Cheap Eats: The Big List

Rocky economic times give us second thoughts about carefree spending and multicourse dinners. But paying more attention to the bottom line doesn’t have to feel (or taste) like scrimping. In fact, it’s not hard to eat on the cheap in Seattle: We’ve got taco stands, bánh mì delis and pho spots all over town. But we went the extra mile to suss out drop-dead delicious flavors at the hottest restaurants that don’t cost a mint. With a $20 budget for dinner, and a $10 limit for lunch, we discovered everything from gourmet $2 tacos to budget bites at trendy eateries. We even dug up a few affordable splurges. Turns out, eating for less in Seattle can taste like a lot more. 


Best Mexican Meal (without the beans and rice, please):
La Carta de Oaxaca’s entomatadas, with fresh chips and salsa
Start with a basket of fresh chips ($3) at this bright and bustling sit-down spot in Ballard. Sip a bottle of ice-cold Bohemia ($4). Now dig your way into a meal of thin slices of deliciously salty steak served alongside handmade tortillas topped with your choice of a green tomatillo or red sauce (go for the green), cheese and onions ($9). Insider tip: Can’t decide what to dip your chip into? Head to La Carta’s salsa bar where a half-dozen bowls are filled to the brim with tomato, chile and tomatillo concoctions. Go early to beat the rush.


Best Late-night Taco Salvation: Stewed chicken tacos from Taco Gringos
Two fresh, warm tortillas wrap around pulled chicken that has been stewed slowly in tomatillos. It’s all topped with a smattering of onions and cilantro. Simple, perfect—and just $2. Insider tip: Chefs Taber Turpin and Michael Pitts don’t open their teensy Capitol Hill take-out taco shop until 8 p.m.; it’s the ideal spot for an after-show bite.


Best Breakfast for Lunch (or dinner):
Joe Bar’s Jamon Serrano, egg and gruyere crêpe
A wonder of salty, savory depth: a chewy, sweetish crêpe folded around slices of Jamón Serrano, pungent Gruyère cheese and a whispery layer of moist egg ($7.50). Served from 11 a.m. daily. Insider tip: Despite a quality menu and substantial booze selection, this Capitol Hill Loveless Building staple is still a coffee shop, which means noise (grinding, pounding of espresso beans) and being at the mercy of the barista’s musical selection (loud).  


Best Pub Grub Minus the Fuss:
Jolly Roger Taproom’s Po’ Lil’ Oyster Combo
Pan-fried oysters are piled on two toasted mini buns, then slathered in jalapeño tartar sauce and topped with homemade slaw. Incredibly, they’re served with a house Caesar or fries, all for just $5.95 at lunch (or get three oyster sliders à la carte for $6.95 all day long). Insider tip: Chef Dave Miller’s specials—homemade chilis, fantastic sandwiches, braised meats—are also delicious. Sorry, parents: Ballard’s laid-back JR is a 21-and-older-only restaurant/bar, so leave the kids at home.  


Best Variation on Chicken Salad:
Louisa’s curried chicken sandwich
Served between two airy slices of homemade bread (your pick of wheat or white), the curry spices, sweet raisins, green apple and hunks of white breast meat will have you wondering if the bland chicken salad of your childhood ever had a fighting chance against Louisa’s masterpiece (half portion $4.75, whole portion $7.25). Pair it with an iced tea ($1.75) brewed at this homey and inviting Eastlake food spot, and you’ll be smiling the whole day. Insider tip: Grab a trailhead cookie for the road. This oatmeal-chocolate-chip-coconut-dried-cherry cookie, topped with kosher salt, is as unusually delicious as it sounds.


Best Giant Spicy Crêpe to Blow Your Mind:
Dosas from Udupi Palace
This Eastside favorite offers more than a dozen dosas, massive ethereal crêpes (servings include two crêpes, enough for two people) filled with everything from spicy potatoes and peas to meaty curries. One of our favorites is the paneer durja ($7.95), filled with firm cheese and a piquant, almost sour tomato sauce. Insider tip: Udupi also offers an amazing all-you-can-eat lunch buffet (complete with salad bar, soups, hot dishes, dessert and chai tea) seven days a week. Monday through Friday, it’s $8.95; the price jumps to $9.95 on busy weekends.    


Best Greasy Spoon Brunch Without the Gut Bomb:
Counter Special at Geraldine’s
This lovable, airy, kid-friendly diner in Columbia City cooks up a mighty fine breakfast (just look at the lines). The Counter Special ($8.50) has it all: your choice of smoky bacon, sausage patty or chicken sausage with fresh Columbia City Bakery toast and two eggs cooked just as you order ’em (yep, they even manage a perfect over-easy). Insider tip: This place makes the best coffee cake ($3) in town (the flavors change seasonally, but the cream-cheese-nectarine is our favorite); it’s worth a splurge.  


Tastiest Way to Get Your Daily Iron:
Red Mill Burgers’ bacon deluxe with cheese
Top a quarter-pound of juicy beef hamburger with thick slices of crisp peppered bacon and you’ve got a pretty good burger. Add a slice of melted American cheese and the perfect amount of sweet red onions, lettuce, tomatoes, pickle and mayo and you’ve got yourself one of the best (and cheapest) burgers in the city ($5.80). This no-frills burger joint has its share of no-frills sides—fries ($1.89) and a root beer ($1.74) are the perfect accompaniment to this fast and delicious meal. With seating aimed at getting you in and out, we suggest you grab your bag of Red Mill goodies to go. Insider tip: Leave the Blackberry in your pocket (cell phones are banned at Red Mill’s Interbay and Phinney Ridge locations) and be sure to have cash or your checkbook handy (cards are not accepted). 


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