Matter of Taste: Early Bird

The early bird dinner has image problems. Comedians and movies mock the early bird, painting a picture of retirees racing their walkers into mediocre restaurants in time to get the $5.95 steak. Of course, the early bird has the last laugh – with everyone tightening their belts and the economy spiralling downward at breakneck speed, places offering early birds are seeing more, not fewer customers.

If you’ve never taken advantage of the early bird special, here’s the least you need to know before you head out:

1. You are not going to be the youngest person there. There’s a good chance I’ll be there, too, along with many people who were not alive when Roosevelt was president. The stigma of the early bird dinner disappeared when property values did.

2. The portions may be the same size as regular meals, but don’t count on it. Some places use the early bird to fill restaurants during quiet times, while others do it to bring in new customers. Either way, you’re getting something at a discount and smaller portions are accepted practice. If you’re hungry enough that it matters, ask.

3. Tip. A bargain for you shouldn’t be a bargain for the server. If you were treated well, 20% goes a long way towards letting your server know they did a great job. Just because the prices are lower for you doesn’t mean his living expenses have gone down.

Now, get in there and try out these early bird deals up and down the beach.

If you want....

*Classy
...Salt Rock in Indian Shores offers “2 for $25” that includes two meals, sourdough bread, salad and dessert. Salt Rock fills up fast, both in the restaurant and the parking lot. Take the Suncoast Beach Trolley if you don’t want to hassle with parking and ask about bar seating (still classier than most places on the beach) if you don’t want to wait for a table. They offer their early bird from 4 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. every day, and they have drink specials during that time as well.


*Comfort Food

...JD’s on Indian Rocks Beach offers meatloaf, ribs, spaghetti, and liver and onions (among others) every day before 5:45. The meals come with sides and start at under $8. They also have happy hour until 6, so you can get a deal on drinks as well.

*Waterfront

...Latitudes on Madeira Beach offers views of the glistening intracoastal waterway. For under $9 you have a choice of salmon, chicken, shrimp or pasta. The early bird here runs from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday only. Happy hour, as above, lasts until 6 p.m. as well with drinks starting at $2.

*Dom Perignon
...The Wine Cellar on North Redington Beach doesn’t offer early bird pricing on its extensive wine list, but it does offer an early bird menu that includes eggplant, schnitzel and seafood. They also offer an early bird special “du jour,” left to the chef’s discretion, for $10. They serve their early bird until 6 p.m. every day; meals come with soup or salad.

*Pizza
...Most places with early birds don’t serve pizza, but TJs on Indian Rocks Beach does. In addition to their regular early bird specials they offer half-price pizza until 5 p.m. daily. Prices start at $5 for a small pizza; the toppings, should you choose any, remain half-price.