Fooooooooooooood, man.
I can’t think of anything more important to me. I could spend every second cooking, exploring new restaurants, attending potlucks and wine & cheese nights, power ranking cuisines, watching cooking videos, scrolling food instas, and just generally talking and thinking about food. Food is a cultural portal. It is medicine for the mind, body, and soul, bringing people together at cheese and polarizing them at cilantro. I’ll never be a size 0 because the love is just. too. real.
Eating out is my favorite activity in the bedroom way to spend money! I’d *usually* rather blow $100 on French food than a piece of clothing. But realistically, ya girl’s got bills, and self-control must be demonstrated. Enter: the $10 meal. I’m always amazed when I’m back in my hometown at how cheap everything is compared to Philadelphia, which isn’t even a pricey city. So when I enjoy a dope dish for $10 or less, I want to tell the world.
I’m kicking off a series on my blog called Cheap Eats in which I’ll feature some of the city’s frugal finds to grace your palate. Here are 10 meals for $10 or less to send you into your weekend:
1. Banh Mi—Bistro Southeast, Rittenhouse
Banh Mi is a Vietnamese sandwich consisting of a protein (e.g. pork belly), veggies (e.g. cucumbers, pickled carrots, daikon), and a condiment (like pâté or sriracha mayo) on a baguette. Bistro Southeast nails this beauty in five different varieties, all for under $9.
2. Soup & Quiche—Cafe Lutecia, Fitler Square
It’s time to outgrow Panera’s You Pick Two. While Parc is certainly the quintessential French spot in Philly, just blocks west you’ll find the simplest, coziest vibes to feed your Francophile heart. Almost every item on the menu is $10 or under, and the quiche + soup combo will make you vow to be a regular. Their tomato bisque has been called the best in the city (and not just by me… but definitely by me).
3. Tacos—Loco Pez, Fishtown
Known in my book as Old Reliable (I give this nickname a lot), I lived around the corner from Loco Pez for my first five months in Philly. It oozes Fishtown with hip, retro vibes and cheap Cali-style tacos. They have vegan options like seitan & spinach, and authentic Mexican combos like chorizo & potato. Follow Loco Pez on Instagram to spot their dollar taco nights! Pro tip: go early or expect a long, shoulder-to-shoulder wait.
4. Ramen—Hiro Ramen, Midtown
When people tell me they haven’t had ramen beyond the $.10 broke college student sustenance, I want to pop their noodly cherry with a chopstick. At Hiro in the Gayborhood, all bowls are $10 flat. It’s authentic, incredible, and you’ll be in and out at lightning speed.
5. Dim Sum—Dim Sum Garden, Chinatown
In my opinion, no cheap eats list is complete without a nod to the OG: dim sum. Small Chinese plates go a long way, and this food is made to be shared with the table. An order of classic pork soup dumplings is only $5.75 at Philly fav DSG.
6. Breakfast—Little Spoon Cafe, Rittenhouse
Locally sourced, adorable aesthetic, completely divine. I’ve featured Little Spoon on my blog before, but had to throw them back in the mix when we’re talking budget-friendly. I had a friend up from Atlanta a few weeks ago and we each got two meals, that’s how cheap it is. Why debate between sweet and savory when you can have both for $20?
7. Crepes—Vineyards Cafe, Francisville
A quick walk from the Broad Street Line at Girard station lies a true gem of a cafe. Vineyards has an array of large crepes (max price: $9.50) filled with all things delicious from smoked salmon to gouda to fig spread. There’s a ton of natural light and a cute downstairs seating area perfect for a quiet afternoon of remote work.
8. Dan Dan Noodles—Dan Dan, Rittenhouse
Asian cuisine is clearly king. And for me, the throne belongs to he who masters spicy. Everyone thinks Han Dynasty for dan dan noodles in Philly, but the dan dan noodles from Dan Dan in Rittenhouse are so filling and spicy I ate one order for LITERALLY three meals. I think we’re legally obliged to trust the meal from which the restaurant’s name comes, right? At $8.25, you sincerely can’t beat it.
9. Crispy Chickpea Hummus—Suraya, Fishtown
Oh, Suraya. I can’t say enough about this Lebanese treasure. The eclectic decor and shop full of gorgeous, ethnic goods alone are enough to seal the deal. I am uber vanilla for only having tried their hummus and falafel wrap food-wise (I vow to explore next time), but goddamn do they do it well. The crispiness of the chickpeas compliments the creaminess of their blended brothers so perfectly, it serves as a cheap lunch out go-to for all who try.
10. Pizza—Alice, Rittenhouse
This is the best pizza in Philadelphia. I say that with the burning conviction of an enraged nonna when you reject a fifth helping at dinner. Alice (pronounced ah-lee-chay and I offer you that from a place of sincerity, not pretentiousness) originated in Rome 30 years ago. It’s al taglio (by the cut from a large, rectangular tray), so you’re priced out by weight. No joke, I have gotten four massive slices at once and paid a max of $6. Try the classic Roman combo of rosemary and potato! And for my fellow #thicckweens, save room for gelato.
Many of these are no-brainers for Philly residents, but I wanted to convey the VARIETY you can find in this city for $10 or less. And, if you can’t tell, I have plenty of neighborhoods to explore for affordable bites, like South Philly and University City, so keep your eyes peeled for my next edition of Cheap Eats!