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Best Bites Reviews Dining Guides Restaurant Finder Kliman Online 100 Best Restaurants Cheap Eats Dirt Cheap Eats

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:

One of our very favorite spots to get a drink or hit a happy hour.
Pete's New Haven Style Apizza
1400 Irving St., NW
Washington, DC
Mt. Pleasant/Columbia Heights
T: 202-332-7383
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Pizza, Italian, American
Price Range: Inexpensive
Kid Friendly
A heavenly slice of pizza.

Ravi Kabob
305 N. Glebe Rd.
Arlington, VA
Arlington, Ballston
T: 703-522-6666
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Middle Eastern
Price Range: Inexpensive
Cash Only Kid Friendly

C.F. Folks
1225 19th Street, NW
Washington, DC
Dupont Circle
T: 202-293-0162
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Fusion/Eclectic, Deli/Quick Bites, American
Price Range: Inexpensive
Kid Friendly
A weekday lunch counter that serves a different cuisine each day.

Arax Cafe
5852 N. Washington Blvd.
Arlington, VA
Arlington
T: 703.532.3320
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Middle Eastern
Price Range: Inexpensive
Kid Friendly
A stripmall bakery/cafe with Armenian treats.

Bombay Curry Company
3110 Mount Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, VA
Alexandria, Del Ray
T: 703-836-6363
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Indian
Price Range: Inexpensive
Weekend Brunch Kid Friendly
Some excellent cooking comes from this humble Indian storefront.

Cafe Mozart
1331 H Street, NW
Washington, DC
Downtown
T: 202-347-5732
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Deli/Quick Bites, German/Austrian, Grocery Store/Market
Price Range: Inexpensive
Delivery Weekend Brunch Kid Friendly
A German market and deli for pastries and bratwurst.

El Tapatio
4309 Kenilworth Ave.
Bladensburg, MD
Bladensburg
T: 301-403-8882
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Mexican, South American, Breakfast
Price Range: Inexpensive
Weekend Brunch Kid Friendly
A family-run storefront with authentic Guadalajaran specialties.

Food Factory - College Park
8145 Baltimore Avenue
College Park, MD
College Park
T: 301.345.8888
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Deli/Quick Bites, Afghan, Middle Eastern
Price Range: Inexpensive
Kid Friendly
These chicken kebabs are worth the wait.

Greek Deli
1120 19th St., NW
Washington, DC
Dupont Circle
T: 202.296.2111
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Greek/Mediterranean
Price Range: Inexpensive
Cash Only

China Bistro
755 Hungerford Drive
Rockville, MD
Rockville
T: 301-294-0808
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Chinese
Price Range: Inexpensive
Terrific dumplings by the dozen.

Lebanese Butcher & Restaurant
109 E. Annandale Rd.
Falls Church, VA
Falls Church
T: 703-533-2903
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Lebanese, Middle Eastern
Price Range: Inexpensive
Kid Friendly
Go for anything lamb at this hybrid butcher shop/restaurant.

Oohhs & Aahhs
1005 U St., NW
Washington, DC
U Street/Shaw
T: 202-667-7142
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Soul Food, American, Southern
Price Range: Inexpensive
Late Night Kid Friendly
The area's best soul food kitchen.

Praline
4611 Sangamore Rd.
Bethesda, MD
Bethesda/Glen Echo
T: 301.229.8180
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: French, Breakfast
Price Range: Moderate
Party Space Weekend Brunch Kid Friendly
An honest-to-goodness French bistro and bakery.

Pho 88
10478 Baltimore Ave.
Beltsville, MD
Beltsville
T: 301-931-8128
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Vietnamese, Breakfast
Price Range: Inexpensive
Weekend Brunch Kid Friendly

Song Que
6769 Wilson Boulevard
Falls Church, VA
Falls Church
T: 703-536-7900
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: No
Cuisines: Vietnamese, Deli/Quick Bites
Price Range: Inexpensive
Kid Friendly

Satay Sarinah
512-A South Van Dorn Street
Alexandria, VA
Alexandria
T: 703.370.4313
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Malaysian/Indonesian
Price Range: Inexpensive
Kid Friendly

Thai X-ing
515 Florida Ave., NW
Washington, DC
U Street/Shaw
T: 202.332.4322
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Thai
Price Range: Inexpensive
Delivery Kid Friendly

