Budget Travel - What is your favorite cheap eats in YOUR hometown?

Since a big portion of my travel experience is simply experiencing food, I'd like to start a master thread of our favorite "hole in the wall" joints in cities around the world. These places are generally a destination point, a "local secret" type place, and most importantly CHEAP.

I figure the best people to ask are just that- the locals. Weather we're travelers or locals, we might find a diamond in the rough in the city you're in now. Since I’m from the SF Bay Area, I'll start! Enjoy your meal.

Daly City (10 min South of SF)-
Tani's Kitchen in Westlake Village (authentic Japanese food that's literally a hole in the wall (Sub-10 for dinner)

San Francisco-
Tommy's Joynt
1101 Geary at Van Ness
(German food Sub- 10 for dinner + HUGE portions)

San Jose-
King's Eggrolls ($5-8 lunch)
980 Lundy Ave, San Jose- Some of the best eggrolls bar none.


edit- To keep this a "budget" food, lets aim for a target of sub-10 meals so that people can live off of $20.00 day.

San Jose-
King's Eggrolls
980 Lundy Ave, San Jose- Some of the best eggrolls bar none.

mmmmm....eggrolls! send me some.

in green bay, hard to say there are a bunch of places that are hometown eats but not the cheapest. but here goes.

als hamburger - downtown green bay. its also known as greasy al's. need i say more.

bilotti's pizza garden in de pere - great pizza and italian, family run get the thin crust!

there are a bunch of bars that have great burgers and other "bar food" not to mention great beer and microbrews and all sorts of fried cheese things.

Portions of the post that previously appeared in this space have been deleted. I would provide you with a reason why, but doing so would likely be against the TOS.

Hmm... Gordito's in Seattle for mexican! ^

Here are several local favorites in Alabama

BBQ-Dreamland BBQ-Tuscaloosa, Mobile, Huntsville, Birmingham

Hamburgers-Big Springs Cafe-Huntsville

Steak-Conestoga Steak house-Dothan

Italian-Levoys-Birmingham

Fish & hush puppies-Angler-Cullman

^

I'm from San Bernardino CA, approx 1hr east of LA. (The place where the '03 wildfires were at) Up in the mtns is a place called "The Cottage". It is directly off of Hwy 18 in Rimforest in between the Lake Arrowhead turn offs. It is known for it's sandwiches and salads. It makes soups and pastas at order, and if you want to eat with another person you can easily split a plate for $8. They have the classics like Turkey w/ avocado, Roast Beef (hot or cold), huge club sandwiches, and more. It sounds basic like you can get anywhere, but the taste is great along with the portions and the service. The mtns are a small community so the service is homely, courteous, and is that small town feeling.
For those of you passing along the 10fwy heading east bound toward Palm Springs, take a 5 min detour along the 30 fwy north to Highland, exit Baseline and head east to Rosa Maria's. It's all about the burritos and the mexican food. I guarantee no garbage burrito or quesadillas are the same. Great price, large portions, and great great food.

Officially known as "Las Quatro Milpas," (http://entertainment.signonsandiego.com/profile/246993) this is the place for muy tipico, inexpensive Mexican food in San Diego.

Lunch only. No reservations. Long lines. And worth it all.

I know this isn't a "unique" restaurant, but In-n-Out chain is one of my favorite hamburger places. They have a limited menu, but they are consistently delicious.

Former Home Towns:

PDX - India Chaat House (2 blocks towards the stadium from the library) - $4.75 lunch special is excellent.

Elkridge, MD - Smokey & Uncle Daves BBQ - tiny BBQ joint out of a home just off rt 1 & rt 100

Rochester, NY - Dibellas Subs

I know this isn't a "unique" restaurant, but In-n-Out chain is one of my favorite hamburger places. They have a limited menu, but they are consistently delicious.

actually there's a hidden menu to expand your options - http://www.tiburon-belvedere.com/cgi/home.cgi?c=In_N_Out

In Chandler, AZ
C Fu's - great chinese, big portions, fairly cheap
Oregnos - good non-chain pizza

Around Sacramento, CA
Noodle City (near Sac State) - good chinese
Fuji Sushi (near UC Davis) - sushi lunch buffet - long lines, no reservations, but $10 for all the sushi you can eat and special orders are welcome
dos coyote - good non-chain semi fast food mexican; like baja fresh but better

Pittsburgh, PA
Fuel and Fuddle - 1/2 price food after 11pm - good food at cheap prices
Mad Mex - 1/2 price mexican after 11pm - loud and very dark, food is okay and cheap
The Original - greasy with very large poritions - e.g small fries feeds 2-3 people

Officially known as "Las Quatro Milpas," (http://entertainment.signonsandiego.com/profile/246993) this is the place for muy tipico, inexpensive Mexican food in San Diego.

Lunch only. No reservations. Long lines. And worth it all.

Hmm never heard of that.

I like Roberto's on Miramar. It's a local chain, but just about anything in SAN that ends in -tos (there are so many offshoots it's not even funny). Will be alright.

For asian food in this city, Convoy St has everything... and most of it's reasonably priced.

Fusion Cafe on Claremont Mesa (caddy corner to Cheetah's) is an asian-fusion restaurant that's really popular among my friends. Vietnamese influenced, but still very good.

SFO has tons of cheap food but just about everything else is expensive. Best Chinese restaurant in the city is Kam's, near Washington HS (Think it's Balboa, it's where that old theatre is in the Richmond Dist).

Back in Marin County, San Jose Taqueria is really good and very cheap. That's on 4th st under the 101. Walking distance from there is Lotus of India, which, aside from having a $8 (when I was last there) lunch buffet, it was the best Indian food in the bay area (and consistantly rated that).

I'd send you to get a chili dog from Ben's Chili Bowl, 1213 U Street NW, Washington, DC.

That's across the street from the U & 13th Street exit of the "U Street/Cardozo" Metrorail station.

http://www.benschilibowl.com/

Nashville - Calypso Cafe by Vanderbilt has fantastic Caribbean-inspired food, including great (and big and cheap) salads and dinner plates.

Austin - Din Ho Chinese BBQ family-style Chinese, best I've found in Austin, though I realize not the same as in other cities with larger Chinatowns (cash discount if you're dining with a group!)

[QUOTE=medic]actually there's a hidden menu to expand your options - http://www.tiburon-belvedere.com/cgi/home.cgi?c=In_N_Out

In Chandler, AZ
C Fu's - great chinese, big portions, fairly cheap
Oregnos - good non-chain pizza

Also in Chandler, Cyclo - outstanding Vietnamese, most dishes $9 or less
El Sol Mexican Bakery - family owned hole in the wall, excellent Mexican pastries and anything carne asada.

In Tempe, AZ, Sabuddy - Israeli/Medditteranean cafe, all food made fresh
Cafe Lalibela (same parking lot as Sabuddy) - Ethiopian food.
You've just got to try it.

Hmm... Gordito's in Seattle for mexican! ^


Umm.....yummy hangover food...always feel real bloated though...might have soemthing to do with the booze :)

This is a link to my post in a San Diego Best Bang for the Buck thread -

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4374262&postcount=12

In case any of you weary travellers find yourself at CWA/Wausau Wisconsin, I can suggest:

Hereford and Hops: Grill your own steak joint, reasonable prices, excellent cuts, and right next to the Courtyard by Marriott and Hampton.

Sawandee Thai: Good considering it's 'da Northwoods.

Coney Island Restaurant, New Castle, PA

In Ann Arbor, MI:
Vietnamese - MisSaigon on Ellsworth south of town
Mexican - La Fiesta Mexicana - in Ypsilanti
Pizza - Pizza House near campus or Bella Italia on Eisenhower (close to a lot of hotels)
Burgers - Sidetrack in Ypsilanti, Blimpy Burger in Ann Arbor

I know this isn't a "unique" restaurant, but In-n-Out chain is one of my favorite hamburger places.

In LA, Tommy's Burgers are the best, and truly only known to locals. It's been twenty years, but right now I've got a craving for those greasy chili burgers :p

EmailKid

Washington, DC - Momoyama (http://www.google.com/maps?hl=en&lr=&c2coff=1&q=momoyama&near=Washington,+DC&sa=X&oi=localr&cid=38895000,-77036667,14681915974182959729&li=lmd&z=3)
Very good, reasonably priced sushi. Near the US Capitol and the East Wing of the National Gallery of Art on 2nd Street, NW, half a block in from Constitution Avenue, NW.

Alexandria (Delray area), VA - Bombay Curry Company (http://www.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=bombay+curry+company&near=alexandria%2C+va&btnG=Search&cid=38804722,-77047222,11868261377410316513&li=lmd&z=3)
Best Indian food I've had in the DC area. The fact that it's inexpensive is bonus.

DFW, TX: Masala Wok (in Richardson, opp UT-D) Excellent Chinese-Indian fusion -and- Bombay Sweets (also in Richardson at U.S. 75 and Belt Line), I think it's all Vegetarian.

London, GB: Wallington Fish Bar, Wallington, Surrey. Wicked sized chip portions - double wicked sized Cod pieces (not "Codpieces" but fillets of battered cod).

Arlington, VA - Mario's Pizza House - the most ghetto pizza place on earth (no indoor seating, just picnic tables - there's a cover space where you can stand, but it smells like piss from the 3AM drunk crowd!) Best thing on the menu is a patty-sausage pizza - or Lefty's Steak & Cheese.

Northern VA area for burgers - Five Guys - real burgers & great fries - there's an FT'er Pizzaman that has ownership stakes in several of the ones in the area - great burgers!

Nationally? Wendy's 5-piece chicken nuggets for a buck with the Chipotle Sauce - so cheap & so good!

greggwiggins - Ben's Chili Bowl? It's okay - but I just don't get what all the hype's about!

In LA, Tommy's Burgers are the best, and truly only known to locals. It's been twenty years, but right now I've got a craving for those greasy chili burgers :p

EmailKid
Emailkid Trust me: The Tommy's Burgers are still amazing, but your tummy will only responsibly accept them once every 20 years. Of course, the secret is still standing up, facing the wall and eating in the original location which is on the east side of the street. Also, it is mandatory to wear clothing which does not require dry cleaning as it is a given that you will splatter chili all over yourself. BTW, my husband and I had season tix for the opera & symphony for several years and often we would top off the evening with a visit to Tommy's. Not unusual to see a great mix of folks in all kinds of clothes "dining" at Tommys.

Here in Reno, I can suggest two places for cheap eats:

1) The Nugget casino in downtown Reno (not to be confused with John Ascuaga's Nugget in Sparks) features their "Awful Awful" burger - so named because it is "awful big and awful good." IIRC, it's a 1/2 pound burger (served with about a pound of fries) for less than $5.

2) La Taqueria Michoacana (which has two locations), for a plate of tacos that can't be beat. Personally, I prefer the burrito the size of my head. ;)

Mike

Love the El Palomar Taco Bar at the El Palomar Restaurant in down town Santa Cruz, CA. Really delicious cheap eats and a lively bar.

San Diego --
Andre's Cuban restaurant on Morena
The Venetian on Voltaire Pt. Loma,
Nati's Ocean Beach
La Pinata (patio only) Juan St. Old Town
Berta's (Argentinian?) Old Town
Filippi's India Street Little Italy
El Indio on India Little Italy
Little Chef Ocean Beach (take out only Mexican or Greek)
Happy Chef Murphy Canyon
Los Charros Escondido
Mi Ranchita Ramona (hey, it's on the road to Julian)
George Burger Escondido and San Marcos
Agrusa's Subs Escondido
Costco soda if you're thirsty, and they throw in a pretty okay hotdog. $1.50.
Jack in the Box 2 tacos for 99 cents

I think the original Alberto's chain has gone semi-under and only has two "real" stores left, one in Escondido. It's gone bad, dirty, ugly, I've had to quit eating there. Any of the imitation 'bertos would be better.

(I really hope this isn't a dupe post. I did a search and didn't see one, but this is sounding familiar as I type.) :(

Arlington, VA - Mario's Pizza House - the most ghetto pizza place on earth (no indoor seating, just picnic tables - there's a cover space where you can stand, but it smells like piss from the 3AM drunk crowd!) Best thing on the menu is a patty-sausage pizza - or Lefty's Steak & Cheese.

Northern VA area for burgers - Five Guys - real burgers & great fries - there's an FT'er Pizzaman that has ownership stakes in several of the ones in the area - great burgers!

Nationally? Wendy's 5-piece chicken nuggets for a buck with the Chipotle Sauce - so cheap & so good!

greggwiggins - Ben's Chili Bowl? It's okay - but I just don't get what all the hype's about!

I don't know where Ben's gets the half-smoke sausages they use, but I think they're amazingly good, especially when covered with Ben's chili. That's a personal and obviously subjective opinion and as they say, YMMV.

I'll second the Mario's for pizza and Five Guys for burgers suggestions; I've been going to Five Guys since their sole place was a carryout-only at the corner of Columbia Pike and Glebe Road in Arlington and they boasted that they got the buns from the bakery two doors down. You've gotta love a place that tells you where the potatoes used to make that day's french fries have come from. I have been a bit worried recently that they're going 'upscale' -- the food court at the Tysons Corner Center shopping mall is a long way from a storefront next to an auto parts store -- but if we have a Flyertalker involved, that's encouraging. (But shouldn't Pizzaman be Burgerman if he's one of "the" Five Guys?)

I don't know where Ben's gets the half-smoke sausages they use, but I think they're amazingly good, especially when covered with Ben's chili. That's a personal and obviously subjective opinion and as they say, YMMV.

Haven't tried the Half-Smoke yet - but I'll give it a shot next time I'm in that part of town! My old roommate lives about a block away, so it'll probably be pretty soon!

Five Guys has expanded a lot - I didn't know they had a location near Glebe/Columbia Pike - I used to live off of Glebe & 50. I used to go to the one off of Beauraguard (sp?) and Rt. 7 - now, there's an "upscale" one (i.e. no peanuts on the floor & its a little cleaner) near my house off of Gallows Road in Falls Church - I eat there every few weeks.

Haven't tried the Half-Smoke yet - but I'll give it a shot next time I'm in that part of town! My old roommate lives about a block away, so it'll probably be pretty soon!

