From March 2004 Dirt Cheap Eats

Off the main strip in Adams Morgan, this Spanish restaurant and bar is easy to miss. The dessert churros alone--the crisp, fried strips of dough are 12 for $3--make it worth a visit. To start, share a small pitcher of sangría ($6.50) and a few appetizers, like the $3.50 Tortilla Española, a thick Spanish potato omelette, and an order of empanadillas, six small meat pies for $4.25.

The Pollo al Chef--it's like chicken stew--costs only $7.25. The chicken, soaked in a tomato sauce with peas, onions, and red peppers, is falling-off-the-bone tender. Cheap seafood choices include trout, grilled shrimp, and hake in wine sauce with mussels--each for $7.95. You'll probably need a takeout box: Two large sides--choices include fried eggs, a meat pie, fried plantains, and sautéed bell peppers--come with main dishes.