Maria's Mexican Restaurant is one of 16 participating in the downtown dinner and movie promotion and one of the few businesses where the recession seems to help.

"Fortunately our business is on the rise. Our numbers are up. At our cost point people seem able to afford a six dollar lunch at Maria's," said Najem Agnew, General Manager of Maria's.

Nonna's is also using tough times to its advantage, offering more promotions. But Downtown Springfield Association says the places where they would like to see more people are its two movie theatres.

"Part of what we're doing, dealing with is that we've had 15 or 20 years of the Springfield community defaulting to Battlefield for their movie needs and we're trying to get them to try this," said Rusty Worley on behalf of Downtown Springfield Association.

The hope is when you dine in you'll also order a movie ticket to go, keeping the money downtown.

"It's going to work out well I think it's just what we're looking for," said Agnew.

Serving up a dinner deal appetizing to many on a budget.

To see the list of participating restaurants, click here.