Five Guys has expanded a lot - I didn't know they had a location near Glebe/Columbia Pike - I used to live off of Glebe & 50. I used to go to the one off of Beauraguard (sp?) and Rt. 7 - now, there's an "upscale" one (i.e. no peanuts on the floor & its a little cleaner) near my house off of Gallows Road in Falls Church - I eat there every few weeks.

It may have been the first Five Guys, but the Five Guys at Glebe/Columbia Pike is no more. It was in the strip shopping mall across the Pike from the gas station, next door to what is today a Boston Market.

In my true hometown of Clearwater (FL) nothing beats Frenchy's on Clearwater Beach for grouper sandwiches. My favorite location is the Saltwater Cafe and my favorite grouper treatment is Buffalo, but they also do it cajun blackened, jerk, grilled or fried. http://www.frenchysonline.com/

In my adopted college town of Gainesville (FL) the local favorite is Burrito Brothers located at 13th and University. It has been around for ever and makes awesome burritos and the best red sauce ever. Looks like they are going to franchise one out in Tampa in early 2006. http://www.burritobros.com/

I know this isn't a "unique" restaurant, but In-n-Out chain is one of my favorite hamburger places. They have a limited menu, but they are consistently delicious.

Just to let you know when that they have an invisible menu called the Monster style. If you want a double-double, ask for it monster size and you can get four patties, but ask for anything in Monster style and see what happens. Its great. ^ :D

Head to the Pour House on Boylston.
Lots of different burgers to choose from
My favorite is the terriyaki burger with pineapple and terriyaki sauce
with a side of lots of fries...
$2 and change including tax!! Only Saturdays though

They have awesome milkshakes too - but they're more expensive than the burger and fries together.

A couple thoughts:

If you find yourself wandering around SF in the early morn, you can't beat Kelly's Bugers. I recommend their turkey burger with bacon and cheese.

Kelly's Burgers.
3141 16th St.
(415) 252-0422.
Mon.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-midnight;
Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-3 a.m.;
Sun., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

In the East Bay, my favorite taqueria is El Sombrero in Berkeley. This place is at the corner of Shattack and University and serves up some great grilled chicken burritos in a very humble setting. The secret to eating well at this place is the green salsa. If you're getting take away, make sure you ask for a little exta.

Becky's for breakfast on the working waterfront.

Gritty McDuff's is a brewpub with excellent bar food (sandwiches, burgers etc.)

Great Lost Bear is a bar with an awesome beer selection and a big, eclectic menu.

In nearby South Freeport, Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster for outdoor seafood at reasonable prices.

I'll be in Toronto this week - any recommendations? :)

Los Angeles, California:
Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles
1514 North Gower Street, Hollywood, CA 90028-6422
"Southern Cooking for Los Angeles...Cholesterol Heaven,and star's favorite"

Los Angeles, California:
Ana Maria's Taquiria & Roast to Go in Grand Central Market
317 S. Broadway
"Fresh, hot, and outstanding Mexican. Not just beef and pork, but carnitas, legua, adobo, and menudo. Tortas, tacos, and other tasty treats."


Wichita, Kansas:
Nu-Way Cafe
(various locations around town, W. Douglas is the original)
"Home of the crumbly burger & garlic salad. Fresh made root beer and cherry limeade!"

Pho Pasteur in Boston Chinatown (don't go to the one in Harvard Square)

Los Angeles, California:
Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles
1514 North Gower Street, Hollywood, CA 90028-6422
"Southern Cooking for Los Angeles...Cholesterol Heaven,and star's favorite"



I'm curious.. why does everyone like Roscoe's so much? I went like 2 or 3 times there w/ friends and such and never understood why people liked it... to me, it was dry chicken douced in some slimey gravy..

luv2ctheworld- I agree completely... In-n-Out is amazing... was just talking about them today.

best Burger in Detroit- Alberts, corner of Grand River and Lahser... an absolute dive in an even worse neighborhood, but OMG what a burger!!!
Fave Burger in NYC- The Red Lion (East Village)- Try the burger w/ chevre... who woulda thunk?!?!?!
Best Cheap meal in Detroit- Byblos Cafe on Palmer just east of Woodward Ave. Walk away STUFFED for well under 10 bucks (and a bag of leftovers) Middle Eastern and some Greek food.
Best Cheap Eats in NYC (latenight)- Mahmouns Fafafel (East Village) Expect to see a line of no less than 20-30ppl late at night, and order the Falafel or Schwarma and find out why. Again, you will be STUFFED for like 4 bucks.
Best Latenight food ANYWHERE- American and/or Lafayette Coney Island, Detroit MI, Michigan Ave., just east of Woodward. This is OFFICIALLY where the Coney Island was invented. (it's a long story, but it was NOT invented on or near the actual Coney Island).

Just a few from Sydney Australia, where it is possible (with a little effort) to get great food and atmosphere on any budget:
- Superbowl & BBQ King (multiple locations in Chinatown) - authentic food, atmosphere, especially until very late;
- Soup Plus on George St, good food and great atmosphere as a jazzy/folksy club;
- Harry's Cafe at Woolloomooloo, ask for the 'tiger' pie & peas. Great location, open v.late.
- Arthur's Pizza (multiple locations), eastern suburbs delivery;
- $5 steak dinners (or schnitzel, salads etc) with a drink; Forresters Surry Hills & almost all non-yuppie streetside pubs in the inner city and suburbs
- Favourite of all is Phuong, Vietnamese, in Crows Nest, with a bottle or two of wine, and the atmosphere, great family-run service and the best smells and taste - tell them you are a brother or sister of Ben :)

Chicago area:

Sub $5: well, you're looking at a hot dog, a polish sausage, or an Italian Beef. In the suburbs, I'd go for Gene N Judes (http://chicago.citysearch.com/profile/3530933). Two regular dogs, both come with fries, and a medium drink. Or if you're on a budget, one double dog with fries and a small drink. In the city, I'd get out to Jim's Original (http://www.hollyeats.com/JimsOriginal.htm) for a Slotkowski brand Polish Sausage with mustard and grilled onions, and a can of soft drink, and hobnob with the guys trying to sell you jewlery off their arms. If you're not that adventurous, spend the extra buck and get an Italian Beef sandwich from either Mr. Beef (http://chicago.citysearch.com/profile/3663623/chicago_il/mr_beef.html) or the Ontario Street location of Portillo's.

Sub $10: More choices here. Near the city, I'd take the Blue Line L to 18th/Ashland and walk two blocks over to Nuevo Leon (http://www.evite.com/pages/venue/venueDetails.jsp?venueID=UGTSUSBSQATAXFULEFOY). $10 is kind of pushing it, but you can get a good main course there for that price. Pilsen is one of Chicago's great ethnic neighborhoods, and you shouldn't really come to Chicago and not go to one or two of these types of neighborhoods.

Five Guys has expanded a lot - I didn't know they had a location near Glebe/Columbia Pike - I used to live off of Glebe & 50. I used to go to the one off of Beauraguard (sp?) and Rt. 7 - now, there's an "upscale" one (i.e. no peanuts on the floor & its a little cleaner) near my house off of Gallows Road in Falls Church - I eat there every few weeks.

Wow, I didn't know you live near by my company. Maybe we should do lunch at Five Guys.

In London, the Huong Viet Community Centre, on Englefield Road in Dalston, does amazing food several evenings a week. Almost impossible to find first time round, and definitely worth booking in advance.

Just to let you know when that they have an invisible menu called the Monster style. If you want a double-double, ask for it monster size and you can get four patties, but ask for anything in Monster style and see what happens. Its great. ^ :D
I would hate to see the "monster"..Animal style :eek:

I would hate to see the "monster"..Animal style :eek:
I've done the 3x3 protein style before in Vegas. Knife and fork food. Fuddrucker's 10 oz. burgers are great that way as well.

Dutch Apple Pie from Kroger Bakery. :p

In LA, Tommy's Burgers are the best, and truly only known to locals. It's been twenty years, but right now I've got a craving for those greasy chili burgers :p

EmailKid
I would agree that Tommy's serves up much better burgers.

For Pastrami in SoCal it hard to beat The Hat, a small chain strewn all over the southland.

I would agree that Tommy's serves up much better burgers.

For Pastrami in SoCal it hard to beat The Hat, a small chain strewn all over the southland.


You never been to Tommy's Pastrami's on Septulva, near Tito's Tacos, have you?

Problem is, it's not cheap....

You never been to Tommy's Pastrami's on Septulva, near Tito's Tacos, have you?

Problem is, it's not cheap....


I should set parameters to Sub-10 per meal.

I should set parameters to Sub-10 per meal.
Johnny's is ~10 w/ a soda :eek: it's a lot for a sandwich, but it's fairly good IMO.

In LA, Tommy's Burgers are the best, and truly only known to locals. It's been twenty years, but right now I've got a craving for those greasy chili burgers :p

EmailKid

USC students survive on Tommy's; at least I did. No better LA experience than Tommy's after a night Dodger game. Many locations but Beverly & Rampart is the must stop.

http://www.originaltommys.com/

More kudos for Five Guys ^ ^ They have newer locations in Herndon, on Elden Street and in Chantilly (both are fairly close to IAD).

http://www.fiveguys.com/

My fave hole-in-the-walls in the area are:

Teocalli Tamale - excellent fish tacos and more. Check out the hot sauce wall. In Herndon, Elden Street.

http://www.washingtonian.com/dining/Profiles/teocallitam.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-309041.html

Pepper's Texas BBQ - great pulled pork sandwich for lunch. Reston, Micahel Faraday Drive (near Wiehle and Sunset Hills)

Reston Kabob - near Reston Parkway and Sunrise Valley Drive

http://www.restonkabob.com/

Pica Deli - original location in Reston, near Reston Kabob. Current website focuses on Arlington location but the menu is the same. The Marco Polo (chicken salad with curry) is my first choice but I sometime opt for Centurion (steak) or Vesuvius (meatball) sub. Killer blondies!

http://www.picadeligourmet.com

USC students survive on Tommy's; at least I did. No better LA experience than Tommy's after a night Dodger game. Many locations but Beverly & Rampart is the must stop.

http://www.originaltommys.com/
FYI, they're building their first San Diego location on Claremont Mesa Blvd, east of the 805 fwy.

I went to the Tommy's by USC (my brother's an alum) a few times... but I'm going to avoid the mayhem down here when it opens.

<snip> but Beverly & Rampart is the must stop.

http://www.originaltommys.com/

Yup, they never tasted the same in any of the others that I tried :(

And I say that you will change your mind once they finish building one in SAN civicmon :D

EmailKid

A favorite in Chicago is the Thai Star Cafe - just a few steps off the Mag. Mile, and unbelievably good value for good food.

Trong Khanh on Centre Street NE - fresh, decent Vietnamese food. Always satisfying.

OPA! Souvlaki (local chain, various locations). Obviously Greek food. Tzatziki is thick and garlicky.

Café Metro on MacLeod Trail SE - Montreal-style smoked meat sandwiches. Special treat - smoked meat chowder.

Mahlzeit!

In London, the Huong Viet Community Centre, on Englefield Road in Dalston, does amazing food several evenings a week. Almost impossible to find first time round, and definitely worth booking in advance.

Good choice!
And you can take your own booze there too - which also helps with the budget!

My London choices are:
takeaway sushi, sashimi, norimakis & bentos from the basement at the
Japan Centre, 212 Piccadilly - which I then take to Green Park for a picnic. Al fresco dining from £2.50.
And watch out in the evenings as they sell most of their food half price (from 6pm - to 7pm closing time). Perfect for taking back to your hotel/hostel if you're visiting.

an Indian meal (you know it's good as the queue outside is full of Indians)
Lahore Kebab House 2-4 Umberston Street (just off Commercial Road). London E1
Link to Map (http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&GridE=-0.06299&GridN=51.51422&lon=-0.06299&lat=51.51422&place=Umberston+Street,+E1,+LONDON&db=GB&scale=5000&search_result=Umberston%20Street%2C%20E1%2C%20LOND ON&lang=&db=GB)
Again - bring your own booze, and it's really cheap too.

Hey, I dunno if it counts as a hole in the wall since it's pretty hectic here, but I like Beanstreet Coffee in Asheville, NC. They serve breakfast all day, which includes the biscuits and gravy we Southerners love to fill folks up with. As much as I can say that Asheville is my hometown, you can often find me here sometime during the weekends.

Hey, party boy, is Tommy's Joynt in SF still as good as I remember? Its been years since I've been there.

Hey, party boy, is Tommy's Joynt in SF still as good as I remember? Its been years since I've been there.

On Columbus by the Transamerica tower?

If so, it either closed or was sold.. I remember the hoopla about it when I was younger.

Hey, I dunno if it counts as a hole in the wall since it's pretty hectic here, but I like Beanstreet Coffee in Asheville, NC. They serve breakfast all day, which includes the biscuits and gravy we Southerners love to fill folks up with. As much as I can say that Asheville is my hometown, you can often find me here sometime during the weekends.

Hey, party boy, is Tommy's Joynt in SF still as good as I remember? Its been years since I've been there.

The food is still excellent. I went there 2 weeks ago for a quick dinner.

Burgers - Kincaids (original location in Fort Worth on Camp Bowie, new location in Southlake has replicated the kitschy charm of the original)

Hot Dogs (among other things) - Angry Dog (Deep Ellum)

Mexican - seriously, take your pick but my favorites are Fiesta (Fort Worth on Hemphill Avenue), Esparzas (Grapevine), Sols Taco Lounge (Deep Ellum), Monicas Aca y Alla (Deep Ellum)

I'll continue musing on my other favorites... so much good casual food around Dallas/Fort Worth!

any good food there?

I agree with you on those around CWA. I would add BackWhen (service erradic), but the food is good. Also, Mandarin is halfway decent for Chinese. If you want a good fish fry (a local tradition on Fridays) I'd goto the Hiawatha. Cheers!

In case any of you weary travellers find yourself at CWA/Wausau Wisconsin, I can suggest:

Hereford and Hops: Grill your own steak joint, reasonable prices, excellent cuts, and right next to the Courtyard by Marriott and Hampton.

Sawandee Thai: Good considering it's 'da Northwoods.

