On a budget? Here's where to find daily deals, happy hours at local restaurants

Tawney Beans, Akron Beacon Journal
A chicken quesadilla combo is one of the features on the lunch menu at El Torito Tacos.
A chicken quesadilla combo is one of the features on the lunch menu at El Torito Tacos.

As the price of everyday essentials continue to rise, many consumers are trying to stretch every dollar. However, cutting back on excess spending doesn't necessarily mean you can’t treat yourself to a restaurant-quality meal.

Whether you’re looking for a low-priced happy hour or an affordable date night, there’s an option in or near Summit County. Here are some of the food specials you can find throughout the Akron area every day of the week.

Hot dog!:Local Flavor: Grab a quick bite at Mama’s Hot Dogs

Monday

Kick off the work week with sushi from Pacific East (100 E. Main St, Kent). Enjoy soup and salad with two sushi rolls for $9.49 or three rolls for $12.49. The restaurant also offers various other lunch specials until 3 p.m. every day, including a sushi and sashimi combo lunch for $13.95.

  • Enjoy 50-cent boneless wings at Jerzee’s Sports Grille (locations in Akron and Canton)

  • Eat a breaded or grilled chicken sandwich ($6.95) or Salad Pollo Al Griglia ($7.95) for lunch at Rizzi’s Pizza and Ristorante (2809 Copley Road, Copley). Customers looking for late-night fare can also purchase a four-piece deluxe chicken dinner for $8.99 or a baked Manicotti dinner for $10.95.

  • Get two eggs, smoked bacon and white or whole wheat toast for $3.99 at Waterloo Restaurant and Catering (423 E. Waterloo Road, Akron)

  • Buy a Mexican quesadilla for $9.99 at El Torito Tacos from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (10683 Ravenna Road, Twinsburg)

  • Try a $5 burger at Springfield Tavern (1575 Massillon Road, Akron)

  • Buy a 12-inch cheese pizza and get three free toppings or get a 12-inch specialty pizza for $14.25 at Altieri’s Pizza (3291 Kent Road, Stow)

  • Get a classic four-piece dinner for $10.95 at from DeVore's Hopocan Gardens (4396 W. Hopocan Ave., Norton).

Serbian-fried comfort food:Local Flavor: DeVore's Hopocan Gardens offers juicy Barberton chicken, delicious fixings

Tuesday

If you’re feeling fancy, visit happy hour at Blue Heron Brewery (3227 Blue Heron Trace, Medina) Tuesday through Friday. From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. customers can get three select shareables for $25 and $5 house pints or select glasses of wine.

  • Get $1 off a Corona or tequila drinks and $1 off an order of tacos at Barmacy (804 W Market St., Akron)

  • Purchase either a super sub or meatball sub for $6.50 at Rizzi’s Pizza and Ristorante (2809 Copley Road, Copley). Dinner deals include a ravioli entrée for $9.95 and if you buy a large pizza you get a small cheese pizza for free.

  • Dine on $1 shredded chicken or ground beef tacos at El Torito Tacos (10683 Ravenna Road, Twinsburg)

  • Buy a half pound burger and fries for $6.99 at Jerzee’s Sports Grille (locations in Akron and Canton)

  • Purchase three tacos for $7 at Bailey Road Tavern (2920 Bailey Road, Cuyahoga Falls)

  • Get two tacos for $2 at Springfield Tavern (1575 Massillon Road, Akron)

  • Enjoy all-you-can-eat shrimp for $15 at Delanie’s Gastro Bar (67 West Ave., Tallmadge)

  • Get two eggs, smoked bacon and white or whole wheat toast for $3.99 at Waterloo Restaurant and Catering (423 E. Waterloo Road, Akron)

  • Buy a 16-inch pizza and get a free 12-inch cheese pizza (regular or gluten free) at Altieri’s Pizza (3291 Kent Road, Stow)

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The Famous Ido Burger is topped with grilled mushrooms, onions and American cheese. Onion rings can be added as a side.
The Famous Ido Burger is topped with grilled mushrooms, onions and American cheese. Onion rings can be added as a side.

Wednesday

Celebrate hump day with Barberton chicken from DeVore's Hopocan Gardens (4396 W. Hopocan Ave., Norton). Patrons can purchase two pieces of chicken and two sides from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for $6 Monday through Friday.

  • Get either a petite lasagna for $6.50 or a grilled ham and cheese sandwich for $5.45 at Rizzi’s Pizza and Ristorante (2809 Copley Road, Copley). You can also get spaghetti and meatballs for $10.95 at dinnertime.

