issue hundreds, if not thousands, of times.  

You can get started with our digital edition here.  

But one aspect of the multifaceted Cheap Eats concept that we failed to address is daily specials.   Daily specials exist for various reasons. Sometimes, a chef wants to audition a dish for possible inclusion in the permanent menu. Sometimes, an ingredient just needs to get used up. Sometimes, a seasonal item needs a showcase. Sometimes, a special perks up a day when business is usually slow.  

Daily specials can both lure in new customers and reward regulars.  

As I mentioned in the main article, I asked members of the many food-oriented social media groups in which I participate for recommendations and they had a lot to say about daily specials.  

A fellow named Nor was very enthusiastic about the sushi boat combos at Miyabi Sushi & Asian Cuisine. They are available on Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and they involve a lot of the eatery’s excellent sushi for a low cost. There are three price tiers.  

Ashlynn Armstrong, the catering and events coordinator at Salsa Grille, told me about a Monday special that is available at all the area chain’s locations except for the taqueria on Broadway.  

“It is a choice of a bowl or burrito for $7.99 and it includes the entree, chips, salsa and a fountain Specials give the chef an outlet for creativity, a chance to try out new ideas before putting them on the menu, and to keep things interesting for regular …drink,” she said.   Someone with whom I exchanged emails from Ziffle’s Rib Bar informed me of the following specials: A large, one-topping pizza on Mondays for $10 and a rib tip basket on Tuesdays for $10.  

“$1 draft beers offered every day!” this person enthused.  

My friend Alyssa told me about a couple of day-dependent deals that she fancies at Three Fires Pizza.  

“We recently re-discovered Three Fires Pizza on Illinois Road,” she wrote. “Everything is delicious and fairly affordable. They have special nights that make it even more so. On Tuesday nights, kids eat free and on Wednesdays they have a $25 deal for two: A pizza, a salad and dessert all included.”  

Wayne in one of the previously described social media groups touted the 30-cent wing special at Carl’s Tavern in New Haven (several people mentioned the wings at Carl’s).  

A woman named Heather said Taqueria Rancho Alegre has $1.50 tacos on Tuesdays. “You can also get five tacos and rice and beans for $10,” she said.  

My friend Julie Morrison informed me of a special at Combat Ops Arena on Thursday afternoons and evenings: 30 minutes of laser tag, nerf or axe-throwing plus a pizza and four sodas for $55.  

And a woman named Olive, who may or may not like olives on her pizza, told me about a BOGO pizza deal on Sunday afternoons at Charlie’s Place.  

A burger featuring a single premium patty or veggie burger, a side of fries and a fountain drink is $10 every Tuesday at Bravas, according to my friend Bambi Guthrie. Sometimes Bravas even makes one or two of their specialty burgers part of their Tuesday $10 deal.  

Over at Chance Bar, they have a Thursday cheeseburger special: Their celebrated gourmet double bacon cheeseburger with fried potatoes and a cold 16 oz can of Miller Lite for $18.  

On Tuesdays, Chance offers what is known as a prix fixe menu.  

Prix fixe is a French term meaning fixed price.  

The concept of the prix fixe menu was devised, according to the Daily Meal website, in the late 19th century by a French chef named Auguste Escoffier.  

“During this time, Escoffier made many contributions to gastronomy that are still felt today,” the Daily Meal averred.   I hope that isn’t a comment on the digestibility of his cooking.  

Escoffier came up with the prix fixe menu, a series of predetermined appetizers, entrees and desserts for a fixed price, because it helped people who were new to French haute cuisine understand the cooking style.  

Today, prix fixe menus help people save money.  

Chance Bar’s Tuesday night prix fixe option consists of dinner for two (four courses) for $60.  

And I would be seriously remiss if I closed this section without mentioning Eddie Merlot’s Gourmet Trio promotion.  

At $199, it is at the upper end of what was considered a deal in the February issue.  

But it consists of a 32-ounce porterhouse steak, two North Atlantic cold-water lobster tails and a bottle of Daou Cabernet Sauvignon.  

Given the quality of the fare, that is not a bad price for two people who want to dine at that level, but at a discount.    

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