Your guide to 80+ weekday lunch specials in Uptown
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lunch in the park
So your leftovers and dingy office kitchen aren’t exactly calling your name anymore, but you can’t justify breaking the bank on your hour-long lunch break. We get it, so we’ve created a master list of lunch specials waiting for you right outside your office.
Remember: This list was updated July 2018, but restaurants reserve the right to change their specials. If you’re set on a certain deal, call before you go, and if we missed your go-to, let us know.
MONDAY
Aria – 100 North Tryon Street – 3-course express lunch (Caesar or arugula salad or Roasted Tomato Zuppa; Penne a la Vodka, Meatballs and Marscarpone Polenta, Fettucino Carbonara or Orecchiette with Sausage; NY-style cheesecake, $8.99)
Blackfinn Ameripub – 210 East Trade Street – 10 Under $10 (soup and salad or flatbread, Buttermilk Chicken Sliders, BLT Chicken Taco, Buffalo Wedge Salad, Fish Tacos, Blackened Shrimp Caesar, California Naked Burger, Hippie Bowl, Meatloaf Sliders, Fire Roasted Veggie Bowl)
Carolina Ale House – 201 South College Street – Pick 2 (1/2 Grilled Chicken or Swiss or Pit-Smoked Brisket Grilled Cheese with soup or salad, $5.99)
City Smoke – 100 North Tryon Street – 3-course express lunch (deviled eggs or salad; pulled pork or pulled rotisserie chicken; mac ‘n cheese, collards, cauliflower, slaw or hand-cut fries, $8.99)
French Quarter – 321 South Church Street – Spaghetti (pasta with red sauce and parmesan cheese, served with garlic bread and iced tea, $7.95). Also available made cajun style (red beans and rice served with andouille sausage or smoked cocktail sausage, $7.95) and in combination form (spaghetti with red beans and rice, $8.95). Add soup, salad or chili for $3.
Fitzgerald’s – 201 East 5th Street – 1/2-price salads
Ink N Ivy – 222 South Church Street – Fried Chicken ($10)
Levant Mediterranean Cuisine – 135 Levine Avenue of the Arts – Daily special (rotating, $12), soup and salad ($11), Lamb Burger ($14), various kabobs ($13-$15), Vegetarian Combo (four sides, $14), Fried Kibbeh (sautéed ground beef, onion, walnuts, served with two sides, $14)
Libretto’s – 210 East Trade Street – 2 slices for $5.50, 2 slices and a drink for $6.50.
Moe’s – 210 East Trade Street – Moe’s Monday (burrito, chips, salsa and drink, $6).
Mortimer’s Pub – 210 East Trade Street – Mortimer’s Matinee (1/2 select panini, wrap or sandwich with house or Caesar salad and soup, $6.99, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.)
Que Onda Tacos + Tequila – 333 West Trade Street – 1/2 torta with soup or salad ($9.95), chicken burrito ($9.95), variety of meals (taco, enchilada, fajita, quesadilla, $9.95)
Red Ginger – 401 South Tryon Street – Lunch Maki Special (select sushi rolls; 2 for $10 or 3 for $12, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.)
Showmars – 201 South College Street, Suite 220 – Gyro Pita with side ($6.69), Calabash Shrimp Basket ($8.29)
Showmars – 214 North Tryon Street – Gyro Pita with side ($6.69), Calabash Shrimp Platter ($8.29), Buffalo Chicken Pita with side ($6.99)
Soho Bistro – 214 North Tryon Street – Dynasty Noodles ($7.25), Butterfly Shrimp ($7.95), Spicy Curry Noodles ($7.75), Sesame Shrimp ($7.95), Okra ($7.50), Spicy Tangerine Chicken ($7.95), Snow Peas Delight ($7.95), Sautéed Spinach ($7.75), Eggplant Special ($7.75)
Vida – 210 East Trade Street – Tortilla Soup and Salad ($8.99), Pick 2 (salad, quesadilla, chicken taco, carnitas taco, ground beef taco, enchiladas, $9.99) Chicken Tinga and Salad ($8.99), Quesadillas ($9.99-$11.99), Vida Chicken ($11.99), Chicken Fajitas ($12.99), Tortilla Pie ($11.99). 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
TUESDAY
Aria – 100 North Tryon Street – 3-course express lunch (Caesar or arugula salad or Roasted Tomato Zuppa; Penne a la Vodka, Meatballs and Marscarpone Polenta, Fettucino Carbonara or Orecchiette with Sausage; NY-style cheesecake, $8.99)
Blackfinn Ameripub – 210 East Trade Street – 10 Under $10 (soup and salad or flatbread, Buttermilk Chicken Sliders, BLT Chicken Taco, Buffalo Wedge Salad, Fish Tacos, Blackened Shrimp Caesar, California Naked Burger, Hippie Bowl, Meatloaf Sliders, Fire Roasted Veggie Bowl)
Carolina Ale House – 201 South College Street – Pick 2 (1/2 Grilled Chicken or Swiss or Pit-Smoked Brisket Grilled Cheese with soup or salad, $5.99)
City Smoke – 100 North Tryon Street – 3-course express lunch (deviled eggs or salad; pulled pork or pulled rotisserie chicken; mac ‘n cheese, collards, cauliflower, slaw or hand-cut fries, $8.99)
French Quarter – 321 South Church Street – Chicken Creole (chicken breast over rice, topped with Creole sauce, $7.95), Shrimp Creole (shrimp over rice, topped with Creole sauce, $7.95). Also available as a combination (chicken and shrimp over rice, topped with Creole sauce, $8.95). Add salad, soup or chili for $3.
