You can tell a lot just by judging the external details of Martin's Corner Bar and Grill. A side door's awning identifies the joint with nothing more than the word BAR in bold letters, indicative of the dive's simple, blue-collar patrons, while a modestly hanging piece of paper on the window pleads with passersby to watch for a lost dog/perro perdido, a sign that implicitly labels the bar as a Pilsen neighborhood staple.

The grill part of this establishment offers some of the best deals the city has to offer. For those with a heavy appetite (or sharing with a friend), try eating three Vienna hot dogs and fries for $5.99 on Monday-Thursday, or simply wait till Saturday for the 69-cent hamburger, a delicious pile of beef that probably cost more than 69 cents to make. The rest of the menu branches out from both the Pilsen norm and the usual pub grub, featuring entrees like pork chops, chicken breast, breaded steak and homemade soups and salads. What is this, a family restaurant?

Beer-wise, the bar pushes its pints of Miller Lite for $2, but also features a solid selection of more exotic brews; stuff like Guinness and Mad Hatter, to name a few.

While not pristine by any means, Martin's falls in the upper echelon of bar cleanliness with no noticeable flaws. Large flat-screen HDTVs are prominently displayed for maximum Sox coverage. But it's the chill vibe, the pool tables, and the Big Buck arcade game that help solidify the bar as the area's supreme lounge, one-half sports bar, one-half haven for Pilsen's young adults. Sure hope they find that dog.

Average cost: <$10

Centerstage Reviewer: Andy Seifert