Taqueria Distrito Federal
3463 14th St., NW
Washington, DC
Mt. Pleasant/Columbia Heights
T: 202-276-7331
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Mexican, South American, Breakfast
Price Range: Inexpensive
Weekend Brunch Kid Friendly

Taqueria el Poblano, Alexandria
2400-B Mount Vernon Ave.
Alexandria, VA
Alexandria
T: 703.548.8226
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Kid Friendly: No
Cuisines: Tex-Mex, Mexican
Price Range: Inexpensive

Taqueria el Poblano, Arlington
2503-A North Harrison Street
Arlington, VA
Arlington
T: 703-237-8250
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Tex-Mex, Mexican
Price Range: Inexpensive
Weekend Brunch

A & J Restaurant--Rockville
1319-C Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD
Rockville
T: 301-251-7878
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Chinese, Cantonese, Dim Sum
Price Range: Inexpensive
Cash Only Weekend Brunch Kid Friendly
Not your everyday Northern Chinese dim sum.

A & J Restaurant--Annandale
4316-B Markham St.
Annandale, VA
Annandale
T: 703.813.8181
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Chinese, Cantonese, Dim Sum
Price Range: Inexpensive
Cash Only Weekend Brunch Kid Friendly
Not your everyday Northern Chinese dim sum.

Saravana Palace
11725 Lee Highway
Fairfax, VA
Fairfax
T: 703.218.4182
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Indian, Vegetarian/Vegan
Price Range: Inexpensive
Weekend Brunch Kid Friendly
A vegetarian kitchen that offers feasts for the eyes and mouth.

Eamonn's
728 King Street
Alexandria, VA
Alexandria, Old Town
T: 703-299-8384
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Seafood, English/Irish/Scottish
Price Range: Inexpensive
Late Night Kid Friendly
This Dublin-style chipper celebrates all things fried.

Hai Duong
6795 Wilson Blvd., Suite 7
Falls Church, VA
Falls Church
T: 703-538-5289
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Vietnamese
Price Range: Inexpensive

Tommy Marcos' Ledo Restaurant
2420 University Blvd.
Annapolis, MD
Annapolis
T: 301-422-8122
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Pizza, Italian, American
Price Range: Inexpensive
Kid Friendly

Chez Hareg
1915 Ninth Street, NW
Washington, DC
U Street/Shaw
T: 202-332-6000
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Ethiopian, Deli/Quick Bites, French, American
Price Range: Inexpensive
Kid Friendly

Crown Bakery
5329 Georgia Ave., NW
Washington, DC
Georgia Ave./Petworth/Takoma DC
T: 202-291-3009
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Kid Friendly: Yes
Price Range: Inexpensive

Desserts by Gerard
6341 Livingston Rd.
Prince George's, MD
Southern PG County
T: 301-839-2185
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: French, Breakfast
Price Range: Inexpensive
Delivery Kid Friendly

Thanh Son Tofu
6793A Wilson Blvd.
Falls Church, VA
Falls Church
T: 703-534-1202
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Vietnamese, Vegetarian/Vegan
Price Range: Inexpensive
Cash Only Kid Friendly
One of our very favorite spots to get a drink or hit a happy hour.
Granville Moore’s
1238 H St., NE
Washington, DC
H Street NE
T: 202-399-2546
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Belgian
Price Range: Inexpensive

Buzz
901 Slaters Ln.
Alexandria, VA
Alexandria, Old Town
T: 703-600-2899
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Deli/Quick Bites, American, Breakfast
Price Range: Inexpensive
Late Night Kid Friendly
Great food, low prices, lots of fun.

