In the past several years, D.C.’s restaurant scene has really taken off, but what that really means is, as prices go up as portions go down. Sure, many D.C. foodies may love paying $15 for a small plate of whatever new dish José Andrés concocted in his kitchen, but sometimes you just want some decent food on the cheap. Last year, DCist writers shared some of their favorite cheap eats around the city, but the fact of the matter is, there’s a lot more out there. Below, part two of our favorite cheap eats in the city:
Photo by Kevin Harber.
CARL’S SUBS: I owe the good people at Art Enables for this tip. Carl’s Subs on Rhode Island Avenue NE in Woodridge is a cash-only, hole-in-the-wall that offers some of the finest sandwiches in the city. The prices are similar to other sub shops, but the
portions are extremely generous. Warning: Carl’s closes at 5 p.m. — Sarah Anne Hughes
Carl’s Subs is located at 2208 Rhode Island Avenue NE.
CHINATOWN EXPRESS: Noodles are hand-pulled in the window of this Chinatown mainstay. For $6.95, you can have them in a bowl of soup or fried, with your choice of meat or vegetables. A plate of dumplings, which are also pressed and folded in the workspace in the front of the restaurant, are even cheaper at $5.95. A plate of roasted meat with rice during lunch runs the same price. The noodles can be a bit oily and are sometimes a tad bland, but that can be made up by drowning them in the anonymous pungent green, garlicky condiment offered. I always steer clear of the regular menu go straight for the noodles. — Josh Novikoff
Chinatown Express is located at 746 6th St NW.
DC-3: What if I told you there was a place in D.C. where, for just $5, you could get a hot dog with a choice of 16 different free toppings, or choose from one of 11 specialty hot dogs? That place exists and it’s called DC-3. Heaven is for real. — Matt Cohen
DC-3 is located at 423 8th Street SE.
Photo by Andrew Benson.
HOUSE OF KABOB: There’s nothing like an Indian lunch buffet to fill you up on the cheap. Many of the preparations lend themselves to long stints on a steaming table; tandoori chicken is always delicious. And they only cost about $10 a sitting though voracious eaters should be able to get in two or maybe three meals worth. While there’s ample seating at House of Kabob, it’s primarily set up as a takeout joint. Their selection is unexpectedly large—and high quality—but the best part may be that you can take food to go at $5.95 per pound. Cheaper and better than any other hot bar I know of in the city. For a rundown of more delicious and usually cheap Indian and other buffet options, check out this list from last year. — Josh Novikoff
House of Kabob is located at 1829 M St NW #100.
IVY & CONEY: Ivy & Coney—a new Shaw dive bar opened by the Kangaroo Boxing Club team—is great for several reasons, mostly booze related, but one overlooked aspect of the Detroit and Chicago-themed bar is their food menu. You get two choices: a Chicago-style hot dog or a Detroit Coney-style hot dog. They are $4. Simplicity is bliss. — Matt Cohen
Ivy & Coney is located at 1537 7th Street NW.
RADIUS PIZZA: This Mt. Pleasant pizza parlor loves their specials. There are none better than this $10 carry-out deal for an 18-inch cheese pizza or $12 for a pepperoni ‘za any night of the week. On Sundays through Thursdays, if you get two, they’ll deliver that same discount price. You’ll miss out on the carefully curated toppings (recently had a smoked-in-house chicken pizza that I’m still thinking about), but $10?! Come on, that’s crazy! And that’s for 18 inches! If you want to dine in, an oversized slice is $5 at the bar every night, pastas are half-price on Tuesdays, mussels are half-price on Wednesdays, and wine is half-price on Thursdays. — Josh Novikoff
Radius Pizza is located at 3155 Mt Pleasant Street NW.
SUPER TACOS & BAKERY: When it comes to cheap taquerias in D.C., you have many options—Tacos El Chilango, Pica Taco, etc.—so let me explain why you should always go with Super Taco. Not only are the delicious tacos priced at $2.75 a pop, but the menu also features a variety of Mexican favorites, all delicious and moderately priced: Tamales ranging from $1.50-$3.75; full dishes for under $10; and overstuffed tortas for $9 ($7, if you want them a little smaller). Pretty super, IMO. — Matt Cohen
Super Tacos & Bakery is located at 1762 Columbia Road NW.
TAQUERIA DISTRITO FEDERAL: There are no shortage of cheap tacos in D.C. but arguably the best ones come from Taqueria Distrito Federal. Want three tacos for under $10 that don’t taste like three tacos under $10? Then screw the lousy bar deals and make the trip out to the northern part of Columbia Heights for a more flavorful experience. If tacos aren’t your thing and meat really isn’t your thing, they also make some of the most savory huevos rancheros in the city. Those will induce a nice food coma without taking too much of a hit on your pocket. — Valerie Paschall
Taqueria Distrito Federal is located at 3463 14th Street NW.
TONY’S BREAKFAST: Not to be confused with the other place named Tony’s across the street, Tony’s Breakfast has been a mainstay on H Street NE for years. A move down the block seems to have reinvigorated the spot. The food is simple, delicious and cheap. A breakfast wrap with a pile of fried potatoes and a drink will run you under $8. Lunch can be even cheaper. There’s no indoor seating, but that’s small price to pay for the … small price you pay for such good food. — Sarah Anne Hughes
Tony’s Breakfast is located at 1387 H Street NE.
TORTILLA CAFE: Located next to Eastern Market, Tortilla Cafe is a no-frills oasis in a sea of more expensive options. Fresh Mexican and Salvadorian breakfast and lunch platters will run you under $7, plus there’s great outdoor seating. — Sarah Anne Hughes
Tortilla Cafe is located at 210 7th Street SE.
ZENEBECH INJERA: Many Ethiopian restaurants in DC are good bargains, but Zenebech—in Shaw at the corner of T Street and Florida Avenue NW—is the best deal I’ve found for great Ethiopian food at a super low price. Their regular beer prices are lower than your standard happy hour—$3.50 for a Sierra Nevada, DogFish or Guinness, $4 for a selection of 5 Ethiopian beers or a DC Brau, and if you’re feeling really poor, only $2.50 for a Miller Lite. This alone would be enough to call it a bargain. Factor in that most of their entrees cost $10 and are big enough to share, and you have a winner. So, grab a beer, split a $10 veggie platter with a friend, and you will leave full and satisfied for under $10 each including tip. — Lynne Venart
Zenebech Injera is located at 608 T Street NW.