Ink N Ivy – 222 South Church Street – Meatloaf ($10)
Levant Mediterranean Cuisine – 135 Levine Avenue of the Arts – Daily special (rotating, $12), soup and salad ($11), Lamb Burger ($14), various kabobs ($13-$15), Vegetarian Combo (four sides, $14), Fried Kibbeh (sautéed ground beef, onion, walnuts, served with two sides, $14)
Libretto’s – 210 East Trade Street – 2 slices for $5.50, 2 slices and a drink for $6.50. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Mortimer’s Pub – 210 East Trade Street – Mortimer’s Matinee (1/2 select panini, wrap or sandwich with house or Caesar salad and soup, $6.99, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.)
Que Onda Tacos + Tequila – 333 West Trade Street – 1/2 torta with soup or salad ($9.95), chicken burrito ($9.95), variety of meals (taco, enchilada, fajita, quesadilla, $9.95)
Red Ginger – 401 South Tryon Street – Lunch Maki Special (select sushi rolls; 2 for $10 or 3 for $12, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.)
Showmars – 201 South College Street, Suite 220 – The Super C with side ($5.79), Alaskan Fish Basket ($8.49)
Showmars – 214 North Tryon Street – The Super C with side ($5.79), World’s Best Flounder ($7.29)
Soho Bistro – 214 North Tryon Street – Dynasty Noodles ($7.25), Butterfly Shrimp ($7.95), Spicy Curry Noodles ($7.75), Sesame Shrimp ($7.95), Okra ($7.50), Spicy Tangerine Chicken ($7.95), Snow Peas Delight ($7.95), Sautéed Spinach ($7.75), Eggplant Special ($7.75)
Vida – 210 East Trade Street – Tortilla Soup and Salad ($8.99), Pick 2 (salad, quesadilla, chicken taco, carnitas taco, ground beef taco, enchiladas, $9.99) Chicken Tinga and Salad ($8.99), Quesadillas ($9.99-$11.99), Vida Chicken ($11.99), Chicken Fajitas ($12.99), Tortilla Pie ($11.99). 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Aria – 100 North Tryon Street – 3-course express lunch (Caesar or arugula salad or Roasted Tomato Zuppa; Penne a la Vodka, Meatballs and Marscarpone Polenta, Fettucino Carbonara or Orecchiette with Sausage; NY-style cheesecake, $8.99)
Blackfinn Ameripub – 210 East Trade Street – 10 Under $10 (soup and salad or flatbread, Buttermilk Chicken Sliders, BLT Chicken Taco, Buffalo Wedge Salad, Fish Tacos, Blackened Shrimp Caesar, California Naked Burger, Hippie Bowl, Meatloaf Sliders, Fire Roasted Veggie Bowl)
Carolina Ale House – 201 South College Street – Pick 2 (1/2 Grilled Chicken or Swiss or Pit-Smoked Brisket Grilled Cheese with soup or salad, $5.99)
City Smoke – 100 North Tryon Street – 3-course express lunch (deviled eggs or salad; pulled pork or pulled rotisserie chicken; mac ‘n cheese, collards, cauliflower, slaw or hand-cut fries, $8.99)
Fitzgerald’s – 201 East 5th Street – $6.99 wraps
French Quarter – 321 South Church Street – Beef Tips (brown gravy, mushrooms and onions served over rice with broccoli and topped with hollandaise, $7.95), Chicken Tips (lemon gravy with chicken breast over rice with broccoli and topped with hollandaise, $7.95). Also available as a combination (beef and chicken over rice with broccoli and topped with hollandaise, $8.95). Add salad, soup or chili for $3.
