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Dirt Cheap Eats (2008)

Going out for a great meal is often a luxury, especially in a down economy. Good news: You don't have to spend as if you're at CityZen to enjoy a delicious dinner. Or at least you won't at the 61 places in our annual guide to Dirt Cheap Eats, where there's a wealth of choices for $15 a person or less. So go ahead and dig in. There couldn't be a better time to enjoy the feast.

See the full package and more Dirt Cheap Eats articles here.

Order By:

Angeethi - Herndon

Cheap Eats (2009) Dirt Cheap Eats (2008)
Address: 645 Elden St., Herndon, VA 20170
Neighborhood(s): Reston/Herndon
T: 703-796-1527
Cuisines: Indian
Price Range: Inexpensive
Description: A delicious passage to India in Herndon.

Reviews:

Cheap Eats 2009: Angeethi Dirt Cheap Eats 2008: Angeethi Cheap Eats 2008: Angeethi Dining on a Shoestring: Angeethi

Arax Cafe

Dirt Cheap Eats (2008)
Address: 5852 N. Washington Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22216
Neighborhood(s): Arlington
T: 703-532-3320
Cuisines: Middle Eastern
Price Range: Inexpensive
Description: A stripmall bakery/cafe with Armenian treats.

Reviews:

Dirt Cheap Eats 2008: Arax Cafe Dirt Cheap Eats 2007: Arax Cafe Cafe Arax

Bombay Curry Company (Closed)

Dirt Cheap Eats (2008)
Address: 3110 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305
Neighborhood(s): Alexandria, Del Ray, Alexandria
T: 703-836-6363
Cuisines: Indian
Price Range: Inexpensive
Description: This restaurant has closed.

Reviews:

Dirt Cheap Eats 2008: Bombay Curry Company Cheap Eats 2007: Bombay Curry Company Bombay Curry Company

Buzz - Del Ray

Happy Hour Dirt Cheap Eats (2008) Cheap Eats 2010
Address: 901 Slaters Ln. , Alexandria, VA 22314
Neighborhood(s): Alexandria, Old Town , Alexandria, Del Ray
T: 703-600-2899
Cuisines: Deli/Quick Bites, American, Breakfast
Price Range: Inexpensive
Description: At this stylish wi-fi cafe, it's cupcakes, quiches, and coffee all day.

Reviews:

Cheap Eats 2010: Buzz Cheap Eats 2009: Buzz Dirt Cheap Eats 2008: Buzz Great Takeout: Buzz Bakery Dining on a Shoestring: Buzz

C.F. Folks

Dirt Cheap Eats (2008)
Address: 1225 19th St., NW, Washington, DC 20036
Neighborhood(s): Dupont Circle, Downtown
T: 202-293-0162
Cuisines: Fusion/Eclectic, American, Deli/Quick Bites
Price Range: Inexpensive
Description: A weekday lunch counter that serves a different cuisine each day.

Reviews:

Dirt Cheap Eats 2008: C.F. Folks C.F. Folks C.F. Folks C.F. Folks

Chicken Rey Cafe

Dirt Cheap Eats (2008)
Address: 11238 Georgia Ave., Wheaton, MD 20902
Neighborhood(s): Wheaton
T: 301-933-8989
Cuisines: South American, Peruvian
Price Range: Inexpensive
Description: Satisfying rotisserie chicken.

Reviews:

Dirt Cheap Eats 2008: Chicken Rey Cafe

Crown Bakery

Dirt Cheap Eats (2008)
Address: 5329 Georgia Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20011
Neighborhood(s): Georgia Ave./Petworth/Takoma DC
T: 202-291-3009
Cuisines: South American, Caribbean, Deli/Quick Bites
Price Range: Inexpensive
Description: Savory, meat-stuffed pastries are the draw at this Trinidad-style bakery.

