One of Miami's most famous restaurant bargains just got a little less affordable.
At Joe's Stone Crab in Miami Beach, the fried half-chicken that once cost $8.95 now goes for $14.95, according to the Miami Herald. The price increase comes after decades of keeping the dish affordable, even though stone crab claws can cost well over $100. Joe's owner and CEO Stephen Sawitz told the paper that rising food and labor costs ultimately made the increase necessary, though the decision wasn't an easy one. The chicken is still one of the more affordable things on the menu, but it's no longer quite the bargain regulars remember.
Fortunately, there are other ways to eat at some of America's best-known restaurants without spending a fortune. Sometimes, all
it takes is knowing what to order and when to show up.
Here are five restaurant deals that still give you plenty of bang for your bite.
Sushi for $12 at Nobu in Washington, D.C.
Nobu may be known for its celebrity clientele and upscale Japanese cuisine, but its Washington, D.C., location has a happy-hour menu that makes dining there a little more approachable. During Tanoshi Hour, guests can order spicy tuna or salmon-avocado rolls for $12 each, shrimp tempura rolls for $13 and cucumber-avocado rolls for $8. The specials are available Sunday through Friday from 5 to 6:30 p.m., giving diners a chance to sample the Nobu experience without committing to a full dinner.
Seafood bites for $16 at Scoma's in San Francisco
A trip to Fisherman's Wharf doesn't have to come with ocean-sized prices. At Scoma's, the longtime San Francisco seafood restaurant, diners can take advantage of the aptly named "Happiest Hour" with $16 calamari fritti or steamed Mediterranean mussels. Other specials include $12 crispy zucchini, $6 fries and $10 cocktails. The deals are available at the bar Monday through Friday from 2 to 5 p.m. and Sunday through Thursday from 8 to 9:30 p.m., excluding holidays.
A $5.95 hot dog at Katz's Delicatessen in Manhattan
Katz's Delicatessen may be famous for its towering pastrami sandwiches, but you don't have to spend $30 on lunch to eat at this New York institution. The Lower East Side deli also serves an all-beef frankfurter for just $5.95. Other affordable options include a $10.95 bowl of matzo ball soup, a $7.95 potato knish and a $17.95 burger. Sometimes, the best way to save a little dough is to skip the rye.
25-cent martinis at Commander's Palace in New Orleans
Yes, you can still get a martini for a quarter, as long as you're ordering lunch. At Commander's Palace, the storied New Orleans restaurant, the famous 25-cent martini lunch is available Wednesday through Friday with the purchase of an entrée. Diners can order up to three martinis per person. The restaurant also offers two-course lunch specials, including a $25 cochon de lait tostada with a choice of soup or salad. It's a particularly New Orleans approach to lunch, where the cocktail might be the least expensive thing on the table.
Six oysters for $12 at Shaw's Crab House in Chicago
Oyster lovers can still find a good deal at Shaw's Crab House, the Chicago seafood restaurant known for its fresh shellfish and classic oyster bar. During weekday happy hour, a half-dozen oysters on the half shell cost $12. Other specials include a trio of miniature lobster rolls for $15, shrimp ceviche for $9 and even a large Florida stone crab claw for $15. The deals are available Monday through Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Oyster Bar only, making it a good place to get your seafood fix without a hefty dinner bill.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The $8.95 chicken at Joe's Stone Crab is history. 5 deals that live on
