Meal Deals that Deviate

By Alison Brown

Whether by way of America’s favorite “delightfully tacky, yet unrefined” food chain, or a former star coach’s steakhouses, there are some pretty outlandish meal deals out there that some dining patrons can’t wait to sink their teeth into.

Hooters, for instance: known for its wings, but its champagne? The restaurant offers a “Wings and Bubbly Deal,” showcasing that the restaurant has a little more class than a run-of-the-mill sports bar.

Then there’s Hamburger Hamlet, whose Crystal City location tempts patrons with their offer of munchies (a platter including crispy calamari and shrimp, fried zucchini “zircles,” Asian pot stickers, barbecue chicken quesadilla and a trio of sauces), choice of any two gourmet burgers, bottle of Veuve Clicquot and slice of their famous ultimate hot-fudge cake for $100.

And Vienna’s Shula’s pulls no punches with its bargain, the biggest and most challenging of them all: Polish off the massive 48-ounce Shula-cut Certified Angus steak, and you’re automatically entered into the exclusive 48oz. Club—joining the 32,763 others (and counting!) who ate their way to restaurant fame.

Believe it or not, there are repeat customers. Taft Parker, the reigning champ of giant steaks, ate his 100th steak with owner and former NFL coach Don Shula by his side. According to a Shula’s spokesperson, Parker has consumed over 180 of the 3-pound behemoths in the past 15 years.

Maybe blowing money on a new belt after eating a 48-ounce porterhouse isn’t everyone’s idea of fun. But for the occasional anniversary, birthday or clinched business deal? We’d bet on at least one beef bon viveur who’d take the bait.

(May 2008)

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