As locals, we are constantly on the hunt for the best South Lake Tahoe restaurant deals throughout town. Many of the restaurants around the south shore offer some great budget-friendly happy hours, daily specials, and lunch deals that both locals and travelers can take advantage of.
Happy Hours
Kalani’s
One of my favorite happy hours (and one of the lesser known deals around town), would definitely be at Kalani’s. Running from 4-6pm Monday through Thursday, and 3-6pm Friday through Sunday, their happy hour menu offers 1/2 off their signature cocktails and beers, and discounted appetizers. The items they offer on the appetizer menu range from hearty sushi rolls to beef short ribs, and a Kalua pig quesadilla. Kalani’s is located in the downtown Shops at Heavenly Village, and is open year round.
Freshies
Centrally located in town across from the lake, Freshies offers great happy hour deals. From 3-5pm daily, enjoy discounts on their famous tacos, select fresh salads, crispy tempura vegetables, and beer and wine. During the warmer months, the restaurant closes half of its indoor dining room, and opens their spacious rooftop deck, which has a beautiful views of the lake. The perfect spot for an afternoon bite!
Daily Specials
Wet Woody Wednesdays at Riva Grill
Every Wednesday, the Riva Grill offers their legendary Wet Woody’s at half price. A cool, blended tropical drink with a rum floater on top, named after the famed Riva Woody boat, the Wet Woody is a favorite of locals and tourists alike; they also offer many creative variations of their Wet Woody, so be sure to check out their signature cocktail menu to see their selection. Enjoy your frosty beverage on their lakefront deck overlooking the Ski Run Marina and lake beyond!
Taco Tuesdays at Pick 6
A newly constructed two-level sports bar in town, Pick 6 offers some great deals for Taco Tuesdays: $5 street taco trio (choice of beef, pork, chicken, or veggie), and specialty drink deals. During the warmer months, enjoy your tacos with forest views on their outside deck with cozy patio furniture, fireplace, and outdoor games like over-sized Connect Four and Corn Hole.
Lunch Deals
My Thai
With two highly popular locations in town, a filling and delicious Thai lunch deal is only minutes away from any of our South Lake Tahoe rentals. For only $8, you get a cup of soup, appetizer (usually an egg roll), refreshing salad with peanut dressing, and a choice of one of their many delectable entrees.
Jalisco Grill
A true favorite among locals, and another restaurant with two locations in town (the other is called Jaliscos), their delicious house-made Mexican cuisine is both affordable and hearty with sizable portions. The Jalisco Grill does offer a couple of items that are not available at the other location, like their notable mole enchiladas. With all of the menu items — including combo plates — coming in under $10, you’ll be sure to satisfy your appetite without emptying your wallet. Tip: both locations are cash only.
Applebees
I try to keep my business recommendations to locally owned ones, but our Applebees in town has a lunch deal worth mentioning. They offer $7, $8, and $9 lunch combos daily, where you receive a “mix and match” of two lunch menu items, with the options and portions definitely leaving you satisfied.
This is just a small sampling of the restaurant deals offered around South Lake Tahoe; many of the other bars and restaurants have some great deals to take advantage of as well, and they are usually listed on the company website, so be sure to check (or even call ahead) before heading out! If you are looking for a more intimate dining experience with a view, be sure to check out the Buckingham Luxury Vacation Rentals blog post for Best Lake Tahoe Restaurants for a Romantic Dinner with a View!
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