In Madison Wisconsin

Some favorites are GreenBush Bar (Madison is smoke free) so its nice with excellent Italian cuisine feature thin Neapolitan style pizza while not on the order of Lombardi's in NYC it is still pretty good. The vegetarian appetizer platter is a great deal with pesto, mozzerrella, tomaotes, artichokes, olive tapenade, and peasent bread for under $10.00. Casa Bianca also known around here as Casa B's is a cheap thin crust joint cheap and good. For Chinese Beijing on Midvale is very good as is the Far East Asia Buffet (I know a buffet that is good) but its true. Also Shish Cafe on University has excellent middle eastern cuisine.

If you are in town feel free to PM me, and I'll try to point you in the right direction.

... my favorites are Fiesta (Fort Worth on Hemphill Avenue) ....

Remember it well :)

EmailKid

Trong Khanh on Centre Street NE - fresh, decent Vietnamese food. Always satisfying.

Speaking of Calgary and Center Street NE, I recall the excellent burgers on 16th (Trans Canada Highway) between Center and 4th, but can't recall the name right now.

It's been a long time since I visited Cowtown, and even longer since I lived there.

EmailKid

Tres Hermanos - Excellent Mexican food - try the whole fried fish - awesome!
12th & National Ave.

Abu's Jerusalem of the Gold - Middle Eastern and Vegetarian foods
Farwell Ave. south of North Ave.

Bombay Sweets - Indian food - super cheap - very good food. S. 13th St.

In Chandler, AZ

Oregnos - good non-chain pizza


I would consider 7 locations, a chain.

Carolina's, original location on 12th St and Mohave and new location Cave Creek and Thunderbird are both very good. The original location looks like a hole in the wall. When you go at lunch, the line may stretch out of the building. I've even seen high city officicals eating there. Closes fairly early 7:30 or 8:00pm.

Good combo meals for $4-$5. Famous for their flour tortillas. Get a cheese tortilla, green burro, or a green machaca burro. All really good. Almost impossible to spend more than $10 here.

Garcias - Original location only. 35th avenue and Osborn. Not to be confused with the spin off chain that the family sold 20 or more years ago. Go to the take out building, and get a huge portion for $6 or so. Nice fried ice cream as well.

They'll even let you substitute stuff on their combos. My favorite, a #9, with an extra taco instead of the bean tostada. $6 or $6.50 now. Get a big bowl of eat in chips for 50 cents.

Other than Tommy's and In-N-Out~ I think Pink's a cool place to go~ but try to avoid during the weekends~ line is simply too long~ too many tourists :(
www.pinkshollywood.com

Remember it well :)

Oh my yes. Would someone please mail me some of their tortillas? :D

USC students survive on Tommy's; at least I did. No better LA experience than Tommy's after a night Dodger game. Many locations but Beverly & Rampart is the must stop.

http://www.originaltommys.com/

So... hungry... right... now...

Perhaps I'll stop by after we crush the dirty bruins tomorrow :D

cmccool, how about Chanos??? Or the Pantry? Or Philippes? Or those bacon-dogs from those random carts outside the Coliseum?! :cool:

I agree with Pinks ^^. And I think Roscoe's is great (chix + waffles are a must)... but not cheap.

Porto's Bakery in Glendale... Cuban sandwiches, croquettas, potato balls, dessert stuff... mmm....

And finally, some great cheap eats can be had at McCormick & Schmick's happy hour... $1.95 half-pound cheeseburger + fat fries! Along with varying items like buffalo wings, potstickers, quesadilla (fried calamari got moved to the $5 menu :td: ) Locations everywhere, but my favorite is in Downtown LA in the Library Tower.

Ok... now I'm starving!!!

Speaking of Calgary and Center Street NE, I recall the excellent burgers on 16th (Trans Canada Highway) between Center and 4th, but can't recall the name right now.

It's been a long time since I visited Cowtown, and even longer since I lived there.

EmailKid

Are you thinking of Pete's? Good but a bit pricey.

In Toronto there are multiple choices.

My favourite is the New York Restaurant at Broadview and Danforth - quasi Greek with really cheap breakfast ($3.75 before 11 a.m.) and a single pizza for $7 that is so large it is 2 meals.

Hanaichi Sushi Bar (http://www.hanaichi.com.au) on Queen Street Mall in Brisbane. Great sushi, great restaurant, great service, great price. :)

Herbie

Meiwah Restaurant
1200 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

Northern Virginia, Dim Sum daily at lunch, Mark's Duck House:
http://www.washingtonian.com/dining/Profiles/marksduck.html

our favorites (all in Rockville):

A&J Restaurant--all dim sum all the time, cash only. Home restaurants are in Taiwan and the mainland.

Bob's Noodle House--you don't need to choose some of the more estoric items at this Chinese restaurant in a strip mall. The spicy beef is wonderful. As with A&J, if you are not Asian, you'll stand out in the crowd (as we do). Great testimonial!

Bombay Bistro--maybe the best Indian restaurant in the DC area. Wonderful weekend buffet.

Sam's Market--a middle Eastern market and restaurant. Go for the succulent lamb or chicken kebabs. In the market, attached to the restaurant, Sam makes his own gelato. Our major problem with this place is that the portions are so big (we now vow to take the hummus home rather than have it with dinner) that we don't have room for the spectacular gelato.

Lebanese Taverna--the fast food version of the wonderful DC restaurant. Everything is first rate--except that it is sometimes difficult to find a place to find a place to sit. Either my wife or I scrounge for a table while the other (plus our son) orders our dinners.

In my hometown of YVR here are some of my favourites:

1. Le Do, East Hastings Street 1 block west of Nanaimo
-a great Vietnamese Pho restaurant with one of the best soups I have ever
had.... about $6 CAD for a huge bowl of steaming noodles in soup

2. Penny's, East Hastings Street, 2 blocks east of Victoria
-great neighbourhood Cantonese joint known for large platters of "over-rice" food. Great congee also

3. Tacos Mexico Rico, West Hastings and Richards
-probably the best home made mole sauce in Vancouver -- large portions of authentic food at very cheap prices

after we crush the dirty bruins tomorrow :D
:D :D :D :D :D

cmccool, how about Chanos???
I think you are a touch younger than I (Class of 1985). What is the triple crown night run called?

Stop #1: double with cheese from Tommys
Stop #2: bean & cheese burrito from Chanos
Stop #3: ?? the place with the Partridge Family bus (Lucys?)

Or the Pantry? Or Philippes? Or those bacon-dogs from those random carts outside the Coliseum?! :cool:
Great suggestions. LA has hundreds of fantastic and cheap eats. Original Pantry Cafe strikes the most nostalgic chord. There can be a wait even at 4 am.

Palo Alto: Pizza My Heart ($5), Pasta? ($10), or World Wraps ($5). All on University Ave.

Boulder: The Mountain Sun or Southern Sun (Pub food but the beers are meal enough) or Pasta J's.

Los Angeles: Vietnamese sandwiches

DC-Chinatown
Chinatown Express (http://www.washingtonian.com/dining/Profiles/chinatownexp.html) for a big bowl of freshly made lai mein noodles or Shanghai dumplings. Either one will run you $5.45 with tax and make a great lunch on a cold and/or rainy day (like today).

Speaking of Calgary and Center Street NE, I recall the excellent burgers on 16th (Trans Canada Highway) between Center and 4th, but can't recall the name right now.

It's been a long time since I visited Cowtown, and even longer since I lived there.

EmailKid

It's PETER'S DRIVE IN. Not bad. Rocky's burger bus at 4645 - 12 St SE is ten times better though, with softball sized burgers and honest fries.

Hot Dogs (among other things) - Angry Dog (Deep Ellum)

I'll continue musing on my other favorites... so much good casual food around Dallas/Fort Worth!
Yep, good stuff. Also love the cheese fries at Snuffers. Mmmmmm!

Ashland, Oregon

Senor Sam's mexican food. Great food, healthy portions, quick service. Off Ashland Street about 1 mile west of the I-5 exit.

LHR/LGW/STN/LCY

Ravi Shankar -- Drummond St Indian vegetarian food
Ranoush Juice on Edgware Rd for falafel etc

NYC
Tomo: Bdwy/111th street; Japanese great and not expensive sushi; good lunch deals

In Chicago - my home:

Tacos El Norte (ok, actually in Niles, but close) - Milwaukee at Golf Rd.
Pita Inn (about a block away from Tacos El Norte)

El Paso, TX: Charcoaler Restaurant on Mesa Street...retro look and $3.oo for a full lunch!

For <$10, there is a small retail area north of downtown where there are 2 places I frequent:

Italian - Osteria del Figo (http://www.figopasta.com/index.htm) .. mix and match pasta and sauce, cheap Chianti, good karma. 4 cheese ravioli with the shrimp and egplant sauce... tasty!

Mexican: Tacqueria del Sol: Great brisket enchiladas and tacos. Also, various fish/seafood specials, but that will run you a little more than $10.

If you go to either and see a long line, it is because you stand in line to order first, then you get seated.

Southern California (and west coast) a chain of mostly vegetarian buffet called Souplantation (or Sweet Tomatoes ouside of SAN/LAX area). Lunch or dinner under $10. My favorite place.
TT

My absolute favorite is
Taste of Thailand near 156th and West Center Street. Reasonably priced, delicious food, huge quantities
Lo Solo Mio - Italian food
Upstream brewing company - to kill for jambalaya and calamari.

I figure the best people to ask are just that- the locals. Weather we're travelers or locals, we might find a diamond in the rough in the city you're in now. Since I’m from the SF Bay Area, I'll start! Enjoy your meal.



Great Idea!

In Las Vegas
For cheap, sub-5, try DJ Bibingkahan*, on Maryland Parkway, just south of Sahara. You'll be stuffed full of cheap Filipino food!

For sub-10 lunch, try Archi's Thai Food, on West Flamingo, west of Jones. Great, authentic Thai food...popular with Thais.

*I can't spell it correctly.

Don't know if this has been posted but...

Beef 'n Brandy on South State Street in downtown Chicago has a very nice breakfast for $2.99, comes with 2 eggs, 2 sausages, and hash browns.

Not bad!

I would hate to see the "monster"..Animal style :eek:

You've just given me an idea for lunch tommorow! :p

When my sister in law travels she often takes her 5 member family to a Costco food court. Hot Dog & Coke $2, Pizza $2/ large slice, etc. Not very distinguished cusine, but definitely cheap eats.

Oh - and you do not have to be a memeber to use the food court! ^

Zio's Pizza
Cuisine Served: Pizza/Italian
4370 N Federal Hwy
Ft Lauderdale , FL 33308 US
(954) 493-8885

Family owned and opperated. Best 'rea' italian I've had in FL.

Spanx Cheesesteak Factory
Cuisine Served: American
1388 E Oakland Park Blvd
Oakland Park , FL 33334 US
(954) 630-8448

REALLY good cheesesteaks!

Both of these happen to be on the rewardsnetwork.com site (formerly idine) So they can also net you some miles for eating there, BONUS!! ^

Thai:
Madam Mam's
On "The Drag" (Guadaloupe), north end of the UT campus. Great Thai food, actually properly-seasoned (i.e. spicy) by default. Kicks the pants off of all the lousy, truly nauseating whitebread "Thai" food I've had in the East Bay. $10, max (can escape for $7).

Middle Eastern:
Phoenica Bakery / Grocery
South Lamar. Service is usually kind of surly and there's barely anywhere to sit; but the food is great. The people running the place are Lebanese via Spain and now Tex-Mexicanized. The chicken shawarma is especially outstanding. $5-$6.

(Hip) Mexican:
Maria's Taco Express
South Lamar. You cannot miss the statue on top. Tacos are great, try al pastor or migas. The vegetarian taco ain't bad either. You will not just want to eat, you will want to hang out. $5-7. Far, far better than this awful "Mexican" food served in the East Bay (or anything "Mexican" I ever ate in Seattle).

In Seattle, almost anything at the corner of 12th and Jackson. Vietnamese sandwiches at under $2 are a particular favorite.

Well, this does not do much good right now as the football season is over, but I have found many bars that have free buffets (pizza or whatever) during 1/2 time of Monday Night Football. Cheap, if you don't count the cost of the beer. ;)

Giorgio's Pizza on Clement at 2nd, if you are in the neighborhood.

Pacific Catch in the Marina (excellent!)

Pluto's at eighth and Irving, in the inner sunset.

Finally- my kind of people...the only thing better than talking about food is going out to eat!

Here's my pics (and the first few may be unfamiliar locations to some of you big-city folk!)

Brookings, SD:
George's Pizza: 311 Main Ave- Burgers, Italian, Pizza, Greek, and seafood- from $2-$12. A big fave with the college kids- they sell pizza by-the-slice (huge slices) for $3 out the window til 2 am, and it's right in the middle of the "pub crawl" area.
I love the gyro calzones or pizza- they are definitely at least 2 meals, for $5 to $9. www.campusfood.com
Mad Jack's: 805 Medary Ave- sandwiches, indian tacos, smoothies etc. $3-6, Very "South Dakota" decor- complete with road signs that have been used as target practice and a Monopoly game set up to play. . .on the ceiling.

Sioux Falls, SD:
Dynasty Chinese and Vietnamese: 5326 W. 26th St- Nice, great service, excellent food, most from $4-$10.

Pierre, SD:
La Minestra: 106 E. Dakota Ave, www.laminestra.com- This is by far one of my faves- in an old 1886 tavern, $7 and up, italian and some good ol' SD steaks. Huge portions, excellent service, sit at the bar while waiting to be seated- great wines!

Colorado Springs, CO:
La Baguette: 3 locations, the one in Old Colorado City has the best atmosphere. Fresh bread and pastry, French-American $2-$8. Fresh croissants...mmmm..
Panino's: www.paninos.com-2 locations (also in Fort Collins,CO and North Oaks, MN), Italian, $2-$15, Pizza, pasta, burgers, great calzones, $2-$15
The Golden Bee: 1 Lake Circle (The Broadmoor)- Authentic, English-style pub with live piano music, bar-wide sing-alongs, "bar wenches", and traditional English food. Shepherd's pie, burgers, etc- $10 on average. The atmosphere is definitely the best part...

Almost forgot: in Denver, Co
The Paramount Cafe: 519 16th St- www.paramountcafe.com.- 60's Rock and Roll atmosphere, terrace outside for people-watching on the 16th St. Mall. $4-$11, great deals M-F Happy hr from 4-7 pm.

Meiwah Restaurant
1200 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

Yes, thumbs up. Meiwah is the only Chinese food I've every eaten that wasn't very greasy. Decor is also great- I miss being only a block away from there (at my old office).

