Confession: I love El Gaucho but can't drop $65 on a steak. Luckily, a new 18-item happy hour menu with items in the $3-$14 range, debuted July 14, makes it easy to visit and includes items like El Gaucho burger, tomato-basil-mozzarella salad, seasonal chef's ceviche, baby back ribs and mac and cheese. Chilled sushi-grade Hawaiian ahi tuna becomes a textural juxtaposition to creamy fish flesh and crunchy toasted pine nuts, peppers and onions. Capers and pear balance a salty-sweet tug of war. The large bowl of steamed clams in buttery broth of white wine and herbs, the Tenderloin Diablo and wicked shrimp are lasting favorites.

Happy hour beers and wine range from $3 to $5 with an $8 bartender special.

[El Gaucho, 4 p.m. to slode Sunday and Monday, 4-6 p.m., 9 p.m. to close Tuesday-Friday; 10 p.m. to close Saturday; 2119 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.1510]