Reviews:

Dirt Cheap Eats 2008: Crown Bakery Dirt Cheap Eats 2007: Crown Bakery

Eamonn's

Rating:
Cheap Eats 2012 Cheap Eats 2010 Dirt Cheap Eats (2008)
Address: 728 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314
Neighborhood(s): Alexandria, Alexandria, Old Town
T: 703-299-8384
Cuisines: Seafood, English/Irish/Scottish
Price Range: Inexpensive
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Other: Wheelchair Accessible, Kid Friendly
Description: This Dublin-style chipper celebrates all things fried.

Reviews:

Cheap Eats 2012: Eamonn’s Cheap Eats 2010: Eamonn's Cheap Eats 2009: Eamonn's Cheap Eats 2008: Eamonn's Dirt Cheap Eats 2007: Eamonn's

El Tapatio

Dirt Cheap Eats (2008) Cheap Eats (2009)
Address: 4309 Kenilworth Ave., Bladensburg, MD 20710
Neighborhood(s): Bladensburg
T: 301-403-8882
Cuisines: South American, Mexican, Breakfast
Price Range: Inexpensive
Description: A family-run storefront with authentic Guadalajaran specialties.

Reviews:

Cheap Eats 2009: El Tapatio Dirt Cheap Eats 2008: El Tapatio Dirt Cheap Eats 2007: El Tapatio Cheap Eats 2007: El Tapatio El Tapatio

Figs Fine Foods

Dirt Cheap Eats (2008) Cheap Eats 2010 Cheap Eats 2011
Address: 4828 Macarthur Blvd., NW, Washington, DC 20007
Neighborhood(s): Upper Northwest, Palisades
T: 202-333-7773
Cuisines: Lebanese, Middle Eastern, Grocery Store/Market
Price Range: Inexpensive
Description: A terrific Middle Eastern market/cafe.

Reviews:

Cheap Eats 2011: Figs Fine Foods Cheap Eats 2010: Figs Fine Foods Cheap Eats 2009: Figs Fine Foods Great Takeout: Figs Fine Food

Good Stuff Eatery

Rating:
Cheap Eats 2012 Cheap Eats 2010 Cheap Eats 2011 Dirt Cheap Eats (2008)
Address: 303 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20003
Neighborhood(s): Capitol Hill, Southeast, Capitol Hill
T: 202-543-8222
Cuisines: American, Deli/Quick Bites
Price Range: Inexpensive
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Other: Wheelchair Accessible, Kid Friendly
Description: Top Chef alum Spike Mendelsohn's burger joint.

Reviews:

Cheap Eats 2012: Good Stuff Eatery Cheap Eats 2011: Good Stuff Eatery Cheap Eats 2010: Good Stuff Eatery Cheap Eats 2009: Good Stuff Eatery Dirt Cheap Eats 2008: Good Stuff Eatery

Granville Moore’s

Happy Hour Dirt Cheap Eats (2008)
Address: 1238 H St., NE, Washington, DC 20002
Neighborhood(s): H Street NE
T: 202-399-2546
Cuisines: Belgian
Happy Hour on: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays
Price Range: Inexpensive
Description: This gastropub's got plenty of mussels and beer to go around
Happy Hour Details: Monday through Sunday 5 PM to close: $4 Powers, Leffe, Stella, and Hoegaarden Monday through Thursday 5 to 7 PM: $10 Mussels Wednesday 5 to 7 PM: $5 Bavik Hoegaarden and Leffe Thursday 5 PM to 7 PM: $1 off Chimay Red White and Blue

Reviews:

Great Bars 2011: Granville Moore's Granville Moore's

Granville Moore’s

Happy Hour Dirt Cheap Eats (2008)
Address: 1238 H St., NE, Washington, DC 20002
Neighborhood(s): H Street NE, H Street NE
T: 202-399-2546
Cuisines: Belgian
Price Range: Inexpensive
Description: Seasonal specials, a raft of Belgian beers, and lots of moules frites.

