Dining Deals

A good deal is hard to pass up, especially when it’s a 12-ounce strip steak for less than $11. Yes, you read that correctly. Who says good food has to break the bank?

We’ve rounded up the best dining deals in Columbia — including bottles of Portuguese wine for under $10 and $5 brick-oven pizzas — so the next time you’re looking for something to munch on, you don’t have to spend big to eat fantastically. From Shakespeare’s to Sycamore, you’re sure to discover a new favorite deal right here in Columbia. Bon appétit!

Sizzling Steak Sandwich

Though Murry’s runs lunch and dinner deals daily, their steak sandwich special is always on the menu. The secret? This steak sandwich puts the emphasis on the steak: Two pieces of toasted sourdough bread support a 12-ounce strip steak cooked and seasoned to order. At under $11, this sandwich is a steal. For a few cents extra, top it with cheese; lettuce and onion garnish come on the side. The sandwich is a meal on its own, but you can get the full Murry’s experience with an order of Brock’s Green Pepper Rings — battered and fried green pepper slices topped with powdered sugar. Though you don’t have to wait for happy hour for this deal, you might have to wait for a table. Murry’s packs the house almost every night of the week for the dinner hour. Arrive early or be prepared to enjoy a drink from the bar and a little live jazz while you wait.

The Deal
$10.75 steak sandwich, 11 a.m. to midnight, Monday-Saturday

Where to Get It
Murry’s
3107 Green Meadows Way
murrysrestaurant.net

Winning Wine

Elevate your happy hour in Sycamore’s classy dining room. Drink specials include deals on beer, wine and a seasonal cocktail, but the offerings change regularly. Bottles of featured red and white wines are $9.75, or $2.75 a glass, during happy hour. The Terra de Touros Arinto, a light and crisp white wine from Tejo, Portugal, is a favorite that frequents the rotating menu due to its popularity. The happy hour food menu regularly features four choices that are half-price. Try the flatbread plate with house-made pita, hummus, za’atar spice, roasted garlic, pepperoncini and kalamata olives for only $4.

The Deal
Half-price food options and $9.75 bottles of select wines from 3-6 p.m., Monday-Saturday

Where to Get It
Sycamore
800 E. Broadway
sycamorerestaurant.com

Nacho Typical Happy Hour

Gathering a group of friends for late-night nachos at Addison’s is a Columbia tradition. A plate of Nachos Bianco begins with a bed of crispy Italian pasta chips. Doused with savory Asiago cheese sauce, the pile is topped with your choice of protein — chicken, chorizo sausage or black beans — along with tomatoes, banana peppers, scallions, kalamata olives and mozzarella cheese. During late-night happy hour, the less big, but still sizeable, plate of Nachos Bianco discounts from $9.99 to $6 and pairs perfectly with a $2.50 pint of Boulevard’s Tank 7, Logboat Snapper IPA or another of the draft beer options. Addison’s late-night happy hour specials are available at both the downtown and south locations.

The Deal
$6 less big Nachos Bianco, $2.50 draft beers and $4.50 glasses of wine from 9 p.m. to midnight, Sunday-Thursday; 10 p.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday

Where to Get It
Addison’s
709 Cherry St.; 4005 Frontgate Drive
addisonsgrill.com

Sliced to Entice

Walk within a block of Ninth and Elm around lunchtime on any given weekday to catch a whiff of this deal. Step into Shakespeare’s Pizza for the full effect and to take advantage of its lunchtime special. Grab two slices of pepperoni, cheese, sausage, vegetarian or Hawaiian pizza, and a drink for under $9. It’s the perfect midday pick-me-up and is available at any of the three Shakespeare’s locations.

The Deal
Two pizza slices and a drink for $8.14, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday-Friday

Where to Get It
Shakespeare’s Pizza
225 S. Ninth St.; 3304 W. Broadway; 3911 Peachtree Drive;
shakespeares.com

Sushi Savings

Tucked just off of Tenth and Broadway, Sake is hidden in plain sight — as is its Monday special. A Big O roll wraps crab, avocado and cream cheese into a sushi roll. Then it’s tempura deep-fried and topped with sesame seeds and ugai sauce, a soy-based sweet sauce. With an expansive menu of Japanese fare, it isn’t hard to find a dish to pair with the Big O to get half-off the roll. Try the artfully plated caterpillar roll, with cucumber and grilled unagi, or show your Tiger pride with the Mizzou roll — spicy tuna, avocado and cucumber topped with tuna sashimi, sesame seeds and chili oil and doused in ugai sauce.

