Batanga

Where: Downtown
When: 3–7 p.m. weekdays

The Latin-and-Spanish-inflected small plates are bigger than you’d expect for $4, while chicken skewers with mojo and plantains and Castilian-style pork ribs are sure to keep you full.

Caracol

Where: Uptown
When: 3–7 p.m. weekdays

The “Todo por Siete” menu is just what it sounds like—diners can choose from 11 different $7 dishes including fried oyster sandwiches, red snapper ceviche and lamb lollipops.

Dish Society

Where: Tanglewood, Katy
When: 3–6 p.m. weekdays

A mealtime built around low-cost imbibing isn’t generally focused on health. But for diners who want to temper the damage, this restaurant’s quinoa-stuffed avocado and berry bruschetta, each $5, are a welcome departure during the weekday “social hour.”

Étoile Cuisine et Bar

Where: Uptown
When: 4:30–6:30 p.m. Sun–Fri

Absinthe may be the raison d’être of the “Green Hour,” but teetotalers will be handsomely rewarded with $7 short rib sliders, $6 country pâté and $4 truffle frites.

Hong Kong’s Café

Where: Chinatown
When: 3–6 p.m. daily

There’s no alcohol served here, but during the daily “afternoon tea,” you can choose from 12 different dishes and any beverage for $5.99. We like the HK-style French toast with a fried chicken wing. Just remember to bring cash; no cards are accepted here.

Punk’s Simple Southern Food

Where: Rice Village
When: 4–7 p.m. Tue–Fri; 9–11 p.m. Fri–Sat

None of the fried comfort grub rings up at more than $5 during both regular and reverse happy hour—and that includes $3 chicken biscuits and $2.50 sliders.

Red Dessert Dive

Where: Heights
When: 4–7 p.m. weekdays

Eat dessert first at this Heights bakery, because what goes better with discounted wine and beer than chocolate bread pudding with Texas bourbon caramel sauce?