Reviews:

Dirt Cheap Eats 2008: Granville Moore's Cheap Eats 2008: Granville Moore's Dr. Granville Moore’s Brickyard

Hai Duong

Dirt Cheap Eats (2008)
Address: 6795 Wilson Blvd., Suite 7, Falls Church, VA 22044
Neighborhood(s): Falls Church
T: 703-538-5289
Cuisines: Vietnamese
Price Range: Inexpensive

Reviews:

Dirt Cheap Eats 2008: Hai Duong Dirt Cheap Eats 2007: Hai Duong

Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe

Dirt Cheap Eats (2008)
Address: 2150 North Culpeper St., Arlington, VA 22207
Neighborhood(s): Arlington
T: 703-527-8394
Cuisines: Deli/Quick Bites
Price Range: Inexpensive

Reviews:

Dirt Cheap Eats 2008: Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe

Honey Pig (Gooldaegee)

Rating:
Cheap Eats 2012 Cheap Eats 2011 Cheap Eats 2010 Dirt Cheap Eats (2008)
Address: 7220-C Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003
Neighborhood(s): Annandale
T: 703-256-5229
Cuisines: Korean
Price Range: Inexpensive
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Other: Wheelchair Accessible, Kid Friendly
Description: A high-energy, 24-hour Korean barbecue parlor.

Reviews:

Cheap Eats 2012: Honey Pig (Gooldaegee) Cheap Eats 2011: Honey Pig (Gooldaegee) Cheap Eats 2010: Honey Pig (Gooldaegee) Cheap Eats 2009: Honey Pig Dirt Cheap Eats 2008: Honey Pig

KBQ Real Barbecue

Rating:
Cheap Eats 2012 Cheap Eats 2011 Cheap Eats 2010 Dirt Cheap Eats (2008)
Address: 12500 Fairwood Pkwy., Suite B-1, Bowie, MD 20720
Neighborhood(s): Bowie
T: 301-352-8111
Cuisines: Southern, American, Barbecue
Price Range: Inexpensive
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Other: Wheelchair Accessible, Kid Friendly
Description: The closest thing to backwoods barbecue you'll find without heading to the country.

Reviews:

Cheap Eats 2012: KBQ Real Barbecue Cheap Eats 2011: KBQ Real Barbecue Cheap Eats 2010: KBQ Real Barbecue Cheap Eats 2009: KBQ Real Barbeque Dirt Cheap Eats 2008: KBQ Real Barbecue

La Caraqueña

Rating:
Cheap Eats 2012 Cheap Eats 2011 Cheap Eats 2010 Dirt Cheap Eats (2008)
Address: 300 W. Broad St., Falls Church, VA
Neighborhood(s): Falls Church
T: 703-533-0076
Cuisines: South American
Price Range: Inexpensive
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Other: Wheelchair Accessible, Kid Friendly

Reviews:

Cheap Eats 2012: La Caraqueña Cheap Eats 2011: La Caraqueña Cheap Eats 2010: La Caraqueña Cheap Eats 2009: La Caraquena La Caraquena

Max's Kosher Restaurant

Dirt Cheap Eats (2008)
Address: 2319 University Blvd. W., Wheaton, MD 20902
Neighborhood(s): Wheaton
T: 301-949-6297
Cuisines: Vegetarian/Vegan, Middle Eastern
Price Range: Inexpensive
Description: The falafel rules here.

Reviews:

Dirt Cheap Eats 2007: Falafel at Max's Kosher Restaurant

Oohhs & Aahhs

Rating:
Dirt Cheap Eats (2008) Cheap Eats 2010
Address: 1005 U St., NW, Washington, DC 20001
Neighborhood(s): U Street/Shaw
T: 202-667-7142
Cuisines: Soul Food, Southern, American
Price Range: Inexpensive
Description: The area's best soul food kitchen.

