It’s no secret that costs are hovering. Gasoline prices extra, and groceries, ditto.
However right here’s some excellent news: 10 nice Bay Space eateries the place lunch continues to be lower than $10 — — and also you received’t discover a Mickey D’s within the combine. From Richmond’s Portumex to San Jose’s Falafel’s Drive-In, right here’s the place to seize a scrumptious lunch on a budget
Falafel’s Drive-In, San Jose: Featured on Man Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” this classic spot presents its lunch particular all day lengthy, till 8 at night time. It’s a big falafel and a contemporary banana milkshake for $10. The recognition of this place means they’re frying up falafel balls contemporary on a regular basis. 2301 Stevens Creek Blvd., San Jose; www.falafelsdrivein.com
Tamaleria Azteca, Oakland: This window operation serves contemporary tamales full of pork, hen or tangy cheese. Every tamale – $3.50 every or $10 for 3 – hides a fiery serrano inside. For people who don’t like lard, there’s a vegetarian model and fluffy ones produced from candy corn. Don’t overlook to ask for the earthy chile salsa. 5751 Market St., Oakland; 510-200-3190
Gateway Kitchen, Daly Metropolis: This gap within the wall serves silog, a conventional Filipino breakfast, into the afternoon with plates hovering round $6. There’s longanisa sausage and tocino (candy pork) with garlic rice, a fried egg and pineapple. And the kitchen runs a imply fry sport with entire tilapia and Honk Kong-style breaded pork chops. 6165 Mission St., Daly Metropolis; 415-239-8371, yelp.com/biz/gateway-kitchen-daly-city
Gotta Eatta Pita, Pleasanton: Get the hen shawarma or falafel pita at this fast-casual Mediterranean spot and prime it to your coronary heart’s content material with every thing from natural blended greens to Greek-style eggplant. We’re a fan of the purple cabbage salad, Israeli couscous and Mediterranean pickles. Stuffed to the highest, it’ll value you $8.95. Extras, like feta, are 75 cents. 5901 Owens Drive, Pleasanton. Additionally at 35 Crescent Drive, Suite F, in Nice Hill. www.gottaeattapita.com
La Villa Deli, San Jose: Stroll in, seize a takeout quantity and get in line for Willow Glen’s most well-known lunch — “a pint of ravs” (housemade, in fact) for $9.19. Just one query to reply: Would you like parmesan cheese on prime? At this legendary deli that’s been in enterprise for many years, the Bertucelli household sells “Obtained ravs?” T-shirts too. 1319 Lincoln Ave., San Jose.
Kibi’s Cafe, Walnut Creek: This feminine immigrant-owned hidden gem presents a number of Vietnamese favorites beneath $10. Strive certainly one of 5 bánh mi sandwiches ($7.50 every), together with the turmeric and lemongrass grilled hen, piled excessive with julienned, house-pickled daikon and cucumber or the 3- or 5-piece summer season rolls ($6.50-$9.50) with shrimp. A delight. 1981 N. Broadway, Suite 115, Walnut Creek. www.kibiscafe.com
Rickshaw Nook Restaurant, Foster Metropolis: Clients swear by this place for heaping parts of Chinese language-American meals. You may get a two-item lunch particular with fried rice or chow mein for $9.50 — and depend on having leftovers for lunch the subsequent day. Choices embrace the favored Dai Chin hen and house-special spare ribs. 901 Edgewater Blvd., Foster Metropolis.
Portumex, Richmond: Don’t let this unassuming Mexican eatery get misplaced among the many flashier birria locations in Richmond. Portumex presents a ton of hearty grub for one Alexander Hamilton. We’re a fan of the plus-size burritos ($7-$10), particularly the carne molida, however there are additionally tortas ($10) and one-third-pound burgers beginning at simply 5 bucks. 721 twenty third St., Richmond.
Domenico’s Italian Deli, Alameda: This in style spot makes $8 to $9 Italian sandwiches with all of the fixings. Other than the standard cured meats, there’s in-house lamb leg and Chicago-style roast beef. Cheaper choices embrace contemporary spaghetti or polish sausage wrapped in an onion bagel. Choose well, and there additionally may very well be a cannoli. 1407 Webster St., Alameda; 510-865-5558, domenicositaliandeli.com
Onigilly, Palo Alto: You received’t discover a bowl of ramen right here (or anyplace else, actually) for beneath $10, however Onigilly’s miso-based rice soup, generally known as zosui, comes with shiitake mushrooms, sesame, inexperienced onion and seaweed and can solely set you again $7.50. Hungrier? Get the onigiri set of two protein-stuffed rice triangles with a cup of miso soup for $9.95. 164 College Ave., Palo Alto, and 670 E. Third Ave., San Mateo. Additionally in SF. Coming quickly to Santa Clara. www.onigilly.com
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