Also good on K street is Nooshi (formerly Oodles Noodles).

And Ben's Chili Bowl- that is a coronary waiting to happen, but a DC experience I suppose.


euslander, I'm jealous- the Lebanese Taverna near me only has the expensive sit-down option.

Some more Austin places...

Veggie Heaven (http://austin.citysearch.com/profile/10212843):
Also on the Drag (Guadalupe St). Inexpensive Asian-influenced food served up by followers of some sort of (harmless) culty religious group... some lady's picture hangs in teh restaurant and is in the menu, along with a page detailing what they're all about. They have fantastic lemonade and really yummy flan. I think both are $1.

Taco Shack (http://www.tacoshack.com/):
North Lamar, Medical Parkway, Spicewood Springs, Metric. Good breakfast tacos I think for about $1.50. Good lunch choices, all reasonable and very filling. It's not quite Marias Taco XPress, but it's good if you're in central austin and can't get south.
...btw... Go to Maria's Taco XPress (http://www.tacoxpress.com/) (mentioned in an earlier post) on a weekend morning for live music and crazy hippie dancing. Something in the salsa must cause flashbacks.

Las Manitas (http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/dispatch/2004-09-24/food_mini.html):
Congress Ave. Good for weekend brunch. Great for hangovers. Get the Aqua Fresca. Only open for breakfast and lunch. If you walk through the kitchen to the back there is patio seating.

Din Ho Chinese BBQ (http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/dispatch/2004-09-24/food_mini.html):
183 and Peyton Gin in the Honk Kong Supermarket shopping center. BBQ ducks hang in the To Go section before they get spoken for. Then the cutter upper guy liberates them from the hook and chops them into chopstick-sized chunks, providing a lively percussion as eat-in diners fill their bellies with some of the best Cantonese-style goodness in town.

CoCo's Cafe (http://austin.citysearch.com/profile/35414771/austin_tx/coco_s_cafe.html):
Same center as Din Ho, also on Guadalupe near Campus. Pearl Milk tea, aka Bubble Tea, aka Boba and authentic Taiwanese cafe food, such as green onion pie, several soup offerings, curry squid, various buns, and even some yummy chicken nuggets served in a boat-shaped dish.

Jim Jim's Water Ice (http://www.jimjims.com/):
Guadalupe with a cart, 6th street storefront. Reaaaalllly good slushie sorbet-y goodness perfect for hot days.

Zen Japanese Food Fast (http://www.eatzen.com/):
It's not all that cheap for what you get but probably some of the cheapest, most accessible sushi in town. And definitely fast.

Dog Almighty (http://dogalmightyhotdog.com/):
Burnet Rd Farmer's Market. I haven't tried this place yet, but it looks like a good, cheap option.

Nau's Enfield Drug soda fountain (http://austin.citysearch.com/profile/10208830/austin_tx/nau_s_enfield_drug.html):
West Lynn and 12th. Hamburgers, ice cream treats, breakfast tacos, sandwiches, etc. It's a real soda fountain, operating exactly as it has since the 50's, in the back of the drug store. Good burgers. Nice, neighborhood atmosphere.

Austin Farmer's Market (http://www.austinfarmersmarket.org/):
Republic Square (5th street by the downtown post office). It's held every Saturday morning until 1 PM and every Wednesday afternoon. Very fun! Usually there's live music. You can typically find great fruits veggies and meats and plenty of healthy, inexpensive pre-prepared foods. A lovely afternoon would be to buy some good stuff at the farmer's market and head over to Zilker Park for a picnic to eat it up. Then, ride the Zikler Zephyr train with a big bag of cotton candy. In the summer, you could add swimming in Barton Springs Pool to the mix, or you could go canoeing where the spring joins Town Lake. Perfect, cheap fun.

There's a hamburger stand around Barton Springs and S Lamar that makes their burgers with organic/grass-fed beef that's supposed to be reasonable and good. I don't know the name of it though.

Star Seeds Cafe (http://austin.citysearch.com/profile/10215354/):
I 35 at 31st. Greasy Spoon diner. Good home fries. Open 24 hours. Good people watching around 3 AM on Friday or Saturday. The bathrooms are usually decorated pretty interestingly, too. It's pretty greasy, and, as its name suggests, seedy, so bring a tempered stomach.

In Seattle:

Cafe Zum Zum, Pakistani food, is great for takeout lunch downtown on 3rd & Marion. Line starts early and portions are hefty and all under $6. The lamb curry is my fav which is unbelievably tender. Even the bed of rice is uniquely rich and flavorful more like a pilaf. Other dishes include curry chicken, garbanzo, or a silky spinach or a combination of any two. Great way to get out the boring chicken teriyaki blues. Don't expect to be hungry the rest of the day.
http://www.nwsource.com/ae/scr/edb_vd.cfm?c=r&ven=1505&s=nws

Jamjuree, Thai food on Seattle's Capital Hill. Lunch is the deal here with the "Combo" for $7.25 which includes phad thai, entree, soup, salad, and choice of rice. There is an attention to quality and it is even a better deal if you are dining alone since everything is included. This is a sit nice down restaurant http://www.jamjuree.com/t_2_13.gif ) but it can be a bit slow during busy times. Only recently did they raise the price to $7.25 because it was too good of a deal. Here are the Lunch Combos that also include soup and salad:
http://www.jamjuree.com/menulunchspecial.html

Hana on Capital Hill's Broadway E (NOT to be confused with Hana Teriyaki on 8th) is a small but eternally busy place. While you can find fancy and expensive sushi places all over the city the quality here is consistently decent and most of the sushi is only about $1 each. The sushi chefs here come with decades of experience. The Ala Carte menu is the best value for non-sushi items. The lunch bento is good too but no lunch on Sunday. Again, decent food and relatively cheap and has been open for a long time.
http://local.yahoo.com/readreviews;_ylt=Ao_iFGTAV0Rc_6x3uSRA6fKKNcIF;_ylu =X3oDMTByaXF1YmYwBF9zAzk2NjEzNzcwBHNlYwNyZXZpZXdzL WF2Zw--?id=22131514&csz=Seattle+WA&ed=BVAE86160Sxsk4IrPfhK4CrMkX4q2nGEZm9x6UtN.nnPvWL 6lyAz8zLON7uJE2dHDAPh.90W&stx=hana&cattype=localsearch_template_restaurantbar&fr=dd-local-tl1&

Too lazy to read through all responses, sorry if this already posted.

When travelling in the US, with/without my kids, I check the web to see if Fresh Choice, Soup Plantation, Sweet Tomatoes, or Souper Salad has branches in destination city/area. These are "mega-salad bar buffet" places.

Many grocery stores (chains) have a pay-by-weight salad bar, which generally do include seafood and meat.

Most grocery stores (including foreign) do have a deli section to get stuff for a picnic.

Most department stores / shopping malls have a food court. Especially useful in places (e.g. Southeast Asia) where cheap eats might not be hygienic.

When all fails, Pizza Hut! Locations in many countries, almost guaranteed to have a salad bar (beware: check if price is for one-trip or all-u-can-eat), and many have a lunchtime and/or one weeknight all-u-can-eat pizza buffet.

During a trip, I do occassionally eat at real restaurants; the above are for majority of meals. Especially since travelling with kids requires flexibility about times, costs, and levels of hunger.

Ask hotel staff what/where are the grocery stores / supermarkets / hypermarkets in the city.

And remember to eat live yogurt to keep the gut healthy!

Holiday Family Restaurant in Holiday, FL -- just north of Tarpon Springs.

Breakfast for $2.49 + tax + tip: 2 eggs, 2 strips of bacon, hash browns, and toast. Can you beat this? All served up to 11:00am.

In my college town, there is a Mexican chain place called Moe's. They have an item on their children's menu called Moo-Moo Mr. Cow, which is a burrito, chips, a cookie and a drink for less then $5. The great part is that even though they say the children's menu is for 12 yr. olds or younger, they won't stop older folks from ordering off of it. So most everyone ends up ordering a Moo sooner or later since it is a very filling, cheap meal.

For Brooklyn visitors TACI BETA on Coney Island Avenue near Quentin Road. Delicious Turkish food and very inexpensive. Bring your own wine!! ^ ^

In my college town, there is a Mexican chain place called Moe's. They have an item on their children's menu called Moo-Moo Mr. Cow, which is a burrito, chips, a cookie and a drink for less then $5. The great part is that even though they say the children's menu is for 12 yr. olds or younger, they won't stop older folks from ordering off of it. So most everyone ends up ordering a Moo sooner or later since it is a very filling, cheap meal.

Could we have a city location, please?

In ANC if you're looking for a good burger head over to Arctic Roadrunner, there are 2 locals and the shakes can't be beat. Out towards the Valley stop in to the Noisy Goose Cafe in Palmer across from the State Fair Grounds; the food is absolutely THE BEST! and prices are generally under $10. The halibut basket is a favorite as is the crispy chicken salad. I've never had a bad meal there. ^

LoSole Mio is the best Italian in this town as R6VO said, but it's not as good as it was a few years ago.

Stella's in Bellevue is the best burger in the area, it's a hole-in-the-wall place about the size of a double-wide mobile home.

Pepperjax is the best Philly Steak sandwich, and they make it in a wrap as well, it beats the heck out of that chipotle, qdoba and moe's.

It looks like Fuddrucker's (burgers) has turned itself around on 72nd and Dodge, a year ago it was not so good, but now it's hard to even get in the place, and it was wonderful.

I'm still looking for the good out of the way places in San Antonio TX, I did try La Fogata, it was ok, but nothing to write home about.....

Could we have a city location, please?

www.moes.com

Franchise operation with HQ in Atlanta. All over FL now...including both Tallahassee and Gainesville. Good Food.

Q-doba also has a big local presence. Owned by Jack in the Crack but you would never know it..the food is excellent..one entree can easily be split between 2 people

Chipotle has not yet shown up in this part of the world.

London - Misato Japanese restuarant on Wardour Street, China Town

Young Cheng, Lisle Street , China Town - ask for the Chinese Menu (its also in English)

Young Cheng, Lisle Street , China Town - ask for the Chinese Menu (its also in English)

London - Royal China Bayswater for Dim Sum

London - Laureate restaurant, Shaftsbury Avenue for Dim SUm

London - "As Greek as it gets" Near Old Brompton Road / Earls Court Road corner. Great and cheap

London - Rico Rodzico - Westbourne Grove. Brazilian

London - good Argentinian restaurant chain - Goucho Grill

"James Street South " - pricey but good but bland decor
Deanes Deli - cheapish and very good - on Bedford Street
Ginger - cheapish and good on Hope Street

London - Brick Lane for Indian food - many restaurants - near Spitelfield Market

Belfast , Northern Ireland

bariummeal,

since all ten of your posts were of the same location (OK, one from Belfast) I went ahead and combined them into one.

I request that in the future all posters follow the example set by those who posted earlier in the thread and added different eateries in same locale (and sometimes different locales) in one post ^

Thanks for understanding !!!

EmailKid

Spanx Cheesesteak Factory
Cuisine Served: American
1388 E Oakland Park Blvd
Oakland Park , FL 33334 US
(954) 630-8448

REALLY good cheesesteaks!You haven't had a good, or even great cheesesteak until you've eaten one where they were created - Philly. I am not talking about Pat's or Geno's. I'm talking about street vendors in and around Center City. $4.75 will get you an original!

London has probably been covered extensively, but I'll throw in a few more:

1. Hercules Pillars on Great Queen St - great burger and chips for GBP4. Portion is huge - closer to what you'd expect in an American restaurant than what you get in the typical British one.

2. Sway - also on Great Queen St, across the street from Pillars. They have a lunch menu starting at GBP 3. While many dishes are more expensive (the most is GBP7), you can get a chicken sandwich or fish sandwich on the GBP3 menu. The atmosphere here is a little weird (think school cafeteria trying to look posh), but it's big and there's never a wait at lunch.

3. Ecco Cafe - Drury Lane (I think this is a small chain, so prob other locations as well). Cheap GBP 3 for a margherita pizza. They have a dismal seating area in back, so your best bet is to get take out and walk down to the piazza in Covent Garden and watch all the people eat their overpriced lunches at the cafes.


cheers

Red Veg - Veggie burger place off Oxford Street

Fire & Stone - Pizza place in Covent Garden

St. Mary Le Bow - Veggie lunch place in the crypt of St. Mary Le Bow in The City

Ciro's Pizza Pomodoro - Liverpool Street & Knightsbridge

Burritoville in NYC.

Thanks for reminding me. It's been awhile! ;) Too long! :D

Mark

Oh yeah, I agree with doc! Burritoville is really good and really cheap. Love the veggie chili over brown rice. Filling and only $4. They have several locations, but I usually order from the one on W. 72nd St.

A local favorite, and extremely cheap, Chico's Tacos

I officially love Binondo (chinatown in Manila) now. I just went on a food trip, and I got to eat so much dim sum and meat buns and cold noodles for a rate cheaper than McDonald's!

I will be in Dallas next week. Any suggestions?

I will be in Dallas next week. Any suggestions?
It's been a few years since I've returned to Dallas (used to live thereabouts for about decade), but always loved:
Dream Cafe
2800 Routh St Ste 170
Dallas, TX 75201 View Map
(214) 954-0486
Cross Street: La Clede Street

Eclectic food, eclectic atmosphere, about a couple of miles from downtown.

Don't know if it's still around (it's been a dozen years since I've moved to the sandbar off the coast of Texas), but there was an excellent Ethiopian restaurant just off upper Greenville (didn't find it on the first few hits from Google).

La Madeleine French bakery / restaurant / bistro is a multicity chain now, but started next to SMU just off Central Expressway. If you like southern breakfast, Norma's in north Oak Cliff (don't believe everything you read about Oak Cliff) is an institution, though my favorite greasy spoon egg, hashbrown and patty sausage breakfast was at a local chain whose name now escapes me :( . But I can tell you it's on Fort Worth Avenue about a mile west of I-35 a block or two before Sylvan (which would lead you south into lovely north Oak Cliff). And there used to be an excellent Salvadoran restaurant just down the street from Norma's with wicked frozen margaritas and excellent food. And of course all sorts of eateries in Deep Ellum, but they weren't there when I lived in Big D.

