Downtown Dining Week is Monday, November 6 through Sunday, November 12. It’s your chance to try something new and different. Many restaurants have multiple courses and give you the ability to pick & choose from options.
The suggested price for dinner is $20.23, but not all restaurants followed the suggestion. READ THE FINE PRINT on the menus so there aren’t any surprises when the check arrives.
Nearly 60 restaurants are participating. Don’t have time to read 60 menus? No problem – I read them for you. Below are Paul’s Picks, which check one or more of the following boxes:
- A good value for the money
- Unique/interesting
- Multiple options
- I’ve had the item in the past and can personally vouch for it
117 Prime – Braised beef brisket and potatoes au gratin? Yes please.
Arnold’s – Baby back ribs AND catfish. All of the things.
Automatic Slim’s – Three courses for $20.23. That chicken strip dipped in waffle batter sounds like a yummy first course.
Blind Bear – I’ve tried a couple of bites of that coffee-encrusted ribeye. Normally I’m not even a fan of coffee, but it really brings out the flavor of the steak.
Catherine & Mary’s – Fried spaghetti. Yum yum!
Local on Main – Buffalo fried catfish and jalapeno cheddar grits. I’ve had this on special before and it is very good. I don’t know why this isn’t on the DDW website, but they tell me it comes with a starter of crab-stuffed deviled eggs and a dessert of fried Oreos.
South of Beale – You have options here. I would start with General Tso’s Cauliflower, then move on to a curry chicken bowl, and wrap it up with that Jack & Coke bread pudding.
A few reminders to make sure everyone has a fantastic Downtown Dining Week:
Your servers are gonna be busy. Not only will it be DDW, but a major convention will be in town. Please be understanding if it takes them an extra minute or two to get to you.
If you can’t make a restaurant reservation, please call and cancel so that someone else can have the table.
It is not appropriate to ask for modifications, substitutions, or additions to DDW menu selections. If you feel the need to do any of that, order off the restaurant’s regular menu instead.
Tip generously. $6 to $7 sounds about right for a $20.23 meal. More than that if you feel a server went above and beyond to take care of you.
Bon appetit!