New York City’s contentious congestion pricing — instituted to help the MTA — started this week on January 5, where cars and trucks entering Manhattan below 60th Street will have to pay a fee. The toll is still much-debated (our colleagues at New York Magazine, for example, wrote this week that congestion-pricing haters need to “get a grip”), but whether you’re for or against it, the one thing that could be on the table, some restaurant owners are arguing — particularly in Manhattan — that going out to eat could get more expensive. And with anything as drama-filled as congestion pricing, a small group of restaurants, of course, have seized the moment. Several Manhattan restaurants are leaning into the drama by offering congestion-pricing menu discounts.
The beer hall mini-chain is offering $9 discounts off of $100+ checks at its three Manhattan locations through the end of January. 90 Washington Street, near West Street, Financial District; 230 East 51st Street, between Second and Third avenues, Midtown East; 16 West 36th Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues, Midtown
For people driving to the Italian restaurant (owned by Fox News anchor Rosanna Scotto and her family), it’s offering $9 off meals. This is available only on Friday, January 10. 34 East 52nd Street, near Madison Avenue, Midtown East
The New York company will refund $9 to diners driving into the city for meals at four of its Greenwich Village restaurants. That includes Italian restaurant Osteria 57, Italian seafood restaurant Alice, Italian cafe Travelers Poets & Friends, and also-Italian seafood restaurant Alaluna. Osteria: 57 West 10th Street near Sixth Avenue; Alice: 126 West 13th Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues; Travelers: 457 Sixth Avenue at West 11th Street; Alaluna: 453 Sixth Avenue near West 11th Street
The burger chain’s New York City, New Jersey, and Connecticut locations will have a limited-time combination special just for the congestion toll. The ShackBurger and fries combo will be available for $9 from Monday, January 13 through Friday, January 17. Orders can be placed in person, online, or through the app by either saying or using the code “NYTOLLS.” Multiple locations
The ice cream shop is offering $9 discounts off of its ice cream cakes to people who mention this deal. 95 East 10th Street near Third Avenue, East Village
The Manhattan and New Jersey locations of the omakase chain are taking $9 off checks that are booked using the code “CONGESTION” through OpenTable (Manhattan, New Jersey) The discount is available through Saturday, February 1. Multiple locations