Lots of Mexican restaurants, most all of them good. The one I recall is El Gallito (or close to that name) just east of Downtown. If you don't like greasy breakfast, you can always try huevos rancheros at Mexican restaurants that serve breakfast (not all do).

Hope this helps a little.

EmailKid

Carolina's, original location on 12th St and Mohave and new location Cave Creek and Thunderbird are both very good. The original location looks like a hole in the wall. When you go at lunch, the line may stretch out of the building. I've even seen high city officicals eating there. Closes fairly early 7:30 or 8:00pm.

Good combo meals for $4-$5. Famous for their flour tortillas. Get a cheese tortilla, green burro, or a green machaca burro. All really good. Almost impossible to spend more than $10 here. ^ for Carolina's. I just sampled their food. Wow! You get a lot for the money, and it's excellent too! This is a great thread. :)

Thanks Emailkid! I will report back if I find something worthwhile (hoping I do!).

Mountain View, CA - La Costeña
Tampa, FL - El Taconazo

Val's Burgers 2115 Kelly St Hayward, CA
The best burgers and shakes in the East Bay, maybe in all of CA, possibly the world. Packed and worth it.
Banchero's Italian Dinners 20102 Mission Bl, Hayward, CA
Soup, bread, salad, antipasti, entree and ice cream for about $10. The place is a time machine - scarcely changed since I was a kid, including the prices! Get take out if you like. Again, always packed. (hey, you know it's good if it's crowded!)
JD's 2837 Castro Valley Blvd, Castro Valley, CA
The place to eat in my hometown. (Opened the same week I was born.) Cash only, and only serves breakfast and lunch. Huge portions, great eggs benedict, pancakes, and pies. Gets really crowded on Sundays. JD will be manning the cash register, tell him Hi from me.

It's been a few years since I've returned to Dallas (used to live thereabouts for about decade), but always loved:
Dream Cafe
2800 Routh St Ste 170
Dallas, TX 75201 View Map
(214) 954-0486
Cross Street: La Clede Street

Is it run by a Pakistani guy named Babu? ;)


Houston:
Chacho's on Westheimer for Tex-Mex. Very young, hip crowd. The food is made right in front of you.

NYC:
Tough to pick one...but I'd say Shake Shack for burgers in Madison Park.

Minneapolis: The Lotus, several locations around town, Vietnamese food
BBQ: Famous Dave's (also several locations around town)

Portland: The lunch wagons that park downtown off the bus mall

In Bucharest (my original hometown): Gara Lipscani, in the old quarter of town...cheap & delicious, serving great Romanian cuisine.

In Bangkok (my current residence): Shoshana, on Kao Sahn Road - fantastic Middle Eastern/Mediterranean cuisine, huge portions for 2-3$...can't be beat :)

Buffalo, NY- Duff's Chicken Wings by the SUNY Buffalo Amherst campus
Boston, MA- Redbones (Davis Sq T Stop) Southern BBQ, endless beer

NYC:

-As mentioned, Qdoba/Chipotle/BurritoVille all have good cheap burritos/tacos. My personal favorite is Qdoba, because they don't charge $2 for guacamole like Chipotle.

-Burger Joint. This little hole-in-the-wall place is located in Le Parker Meridian Hotel (118 W. 57th St). There's no signage, just turn left past the check-in desk (look for a neon burger). Fantastic burgers, if a bit small, great fries, and Sam Adams on tap. Supposedly good shakes, too.

-Grey's Papaya. There's a couple of these around town (UES and Greenwich are two I know of). For truly cheap eats in NYC, you can't beat the $2.45 recession special: two hot dogs and a 16oz. fruit juice. The dogs are certainly better/safer than the street vendors and the papaya juice is pretty damn tasty.

-Whole Foods. Someone mentioned grocery stores for their salad bars/buffets, which I second. Whole Foods is not entirely cheap (although certainly cheaper than a restaurant), but it is high quality and the prepared foods are delicious. Their sushi is certainly the best supermarket sushi you can get, and the Indian hot bar isn't bad either. Again, there's a few around town, and some conveniently located near tourist spots (Columbus Circle, Union Square, Chelsea)

-Rinconcito Peruano Restaurant. This Peruvian spot, along with a wide range of other ethnic (Thai, Middle Eastern, Afghani, Central/South American, etc.) restaurants, is located in Hell's Kitchen (803 9th Ave, btw 53rd & 54th St to be specific). I recommend the Tacu Tacu con Lomito al Jugo; basically strips of steak cooked with tomatoes and onions, served along side of this great Chinese-influenced rice and beans mixture (Peruvian cuisine was influenced by Chinese cooking, due to heavy migration during railroad building days).

-Mamoun's. 119 MacDougal St, btw Bleecker & W 3rd St in Greenwich Village. Possibly the best falafel in NYC. Their shwarma, however, is not so good.

-Chickpea. 23 3rd Ave, btw St Marks Place & 9th St. Another great falafel place. The chicken shwarma is pretty good, too. This is a place for those who don't trust the sketchy falafel huts (i.e., not real bargain hunters), as it's much more commercial and clean looking. About the same price, though.

-Dumpling Man. 100 Saint Marks Place, btw 1st Ave & Ave A. As the name implies, they make dumplings. Good dumplings. Also try Rickshaw Dumplings, 61 W 23rd St, btwn 5th & 6th Ave. They have more selection in terms of soups.

Copenhagen (another not exactly cheap city):

-Den Sorte Gryde (The Black Pot). Frihavnsgade 23. The ABSOLUTE BEST value meal of all time. This place has burgers that are honestly bigger than your head. Unless you're a competitive eater, you will not finish it. Split one with someone else. The burger patty and bun are probably 8 inches in diameter. Then they toss a whole crap load of veggies on top, wrap it up in foil and boom, you've got a burger that looks like a whole roast chicken. No joke. All for DKK45 (currently about $7, and it was cheaper when I was there). Good shakes, too. They also have traditional Danish pork loin, which again is served in ridiculous portions, with all the fixins. If you're not staying with a Danish host family, this is the closest you'll get to Sunday dinner.

-Skildpadden (The Turtle). Gråbrødretorv (near Strøget). A nifty little build-your-own sandwich shop. Great salamis and breads, and then everything you'd ever want to top it with. Some very spicy mustard, too. There's another great sandwich shop just south of Nytorv, but I unfortunately can't think of the name.

-Riz Raz. Kompagnistræde 20. Mediterranean place with a great lunch buffet (dinner buffet, too, but it's more expensive)

Yep, good stuff. Also love the cheese fries at Snuffers. Mmmmmm!

Oh my god, Snuffers cheese fries!!! My friends and I would split a basket of them, making it a SUPER cheap meal. Yum.

One of my Chicago favorites is Costello Sandwich and Sides (www.costellosandwich.com/) - unfortunately no downtown locations, but 2 neighborhood locations easily accessible via the El (Brown Line).

Boston/Brookline

Anna's Taqueria on Beacon St in Cooliage Corner. Best quick/cheap Mexican for me, get a burrito with whatcha like. Just make sure you know what you want to order when it's your turn. They don't take kindly to people messing up the rotation.

Anna's is a good burrito in Boston/Brookline.

Across the street from Anna's is Shawarma King and their Chicken Shawarma sandwich (#1 on the menu) is great too.

In Cambridge, MA-
Armando's for pizza
R.F. O'Sullivan's for burgers

In Denver, my favorite cheap is El Padrino at I-70 and Federal. Good burritos for about $4. To be honest, its kind of like being in Mexico, I am usually the only non-latino in the restaurant.

On a more generic scale, but also originating in Denver, Chipotle is my personal "everywhere" hometown restaurant.

Also a bowl of noodle (any of your taste) with fish balles in soup special size + a coke bottle cost 52 baht ($1.25). On Sri Wara area near the SC Park Hotel on Riab Thang Duan RamIntra Road, Bangkok. I just have it on Sunday. Bon Apetite!

Burgerville - fast food chain in the PNW, using grass-fed beef, Tillamook cheese and ice cream, all wind-power electricity, and fresh ingredients in season - like Oregon strawberries and huckleberries, and Oregon hazelnuts. Locations all over.

Pho Van, Pho Hung, Pho Da Lat - 3 good, cheap Vietnamese pho shops. The first 2 are in SE Portland, the 3rd is near PDX. All great for noodles and rice dishes, egg rolls and spring rolls, too.

McCormick and Schmick happy hour - How about 1/3 pound Tillamook cheeseburger, with fries, for $1.95? Exceptionally cheap and tasty pub grub and gastropub grub, until 6 pm in the bar, and again from 9-close. I know they have happy hour at the downtown and Beaverton branches, not sure about the others locally or nationwide.

Fernando's - Buy 2 tapas, get the cheaper one free on Monday nights. In downtown on 1st or 2nd. Including wine and plenty of food, 2 can usually eat for around $35-45.

Swagat Indian - $7.95 buffet. On Lovejoy in NW.

McCormich and Schmick happy hour - How about 1/3 pound Tillamook cheeseburger, with fries, for $1.95? Exceptionally cheap and tasty pub grub and gastropub grub, until 6 pm in the bar. I know they have happy hour at the downtown and Beaverton branches, not sure about the others locally or nationwide.



The M&S in Austin, can't speak for Portland, also has late-night happy hour, after 9 in the bar. Great for Friday evenings, or for you travelers arriving in town after later flights.

Minneapolis (the 'M' of 'MSP')
Matt's Bar (3500 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis): neighborhood bar home to the famed Juicy Lucy burger. This isn't a health food thread, is it? :)

Kinhdo Restaurant (2755 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis): 31 daily lunch specials available w/soup for $5.49; Vietnamese, Chinese, and Thai influenced cuisine. Perhaps a bit healthier menu than the above suggestion. ;)

Joey D's (3101 E 42nd St, Minneapolis): Family-run, Chicago style hot-dog/pizza stand. Cash only. Accessable from the Hiawatha Light Rail line (good for layovers at MSP).

St. Paul (the 'SP' of 'MSP')
Cossetta's Italian Market (211 7th St W, St Paul): good pizza, pasta (great mostaccioli), salads, Italian-style entress. Ample parking in the rear, beware of crowds from the Xcel Center after a hockey game or concert.

Ruam Mit Thai Cafe (475 St Peter St, St. Paul): Good $6.50 lunch buffet one of downtown St. Paul's best, great stuffed chicken wings and spring rolls

...I'm sure there are others. In fact, I know there are others! But that's all for now...I'm suddenly hungry. :)

OMG, I was just in Phoenix last month and had to report to y'all:
I had Italian food at the BEST restaurant!! I only wish they had one in Denver, or CO Springs... :( It's a locally-owned joint, not a franchise. Prices are about average, not really cheap eats, but the portions are so big that splitting or taking leftovers home is pretty much a necessity!

Oregano's Pizza Bistro- absolutely delicious- I recommend the toasted ravioli, artichoke lasagna, and the amazing pizza cookie...cookie dough baked in a pizza pan, topped with ice cream! Prices from about $6 to $18, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, appetizers, salad, calamari, and even wings!! Portions are very large, and everything I have tried has been delicious!
Rumor has it that there is almost always a line out the door, esp in nice weather, so go early!!

They have 7 locations--
7215 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale.
523 W. University Drive, Tempe.
1008 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix.
3622 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
1130 S Dobson Rd, Mesa, AZ
605 Riordan Ave, Flagstaff
4900 E Speedway, Tucson

Oh, and if nothing else, it is definitely worth checking out the website, the ads they have are pretty funny...
http://www.oreganos.com/adarchives.htm
Trivia: The founder and owner used to be a flight attendant for America West Airlines!!

Not my hometown, but I was in Vegas last week and spotted

Felipito's Mexican Drive Thru

on the south side of Tropicana slightly east of Maryland Parkway (very close to LAS).

Two days in a row I had the Carne Asada burrito for $3.60+tax (as I remember).

The third day I really wanted the Carne Asada again, but figured I had try something else. So I went with a Chicken Burrito (less than $3+tax).

Didn't have enough time to try anything else, but I REALLY like the quality and quantity that I got for the price all 3 times. Both burritos had LOTS of meat, very little filler (i.e., very little rice and beans).

And, oh yeah, the sign said they are open 24 hrs!!!

For the price, I would call it one of the best (if not THE best) Mexican places I've ever found!

So the next time you are on your way to LAS with a little non-gambling time to kill, stop by...

Schwartz on Saint-Laurent for smoked meat, fries, pickle, cherry cola

Banquise on Rachel East for hot dogs and some interesting varieties of poutine

Commensal - various locations for Veggie (not at the low end of cheap)

Chez Clo on Ontario East for whatever is on the menu - it's all good.

La Binerie on Mount-Royal East for traditional Quebecois food.

Bon Apetit!

When my sister in law travels she often takes her 5 member family to a Costco food court. Hot Dog & Coke $2, Pizza $2/ large slice, etc. Not very distinguished cusine, but definitely cheap eats.

Oh - and you do not have to be a memeber to use the food court! ^

Don't forget the Chicken Caesar salad for $3.79. Fill you up.

And I think you get free refills on the sodas.

I haven't seen my hometown mentioned yet.

Al's French Frys (not Fries) - best burgers and frys
Bove's - good, cheap Italian. A Burlington institution for over 50 years. They sell the sauce and meatballs now in stores which is great.

Brisbane, Australia.

Pizza huts with a voucher equalling about $3US for a large.
Kebab shops downtown, or in the valley. Massive feed for $3US.

Toronto:

Pho Hung (one one Bloor St West near the Hyatt, Inter-Continental, Four Seasons and Holiday Inn Midtown; one near Spadina and College). Every time I go back to Toronto, I try to visit Pho Hung a couple of times and always order the Bun (rice noodle vermicelli, grilled meat on a bed of warm salad with dipping sauce). Avoid the UGOs (unidentified gelatinous objects, a common feature of Vietnamese dishes but not present in Bun).

Spring Rolls (several locations) is a little more expensive but great when you're part of a group and everyone wants a different type of Asian food. The chain's restaurants are stylish but reasonably priced.

Paris (current hometown):

I wouldn't call it a favourite, but when I have a craving for mussels and frites, I sometimes indulge in the guilty pleasure of going to Leon de Bruxelles (a chain). Definitely not classy, but they offer frites á volonté (all-you-can-eat).

