How to do Dine Out Boston on a budget

State of play: Participating restaurants are offering prix-fixe meals for lunch and dinner through next Saturday.

• Most are charging $46 to $55 for a three-course dinner or similar package, like Hobgoblin, BRICCO and Davio's (wine's usually extra).
• At least 17 spots are serving dinner starting at $38, a slightly more reasonable price point, per MeetBoston's website.

Zoom in: BRED in Kendall Square, Taco Azul on Beacon Hill and Mecha Noodle Bar in the Seaport are offering $38 dinners for Dine Out.

• So are casual taverns like Scholars downtown and M.J. O'Connor's and Lincoln Tavern in Southie.

Protip: If you want to check out a spot like Harvest in Cambridge, you could opt out of the $55 dinner and try their $36 option at lunchtime.