Best cheap DC?

[lauraz]

I'm new to the message boards but not to DC. I'm moving away soon, and I want to make sure I hit the best food before I go.
Criterium :
1. I'm unemployed right now, so I'd like to stay under 10$/ person, the cheaper the better.
2. Must be close to public transportation as I don't have a car.
3. No Thai (allergic to peanuts), or chains unless they are truly local, and I'm already a frequent at Amsterdam Falafel.

If there's anything left after this that you can think of I will be eternally grateful.

While we're at it, if there are any reasonably priced bars you want to mention, that'd be great too.

[Smiles2008]

before you leave you should go to Eastern Market. You should be able to get food inside or even stuff outside in and around the market.

[MakingSense]

As a last hurrah, walk down along the Tidal Basin for your very last Cherry Blossom Festival. The peak should be the week of April 3.
Wander up to the cheesy waterfront boats at Maine Avenue and get some seafood of some sort there. Might not be the very best eats in town, but the atmosphere will be unbeatable.
The fried stuff there - plain as you can get it - is often pretty darn good. Some raw oysters. Steamed shrimp.
Eat with your hands. Laugh a lot. Enjoy the day. Good luck wherever you're headed!

[EasyGreasy]

south street steaks on cordell in bethesda has the best cheese steaks in town. Fries are good too. get american cheese on it . I've tried w/t the whiz not as good. I've heard alot of people say it's the closest thing to a real philly cheese steak you can get.

[DCDeb]

Julia's Empanadas on Connecticut (between Dupont and Farragut North stations) and Naan & Beyond on L St are 2 of my favorite cheap eats.

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Naan & Beyond
1710 L St NW, Washington, DC

Julia's Empanadas
1221 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036

[Jeserf]

Julia's has like a $6 deal (or used to)....one sweet and one savory empanada and a drink. Very filling.

[hamster]

Audrey Hepburn hot chocolate at ACKC on 14th Street.
Belgian waffle at Locolat at U and 18th.
Ray's Hell Burger - a bit of a walk from Rosslyn metro, but not far. There are tons of reviews on it on this board. And it's *almost* in DC.
In Old Town Alexandria (metro accessible, with a walk or connector bus), check out the Lickety Split lunch in the lounge in Restaurant Eve. Unbelievably incredible food, and it's only like $11 or $12 for a two course lunch. Weekdays only in the lounge.
Also in that area, fish and chips at Eammon's. Exceptionally delicious.
G Street Foods by the White House - get the cubano sandwich if they have it. Just tried this last week and was blown away.

Pho is a great idea, as is Amma Vegetarian, Maoz, Taylor Gourmet, and tacos. I also love the Saloon, although I'm not sure I would consider it cheap exactly. But it's reasonable, and the atmosphere is pretty cool. Check out the second floor if you go.
The bar in the Black Cat is also good, though the music gets a little too loud sometimes for a conversation.

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Restaurant Eve
110 South Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Ray's Hell Burger
1713 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22209

Locolat Cafe
1781 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009

Taylor Gourmet
1116 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002

G Street Food
1706 G St NW, Washington, DC 20006

[Lori D]

Ray's Hell Burger is only a few blocks from the Rosslyn metro. But they are uphill blocks. If you go to Courthouse, you can walk downhill (and then downhill to Rosslyn for the return trip). Pho 75 is in the same shopping center.

Cafe Assorti, across the street from RHB, is also inexpensive - they have Kazakh food.

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Ray's Hell Burger
1713 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22209

Cafe Assorti
1800 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201

[Dennis S]

But... you should reverse trip to help walk it off a bit more...

[4X4]

Tacos at Taqueria Nacional (near Union Station) are good and affordable.

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Taqueria Nacional
400 N Capitol St NW, Washington, DC

[Dennis S]

Ooh - that Mayur place near K and 13th? That place rocks for quality and price.

[dining with doc]

have a bowl of pho for lunch or dinner. you will have a delicous nourishing meal

[woodleyparkhound]

Check out Pho Viet in Columbia Heights! I posted about it here:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/686593

[ChewFun]

If you like falafels, try Maoz in Dupon Circle. There are plenty of cheap Chinese places in the Dupont Circle/Farragut West area that are pretty decent. Go to a Salvadoran restaurant and eat pupusas. They are rarely more than $2.00 each and three would stuff you, plus you get curtido (a kind of coleslaw).

[katecm]

Unless you're moving to Philly, go to Taylor Gourmet. The Cityvista location is Metro-friendly. I had found the hot sandwiches to be better than the cold.

For a bar, the Saloon on U Street. Absolutely.

[scotcheroo]

blue buck pancakes or crab cake sandwich at Market Lunch at eastern market.

[woodleyparkhound]

Aama Vegetarian Kitchen in Georgetown for great masala dosa (catch the Georgetown Circulator bus from Union Station or Farragut North). It's hard to imagine that a fan of Amsterdam Falafel wouldn't like this place as well!

[Steve]

How about Lunch?

Go to Breadline on Friday lunch for their bbq sandwich. Order it on a ciabatta.

Oohhs and Aahhs, get the lemon pepper wings with sides of greens and rice with gravy.