Ink N Ivy – 222 South Church Street – Shrimp N Grits ($10)
Levant Mediterranean Cuisine – 135 Levine Avenue of the Arts – Daily special (rotating, $12), soup and salad ($11), Lamb Burger ($14), various kabobs ($13-$15), Vegetarian Combo (four sides, $14), Fried Kibbeh (sautéed ground beef, onion, walnuts, served with two sides, $14)
Libretto’s – 210 East Trade Street – 2 slices for $5.50, 2 slices and a drink for $6.50. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Mortimer’s Pub – 210 East Trade Street – Mortimer’s Matinee (1/2 select panini, wrap or sandwich with house or Caesar salad and soup, $6.99, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.)
Que Onda Tacos + Tequila – 333 West Trade Street – 1/2 torta with soup or salad ($9.95), chicken burrito ($9.95), variety of meals (taco, enchilada, fajita, quesadilla, $9.95)
Red Ginger – 401 South Tryon Street – Lunch Maki Special (select sushi rolls; 2 for $10 or 3 for $12, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.)
Showmars – 201 South College Street, Suite 220 – Fish Sandwich with side ($5.69), Chicken Santorini Bowl ($8.59)
Showmars – 214 North Tryon Street – Fish Sandwich with side ($5.69), Chicken Santorini Platter ($8.59)
Soho Bistro – 214 North Tryon Street – Dynasty Noodles ($7.25), Butterfly Shrimp ($7.95), Spicy Curry Noodles ($7.75), Sesame Shrimp ($7.95), Okra ($7.50), Spicy Tangerine Chicken ($7.95), Snow Peas Delight ($7.95), Sautéed Spinach ($7.75), Eggplant Special ($7.75)
Studio Movie Grill – 210 East Trade Street – All-you-can-eat pizza (one topping only and no sharing, $12)
Vida – 210 East Trade Street – Tortilla Soup and Salad ($8.99), Pick 2 (salad, quesadilla, chicken taco, carnitas taco, ground beef taco, enchiladas, $9.99) Chicken Tinga and Salad ($8.99), Quesadillas ($9.99-$11.99), Vida Chicken ($11.99), Chicken Fajitas ($12.99), Tortilla Pie ($11.99). 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
THURSDAY
Aria – 100 North Tryon Street – 3-course express lunch (Caesar or arugula salad or Roasted Tomato Zuppa; Penne a la Vodka, Meatballs and Marscarpone Polenta, Fettucino Carbonara or Orecchiette with Sausage; NY-style cheesecake, $8.99)
Blackfinn Ameripub – 210 East Trade Street – 10 Under $10 (soup and salad or flatbread, Buttermilk Chicken Sliders, BLT Chicken Taco, Buffalo Wedge Salad, Fish Tacos, Blackened Shrimp Caesar, California Naked Burger, Hippie Bowl, Meatloaf Sliders, Fire Roasted Veggie Bowl)
Carolina Ale House – 201 South College Street – Pick 2 (1/2 Grilled Chicken or Swiss or Pit-Smoked Brisket Grilled Cheese with soup or salad, $5.99)
City Smoke – 100 North Tryon Street – 3-course express lunch (deviled eggs or salad; pulled pork or pulled rotisserie chicken; mac ‘n cheese, collards, cauliflower, slaw or hand-cut fries, $8.99)
Fitzgerald’s – 201 East 5th Street – $6 select burgers
French Quarter – 321 South Church Street – Baked Chicken (served with mashed potatoes, gravy and broccoli and topped with hollandaise, $8.50). Get all white meat for $.55 extra. Add salad, soup or chili for $3.
Ink N Ivy – 222 South Church Street – Chicken Pot Pie ($10)
Levant Mediterranean Cuisine – 135 Levine Avenue of the Arts – Daily special (rotating, $12), soup and salad ($11), Lamb Burger ($14), various kabobs ($13-$15), Vegetarian Combo (four sides, $14), Fried Kibbeh (sautéed ground beef, onion, walnuts, served with two sides, $14)
Libretto’s – 210 East Trade Street – 2 slices for $5.50, 2 slices and a drink for $6.50. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Mortimer’s Pub – 210 East Trade Street – Mortimer’s Matinee (1/2 select panini, wrap or sandwich with house or Caesar salad and soup, $6.99, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.)
Que Onda Tacos + Tequila – 333 West Trade Street – 1/2 torta with soup or salad ($9.95), chicken burrito ($9.95), variety of meals (taco, enchilada, fajita, quesadilla, $9.95)
Red Ginger – 401 South Tryon Street – Lunch Maki Special (select sushi rolls; 2 for $10 or 3 for $12, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.)
