MANSFIELD ─ More than 20 area restaurants will offer discounts or a buy-one-get-one-free deal during “Restaurant Week” in Richland County, starting Nov. 15.

The first-time event is organized by Richland Area Chamber and Economic Development.

Lisa Duckworth, the chamber’s program and events manager for the chamber, said this year’s “Savor and Sip” event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She said the chamber is trying to highlight these businesses in a different way.  

“The pandemic has hit most of the restaurants very hard. That’s part of the reason why we wanted to have an event that focuses on restaurants … to help that industry,” she said.

The restaurant week will start Nov. 15 and end Nov. 21. So far, 21 restaurants have agreed to participate. Duckworth said the chamber is still accepting applications and will update the information on the chamber’s website.

Nickel & Bean, a coffee shop in Lexington, will offer combinations of a large specialty drink and in-house baked pastry at $7 or a drink with a breakfast biscuit sandwich at $8.

Owner Nicky Wong said people could save $2 to $3 by ordering the combination.

He also said the pandemic has been affecting the foot traffic at the bottom floor in the shop. Fortunately, the drive-thru has been able to stay busy and makes the business stay steady, he said.

Here is a list of the deals restaurants will offer as of Thursday (the most updated information could be found on the chamber’s website):

— Athena Greek Restaurant ─ Buy three gyros and get one free

— Deluxe Catering & Events ─ Buy a $15 gift card and get a $15 gift card for free (some restrictions may apply)

— Der Dutchman ─ $5 off a $30.00 or more purchase (not valid with any other promo or on gift card purchases)

— Black Dog Tavern ─ Buy two entrees and receive a free appetizer (up to $9 value)

— Doc’s Deli  ─ Buy 1 Pick-2 Combo, get the second one for free

— Downtown Nutrition ─ Free waffle upgrade with any shake purchase

— TGI Fridays ─ $10 off of a $30 or more purchase

— The Happy Grape Bar & Bistro ─ 2 for $22 Special! Two delicious classic flatbreads & your choice of two craft beers or two wine pours

— Gateway Café ─ Free hot beverage with any purchase and $1 off Garden admission

— Nickel & Bean ─ Large specialty drink and choice of baked in house pastry $7 and a large specialty drink and almost famous breakfast biscuit sandwich for $8

— Oak Park Tavern ─ Buy one entree get one free of equal or lesser value with beverage purchase (not valid with other offers or gift cards)

— O’Charley’s ─ Purchase two entrees and receive a free appetizer (excludes combo app)

— Punjabi Oven ─ Free rice or NAAN with any large entre

— Reindeer Grill ─ Buy one menu item, get one 1/2 off (equal or lesser value)

— Renaissance Performing Arts and Gateway Café ─ Go to Kingwood for a free salted caramel Forbidden Brownie or Cinderella Crown cut-out cookie when you show them your tickets (even electronically) to Cinderella. On Nov. 16 and 22, they will hold a served Ballroom Buffett Brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m during which your Cinderella ticket will get you a BOGO 50% off.

— Simple Fire Wood Fired Oven ─ Buy one get one for 1/2 price (equal or lesser value) Pizza – Subs- Salads – Pasta Dishes

— Skyline Chili ─ Buy one regular 3, 4, or 5 way and get one 1/2 off (equal or lesser value)

— The Keto Zone ─ $2  off a $9.99 pizza OR $5 off a $25 or more purchase

— The Vault Wine Bar ─ $10 off a $25 purchase (excludes alcohol)

— Tito’s Cantina & Grill ─ Buy one taco, get one taco free (restrictions may apply)

— Wishmaker House Bed and Breakfast ─ Three-course meal for $25