In addition to the fine list above
Kom Jug Yuen - "best BBQ Pork in North America" ($4, with rice and tea - free soup if they like you) and the best Singapore noodles - Spadina at Baldwin
Country Style Hungarian - Wiener Schnitzel - huge and good and less than you expect - on Bloor just east of Bathurst
Bhirani House - Dhali platter - less than $10 - Roy's Square (Yonge and Bloor at SE corner)
Weber's - burgers on Hwy 11 north of Orillia or the imitation version in Terminal 1 YYZ
Dumpling House - what its name says - $4 a dozen mmm pork and leek steamed dumplings - Spadina north of Dundas
And Rol San for dim sum - across from DH
New Sky - Spadina and Baldwin everything on the menu
California Sandwiches - incredible over-sized veal on a bun - side order of olives - eat with the cops and the Argos. Claremont Avenue (north off Dundas west of Bathurst)
Commisso Brothers and Racco BAkery - Veal sandwiches to go - not a long drive from YYZ near Keele and Castlefield (at Ingram near the dump and the fancy rug store).

OK, if you want ethnic food, then “Bryndzové halušky” (see menu for description) at Prague Restaurant (http://www.praguerestaurant.com) is truly excellent.

Granted, I believe it's actually in Scarboro, but well worth the drive.

EmailKid

Cosmic Cantina on Perry St. near Ninth St. $3 chicken quesadillas and huge $5 burritos ... so amazing. Locations also in Chapel Hill and New York (to follow the Dukies who get addicted! :D). Still love to sit out on their porch with a burrito and a beer and a big nasty bottle of whatever hot sauce they have.

Banh's on Ninth St. ... great Vietnamese food on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and Chinese every day. $4.95 vegetarian special is my favorite ... great tofu, sticky rice, and spring rolls!

I'll post more if I remember notable ones.

Huntington Beach - Fred's Mexican Cantina is GREAT!!!!!! One Pound Burritos under $5!!!!!!

Irvine - Javiers Cantina also Wonderful!!!! A real taste of living in the OC!!!

OK, if you want ethnic food, then “Bryndzové halušky” (see menu for description) at Prague Restaurant (http://www.praguerestaurant.com) is truly excellent.

Granted, I believe it's actually in Scarboro, but well worth the drive.

EmailKid

Oh my goodness, my mouth is actually watering. I'll be making that drive east on 401 very soon! Thanks for the tip EmailKid.
/RTR

Not my hometown, but I was in Vegas last week and spotted

Filipino's Mexican Drive Thru

on the south side of Tropicana slightly east of Maryland Parkway (very close to LAS).

... I look forward to trying it, but it will be easier for people to find by it's more familiar name: Felipito's Mexican Drive Thru

I look forward to trying it, but it will be easier for people to find by it's more familiar name: Felipito's Mexican Drive Thru

Oops! Told you LAS was not my actual hometown! :( (Spelling now corrected in my original reply.)

Oops! Told you LAS was not my actual hometown! :( (Spelling now corrected in my original reply.)
None of my postings were for my home town either ;)

As long as the food is good.

Now to change and post my favorite restaurant in my home sandbar of GLS, just off the coast of Texas (sadly no scheduled service, and equally sadly no more service out of EFD, but that's another story or two - or three, just search CO board).

The Original Mexican Cafe on 14th and Market. Excellent "huevos rancheros," though most of the good is very good. Just so happens I love to eat breakfast on weekends. A plethora of other good Tex-Mex restaurants in town, as well as excellent seafood. Why else would they drive in busloads of Houstonians just to eat at Casey's :p

And to RTR, let's have a trip report :)

EmailKid

In Copenhagen theres a little asian diner (mata hari) inside the ground floor of the building called scala, in central CPH opposite the main entrance to tivoli.
They serve asian foods, and its very tasty, and inexpensive.

"The Toasted Bun" Glendale, CA <10 miles from BUR
Huge breakfast for $4.95, "The Brite Spot" in Echo Park is good too

"Tere's" Hollywood, CA <25 miles from BUR or LAX
I think this place was voted best mexican in LA at one point. Great burritos from about $5.50.

"Snook's Bar-b-q" Advance, NC <50 miles from GSO
Great North Carolina Barbeque (and other stuff) in a very "country" setting.
Ahhhh, memories...

"In-a-Tub" North Kansas City, MO <15 miles from MCI (depends on location)
If you like fried food, this place has it all, and for cheap and good. They are famous for their tacos that are deep fried. Order with cheese and they put a slice of cheese under the beef in addition to the powdered cheese on top!
More memories...

Houston

Timmy Chan's! There are a few of them around, but none beats the original on 610 and Homestead. Greasy chinese / soul food at its very finest, my friends.

Fort Worth

Zekes on Camp Bowie - fish & chip type restaurant with huge portions and an outside sitting area in the back.

Vietnamese / thai - any of them along Belknap; Pho Nam, Phu Lam.

YYC: Stampede breakfasts, various locations downtown, from July 7-16
Cost: free!

Weirs Beach, NH on the Laconia/Gilford line:

The Lakeside Restaurant has burger plates for under $5.00 and they are awesome!

It's 10PM over here but this thread is making me HUNGRY! :)

I'm Vietnamese, and I'm quite surprised/impressed at the number of Vietnamese restaurants that have made this list nationwide. I live in Orange County, home of more Vietnamese than probably the actual country itself, so while the cuisine is commonplace here, I didn't think there were so many restaurants outside of CA.

So I'll begin my list with a Vietnamese one as well:

California - Lee's Sandwiches - it's a chain throughout northern/southern CA, and I don't necessarily think it carries the best vietnamese sandwiches, but it is very American-friendly and easy to navigate, unlike most other places out here. A full meal can be done for under $3!

Westwood, CA - Diddy Reese - ice cream sandwiches, complete with your choice of cookies (6 or so different choices, you can mix and match) and Dreyer's ice cream flavors (10 varieties) for $1.50! It's next to UCLA so you may have to wait in line but they are a cheap treat.

Arlington, VA - El Pollo Rico - I believe that is the name of it; a very popular chicken joint - I want to say chicken and two sides are under $8.

Baltimore, MD - Bruce Lee Wings - so salty and yummy! Located in the Cross Street Market. I fly out to MD every year just to have a fill!

My ultimate favorite restaurant is Genghis Khan Mongolian BBQ in Fountain Valley, CA. I can seriously eat there 7 nights a week. All you can eat mongolian bbq for under $10.

In the south-bay area, I love the < $5 Spicy Chicken Wrap (w/ Potato Salad and Mint Chutney) at Tandoori Cafe (Formerly Chaat Cafe) at Lawrence/I-280/Stevens Creek. It's very filling!

Their Seekh kababs are terrific too. Tuesdays $2 off dinner combos.

I know this isn't a chain discussion (and would like to keep it this way)-but my other perennial fav is Schlotzsky's Deli and Quizno's(of course, both are $5-$10)

Yummy! :p

Any Twin Cities area White Castle. However, I can tell you from experience, don't eat it b4 a flight. White Castle needs some time to, let's say, navigate its way through your system... and it will. :mad:

Any Twin Cities area White Castle. However, I can tell you from experience, don't eat it b4 a flight. White Castle needs some time to, let's say, navigate its way through your system... and it will. :mad:

They call 'em "sliders" for a reason! :D

They call 'em "sliders" for a reason! :D

Yes, "sliders" is an all too appropriate nickname for these.

Well for local I would pick my small town pub/restaurant

One shot charlies - Harrison , ID

New owners great food - fun bands and reasonable prices.

I guess they are noted to all that eat them as... "White Castle Sliders" :)

I like them but they don't have them in Idaho..

Tito's Tacos (tacos) and Phillipe's (french dip).

In LA, Tommy's Burgers are the best, and truly only known to locals. It's been twenty years, but right now I've got a craving for those greasy chili burgers :p

EmailKid

If you get really desperate for a Tommy's fix, you can have their famous chili shipped to you. The cost is $19 for a gallon of frozen chili, $15 for packaging including dry ice, and $40-$70 (estimate) for overnight Fedex shipping. To order, call their main office -- the contact information is listed on the FAQ page on their website: http://www.originaltommys.com/faq.php

If you are in the local area, you can buy the chili at any of their restaurants. I may do this later this year so I can take some chili to a friend in HNL.

Banh's on Ninth St. ... great Vietnamese food on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and Chinese every day. $4.95 vegetarian special is my favorite ... great tofu, sticky rice, and spring rolls!

I'll post more if I remember notable ones.

An edit: I just went to Banh's for the first time in a few months and the price has gone up a bit. It was $5.89 for this special with tax; still a pretty good deal though.

My favorite in NYC is without a doubt: Gray's Papaya

Just a few from Sydney Australia, where it is possible (with a little effort) to get great food and atmosphere on any budget:
- Superbowl & BBQ King (multiple locations in Chinatown) - authentic food, atmosphere, especially until very late;
- Soup Plus on George St, good food and great atmosphere as a jazzy/folksy club;
- Harry's Cafe at Woolloomooloo, ask for the 'tiger' pie & peas. Great location, open v.late.
- Arthur's Pizza (multiple locations), eastern suburbs delivery;
- $5 steak dinners (or schnitzel, salads etc) with a drink; Forresters Surry Hills & almost all non-yuppie streetside pubs in the inner city and suburbs
- Favourite of all is Phuong, Vietnamese, in Crows Nest, with a bottle or two of wine, and the atmosphere, great family-run service and the best smells and taste - tell them you are a brother or sister of Ben :)

Some great suggestions here that I agree with. The $5 steak is such a great Sydney thing and you can find it all over town and generally they are good steaks and not scary leftovers!

As previously mentioned, Grays Papaya. Papaya King as well. Definitely second the Burger Joint and Shake Shack recommendation, BUT, the lines to both can be interminable.

There is a German sausage cart on 54th and 5th that has won awards. Bratwurst is $4.00. This is not ur average street meat.

The Pump can have a hefty wait as well, but u can get a VERY healthy, somewhat tasty meal, for $7-$8. Depending on what u get, u can get 2 meals out of it. 5 locations, very loyal following.

If baguettes can be a French meal, then H&H bagels on the Upper West Side will be the NY version. $1.00 per bagel, a bit pricey for a bagel, but gooood. Go next door to zabars to get some fresh salmon to put on it.

Pizza...don't waste ur $ on Ray's. In fact, most pizza in Manhattan is totally overrated. Joe's in Greenwich Village is good. Rigoletto's on Upper West Side.

Fruit carts in the midtown area...you can get a 24oz fresh fruit shake for $4.00 or a HUGE fresh platter for $3.50 Best healthy deal in the city, hands down.

FLL - Lester's Diner - standard 24-hour diner fare, decent-to-good food (especially for breakfast), quick, efficient service. It's near the airport (stop in before refilling your rental car's gasoline tank at the BP Amoco station a block away - some of the best prices in town) and more importantly, Lester's is about a mile and a half from my house :)

FLL - Lester's Diner - standard 24-hour diner fare, decent-to-good food (especially for breakfast), quick, efficient service. It's near the airport (stop in before refilling your rental car's gasoline tank at the BP Amoco station a block away - some of the best prices in town) and more importantly, Lester's is about a mile and a half from my house :)I've been there countless times after hitting the nightclubs (when I used to live in Hollywood). You forgot to mention the HUGE cups of coffee. ^

Frontier Restaurant - Albuquerque, NM

Frontier Restaurant - Albuquerque, NM

"When the roll is called up yonder,
I'll be....."

at Kincaid's on Fort Worth's Camp Bowie Boulevard, in line to order a second hamburger.

Heaven can wait!

The best chicken I have ever had hands down! A plate of a quarter chicken with fries and coleslaw for $3.80. They give you a hot and mild sauce which I mix together for dipping! If you're in the DC area you have to make the trip. :)

The best chicken I have ever had hands down! A plate of a quarter chicken with fries and coleslaw for $3.80. They give you a hot and mild sauce which I mix together for dipping! If you're in the DC area you have to make the trip. :)

You beat me to it! ^

http://www.washingtonian.com/dining/Profiles/ElPolloR.html

San Francisco:

Ultra-Cheap:
Sam Wo's in North Beach.
Good, but cheap Chinese. You should definitely be able to get out for < $10.

Cheap, but a step up:
Hang-Ah Tea Room on Sacramento, near Stockton(just down the hill).
All-day dim sum as well as individual entrees.
You should be able to get out for ~ $10/ person from ordering one of the entrees. A bit more for ordering off the dim sum menu.
Either way, the Pork Buns are highly recommended.

surprisingly few mentions of cheap eats in Vegas -

Paymon's Med Cafe - 4147 S. Maryland Pkwy - a hopping atmostpheric lunch spot, with fantastic sandwiches for around $6.50. They have Persian food, and a mix of pan-Mediterranean including Greek, Mid Eastern/Lebanese, etc. Four of us ate a hearty, and exciting lunch meal for around $50 with tax and tip.

There's a tasty Thai restaurant in the Chinatown mall area on the east side of the Strip, off one of the major avenues. Can't remember the name now.

I'm sure there are others - lots of good options in town if are willing to get off the Strip.

Any place I can get shwarma on pita bread.

Irvine, CA Kaya Tofu House* (Korean) - you will feel like you are stealing at these prices. Two people for at most $18. 11 kinds of banchan and they will keep bringing it until you burst.

SAN Los Dos Pedros - the take-out shack on Turquoise in Pacific Beach. Fish burritos or carnitas tortas. Sit at the picnic table, drink a Pacifico, and look at Lucky's parking lot (or whatever Lucky's is now)

London Mandalay (Burmese) - on Edgware Road. My all time favorite value-for-money place. Four people ~£40. "Restaurant" seats maybe 20 people total so make a reservation.

I haven't live in PHX long enough to recommend, but this thread has given me some hope of finding some unique spots.

* don't be confused, there are three tofu houses practically on top of one another. Good write up here:
http://elmomonster.blogspot.com/2006/03/tale-of-three-soft-tofu-restaurants.html

In New York City, the food cart at 53rd and 6th is excellent. It's only there nights from 7:30pm, and there is always a long line - it's a common post-bar destination. But at $5 for a sublime plate of chicken and rice, it's well worth it.

Philadelphia, PA

Lorenzo's Pizza, South street - $2 for a HUGE slice of pizza and they are open late night. Great after bar food.