Showmars – 201 South College Street, Suite 220 – Big Salad Thursday (Big Salad with protein, $7.19), Chicken Salad Pita with side ($6.59)
Showmars – 214 North Tryon Street – Big Salad Thursday (Big Salad with protein, $7.19), Chicken Salad Pita with side ($6.59), Buffalo Chicken Pita with side ($6.99)
Soho Bistro – 214 North Tryon Street – Dynasty Noodles ($7.25), Butterfly Shrimp ($7.95), Spicy Curry Noodles ($7.75), Sesame Shrimp ($7.95), Okra ($7.50), Spicy Tangerine Chicken ($7.95), Snow Peas Delight ($7.95), Sautéed Spinach ($7.75), Eggplant Special ($7.75)
Vida – 210 East Trade Street – Tortilla Soup and Salad ($8.99), Pick 2 (salad, quesadilla, chicken taco, carnitas taco, ground beef taco, enchiladas, $9.99) Chicken Tinga and Salad ($8.99), Quesadillas ($9.99-$11.99), Vida Chicken ($11.99), Chicken Fajitas ($12.99), Tortilla Pie ($11.99). 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
FRIDAY
Aria – 100 North Tryon Street – 3-course express lunch (Caesar or arugula salad or Roasted Tomato Zuppa; Penne a la Vodka, Meatballs and Marscarpone Polenta, Fettucino Carbonara or Orecchiette with Sausage; NY-style cheesecake, $8.99)
Blackfinn Ameripub – 210 East Trade Street – 10 Under $10 (soup and salad or flatbread, Buttermilk Chicken Sliders, BLT Chicken Taco, Buffalo Wedge Salad, Fish Tacos, Blackened Shrimp Caesar, California Naked Burger, Hippie Bowl, Meatloaf Sliders, Fire Roasted Veggie Bowl)
Carolina Ale House – 201 South College Street – Pick 2 (1/2 Grilled Chicken or Swiss or Pit-Smoked Brisket Grilled Cheese with soup or salad, $5.99)
City Smoke – 100 North Tryon Street – 3-course express lunch (deviled eggs or salad; pulled pork or pulled rotisserie chicken; mac ‘n cheese, collards, cauliflower, slaw or hand-cut fries, $8.99)
Fitzgerald’s – 201 East 5th Street – $7.99 fish tacos, $9.99 fish and chips
French Quarter – 321 South Church Street – Cajun Fish (blackened fish with red beans and rice, $8.95), She-Crab Soup ($5.25/cup, $6.25/bowl), soup and salad (She-Crab Soup with house salad, $7.95/cup, $8.95/bowl).
Ink N Ivy – 222 South Church Street – Fish N Chips ($10)
Levant Mediterranean Cuisine – 135 Levine Avenue of the Arts – Daily special (rotating, $12), soup and salad ($11), Lamb Burger ($14), various kabobs ($13-$15), Vegetarian Combo (four sides, $14), Fried Kibbeh (sautéed ground beef, onion, walnuts, served with two sides, $14)
Libretto’s – 210 East Trade Street – 2 slices for $5.50, 2 slices and a drink for $6.50. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Mortimer’s Pub – 210 East Trade Street – Mortimer’s Matinee (1/2 select panini, wrap or sandwich with house or Caesar salad and soup, $6.99, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.)
Que Onda Tacos + Tequila – 333 West Trade Street – 1/2 torta with soup or salad ($9.95), chicken burrito ($9.95), variety of meals (taco, enchilada, fajita, quesadilla, $9.95)
Red Ginger – 401 South Tryon Street – Lunch Maki Special (select sushi rolls; 2 for $10 or 3 for $12, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.)
Showmars – 201 South College Street, Suite 220 – Chicken Pita with side ($6.69), Alaskan Fish Basket ($8.49)
Showmars – 214 North Tryon Street – Chicken Pita with side ($6.69), World’s Best Flounder ($7.29)
Soho Bistro – 214 North Tryon Street – Dynasty Noodles ($7.25), Butterfly Shrimp ($7.95), Spicy Curry Noodles ($7.75), Sesame Shrimp ($7.95), Okra ($7.50), Spicy Tangerine Chicken ($7.95), Snow Peas Delight ($7.95), Sautéed Spinach ($7.75), Eggplant Special ($7.75)
Vida – 210 East Trade Street – Tortilla Soup and Salad ($8.99), Pick 2 (salad, quesadilla, chicken taco, carnitas taco, ground beef taco, enchiladas, $9.99) Chicken Tinga and Salad ($8.99), Quesadillas ($9.99-$11.99), Vida Chicken ($11.99), Chicken Fajitas ($12.99), Tortilla Pie ($11.99). 11 a.m.-3 p.m.