Even in this economy, people are eating out when they find a deal. Here are a few I've recently discovered.

Want to prove that the best BBQ in the Twin Cities is still (fill in the blank with your fave) Ted Cook's, Market Bar-B-Que, Rudolph's, Famous Dave's? Then head to the newest competitor, Dickey's Barbecue Pit (11631 Fountains Drive, Maple Grove; 763-416-2271, www.dickeys.com). The Texas-based chain sells its pulled pork sandwiches for $1 each (reg. $4.50) every Monday in January and February for lunch or dinner from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The site mentions locations coming soon to Minneapolis, St. Paul, Chaska, Burnsville, Eden Prairie, and Coon Rapids but only Maple Grove is currently open.

Mystic Lake Buffet is offering a BOGO (buy one, get one free) coupon at www.mysticlake.com (a $17 value). The offer is good through Jan. 31 but is not valid for Wednesday's seafood buffet. The coupon also allows one person to get half off one buffet dinner, an $8.50 savings. The buffet includes 40 entrees from around the world and 24 desserts.

If you don't watch much TV and have missed the commercials for Domino's Pizza (www.dominos.com), the chain has replaced its old cardboard and ketchup recipe (their words, not mine) with something better. Try it by ordering two medium, two topping pizzas for $6 each (must buy two).

Almost as good is Little Caesar's (www.littlecaesars.com) everyday deal. Order a large cheese or pepperoni pizza for $5 (takeout only). It's cheap eats on game day or a kid's birthday. A sausage pizza is $6. Good anytime.

Green Mill (www.greenmill.com) is offering an $8 all-you-can-eat lunch with an unlimited amount of salad and soup or salad and thin pizza slices. The offer is good from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays. For an extra discount, print the $10 off coupon for any purchase of $30 or more. "Skippy" at the Uptown location assured me that, for example, if four people ordered the bottomless lunch, the table could also use the $10 coupon, even though the coupon says it's not good on any other discount.

T.G.I. Fridays (www.TGIFridays.com) currently has an all-you-can-eat lunch with soup, salad and breadsticks served until 4 p.m. for $7 ($9 after 4 p.m.). A three-course meal with starter, entree and dessert is $13.

Save 50 percent on $50 gift cards ($25) at Conga Latin Bistro, Dancing Ganesha, Frankie's Pizza and Kabobs at apps.startribune.com/halfpricedeals.

If you're looking for something more upscale, Oceanaire (1300 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612-333-2277, www.theoceanaire.com) has a three-course dinner menu for $30 that includes jumbo shrimp, mahi-mahi or barramundi as entrees. Thanks for the tip, dealspotter Paul. Vincent (1100 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612-630-1189, www.vincentarestaurant. com) has a $35 three-course menu Mondays through Thursdays. Want a cheaper "fixe"? Try 20.21 at the Walker Art Center (1750 Hennepin Av., Mpls., 612-253-3410, www.wolfgangpuck.com). The Wolfgang Puck restaurant has a three-course tasting menu for lunch or dinner (bar seating only for dinner) for $20.21.

What am I missing? Send me a good restaurant deal that you've recently discovered.

John Ewoldt • 612-673-7633 or jewoldt@ startribune.com. If you spot a deal, share it at www.startribune.com/blogs/dealspotter.