Photo by yujie_.
By DCist Contributor Victoria Finkle
D.C. is an expensive place to live, and feeding yourself is no exception. Follow Capital Cheapskate each month for a look at the cost side of the ledger, and for tips to enjoy the city’s burgeoning dining scene without breaking the bank.
Despite being surrounded by tasty food all day, D.C. chefs still know how to cure those pesky hunger pangs on a budget. This month, I reached out to head cooks at restaurants across the city for their favorite cheap meals, and the answers didn’t disappoint.
Pho Viet: Colleen Conrad, executive chef at Pearl Dive Oyster Palace, points to this popular Vietnamese restaurant north of Columbia Heights.
“I always get the Spicy Pho 12, and sometimes I get it half spicy if I’m not up for the challenge or the burning lips, but that is why it’s the best. If you stop eating it, your mouth burns, so you just keep going. Even the half spicy has the burn-so-good,” she said.
Pho Viet is located at 3513 14th St. NW.
Panda Gourmet: Katsuya Fukushima of Daikaya likes to sneak out to this “very much under the radar” Sichuan spot, which is “hidden inside a Days Inn hotel on the outskirts of D.C. on New York Avenue.”
“Great affordable Szechuan food with variety. My go-to secret spot. Shhhh,” he added.
Panda Gourmet is located at 2700 New York Ave. NE.
Chicken Rico: Benjamin Lambert, executive chef of 701 Restaurant, said he first discovered this Peruvian poultry palace when he used to live in Baltimore. Lucky for him, they opened a D.C. location just last month. The whole chicken with six sauces and two sides is just $17.99. For the sides, Lambert likes to get his “yuca on.”
Chicken Rico is located at 77 H St. NW.
Nando’s Peri-Peri: Marjorie Meek-Bradley, executive chef at Ripple and Roofers Union, likes the popular Afro-Portuguese chain known for its grilled chicken. She suggested getting the wings “Maryland style” with sides of buffalo sauce and blue cheese.
Nando’s has multiple locations across D.C., Virginia and Maryland.
Pollo Mex: Ruth Gresser, chef and owner of Pizzeria Paradiso and the forthcoming Veloce, said this Mexican spot in Silver Spring is among her new favorites in the neighborhood.
“I found them because they deliver to my house when no one else does. Liked it so much, I now make the trip to the restaurant. I get sopa de mar and the tacos (soft) al carbon platter,” she said.
Pollo Mex is located at 13436 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, Md.
Stachowski’s Market: Richard Jones of Arcuri swears by the pastrami at this Georgetown sandwich and butcher shop.
“It’s the quintessential pastrami sandwich—the rye bread, it’s perfectly smoked, fall-apart tender meat. Everything is just so harmonious, it’s delicious! Get a side of Tiger sauce if you’re a real pro,” he said.
Stachowski’s is located 1425 28th St. NW.
American Ice Company: Matt Kuhn, executive chef at nopa Kitchen + Bar, said he loves the infamous swachos (aka pork nachos) at this U St. area bar, which also has “great BBQ under the radar.”
“Nachos loaded with smoked pork, white cheese whiz, and jalapenos! Cheap eat when hanging out with friends on a Sunday funday!” he said.
American Ice Company is located at 917 V St. NW.
Arepa Zone: Orlando Amaro, executive chef at Station 4, is drawn to this Venezuelan food truck that specializes in—you guessed it—arepas, which are corn flatbreads stuffed with meat and cheese. He also recommended the “spectacular” cachapas, or corn pancakes filled with cheese and sometimes meat.
“With all this I don’t spend more than $10,” he added.
Arepa Zone sets up shop at multiple locations in D.C. and Virginia.
Pho 75: Ryan LaRoche, executive chef at Blue Duck Tavern, points us to this Arlington restaurant for Vietnamese favorites, calling it “the one place I go by myself consistently.”
Pho 75 is located at 1721 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va.
El Rinconcito Café: Blue Duck Tavern’s pastry chef Naomi Gallego suggests a small Mexican and Salvadorian restaurant tucked away near Logan Circle.
“It is a tiny place on 11th with a few seats—or call ahead and get take out. They have great pupusas, platters and you can’t beat the price,” she said.
El Rinconcito is located at 1129 11th St. NW.
Taqueria Nacional: Domenico Apollaro, chef de cuisine at Lupo Verde, recommends this taco spot conveniently located next door to where he works.
“Great, fresh [and] delicious fish tacos with pico de gallo and a cold Mexican cola,” he said, noting you can get three tacos for $10.
Taqueria Nacional is located at 1409 T St. NW.
Temari Café: For those out in the ‘burbs, executive chefs (and brothers) Handry and Piter Tjan of Sushiko suggest this Japanese restaurant in Rockville for its authentic food and cheap prices. They stumbled upon it by chance after moving to the area.
Temari Café is located at the Talbott Shopping Center, 1043 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Md.
Bangkok Golden: Ethan McKee, executive chef at Urbana, recommends this spot in the Virginia suburbs for an array of Thai cuisines and “the most amazing Lao food I have ever had.”
“The place is located in the corner of a shopping center that I just randomly came across when I moved to Falls Church,” he added, noting that one of his favorite dishes is Laotian sausage flavored with garlic and lemongrass.
Bangkok Golden is located at 6395 Seven Corners Center, Falls Church, Va.
Comet Ping Pong: Jake Addeo of Bibiana likes to stop by this family-friendly pizza place near Tenleytown with his kids.
“The beer list will keep me coming back, as the ping pong and foosball tables in the back will keep my little girls coming back too!” he said.
Comet is located at 5037 Connecticut Ave. NW.
Brabo Tasting Room: Jeremy Waybright, executive chef at Boss Shepherd’s Restaurant, points readers to this Alexandria café, which bills itself as the “low-key cousin” of Brabo Restaurant. He recommended the great wine and beer selections, along with the cheese, charcuterie, and French onion soup.
Brabo is located at 1600 King St., Alexandria, Va.
Makoto: Harper McClure of Brabo Restaurant suggests trying the omakase (the chef’s selection) at this Japanese restaurant in Foxhall. The $55 per person price tag may not be an everyday deal, but he argued it “totally allows for an authentic Japanese experience without breaking the bank.” Even on a budget, you’ve sometimes got to treat yo self.
Makoto is located at 4822 MacArthur Blvd. NW.
