Dirt Cheap Eats 2009: Greek Deli

Andros native Kostas Fostieris presides at this downtown DC carryout, heaping soulful Greek fare into Styrofoam clamshells. Get in line early for his soothing, lemon-infused avgolemono soup ($3.50), which sells out fast. More comfort comes in the pastitsio ($9.50), a nutmeg-spiced layering of béchamel, ground beef, and tube-shaped pasta, and a cinnamon-covered rice pudding ($2.49).

Pita roll-ups of falafel ($7.50) or hummus and feta ($6.99) are reliable, but the best deals are more-than-generous platters of moussaka ($9.50) and spanakopita ($9.50) loaded with a green salad, orzo, tomatoey green beans, and sweet, spongy bread. You might have enough for dinner, too.

Open Monday through Friday for breakfast and lunch.

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