The Deal
Half-price Big O rolls with any purchase, all day on Mondays

Where to Get It
Sake Japanese Bistro and Bar
16 S. Tenth St.
sakejapanesebistro.com

Pizza and a Pint

Whether it’s grabbing an early dinner or prepping for a night out, Tellers’ pizza and pint special can’t be missed. Pair an entire pie and a pint of any beer for $8. Try the chicken pesto pizza, topped with black olives, garlic and mushrooms, or andouille sausage and mushroom, with banana peppers and homemade sauce.

The Deal
$8 pizza and a pint, 4-5 p.m. daily

Where to Get It
Tellers Gallery and Bar
820 E. Broadway
restaurantwebexpert.com/Tellers/

Don’t Worry, Be Appy!

At The Heidelberg, happy hour means appetizers are buy one, get one free — otherwise known as half-priced apps to regulars. The best way to experience this deal is to make it into a meal with a group of friends. Order several apps and share them with the table, tapas-style. The Heidelberg’s appetizer offerings draw on classic pub fare and include some can’t-miss options. Try the bacon and Cheddar skins — potato boats topped with a hearty helping of Cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon — and the spinach and artichoke dip, served warm alongside vegetables and wonton chips for dipping. Happy hour at The Heidelberg is so nice that it happens twice daily: once over the dinner hour and again after dark. Gather earlier and experience The Heidelberg’s patio overlooking the MU campus, or visit late and get cozy in one of the pub’s many booths.

The Deal
Buy one appetizer, get one of lesser or equal value free, 3:30-7 p.m. and 9:30-11 p.m. Monday-Friday; 8-10 p.m. Sunday; no happy hour Fridays before home MU games

Where to Get It
The Heidelberg
410 S Ninth St.
theheidelberg.com

$5 ’Zas

On the west side of downtown, Flat Branch offers a late-night happy hour that is too tempting not to try. When the clock strikes 10, full-sized pies discount to $5 a pop. Each pizza starts with a hand-tossed sourdough crust. For the toppings, choose from one of the creatively curated combinations, such as the Missouri BBQ chicken with BBQ sauce, grilled chicken, cilantro, red onions, and cheddar and jack cheese, or keep it simple with thick-cut pepperoni or the garlic five cheese, a crust coated with olive oil, loaded with garlic and topped with Asiago, Parmesan, mozzarella, Cheddar and jack cheese. If the weather’s right, enjoy your slices on Flat Branch’s spacious patio or sit inside at the sweeping, circular bar.

The Deal
$5 pizzas and 25 percent off appetizers, 10 p.m. to close, Sunday-Thursday

Where to Get It
Flat Branch Pub and Brewing
115 S. Fifth St.
flatbranch.com

Sharing is Caring

Room 38 offers happy hour, family-style. The sharing plate offerings on the regular food menu discount to $5 a plate during its extended happy hour from 2-6 p.m. Favorite options include a warm bowl of spicy chicken queso served with chips and vegetables for dipping, tasty house-made pretzel bites or house chicken wings. This deal pairs best with Room 38’s happy hour drink specials — $3 call cocktails, craft and import beers and $4 glasses of wine and draft beers. Chill out in Room 38’s chic interior or take the party to the streets on the bar’s secluded sidewalk patio.

The Deal
$5 sharing plates, 2-6 p.m. Monday-Friday

Where to Get It
Room 38
38 N. Eighth St.
room-38.com

Margarita Mania

If you’re looking to get out of downtown for a great drink deal, El Maguey has you covered three days a week. Made with Juarez Gold Tequila and Triple Sec, their 12-ounce lime margaritas can be prepared on the rocks or frozen. Pair it with chips and guacamole, or make it a meal by ordering one of El Maguey’s signature dishes, including mixed fajitas with shrimp, steak, chicken, onions and peppers, served with rice, beans and warm tortillas.

The Deal
$1.75 12-ounce lime margaritas, all day on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday

Where to Get It
El Maguey
901 E Nifong Blvd.

BONUS: Burgs & Fries

Students — and parents of students — this one goes out to you: Make Sunday a fun day with this deal at Campus Bar and Grill. Convince your student to put down the books and beat the Sunday blues with a quarter-pound burger and a basket of fries, either waffle or beer-battered, for $1.50 a piece. Enjoy the downtown sights on the restaurant’s rooftop patio or, if you’re a sports fan, catch the game on one of the many TVs inside.

The Deal
$1.50 burgers, $1.50 fries, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday

Where to Get It
Campus Bar and Grill
304 S. Ninth St.
campusbarandgrill.com/

Kids Eat Free