Pat's/Geno's, 9th & Passyunk - Not as great as other places for cheesesteaks, but it's cheap, open all the time, and two places to pick from right across from each other. It's more of a city icon, but I still enjoy Pat's steaks and their cheese fries.

Jim's Steaks, South Street - I think Jim's has better steaks than most places in the city.

Tony Luke's - Get the roast pork sandwich

Try both Gates and Bryant's BBQ - near each other at 17th & Brooklyn. I also like Jack Stack in the Freighthouse district (site of a recent FT Do), but that's gone pretty upscale for the category. You can easily get out of the "cheap eats" category there, although it does stay true to the roots of good barbecue. For this purpose, go authentic - go to the birthplace of Gates and Bryant's.

For ultracheap eats, try Smokin' Joe's BBQ downtown. Nice lunch deal for about six bucks, they take Amex, and they're on the iDine list. :)

For a workin' man's breakfast after a hard night out, try the Town Topic downtown. This place only takes cash - it's a tiny little diner with about 10 seats at a bar. Order the Truckstop breakfast - just a big pile of slop on a plate. Awesome hangover food. ^

For healthy cheap eats, it gets a little harder. This is a 'cue town. Probably head to Whole Foods for something organic and good for you. :)

Yum...

In Atlanta: the Varsity (a legend) or Doc Chey's (good noodle house)

In Orlando: Philly Connection (cheesesteaks)

In Orlando: Philly Connection (cheesesteaks)They can't be good, at least compared to what I am used to. I've never had a good cheesesteak outside of the Philly area.

I've never had a good cheesesteak outside of the Philly area.

Agreed. In fact, I will go one step further -- I've never head a good cheesesteak in any restaurant, even in Philadelphia. A truly good cheesesteak is found only at vans operating on Philly street corners.

Iowa City area lunch deals:

Zio Johnos Spaghetti House, $4 lunch Spaghetti special has a plate of spaghetti with meat sauce, half a loaf of garlic bread, and a drink.

Bruegger’s Bagel Bakery, you can get a bagel with cream cheese and a drink for around $4, and if you want soup, $5-6.

The Wedge pizza, 2 large slices for $4.

All reasonable options.

A good place for cheap Chinese in BOS is the Chinatown Eatery. They also have an excellent juice bar.

44 Beach Street Boston, MA 02111

They can't be good, at least compared to what I am used to. I've never had a good cheesesteak outside of the Philly area.

I second this opinion. Nothing beats a real Philly cheesesteak.

Also, don't know if it's been mentioned, since the search isn't working now, but Ben's Chilli Bowl in DC has a chilli cheese half-smoke that is as enjoyable as that Philly cheesesteak, or a well made shwarma on fresh pita (best in DC is at Max's in Wheaton, not far from Pollo Rico).

I have heard that Kansas City has a fav Malaysian restaurant. Any KCite have any idea whats the name and location would be?

some highlights:

Hot dog and soda at Costco, $1.50

Fish taco at Tacos Baja Ensenada, 99 cents on Wednesdays
Tacos Baja Ensenada, 5385 Whittier Blvd., L.A., (323) 887-1980

Egg cream at Barney Greengrass, in the Barneys New York store, 50 cents
Barney Greengrass, 9570 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills

Lychee ice cream cone at Fosselman's, $2.15
Fosselman's, 1824 W. Main St., Alhambra, (626) 282-6533

Bento box lunch at Izayoi, $9.50
Izayoi, 132 S. Central Ave., L.A., (213) 613-9554

http://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-deliciousdeals13sep13,0,4367113.story?page=1&coll=la-home-food

I'd recommend checking out the Target deals where you can use all those web coupons and get things like lunch meat, whatever those cheese nip type of crackers are called, individual cereals, sodas, candy, etc. for free most of the time. Then just make yourself a nice little picknick somewhere with a good view and relax for a bit! We've made the Target runs a few times and have gotten lots of free munchies for the kiddies while traveling.

Also, Active Duty, Veterans, AAA & AARP members should definitely ask if there are discounts when they enter the restaurant. You'd be shocked at how often smaller restaurants will give you a discount just from asking about them even if they don't have it posted anywhere. It's especially true in towns located near a military base or if the owner happens to be prior service themselves! We were even given a free hotel room once b/c the person had been stationed at the same location I had been!

Welcome to FlyerTalk flwrlover1 !

Though it looks like you've been lurking for a while ;)

At first I thought you were going a little OT, but when I looked at the title of the thread I noticed that nowhere does it say it has to be a restaurant :)

Thanks for your suggestions, and again, welcome to FT !

EmailKid

Other than the aforementioned El Pollo Rico (which is fabulous and fabulously cheap), in the DC area I like California Tortilla. It's a local chain that has grown quite a bit in the last couple of years. They've got burritos and tacos and such, all tasty, all inexpensive, plus great tortilla chips and corny promotions (i.e. "Pop Tart Day" when every customer who buys a burrito gets a free Pop Tart). The chain was just voted 'Best Cheap Eats' on Washingtonpost.com.
www.californiatortilla.com (http://www.californiatortilla.com)

When one lives in a large city and is used to everything being a certain price, going to a small town is great, because suddenly everything seems cheap. Lidotaja Mom now lives in Kalamazoo, MI. My two favorite restaurants there are: for breakfast Food Dance Cafe (they've got lunch and dinner too, but those are far more expensive and not as good) and for lunch or dinner LoDo Company in Portage or North 911 on Kazoo's north side. Both have the same menus. My fave: enormous BLT for only $6.50 or so. That includes a side of either soup or fries or pasta salad.
http://lodocompany.com/

In my old hometown of Milwaukee, you can never go wrong with Kopps. I usually just go for the frozen custard, but many people like their hamburgers, also. You might clog up your arteries, but that's a small price to pay for a tasty burger and large serving of "Hog Heaven" frozen custard. (That was yesterday's flavor of the day: peanut butter custard, loaded with chocolate truffel pieces and ribbons of fudge.)
www.kopps.com (http://www.kopps.com)

This thread is making me hungry!

Can't believe no one's mentioned Bereket in NYC (Houston and Orchard) yet for cheap 24-hour middle-eastern food. I don't think their falafel is the best ever but the kebabs are worth it, the chicken and adana are particularly tasty.

Empanada Mama in midtown (9th and 51st) is cheap but the service is a little slow. However, at around $2.50 an empanada, they fit the bill for price. Some of the combos are a little weird. They have arepas and tamales, too, and the dessert empanadas are good- try the guava.

I second the vote for Dumpling Man (St. Mark's and 1st). The storefront is tiny-tiny, best to take it to go if you can't get a seat at the "bar", although it's cool because you can watch them making the dumplings in front of you.

Same area for a quick (unhealthy!) snack, Crif Dogs- also St. Mark's and 1st. I'm not so gung ho on their hot dogs, although you can get a crazy amount of toppings. The big deal is the Tater Tots. mmm. fried tater tots rule!

I'd recommend checking out the Target deals where you can use all those web coupons and get things like lunch meat, whatever those cheese nip type of crackers are called, individual cereals, sodas, candy, etc. for free most of the time. Then just make yourself a nice little picknick somewhere with a good view and relax for a bit! We've made the Target runs a few times and have gotten lots of free munchies for the kiddies while traveling.

Even when you're abroad (without the coupons... usually) this is often the best way to get a gourmet meal cheaply.
In London, go to Fortnum & Masons, Harrods, Selfridges, any classy delicatessen and get some good bread and some sample portions of England's very finest cheeses (Cornish Yarg anyone?). Take your purchase to a nearby park, sit in the sunshine, and enjoy.

I've managed to enjoy some super meals in the Netherlands, Germany and France this way and made some fabulous cheese discoveries.

I also recommend very strongly the buying food at a supermarket and enjoying a park bench picnic tip when visiting Venice (never buy anything in a restaurant there without establishing the price of your meal first... very important advice!)

...Venice (never buy anything in a restaurant there without establishing the price of your meal first... very important advice!)... I think that advice applies to the Philippines, as well.

Just finished another excellent Huevos Rancheros breakfast at Rio Verde Taqueria Y Restaurant :) It's a family type restaurant that is definitelly not fancy, but quite cozy.

The before 11 a.m. special comes with tortillas and coffee, and after tax came to $3.52 - you really can't beat a deal like that.

Located at 5502 Telephone Road (at Park Row) it is very close to Hobby Airport (HOU) for you out of town visitors. Not so close to IAH, but only a few miles from Downtown.

Being a Mexican breakfast lover I've never tried anything else there, but whenever I look at other plates, they looked good, and the diners seemed quite pleased.

EmailKid

Hmm... Gordito's in Seattle for mexican! ^

Gorditos is great!

Other good, cheap eats are:

Salumi (Mario Batali's bad) for lunch sandwiches

Peseo (in Freemont) for Cuban food

Just finished another excellent Huevos Rancheros breakfast at Rio Verde Taqueria Y Restaurant :) It's a family type restaurant that is definitelly not fancy, but quite cozy.Thanks for the write-up. My gf is moving to IAH in June, and I will probably do the L/D dating for a while until I eventually move. I've become addicted to Tex-Mex now. ^

Hot dog and soda at Costco, $1.50

Heck yeah! Even though you can't buy the hot dog by itself in case you want second :(

Los Angeles: Tito's tacos near Culver and 405 freeway, any in and out burger joint and Pink's hotdogs on Labrea is always a good deal.

In CLT a little place called Carolina Family Restaurant. It's on Wilkenson Blvd headed toward town away from the airport. Maybe 3 miles or so. As far as I know they still close at 3PM. I wouldn't go down there after dark anyway but no problems during the day.

By the way it will be on the left side as you are heading toward town

Joe’s Italian Café
4002 Beltline Rd
Addison, TX
972-239-0050
When you go to Joe's Italian Cafe you feel like you are in the family's kitchen. Joe and his staff treat you like beloved family and friends. Two can eat here for about $25


Local Diner
120 S Denton Tap Rd
Coppell, TX 75019
(972) 393-3894
Another place were they take care the customer well, bottomless coffee, great service.

Ottawa-

Dirienzo's for a takeout Italian sub. Choose your bun and get your sub for $3.50. It's going up to $4 in April-2007 but it's still the best deal in town.

Schwarma King- Bank St downtown. There are tons of Schrawma places in Ottawa but none better than Schwarma King. Chicken plate for under $10

Kam Kong on Sommerset in Chinatown. Vermicelli with porsk spring roll and chicken for under $10.


Montreal-

Dic Ann's- many locations- famous burgers since the 1950's get your flattened cheesburger and poutine with the sauce piquant. Fantastic!

SoCal, aka Greater LA area seems to be my second home these days .... what am I saying, I was at home three days in the last three weeks :p

But of course even though I haven't stopped by Tommy's Hamburgers yet, there is all kinds of great food here. Ceviche in a couple of random restaurants, one of them in San Pedro Monday, and just an outstanding "Cambodian Fish Pan Cake" (Amok) here in Long Beach.

Who knew there is a Little Cambodia in SoCal ???

About a half mile south of PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) is Siem Reap Restaurant, a random find that I saw on the way to client's location this a.m. Took an alternative street because the route with only one right turn (onto PCH) went past a school that had VERY slow traffic, and lo and behold, I see all kinds of Thai, Vietnamese and Cambodian places.

So came back, and pretty much at random picked this one, and the food was just excellent. And at fifteen bucks including tip and beer, a decent price.

Gotta love the business card:

Siem Reap Restaurant,Inc
Cambodian, Chinese and Thai Food
World Famous, since 1990
Se Habla Español
Plus the pertinant phone numbers etc, and on reverse:
Banquet, Party, Boda, XV Años

I mean, where else can you have a Quinceañera in a Cambodian restaurant :D

Oh, and in case you want the pertinent info, here it is:
1810 E. Anaheim St
Long Beach, CA 90813

EmailKid

Carolina Family Restaurant on Wilkenson Blvd. Going toward town approx 4 mi. from the airport. Been in business since 1979.

Amsterdam Felafel and Frites on 18th Street, NW in the Adams Morgan neighborhood. The best frites you have tasted (make sure and ask for them extra crispy) and a great felafel with 20 different kinds of salad-toppings. The half felafel ($4.50) is a meal in itself, but add a small frites and although you'll be close to $9 by doing so, you'll also be close to nirvana!

I'll second the vote for Lester's in Fort Lauderdale. Looks like (and is) a truck stop, open 24/7, has about 12 pages filled with homecooked goodies, and the desserts are wonderful. Individual jukeboxes at each table - very retro. Many a late night has been spent there by me and my friends!

Now I'm in Gainesville, and they have a good Indian food lunch buffet at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant off Archer Road, behind the KFC in Butler Plaza area. Great naan bread!

Anyone know of recommendations for Halifax? I'm off on vacation to Maine/Nova Scotia in August.

I'll second the vote for Lester's in Fort Lauderdale. Looks like (and is) a truck stop, open 24/7, has about 12 pages filled with homecooked goodies, and the desserts are wonderful. Individual jukeboxes at each table - very retro. Many a late night has been spent there by me and my friends!


I always thought that they were alot better before they expanded. I haven't been to Lester's in about ten years, and that's because the food was just barely diner-standard then, but I might consider if the quality is that much better. I will say that, in the '80s and early '90s, it was one of the only places that you could get a bite to eat after coming off a late flight into FLL.

Keneke's Plate Lunch in Waimanalo on the Windward side of Oahu, HI. ^

For USD6.50 you get a huge portion of Teriyaki Chicken (or kalua pork, or steak, or mahimahi), 2 scoops of steamed white rice and a scoop of macaroni salad.

As Hawaiians say, you'll "broke da mouth" trying to eat it all.
:)

Seems like I've been to Lesters many years ago when I lived in Miami. Where is it located ?

SoCal, aka Greater LA area seems to be my second home these days .... what am I saying, I was at home three days in the last three weeks :p

But of course even though I haven't stopped by Tommy's Hamburgers yet, there is all kinds of great food here. Ceviche in a couple of random restaurants, one of them in San Pedro Monday, and just an outstanding "Cambodian Fish Pan Cake" (Amok) here in Long Beach.

Who knew there is a Little Cambodia in SoCal ???

About a half mile south of PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) is Siem Reap Restaurant, a random find that I saw on the way to client's location this a.m. Took an alternative street because the route with only one right turn (onto PCH) went past a school that had VERY slow traffic, and lo and behold, I see all kinds of Thai, Vietnamese and Cambodian places.

