Jun 12, 2020
If you’re out and about in Washington, D.C., and you’re on a budget, you’ll want to know where you can find good food for less money. We’ve come up with a few ideas for you that we think you’ll like.
Ben’s Chili Bowl
Family owned and operated since 1958, Ben’s Chili Bowl is a D.C. staple whose iconic storefront in the U Street neighborhood will beckon you inside. The affordable restaurant is known for its Ben’s famous chili half smoke, which was voted as Washington’s signature dish. Also popular are the chili cheese fries, chili dogs, veggie dogs, rice bowls, thick milkshakes, and more.CAVA
CAVA, owned by three friends (one of whom is a chef), serves fast-casual Mediterranean deliciousness in build-your-own creations. You begin with a base (salad, greens and grains, regular or mini pita, grain bowl, or mini pita plus soup), choose up to three dips and spreads, add a protein, and choose from a long list of toppings such as romaine, feta, kalamata olives, and mint. Then you drizzle on your choice of dressing. You’ll find eight CAVA locations in Washington, where the chain started.Market Lunch
Head to Market Lunch at 225 Seventh St. SE for lunch on Capitol Hill. A 40-year-old diner located in the Eastern Market, Market Lunch serves classic DC food such as crabcakes, fried whiting sandwiches, golden chicken in mumbo sauce, and fried green tomatoes. You can enjoy a huge platter of fried food as well. If you’re there for breakfast, you need to try the legendary blueberry pancakes.Potbelly Sandwich Club
For a quick meal, you can find Potbelly Sandwich Club locations all over D.C. When time is short, eating while sightseeing is a plus, and you’ll need the energy. So grab a turkey club or a Mediterranean veggie sub sandwich and a milkshake or smoothie. If you plan to dine in, the fast-casual restaurant also has a nice variety of soups and salads.Toki Underground
In the H Street Corridor, you’ll find Toki Underground, Washington’s original ramen restaurant. Choose a ramen bowl such as Taipei curry chicken or kimchi, or go for a noodle bowl featuring chicken, pork, shiitake mushrooms, and more. You can also add on additions such as pork belly, miso-chili paste, and fried chicken. Toki also has an interesting selection of affordable non-alcoholic beverages, while the alcoholic drinks are more pricey.Le Pain Quotidien
If you’re a bread lover, you’ll enjoy Le Pain Quotidien, which is French for “the daily bread.” You can get fresh open-faced sandwiches, organic breads, and much more. Our pick of the many DC locations is in Penn Quarter/Chinatown at 975 F St. NW near 10th Street. You’ll be steps from Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, The Spy Museum, and Ford’s Theater. Eat at the communal table for the true experience. A few breakfast choices are the dragon fruit smoothie bowl, sunny side breakfast bowl, and smoked salmon breakfast. Among the lunch and dinner choices are roasted turkey and avocado tartine, veggie forager bowl, quinoa taboule, and lentil and avocado salad. This list barely scratches the surface of affordable Washington restaurants, but it should give you a good start. We hope you’ll find good, inexpensive food that you’ll find unforgettable.
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