502 Lunch Week Means Cheap(er) Eats

502 Lunch Week is back! For two weeks (Monday 9/14/2015 – Friday 9/25/2015),  24 local restaurants are offering a special $10 or $15/person lunch menus.  It’s a great opportunity try new local restaurants at a great price.  Some of these restaurants are expensive at dinner time ($20 entrees and up), so take advantage of the lunch special to determine if you do want to go back for dinner.

I tried two restaurants last year and enjoyed them both very much, Louis le Francais and Down One Bourbon Bar.  Louis’ cute and cozy French provincial atmosphere is ideal for a  lunch date (I enjoyed the lunch more than dinner).  Down One Bourbon Bar has a cool vibe and a great option for those working downtown.

The 3 Little Pigs from Down One Bourbon Bar

The tomato and onion salad from Louis le Francais

Here’s what you can expect:

• The 502 Lunch Week menu is smaller than the regular lunch menu.  For more options, you can also order from the regular menu but the price is higher.
• Expect to pay $10 or $15/person, depending on the restaurant
• The special includes a 2 course meal (either entrée + side or entrée + dessert) and 1 non-alcoholic beverage.  Taxes and gratuity are not included.

Here’s a list of participating restaurants and their special menus.  I categorized them by ratings on Yelp.

• For Goodness Crepes | menu 4.5*, $
• Over the 9 | menu 4.5* $
• Atlantic No. 5 | menu 4*, $$
• Mark's Feed Store 4*, $$
• Baxter's 942 | menu 4*, $$
• Brasserie Provence | menu 4*, $$
• Sway | menu 4*, $$
• Charr'd Bourbon Kitchen and Lounge | menu 4*, $$
• Wild Rita's Modern Mexican & Tequila Bar | menu 4*, $$
• Down One Bourbon Bar & Restaurant | menu 4*, $$
• Bread & Breakfast | menu 4*, $
• Adrienne & Co. Bakery and Cafe | menu 4*, $
• The Chopshop Salads 4*, $
• Louis le Francais 3.5*, $$$
• Napa River Grill | menu 3.5* $$$
• Gatsby's on Fourth | menu 3.5*, $$
• Aspen Creek Grill | menu 3.5*, $$
• Joe's OK Bayou | menu 3.5*, $$
• Bistro 301 | menu 3.5*, $$
• Bristol Bar and Grille 3.5*, $$
• Red Yeti Brewing Company | menu 3.5*, $$
• Captain's Quarters | menu 3.5*, $$
• Amici Cafe | menu 3*, $$
• Drake's | menu 3*, $$

My recommendations:

• Louis le Francais or Brasserie Provence for French Food.  The tomato salad and ratatouille from Louis were my favorites. 
• Down One Bourbon Bar for the burgers
• Captain Quarters for an amazing riverside view and atmosphere
• Mark’s Feed Store for the honey wings (get this even if it’s not on the special lunch menu!) Free dessert every  Monday.
• Atlantic No. 5.  Get the curry chicken if it’s on the menu
• Skip Wild Rita's 

On my radar to try this year:

• Over the 9
• Charr’d Bourbon Kitchen & Lounge
• Gatsby’s on Fourth