Presidential deals

Today is President’s Day. But how much do you really know about Washington and Lincoln, not to mention Jefferson, Jackson and the rest of the gang? If the answer is “not much,” don’t blame that snoozefest of an eighth-grade history class—maybe you just haven’t been hanging out in the right places. Get to know your past presidents while cashing in on dining and drinking deals at these spots.

Who: George Washington, first U.S president, and Abraham Lincoln, 16th U.S. president
Bring them to: Dinotto
Deal: This Old Town spot’s special President’s Day deal features a short list of entrees (normally $10.95-$18.95) for just 6 bucks—or one Lincoln $5 bill and one Washington $1 bill.

Who: Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 32nd U.S. president
Bring him to: Dark Horse Tap and Grille
Deal: Head to this North Side neighborhood tavern for 10 cent chicken wings on Tuesdays—not a bad deal from good ol’ F.D.R., since they’re normally $6 an order (10-12 wings). Choose buffalo or barbecue wings served with a tangy blue cheese sauce.

Who: Abraham Lincoln
Bring him to: Kit Kat Lounge
Deal: Thursdays aren’t such a drag with this Lakeview spot’s Pennies from Heaven deal—buy two entrees and get a bottle of wine for a Lincoln penny. Wines rotate every few weeks. At the moment, you’ll find a 2004 Infinitus red (normally $45), a Spanish cab-tempranillo blend with chocolate and black pepper notes; and a 2005 Infinitus white (normally $29), a chardonnay-viura blend with a creamy, buttery finish.

Who: Thomas Jefferson, third U.S. president
Bring him to: Citizen Bar
Deal: Grab 10 Jefferson nickels from your piggy bank and cash in on 50 cent appetizers (normally $1.50 each or six for $8) on Sundays at this River North hot spot. Choose mac-and-cheese cubes, arancini risotto cakes with gorgonzola cream, crispy spaghetti and meatballs, or fried polenta poppers with mascarpone marinara.

Who: Abraham Lincoln
Bring him to: A Mano
Deal: Five dollar deals abound at this new-ish River North Italian spot below Bin 36. Every day from 5 p.m. to close, a $5 bar menu highlights small plates such as polenta fries with sundried tomato aioli, an artisan cheese plate with walnut bread and a bruschetta trio. Also, wood-fired pizzas are just $5 (down from $12) from 5 to 7 p.m. throughout February.

Who: Andrew Jackson, seventh U.S. president
Bring him to: Adobo Grill Wicker Park
Deal: Drop a $20 bill on Tuesdays for any two courses from the menu—appetizer, entree or dessert. For the best deal, order the blood orange-marinated ahi tuna ceviche ($9.95) and the roasted beef tenderloin entree ($25.95), for a savings of about $16. Note that everyone in your group must opt in to get the deal.


Heidi Moore is a Metromix special contributor.

Metromix@tribune.com