So came back, and pretty much at random picked this one, and the food was just excellent. And at fifteen bucks including tip and beer, a decent price.

Gotta love the business card:

Siem Reap Restaurant,Inc
Cambodian, Chinese and Thai Food
World Famous, since 1990
Se Habla Español
Plus the pertinant phone numbers etc, and on reverse:
Banquet, Party, Boda, XV Años

I mean, where else can you have a Quinceañera in a Cambodian restaurant :D

Oh, and in case you want the pertinent info, here it is:
1810 E. Anaheim St
Long Beach, CA 90813

EmailKid

LOL. I'll have to check that out next time I am in SoCal. There is only one or two Cambodian restaurants that I know of in CO.

Are you, by any chance, Cambodian?

Are you, by any chance, Cambodian?
Don't know if it's by chance, but no, I was born and raised behind (what used to be) the Iron Curtain in Europe.

Just appreciate good food, and this was very good. There is also Phnom Penh restaurant I did not try, as well as a Korean place where I had some sort of tofu soup that came to my table so hot it was literally spitting out of its bowl. Another lunch was at a Pho place that got recommendation when I mentioned that I was thinking about having lunch there.

Yes, the Soup Nazi (reference to a Seinfeld TV show episode as well as the real establishment as I understand it) is alive and well in SoCal :eek: , but the food is excellent. When I mentioned this, the woman whose husband drives quite a distance just to eat there said she forgot to mention that part of the experience :D

Maybe I'll write these up as well if and when I have a little more time on my hands.

EmailKid

I remember Lester's being on one of the exits from I-95, east towards the ocean. I think it was SR 84?

I haven't been there in about 10 years either - but the food was better and had more variety than Denny's, the only other thing open at O-dark-hundred in the morning.

Antionio's Pizza in Amherst, Massachusetts and The Hangar Pub & Grill in Hadley, Massachusetts (aka WINGS to us UMass alums!)

I remember Lester's being on one of the exits from I-95, east towards the ocean. I think it was SR 84?

I haven't been there in about 10 years either - but the food was better and had more variety than Denny's, the only other thing open at O-dark-hundred in the morning.

Is that the conch chowder & Bimni Bread place ? If so I use to live there back in the 70's. Man was it good I miss that place.

Is that the conch chowder & Bimni Bread place ? If so I use to live there back in the 70's. Man was it good I miss that place.

Never mind that was Ernies...any one know if that's still around ?

On my last trip to my old hometown of Indianapolis, I was looking for some cajun/creole food and discovered Yat's (http://www.yatscajuncreole.com/). All the entrees are $5 or $6. And they are GRRRREEEEAAAAAATTTTTT!!!!! If I need another MR this fall, going back to Indy just for some of their etouffee is in my plans.

Carolina Family Restaurant on Wilkenson Blvd. Going toward town approx 4 mi. from the airport. Been in business since 1979.

Wonderful suggestion....but if I'm really craving grease, I'll just head to The Penguin (www.penguindrivein.com).

Washington, DC
Burrito Brothers (Capitol Hill and Union Station)
Naan & Beyond (for their Tandoori 1/2 Chicken)

College Park, MD
Alario's Pizza - Great white pizza (especially with spinach and marinated tomatoes)

Pomona, CA
Los Jarritos
Juanita's (just a take out stand, but yummy burritos)

Never mind that was Ernies...any one know if that's still around ?

Evidently :)

http://www.southflorida.com/dining/18458,0,5320256.venue

Evidently :)

http://www.southflorida.com/dining/18458,0,5320256.venue

Green Dragon:
Thank you so much. That is it. The absolute best. I will be making a road trip. Every one needs to go there.

In DC I love 5 guys for burgers, and perfect pita for really perfect pita sandwhiches :)

In Troy, NY - I love NY pizza - you can get a giant slice of pizza and a soda for around $2 - and its the tastiest pizza EVER!

Is I Love NY Pizza a chain? We have two restaurants named that here in town, just recently opened...

Huge frikkin' burrito for $4.50!
Not a place for faint of the heart though :o
http://www.yelp.com/biz/g0VCHer2uE5NLOEdblZuSw

Bisbee Arizona

High Desert Market (Tombstone Canyon)
7days 7am-7pm
Excellent food - all from scratch and mostly organic ingredients. Great coffee, sandwiches, pizza, breakfast burritos, Irish Oatmeal (when it's cold) soups too. Best deal is they do one dinner a day for $7.95 or get the previous night's if there are any left for $6.95. You can take it out or eat it there. The market itself has lots of specialty food items and beverages - nice wine selection too, local microbrewed beers, small organic produce section, cheeses... etc. Great to pick up picnic food too!

Bisbee Breakfast Club Thur-Mon 7-3; Breakfast & lunch easily under $10. in Lowell out past the lavender pit mine (ask anyone they'll tell you where) Daily specials, great desserts. Often VERY crowded/long wait on weekends.

Cafe Cornicopia - Main St 10-4ish closed Tues wonderful baked goods, soups, salads & sandwiches (meatloaf) YUM! Everything fresh & made right there.


Old Bisbee Roasters - FREE!! espresso shots and chocolate samples in Peddlars Alley most days 10ish to about 4ish. (ok so most people leave a little in the tip jar but still it's free!) And of course if you love coffee or amazing chocolate you will absolutely want to buy some! (also served/sold) at High Desert Market.


Lot of other good places in town but most more $
(best in town is Cafe Roka - cheap by big city standards - $25 or so for a 4 course meal) but still not in the bargain range though it could be if you sit at the bar and have an appetizer (amazing garlic mussels for about $8) as many locals often do. Thur, Fri, Sat 6-9 reservations suggested even at the bar during the season.



Love this thread! Might suggest that people put business hours if they know them... lots of my favorite little holes in the wall have weird hours....

Vietnamese:

Hy Vong
3458 S.W. 8th St.
Miami

Cuban:

Versailles
3555 S.W. 8th St.
Miami

American:

The Mermaid Bar
2442 East Sunrise Boulevard
Ft. Lauderdale

Japanese:

Matsuri
Int. of Bird and Red Rd.
Coral Gables/South Miami

Israeli:

Pita Plus
Loehmann's Fashion Plaza
Aventura

Dani's (on Rice St) for breakfast
Sushi from Star Market, Foodland, Big Save

Kansas City MO
We were just doing our expense report and remembered this one...

John's Big Deck - 828 Wyandotte - ok so it's a bar but they have great happy hour specials! Burger & a side for $3.00 (I had one with provolone & bacon - same price) reasonable drink prices too.

Boston MA
HAYMARKET PIZZA - the best deal in Boston by far. I can't believe no one has mentioned this one! Right off the freedom trail at the end of Haymarket Square. A huge slice and a coke for about $2.00. Don't bother getting a lot of extra stuff on it - they don't need to hide the pizza with a lot of toppings. Plain cheese or pepperoni is great! You'll see all kinds of people there - 3 piece suiters and total blue collar. It's standing room only (literally - no tables, just a shelf to rest your plate on).

Colorado Springs, CO
Fujiyama - amazing sushi rolls.

Tempe, AZ
Aloha Kitchen - best Hawaiian food this side of the pond

Bump~! This thread deserves another look I think!

Hi

Any interesting/cheap places in San Juan ?

Will be there mid November, and am looking for a few places to go !

In my true hometown of Clearwater (FL) nothing beats Frenchy's on Clearwater Beach for grouper sandwiches. My favorite location is the Saltwater Cafe and my favorite grouper treatment is Buffalo, but they also do it cajun blackened, jerk, grilled or fried. http://www.frenchysonline.com/

Looks like a break from working in SoCal for a couple of weeks, and next week should find me in and around Clearwater. I was thinking seafood @:-) , and this looks like a good suggestion (and the search function works ^ ).

Let's see if this thread really lives up to its title ;)

EmailKid

Richmond Sushi --- all you can eat lunch, $18.00

Reasonable service and above average, although not the finest sushi.

..... Shane

there are a number of good hole-in-a-wall places around Bergen County in Northern New Jersey but none of them are really cheap:

1). Seafood: Seafood Gourmet in Maywood... best new england clam chowder outside of new england, even the chowder I had in downtown boston didn't compare.

2). BBQ: Cubby's BBQ in Hackensack.... they advertise killer ribs which are no doubt tasty but I go for the monster burger, a 1/2 lb bacon burger platter with a delicious and awfully large burger, and what seems like a bag of potatoes on the plate.

3). Burgers: White Mana in Hackensack... this is the opposite of Chubby's down the street as they make the tiny burgers like the ones in White Castle... you can get singles or doubles with cheese and onions, and its served in a small diner style building where the food is prepared in front of you. Good stuff and not all that expensive actually.

4). Mexican: Pancho's Burittos in New Milford... I'm not a big fan of rice and beans but whatever dish I order there their rice and beans are awesome, especially when coupled with traditional mexican dishes that are served in big portions.


5). Greek: A Taste of Greece in River Edge... has excellent wraps and other traditional dishes that are very filling, and delicious.


there are more just can't think of them off the top of the head... there's a thread I started in the Dining Forum that has a similar theme to this one.

--Russ

Your post is moot in this thread. At least to me. The title is "What is your favorite cheap eats in YOUR hometown?" Do you know of any good cheap eats? I am interested in this thread because I am looking for cheap eats, not expensive eats.

there are a number of good hole-in-a-wall places around Bergen County in Northern New Jersey but none of them are really cheap:

1). Seafood: Seafood Gourmet in Maywood... best new england clam chowder outside of new england, even the chowder I had in downtown boston didn't compare.

2). BBQ: Cubby's BBQ in Hackensack.... they advertise killer ribs which are no doubt tasty but I go for the monster burger, a 1/2 lb bacon burger platter with a delicious and awfully large burger, and what seems like a bag of potatoes on the plate.

3). Burgers: White Mana in Hackensack... this is the opposite of Chubby's down the street as they make the tiny burgers like the ones in White Castle... you can get singles or doubles with cheese and onions, and its served in a small diner style building where the food is prepared in front of you. Good stuff and not all that expensive actually.

4). Mexican: Pancho's Burittos in New Milford... I'm not a big fan of rice and beans but whatever dish I order there their rice and beans are awesome, especially when coupled with traditional mexican dishes that are served in big portions.


5). Greek: A Taste of Greece in River Edge... has excellent wraps and other traditional dishes that are very filling, and delicious.


there are more just can't think of them off the top of the head... there's a thread I started in the Dining Forum that has a similar theme to this one.

--Russ

Your post is moot in this thread. At least to me. The title is "What is your favorite cheap eats in YOUR hometown?" Do you know of any good cheap eats? I am interested in this thread because I am looking for cheap eats, not expensive eats.

they're considerably cheaper than similar places with comperable quality of food just across the river in NYC...

--Russ

I'd send you to get a chili dog from Ben's Chili Bowl, 1213 U Street NW, Washington, DC.

That's across the street from the U & 13th Street exit of the "U Street/Cardozo" Metrorail station.

http://www.benschilibowl.com/

Definitely a great choice!

Good to see some DC area locals here. The aforementioned Ben's Chili Bowl is one of my favorite places in the city, another one is Tony Cheng's in Chinatown.

Five Guys are great burgers, I grew up going to the one on Beauregard & Rt. 7. I think the taste has gone down a little with all the franchising, but it's still a great burger.

A couple miles up the street is a great Persian kabob place, Duke's House of Kabobs, located at Beauregard & Little River Tnpk.

At that same intersection, in Landmark Plaza, is a Chinese place called Szechuan Delight. Real good food there, too.

Richmond VA

Sticky Rice (http://www.ilovestickyrice.com) –2232 W. Main Street – A “fan” favorite this little dive has some of the greatest sushi I’ve ever had. They have really innovative ideas and some of the best variety I’ve ever seen. Between 10:30 and 1:00 am on Mondays and 5:00 – 6:00 on Fridays – most of the sushi is half price. I highly recommend Mondays as there is more selection, but be prepared for a wait. Don’t forget to buy a GC from restaurant.com (http://www.restaurant.com)(usually only available from the 1st – 3rd of each month) for even more savings.

Baja Bean Company (http://www.bajabean.com) – 1520 W. Main Street – Famous for their happy hour, they have amazing food specials every night. From $4 Hamburger & fries to $5 BOGO wings to half price quesadillas – every nights special is pretty good. Go before 7:00 pm and they always have a $1 beer (sometimes two choices) and $2.25 margaritas. They feature FREE poker tournaments on Mondays where the prize is GCs for the restaurant.

The Croaker’s Spot (http://www.croakersspot.com) – 119 E. Leigh Street – Truly the greatest soul food I’ve ever had. Their catch phrase is “the soul of sea food.” Do not miss the cornbread with “hot butter soul sauce.” An small order is more than enough for two. Their poboys start around $7 and are amazing. Do not forgo the onions and potatoes as this is what they’re famous for. If you still have any room (you won’t – so get a box!) the bean pie is to die for. You can get GC for this place on restaurant.com (http://www.restaurant.com)(usually) all month long – so if you catch it at a good time you can get $25 for about $3/$4. You’ll be hard pressed to reach the $35 minimum for two people – but there’s always dessert 

I understand Houston may not be my hometown. However, I am there on a bi-weekly basis to visit my gf who moved there in June. We discovered a cheap and good Vietnamese restauant in the midtown area. It was packed on two different Saturdays around 2 in the afternoon! It is called Cali Sandwich. It is at 3030 Travis St Ste A, Houston, TX 77006-3643 Phone: (713) 526-0112. I haven't had a sandwich... yet. I have had a couple of the vermicelli bowls - pork and chicken, along with the spring rolls. Delicious. Two of us walked out of there for $17, and we were full. The quality is good, the quantity was better!

http://houston.citysearch.com/profile/9842478/

Oh yeah, the cheap part - the sandwiches are only $2.00. :D

In Chicago.... Portillos. Excellent hotdogs and Italian Beef.

In Atlanta.... Bonehead. Good fish tacos and grilled fish (with 2 sides) for about $10.

You haven't had a good, or even great cheesesteak until you've eaten one where they were created - Philly. I am not talking about Pat's or Geno's. I'm talking about street vendors in and around Center City. $4.75 will get you an original!

I have lived in the heart of the city for years and I disagree ... You can get a good cheesesteak at Pat's ... he did create them after all :)