KBQ Real Barbecue
12500 Fairwood Pkwy. Suite B-1
Bowie, MD
Bowie
T: 301-352-8111
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Barbecue, American, Southern
Price Range: Inexpensive
Kid Friendly
In Bowie, barbecue that tastes country anyway

Angeethi
645 Elden Street
Herndon, VA
Reston/Herndon
T: 703-796-1527
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Indian
Price Range: Inexpensive
Party Space Weekend Brunch Kid Friendly
In Herndon, a delicious passage to India

Ravi Kabob II
250 N. Glebe Rd.
Arlington, VA
Arlington, Ballston
T: 703-816-0222
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Middle Eastern
Price Range: Inexpensive
Cash Only Kid Friendly

Tackle Box
3245 M St., NW
Washington, DC
Georgetown
T: 202-337-8269
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Seafood, American
Price Range: Inexpensive
Kid Friendly

Moti’s Falafel Stand
184 Rollins Ave.
Rockville, MD
Rockville
T: 301-468-4840
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Deli/Quick Bites, Middle Eastern
Price Range: Inexpensive
Kid Friendly

Ray's Hell-Burger
1713 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA
Arlington, Clarendon/Courthouse
T: 703-841-0001
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Deli/Quick Bites, American
Price Range: Inexpensive
Cash Only Kid Friendly

Good Stuff Eatery
303 Pennsylvania Ave., SE
Washington, DC
Capitol Hill, Southeast
T: 202-543-8222
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Deli/Quick Bites, American
Price Range: Inexpensive
Late Night Party Space Kid Friendly
Three new burger joints duke it out for fast-foodie supremacy.

Figs Fine Foods
4828 Macarthur Blvd., NW
Washington, DC
Palisades
T: 202-333-7773
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Lebanese, Middle Eastern, Grocery Store/Market
Price Range: Inexpensive
Kid Friendly

Chicken Rey Cafe
11238 Georgia Ave.
Wheaton, MD
Wheaton
T: 301-933-8989
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Peruvian, South American
Price Range: Inexpensive
Kid Friendly

Honey Pig (Gooldaegee)
7220-C Columbia Pk.
Annandale, VA
Annandale
T: 703-256-5229
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Korean
Price Range: Inexpensive
Late Night Party Space Kid Friendly
Great food, low prices, lots of fun.

El Khartoum
1782 Florida Avenue, NW
Washington, DC

T: 202-986-5031
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Middle Eastern
Price Range: Inexpensive

Howard Delicatessen
2612-A Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington, DC

T: 202-332-5747
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Deli/Quick Bites
Price Range: Inexpensive

La Caraquena
300 W. Broad St.
Falls Church, VA
Falls Church
T: 703-533-0076
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: South American
Price Range: Inexpensive
Kid Friendly
Great food, low prices, lots of fun.

Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe
2150 North Culpeper Street
Arlington, VA
Arlington
T: 703-527-8394
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Deli/Quick Bites
Price Range: Inexpensive

Juice Joint
1025 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC

T: 202-347-6783
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: American
Price Range: Inexpensive

Pho Hot - Annandale
7442 Little River Tpk.
Annandale, VA
Annandale
T: 703-333-5955
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Vietnamese
Price Range: Inexpensive

Pho Hot - Centreville
14215-W Centreville Square
Centreville, VA
Chantilly/Centreville/Clifton
T: 703-815-5210
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Vietnamese
Price Range: Inexpensive

Miss Charlotte’s
4193 Minnesota Avenue, NE
Washington, DC

T: 202-397-8517
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Kid Friendly: No
Cuisines: Seafood
Price Range: Inexpensive

Organic to Go - Metro Center
1311 F St., NW
Washington, DC
Downtown
T: 800-304-4550
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Deli/Quick Bites
Price Range: Inexpensive

Organic to Go - McPherson Square
927 15th Street NW
Washington, DC
Downtown
T: 800-304-4550
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Deli/Quick Bites
Price Range: Inexpensive

Organic to Go - Dupont Circle
1200 19th St., NW
Washington, DC
Dupont Circle
T: 800-304-4550
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Deli/Quick Bites
Price Range: Inexpensive

Organic to Go - Rosslyn
1100 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA
Arlington, Rosslyn
T: 800-304-4550
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Deli/Quick Bites
Price Range: Inexpensive

Saints Paradise Cafeteria
601 M St., NW
Washington, DC
Penn Quarter/Chinatown
T: 202-789-2289
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: American
Price Range: Inexpensive
Cash Only

Big Bear Cafe
1700 First Street
Washington, DC
U Street/Shaw
T:
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cuisines: Deli/Quick Bites, Breakfast
Price Range: Inexpensive
Kid Friendly

Sidamo Coffee & Tea
417 H Street, NE
Washington, DC
H Street NE
T: 202-548-0081
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Kid Friendly: Yes
Price Range: Inexpensive
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