The following is a guest post by Daniel Talamantes, a writer living in Santa Cruz. You can read his blog at The Porchlight Dan.
We’ve all been there.
Sometimes after a hard day’s work or a lazy afternoon on the beach, you can’t gather the energy or spirit to prepare a meal.
If it’s a weekday and you’re looking for good food at a great price, then you’re in luck.
Santa Cruz delivers unique and inexpensive eating experiences that not only satisfy your hunger needs, but also tap into the local scene. Below is a list of a few of the best local meal deals you can gobble up throughout the week:
Monday
Meatless Mondays at Burger: Burger is a local favorite restaurant known for its pop culture identity and intriguing, unique burger styles. Active with young adults, families, and students, Burger is a happening spot. With a wide spectrum of options, Burger takes pride in their extensive beer and cuisine menu. Now every monday you can substitute a vegetable patty for any burger offered and shave down the general price to $5.50.
Location: 1520 Mission Street
See this and other weekly deals from Burger here.
Monday Madness at 99 Bottles: Located in Downtown Santa Cruz, 99 Bottles boasts a pub atmosphere for older and younger professionals. Along with a selection of 99 beers they offer traditional American cuisine. On all food is 15% off on Mondays.
Location: 110 Walnut Street
Click here for this and other deals at 99 Bottles.
Tuesday
Taco Tuesday at Surf Bistro and Bakery: Known for its delicious pastries and breakfast style foods, Surf Bistro and Bakery now hosts a Taco Tuesday. Along with their celebrated tacos, a local honky-tonk three-piece plays throughout the night. Recently it has accrued more and more of a following. From stetson hats to sandals this is a great, diverse scene. They have $2 tacos and beer.
Location: 415 Seabright Ave.
Here’s what people are saying about Surf Bistro.
Tuesday Burger Deal! at Center Street Grill: Tucked away in the corner of downtown Santa Cruz is a top dining experience that lends its high quality hand to serve a low expense burger every Tuesday. For only $6 you get a 1/3 lb. angus burger and a brew.
Location: 1001 Center Street
Get more info here.
Wednesday
Fish Tacos at Seabright Brewery: With an expansive outdoor patio, its close proximity to the beach, and their own brew, Seabright Brewery has been a local favorite and an attractive setting for Santa Cruz tourists for many years. On Wednesdays you can get taco’s for $2.95 and a mosaic of Santa Cruz lifestyle.
Location: 519 Seabright ave.
Get more info here.
Kid’s Eat Free at Kianti’s: In the thick of downtown Santa Cruz, Kianti’s is the liveliest of Italian (Pizza and Pasta) style restaurants. With an enthusiastic staff, fun pizzeria menu, and radiant atmosphere, Kianti’s is always a good option for the visiting family, weekend lunch, or light celebration. And to add more that excitement, the kid’s eat free on Wednesdays!
Location: 1100 Pacific Ave.
Find out more about Kianti’s here.
Thursday
Pizza and Pasta at Seabright Brewery: $9 for pizza and pasta, $3.50 for BLT tacos, and a quality neighborhood environment.
Location: 519 Seabright ave.
Get more info here.
All Weekdays
El Palamar: With traditional family-style mexican cuisine at amazing deal prices, El Palamar is always busy with crowds of every walk in Santa Cruz life you can imagine. Monday-Friday from 3:00 -9:00 pm they serve cheap tacos, burritos, beer and margaritas. Located in the heart of downtown they provide a warm, family experience where you are most likely to run into someone you know and locate the pulse of a thriving community.
Location: 1336 Pacific Ave.
For more information click here.
That’s a sampling of some of the weekday meal deals around town. What are your favorite spots for weekday dinner deals?
I’ve been frequenting Taqueria Vallarta for years for their Veggie Plate. In college, one veggie plate would last me 2-3 meals. Before kids, my husband and I would share one for a super cheap dinner for 2 $5-6 range. We have 4 young kids now and one veggie plate is a meal for all of them! It comes with rice, beans, lettuce, sour cream, guacamole and a stack of tortillas (usually 8) for making your own tacos. That’s 2 tacos apiece, plus the free chips. Can’t beat it anywhere. I’m excited to learn about kids eating free at Kianti’s…thanks!