The economy bites. Many of us are looking to cut back. Our dining dollars are in jeopardy. Or at least mine are. I still want to dine well, but I have to spend wisely. Now, more than ever, I’m looking for a good bargain at good places to eat.

So today I launch a new thread called “Steals, Deals and Discounts.” Here, you’ll find continuing updates on dining bargains or discounts at all kinds of restaurants – from kid-friendly brewpubs to upscale restaurants. Click “read more” to see the running list.

You can contribute, too. Restaurant folks and diners: Post your comments about deals or discounts spotted about town, or e-mail them to me at tntdiner@thenewstribune.com

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BAR DEALS

Adriatic Grill: Happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close daily. A menu of $4 items, including spinach and artichoke dips, calamari and artichokes, flat bread, linguine with red sauce, garlic potato wedges and bruschetta. Drink discounts, also.
Where: 4201 S. Steele St., Tacoma, 253-475-6000; www.adriaticgrill.com

Tempest Lounge: All you can eat spaghetti on Tuesdays for $6.95. Meatballs are $1 each.
Where: 913 Martin Luther King J., Tacoma; 253-272-4904; www.tempestlounge.com

El Gaucho: Happy hour eats now cheaper. Happy hour in the bar is 4 to 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to close Monday through Friday; 10 p.m. to close Saturday (except Valentine’s Day) and 4 p.m. to close Sunday. Bar menu is half price; select cocktails are $7. The El Gaucho burger is $8 during happy hour (formerly $11.95 on the old menu, during happy hour). Pulled pork sliders are $8 and tuna tartare is $7.
Where: 2119 Pacific Ave., Tacoma; 253-882-0009; www.elgaucho.com

Sea Grill: The bar menu has 5 menu items for $5 each: fish tacos, shrimp cocktail, truffle fries, lobster bisque and a Caesar salad. According to the menu, there’s no time restrictions or happy hour necessary, the items are just 5 for $5 each.
Where: 1498 Pacific Ave., Tacoma; 253-272-5656; www.the-seagrill.com

Pacific Grill: The bar menu has an extensive list of half-priced bar eats (except for charcuterie plate, steak & eggs and flatbread pizza). Take 50 percent off the prices for these items: cheeseburger sliders ($11 reg, and my personal favorite), kobe hot dog sliders ($6), mussels and fries ($12.95), fish and chips ($12.95), and a whole lot more. Happy hour in the bar is 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, and after 9 p.m.; and 5 to 6 p.m. Saturday, and after 9pm.
Where: 1502 Pacific Ave, Tacoma; 253-627-3535; www.pacificgrilltacoma.com

Bite at Hotel Murano: Bite Night every Thursday, from 5 p.m. to close. Select half-price cocktails and $5 appetizers, such as naked chicken wings, Kobe burger sliders, fried green tomatoes, a charcuterie board and other menu items.
Where: 1320 Broadway Plaza, Tacoma, 253-238-8000; www.hotelmuranotacoma.com


EARLY DINNER DEALS

Primo Grill: The Dinner Before Dusk is served Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The three-course meal is $16.95 and comes with a starter of soup or salad and a choice of entree (grilled skirt steak, wood-fired pizza, spaghetti bolognese and fettuccine) and dessert.
Where: 601 S Pine St., Tacoma, 253-383-7000; www.primogrilltacoma.com

Anthony's at Point Defiance: Four-course Sunset dinners served from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday. Dinners come with a shrimp cocktail, chowder or salad, entree (such as roasted garlic prawns or pan-fried Willapa Bay Oysters) and dessert for $18.95
Where: 5910 North Waterfront Drive, Tacoma; 253-752-9700, http://www.anthonys.com

FINE DINING DEALS

Brix 25: Every Wednesday night, every bottle of wine is half off. With the restaurant's award-winning wine list, this is an amazing fine dining deal.
Where: 7707 Pioneer Way, Gig Harbor, 253-858-6626; www.harborbrix.com



FAMILY DINING DEALS

Ram: The restaurant has a new $12.99 menu (teriyaki chicken and rice, wild salmon with rice and vegetables, chicken alfredo and sirloin dinner).
Where: Tacoma (3001 N. Ruston Way, 253-756-7886), Puyallup South Hill (103 35th Ave. S.E., 253-841-3317), Puyallup Sunrise (10403 156th St. E., Puyallup, 253-445-1005), Lakewood (10019 59th Ave., 253-584-3191) Lacey (8100 C. Freedom Lane, 360-923-5900). Check www.theram.com for more details.

Buttered Biscuit: The Buttered Biscuit has a food bank donation promotion. Bring in at least one item of food suitable for a food bank donation, purchase two drinks and one entree get the second entree free.
Where: 1014 North Street, Sumner; 253-826-6099