August is known for back-to-school deals on essentials like glue, backpacks, chic new outfits, and yes, even pizza. Across the Valley, restaurants are helping families ease into the school-year routine with promotions that make dining out a convenient—and often budget-friendly—option on busy weeknights. Other restaurants are simply looking to entice diners during the slower days of summer, with many deals lasting through Labor Day.
If you’re looking to stretch your dining dollars, this is one of the best times of year to eat out. Here are over 15 restaurants offering end-of-summer deals you should check out right now.
Back-to-School Deals for Busy Weeknights
Caldwell County BBQ
There are few things better than family-style barbecue after a long day. The “Family Meal for Four” includes a half-pound of brisket, a pound of pulled pork, and your choice of a half-pound of turkey, four ribs, or one-and-a-half jalapeño-cheddar sausage links. The $65 platter (tax and tip separate) also comes with two pint-sized sides, barbecue sauce, bread, pickles, onions, and jalapeños.
You can also customize your meal with scratch-made favorites like Aunt Susan’s Corn Casserole, Julio’s Mac & Cheese, or Lala’s Pinto Beans. It’s Central Texan BBQ for the win. Multiple locations, caldwellcountybbq.com
Ling’s Wok Shop
Most families can’t resist a “kids eat free” promotion, and Ling’s Wok Shop in Scottsdale delivers. Now through August 30, kids 12-and-under get a complimentary Kids Bento Box with any regular entree. Options are sure to please the little ones too, and include crispy chicken and wok-fired noodles. When you’re in the mood for Spicy Thai Beef or Kung Pao Beef, this one’s waiting for you. 20511 N. Hayden Rd., Ste. 100, Scottsdale, lingswokshop.com
Pita Jungle
Through the end of August kids 12 and younger also eat free at all participating locations of Pita Jungle on Saturdays. Best part, they can create their own meal, choosing between a grain or carbohydrate, a vegetable, and protein, as well as seasonal fruit and a kid-sized drink.
It’s also a win for those with dietary restrictions, thanks to vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. You will need to order an adult entree and mention this promotion when you order, but hey, we just tried the seafood pasta off the new summer menu, and think it’s worth it.
Plus, not only do kids eat free at Pita Jungle, there’s also Inflation Busters to turn up for. Just $3 gets you the Wood-Fired Cauliflower Taco, Shawarma Toum Chicken Taco, or the Skinny Toum Chicken Wrap. At that price, we might as well try them all. Multiple locations, pitajungle.com
Don’t-Miss Daily Deals in Phoenix
Belmont Kitchen & Cocktails
Welcome to Summer Happy Hour, a daily deal running from 3 to 6 p.m. The deal includes hand-crafted cocktails, seasonal spritzes, wines, and tasty bites. Or, for $65 indulge in a three-course prix fixe available Sunday through Thursday evenings.
And let’s not forget Taco Tuesdays from 3 to 7 p.m., with rotating chef-created tacos using seasonal ingredients. 8876 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Ste. 100, Scottsdale, belmontkitchenandcocktails.com
The Mexicano
Through Labor Day, enjoy $3 off any taco plate from 3 to 6 p.m. daily. You can also start the week off right with Margarita Mondays, which includes half-off Margaritas and $4 Classicos. Taco Tuesdays guarantee $3 Tacos Dorados and $3 Happy Hour Margaritas when you get those aforementioned happy hour tacos. 4801 E. Cactus Rd., Phoenix; and 3095 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, themexicano.com
Someburros
This one’s for the teachers, the unsung heroes of our classrooms. Someburros is offering all teachers in the Valley 25% off their order, up to $100, on August 24. Just provide a valid school credential to take advantage of this thank you gift. Excludes the catering platters. Multiple locations, someburros.com
Eat Up Drive In
Arcadia’s favorite hydration station offers half-off beverages between 3 and 5 p.m., and the deal runs all summer long. Off the discounted menu, go for the frozen or iced lemonade, Arnold Palmer, and iced tea. 4001 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, eatupdrivein.com
Pizzeria Virtu
If you’re craving Napoletana-style pizza, head to Pizzeria Virtu on Tuesdays and Wednesdays all summer long. On Tuesdays, enjoy hand-crafted Margherita Pizza with two glasses of wine for $30. And on Wine Wednesdays, you’ll get 50% off all wine bottles, excluding the reserve list. 6952 E. Main St., Scottsdale, virtuscottsdale.com
Mastro’s
The Summer of Luxury deal is back by popular demand. Spend $100 to get a limited-time prix fixe menu, Monday through Thursday, at all three Mastro locations until September 24. We recommend the Nueske’s Maple Glazed Bacon Steak and the Organic Lemon Pepper Chicken. Multiple locations, mastrosrestaurants.com
Estelle Restaurant
Estelle’s bringing the late-night energy to Old Town Scottsdale with the Martini Hour, featuring $10 specialty martinis Wednesday and Thursday from 9 to 11 p.m. Choose between a Dirty Olive Oil Martini, Toma-Tini, Casa Blanca, Carajillo Rising, and French Exit. It’s bound to be a good time. 4439 N. Saddlebag Trail, Scottsdale, estellescottsdale.com
Queen Creek Olive Mill
First Responders Appreciation Weekend takes place August 14 to 16, inviting first responders and their immediate families to enjoy the Mill with 20% off all food purchases (excluding alcohol). Just bring a valid photo ID to take advantage of the perks. 25062 S. Meridian Rd., Queen Creek, queencreekolivemill.com
Wine Girl
If the heat makes you a bit whiny, then you’d better get a little wine-y too. Whenever temperatures reach 110 degrees or higher, guests at Wine Girl can sip on $5 Frosé all day. There’s also a delightful lineup of summer cocktail specials, such as the Hugo Spritz, Paloma Refresher, and Peachy Summer Sangria. The deal goes through Labor Day. 4205 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, winegirl.com
Over Easy
The Weekday Social is here with $12 lunch items, $2 off select appetizers, and $5 mimosas, brunch punch, and Salty Dogs, all available Monday through Friday from noon to 2 p.m. Bonus, following the restaurant’s Food Network’s Top 10 appearance, Over Easy will now sling the BLTA Benedict, S’more French Toast, and Recovery Refreshers, which are made with coconut water and fresh citrus. Multiple locations, eatatovereasy.com
Marcellino Ristorante
Marcellino Ristorante has a three-course prix fixe dinner for $55 per person running Tuesday through Thursday until September 3. Dine on the Caprese with imported fresh mozzarella, award-winning hand-crafted pastas, and end the night with an indulgent tiramisu. 7114 E. Stetson Dr., Scottsdale, marcellinoristorante.com
Local Patrõn
All day, every day this summer, take advantage of Loco Patrõn’s $5 soft and crunchy tacos and “slightly loco” pints at multiple locations. It’s also the place to find Mexican candy shots and ranch water. Multiple locations, locopatron.com
J&G Steakhouse
Through August, The Phoenician’s J&G Steakhouse is hosting a Summer Social Thursday through Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m. with freshly shucked oysters, truffle fries, shrimp cocktail, discounted wines by the glass, and seasonal cocktails.
On Friday and Saturday evenings, don’t miss the roaming Champagne cart featuring prestige pours. Then on Sundays, bottles of wine priced $200 or less are half off with dinner. 6000 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, jgsteakhousescottsdale.com
