Cheap Eats: McCormick & Schmick's

Despite the fact that Happy Hour drink deals are illegal in Boston, there are still a lot of great deals to be had at bars around town. The bar at McCormick & Schmick's, for example, offers up cheap and delicious meals, a pleasant surprise considering that dinner there can be more on the expensive side.

McCormick & Schmick's Happy Hour menu, served nightly in the bar area, presents a wide range of choices. For $1.95, you can choose from seafood cakes, spinach dip, potato skins, hummus and pita, or a full cheeseburger and fries, as shown above. The cheeseburger is cooked to order, topped with rich cheddar cheese, and served with ultra-crispy french fries - an amazing deal for only $2. Pay a little more for additional options - $3.95 for a cheese quesadilla, meatloaf sandwich, or buffalo wings, and $4.95 for dishes like steamed mussels or cashew-crusted tilapia. Portions are generous, especially considering the price point, and are great for sharing, so order a few and pass them around.

Happy Hour deals are available with a minimum drink purchase of $2.50 per person. That means that your drink may cost double what your food costs, but you can still get out of there for under $10. Happy Hour is available Sunday through Thursday, 3:30-6:30 and again at 9:00-12:00; Friday, 3:30-6:30 and 10:00-12:00; and Saturday, 10:00-12:00. The two McCormick & Schmick's in Boston are located at 34 Columbus Ave. in the Park Plaza, and in the North Market Building of Quincy Market.

For more local food writing from Pam Aghababian, check out Cave Cibum.