By james art At Phil Brady’s about 15 years ago, owner Joe Hall had a problem.
“We used to run Texas Hold’em tournaments and they shut us down,” he said. “We had to come up with something for a Monday night that would attract people.”
Thus, $1 Burger Night was born at Home Bar & Grill, 4848 Government St., Baton Rouge. On Monday nights, Hall serves up custom burgers for $1 each (plus $1 extra if you want a double patty or 50 cents more if you add cheese). Hall said it’s been a good way to attract people and build up regulars for other events at Phil Brady’s throughout the week, like Thursday’s Blues Jam.
Joe Hall, left, prepares some buns for orders while his brother John Hall grills the patties on burger night at Phil Brady’s.
“Bamburgers bring you in. If you get cheese, I make a profit,” he said. “But Monday night is to create people who have never been here. Then they see the bands playing over the weekend. They see the blues as sweet. What Monday night does is it kicks off the rest of the week.
A lot has changed since 2009. Inflation in the United States has risen. McDonald’s $1, $2, $3 menu (which was only the $1 menu before 2013) no longer offers any items that cost only $1. Dollar Tree raised its base prices to $1.25 in 2021 and will soon raise them again with in-store prices ranging from $1.50 to $7.
What can $1 even buy you anymore?
In certain places in Baton Rouge, it turns out to be quite a bit. Despite rising costs, local businesses, including Phil Brady’s, continued the tradition of $1 deals in hopes of attracting new customers. They have cultivated regulars. They became weekly gathering places for people. But it is not always profitable.
Chef Brandon Odom shows off a plate of Odom’s Kitchen wings for $1 at Capital Park Bar and Grill.
“I lose $1.89 to $2 on every burger I put out,” said Jeremy Achberger, owner of Lakeside Daiquiri & Grill, 7490 Burbank Drive.
They’ve been doing quarter-pound burgers for $1 on Wednesdays since 1997 except for a pause during the pandemic. Achberger said it’s still worth it to attract customers; he, like many other business owners, makes the money with other menu items such as drinks and regular customers who come in on other days of the week.
For some, this is no longer financially feasible. Pink Agave, 4001 Nicholson Drive, Suite B, is doubling its $1 taco price as soon as the new menus can be printed. Management said the decision was made due to rising food costs.
“A box of fries is almost $40,” said Brandon Odom, who operates out of Capital Park Bar and Grill, 7132 Florida Blvd. “I remember we used to buy a box of fries for $12, and it’s been going on for the last three or four years.”
Despite higher prices on almost everything, Odom’s still serves $1 wings on Wednesdays. He just has to shop around to get the best prices for the ingredients.
“We do it. We can’t just stop doing it,” he said.
Here’s where you can eat for $1 all week in Baton Rouge.
Monday: Phil Brady’s $1 Burgers (starts at 6pm)
Dale James, left, eats a burger with his brother-in-law Greg Tenhundfeld and sister Jennifer Tenhundfeld during Dollar Burger Night at Phil Brady’s.
Phil Brady’s is a Baton Rouge institution. It is a place to gather people, play pool, chat with old friends and listen to live music. After going a few times, regulars say they all know your name.
Greg and Jennifer Tenhundfeld have been going to Phil Brady’s since they got married almost 40 years ago, and they never miss a burger night.
Jennifer Tenhundfeld said they already have a system. She and her husband ride in different cars. They eat their hamburgers and sometimes she goes home afterwards. Her husband lives mainly with Phil Brady and plays pool “every day except Easter Sunday”.
Many old regulars can’t even tell you how long they’ve been going to Phil Brady’s. There is the official countdown – when they can legally go to a bar. Then there’s the real one, but that was off the record.
The burgers are good, especially for the price. Tendhundfeld recommends a garnish of onion strings. Phil Brady’s also does $1 Taco Tuesdays, served by Scratch Maid Kitchen.
Tuesday: Taco Tuesday at La Mexicana (all day)
A full variety of salsa, chips and lime wedges with a plate of tacos at La Mexicana.
La Mexicana, 7034 Siegen Lane, is a relative newcomer to the $1 deal scene; they started in 2021. Tacos are normally $2.25, but their $1 deal is all day on Tuesdays. Lunch usually starts at 11am
“Everything is made to order and it’s very traditional — not Tex-Mex at all,” said owner Salvador Nieto.
People have made a habit of having lunch with their colleagues there every week. One regular, Brian Case, bemoaned the fact of the story because it meant the restaurant could get busier. He and his coworkers have been eating $1 tacos every Tuesday for months.
The two most popular tacos are marinated pork and shredded beef, and for 25 cents more you can add avocado or other toppings to any taco. Sara Chalk, one of Cazes’ colleagues, recommends the queso if you go. She said it was hard to beat.
Wednesday: $1 Wings at Capital Park Bar & Grill featuring Odom’s Kitchen (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Odom’s Kitchen Honey Jalapeno Wings Platter at Capital Park Bar and Grill.
Capital Park Bar & Grill has $1 wings, currently made by Odom’s Kitchen, every Wednesday. There is a large selection of flavors including Buffalo Garlic Parmesan, Mango Habanero, Sweet Chili Glaze, Asian Zing, Lemon Pepper and several BBQ varieties.
Odom said his bestsellers are honey jalapeños and Odom’s Crab Boil, a proprietary dry rub that tastes like boiled crab and other flavors you’d normally find in a crab boil.
Odom will soon move on to his own venture, but the $1 wings will continue at Capital Park, hopefully with the same flavors.
Chef Brandon Odom talks $1 wings at Capital Park Bar and Grill.
Or $1 burgers at Lakeside Daiquiri & Grill (7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)
The half-pound burgers come with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and condiments on the side so people can customize theirs. They are 21 and over establishments and have daiquiris and a full service bar.
Pro tips if you go:
Server Jaqueline Prado, right, takes customers’ orders as Gissel Cardona walks by with chips and salsa at La Mexicana.
- Don’t forget to tip. According to La Mexicana’s Nieto, Taco Tuesday is the worst day for servers because people tend not to tip their $1 tacos.
- Show up on the early side. Dollar deals have loyal regulars and restaurants can get packed. If you go early, you will be able to get a seat and get your order.
- Try something new. Most places offering $1 deals are barely breaking even or actively losing money keeping these specials on the menu. Order multiple sides.