  • Purchase two eggs, smoked bacon and half a giant malted waffle for $4.49 at Waterloo Restaurant and Catering (423 E. Waterloo Road, Akron)

  • Eat steak or chicken fajitas for $9.99 at El Torito Tacos 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (10683 Ravenna Road, Twinsburg)

  • Buy a hand-formed hamburger for $3 at Bailey Road Tavern (2920 Bailey Road, Cuyahoga Falls)

  • Dine on 75-cent wings at Springfield Tavern (1575 Massillon Road, Akron)

  • Chow down on half-priced wings at Delanie’s Gastro Bar (67 West Ave., Tallmadge)

  • Pay $7.99 for a stir fry bowl at Jerzee’s Sports Grille (locations in Akron and Canton)

  • Buy spaghetti, penne or gluten free rotini and get a free small salad (w/ dinner sized entrée) or two free large salads with (w/ family sized entrée) at Altieri’s Pizza (3291 Kent Road, Stow)

  • $2 off all burgers at Ido Bar & Grill (1537 S. Main St., Akron)

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Thursday

On Thursday, swing by Sammie's Bar and Grill (498 South Ave., Tallmadge) for happy hour. Customers get $3 off burgers, steamed mussels and peel-and-eat shrimp from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Glasses of wine, cocktails and bottled beer are also $1 off during that time frame.

  • Purchase a one-third pound burger with fries for $6.25 at Rizzi’s Pizza and Ristorante (2809 Copley Road, Copley). Get a baked mostaccioli for $10.95 for dinner.

  • Enjoy El Torito Tacos’ super burrito for $9.99 (10683 Ravenna Road, Twinsburg)

  • Stop in for half-price burgers at Delanie’s Gastro Bar (67 West Ave., Tallmadge)

  • Buy a sub and get JoJo’s, coleslaw and a 12 oz. can of soda for free at Altieri’s Pizza (3291 Kent Road, Stow)

  • Purchase two eggs, smoked bacon and half a giant malted waffle for $4.49 at Waterloo Restaurant and Catering (423 E. Waterloo Road, Akron)

  • $2 off comfort foods at Ido Bar & Grill (1537 S. Main St., Akron)

  • Get half off a large pizza at Jerzee’s Sports Grille (locations in Akron and Canton)

Sammie’s in Tallmadge satisfies:Local Flavor: Sammie's Bar and Grill a fun, family-owned spot with good food, vibe

Altieri’s Pizza in Stow serves a 12-inch pizza topped with mushrooms, sausage and black olives.
Altieri’s Pizza in Stow serves a 12-inch pizza topped with mushrooms, sausage and black olives.

Friday

End the work week with happy hour deals from The Lockview (207 S. Main St., Akron). The following discounts are available Tuesday though Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.: $5 select cocktails, $1 off draft beers and half off select appetizers.

  • Purchase a cinnamon swirl French toast and smoked bacon for $4.49 at Waterloo Restaurant and Catering (423 E. Waterloo Road, Akron)

  • Buy a fish sandwich and fries for $7.95 or a turkey sub for $6.95 at Rizzi’s Pizza and Ristorante (2809 Copley Road, Copley). Customers can also enjoy a fish dinner for $9.95 or an eggplant parmigiana for $11.95 in the evening.

  • Try the burrito supreme at El Torito Tacos for $9.99 (10683 Ravenna Road, Twinsburg)

  • Eat all-you-can-eat fish for $12-$16 (depending on the fish used) at Delanie’s Gastro Bar (67 West Ave., Tallmadge)

  • Get a 16-inch two topping pizza, 10 wings and a 2 liter for $24 at Altieri’s Pizza (3291 Kent Road, Stow)

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Saturday

Start the weekend with a 20% discount on all drinks and menu items at Jilly’s Music Room (111 N. Main St., Akron). Every day from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. customers can purchase flank steak skewers, tapas samplers and other fun creations from Jilly’s gluten-free menu.

  • Buy a lasagna dinner for $11.95 at Rizzi’s Pizza and Ristorante (2809 Copley Road, Copley).

  • Eat a shredded chicken or ground beef chimichanga for $8.25 at El Torito Tacos (10683 Ravenna Road, Twinsburg)

  • Get two 12-inch one topping pizzas and a 2 liter for $22 at Altieri’s Pizza (3291 Kent Road, Stow)

Sunday

While Craft Social Bar (1846 Front St., Suite G, Cuyahoga Falls) is not open on Sundays, use this time to plan a visit to its daily happy hour from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Within this time frame customers can purchase select appetizers for $5, house wines for $5 and select cocktails for $6.

  • Have chicken or veal parmigiana for $14.95 or a jumbo box of Italian fried chicken with free coleslaw for $24.95 for dinner at Rizzi’s Pizza and Ristorante (2809 Copley Road, Copley).

  • Buy a box of chicken and get coleslaw, hot rice and a 2 liter for free at Altieri’s Pizza (3291 Kent Road, Stow)

Is your go-to spot for budget friendly bites not on this list? Are there other specials that you enjoy -- for half-price appetizers, discounted entrees or buy-one-get-ones? Let us know by emailing tbeans@gannett.com and it might be included in an upcoming list.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron and Summit County restaurants with the best food deals

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