Reviews:

Cheap Eats 2010: Oohhs & Ahhs Cheap Eats 2009: Oohhs & Aahhs Dirt Cheap Eats 2008: Oohhs & Aahhs Great Takeout: Oohhs and Aahhs Cheap Eats 2008: Oohhs & Aahhs

Pete's New Haven Style Apizza - Columbia Heights

Rating:
Cheap Eats 2012 Dirt Cheap Eats (2008) Cheap Eats 2010 100 Best Restaurants (2010)
Address: 1400 Irving St., NW, Washington, DC 20010
Neighborhood(s): Mt. Pleasant/Columbia Heights
T: 202-332-7383
Cuisines: Pizza, American
Price Range: Inexpensive
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Other: Wheelchair Accessible, Kid Friendly
Description: A crust that's not too thick, not too thin.

Reviews:

Cheap Eats 2011: Pete's New Haven Style APizza - Columbia Heights Cheap Eats 2010: Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza 100 Best Restaurants 2010: Pete's New Haven Style Apizza Cheap Eats 2009: Pete's New Haven Style Apizza 100 Best Restaurants 2009: Pete's New Haven Style Apizza

Pho 88

Rating:
Cheap Eats 2012 Cheap Eats 2010 Dirt Cheap Eats (2008)
Address: 10478 Baltimore Ave., Beltsville, MD 20705
T: 301-931-8128
Cuisines: Vietnamese, Breakfast
Price Range: Inexpensive
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Other: Wheelchair Accessible, Kid Friendly

Reviews:

Cheap Eats 2012: Pho 88 Cheap Eats 2010: Pho 88 Dirt Cheap Eats 2008: Pho 88 Cheap Eats 2008: Pho 88 Dirt Cheap Eats 2007: Pho 88

Pho Hot - Annandale

Dirt Cheap Eats (2008)
Address: 7442 Little River Tpk., Annandale, VA 22003
Neighborhood(s): Annandale
T: 703-333-5955
Cuisines: Vietnamese
Price Range: Inexpensive

Reviews:

Dirt Cheap Eats 2008: Pho Hot

Pho Hot - Centreville

Dirt Cheap Eats (2008)
Address: 14215-W Centreville Square, Centreville, VA 20121
Neighborhood(s): Chantilly/Centreville/Clifton
T: 703-815-5210
Cuisines: Vietnamese
Price Range: Inexpensive

Reviews:

Dirt Cheap Eats 2008: Pho Hot-Centreville

Praline

Rating:
Dirt Cheap Eats (2008)
Address: 4611 Sangamore Rd., Bethesda, MD 20816
Neighborhood(s): Bethesda/Glen Echo
T: 301-229-8180
Cuisines: French, Breakfast
Price Range: Moderate
Description: An honest-to-goodness French bistro.

Reviews:

Dirt Cheap Eats 2008: Praline Great Takeout: Praline Neighborhood Eats: Praline Praline

Taqueria el Poblano, Alexandria

Dirt Cheap Eats (2008)
Address: 2400-B Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301
Neighborhood(s): Alexandria, Alexandria, Del Ray
T: 703.548.8226
Cuisines: Tex-Mex, Mexican
Price Range: Inexpensive

Reviews:

Taqueria el Poblano - Alexandria

Taqueria el Poblano, Arlington

Happy Hour Dirt Cheap Eats (2008)
Address: 2503-A North Harrison Street, Arlington, VA 22207
Neighborhood(s): Arlington, Arlington, Ballston
T: 703-237-8250
Cuisines: Tex-Mex, Mexican
Price Range: Inexpensive

Reviews:

Taqueria el Poblano - Arlington

Thai X-ing

Dirt Cheap Eats (2008) Cheap Eats 2010
Address: 515 Florida Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20001
Neighborhood(s): U Street/Shaw
T: 202.332.4322
Cuisines: Thai
Price Range: Inexpensive
Description: This subterranean takeout puts out excellent curries.

Reviews:

Cheap Eats 2010: Thai X-ing Cheap Eats 2009: Thai X-ing Dirt Cheap Eats 2008: Thai X-ing Thai X-ing
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