Lunching on the cheap: meals under $15 welcome news for tight purses.

• Author: Lavrakas, Dimitra
• Position: Alaska Business Power Lunch

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Unleashed from months of construction around the Dena'ina Center, McGinley's Pub has become more accessible once again. And the luck of the Irish, as usual, wins out. The partners chose the space before the announcement of the center's construction.

"It was a very exciting day for us, the day they announced the selection," said Jack Lewis, managing partner.

Non-smoking from its beginning, the pub has been successful from Day 1, Lewis said. Through the long construction process, their loyal patrons have found their way there.

And well they should. The food is true to its Irish roots and for $11.75, you have the choice of the Emerald Isle's best: corned beef and cabbage, ham and potato pancakes, Irish country chicken pot pie, shepherd's pie, or bangers and mash (white sausage and mashed potatoes). Sandwiches are $10 and under and stacked with corned beef, Black Forest ham, pastrami, or there's the intriguing "G-Wiz a Real Philly Cheese Steak." Just a few among the pub's dozen sandwich offerings. Then there's the call of the roasted garlic Dungeness crab legs, but those are $20--still you could split them.

The atmosphere is one of the most excellent in Anchorage and quite authentic. The solid wood bar is made by the world-renowned bar craftsmen Wallace and Hinz of California. McGinley's have a medallion to prove it and the bar is No. 614.

"Ann Fink (one of the owners) goes to Ireland two or three times a year and comes back with all sorts of things," Lewis said, pointing to the vintage Guinness signs and framed photographs. Fink also books the music that is played regularly on Thursdays and Saturdays.

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Stop by and welcome the pub's rebirth. Word of warning, though, do not park in the city's new The Linny Pacillo Parking Garage across from the center on weekdays--it's reserved for Atwood Building workers and freed up on weeknights and weekends to the public. A heavy fine is levied for those who park unawares.

Cheap eats are plentiful, but healthy choices few. All-you-can-eat buffets can leave you unable to function after a business lunch, let alone during, but there is one that does not.

All hail the luncheon buffet at Bombay Deluxe in the Valhalla Center on Northern Lights in Anchorage. For a mere $11.95 you have your choice of meat or vegetarian Indian selections, and the curry dishes will give your brain a kick and warm you on a chilly day.

Co-owner with his brother, Sethi, Sunil Rakesh said the...