Lunch in Georgetown - cheaper the better

[yfunk3]

So I'll be in Georgetown this Friday for an appointment (day off) and despite having been there countless times before, I can't think of a nice, quiet place for me to eat lunch (by myself) that's also fairly cheap (read: less than $15, the cheaper the better).

I'm into anything, really. Sandwiches, actual entrees, any cuisine...it just has to be GOOD, filling and affordable. Atmosphere should be enough for me to eat lunch by myself while reading a magazine (not too picky about noise).

I can only think of the chains and mediocre places on M Street, which are bound to be crazy busy. I've ruled out Snap because it's a small eating area, I don't want to be outside on such a hot day, and I need something more filling since lunch is usually my big meal of the day.

Any suggestions? Walking distance of the Barnes & Noble is preferred, of course. For the life of me, I can't think of many places on Wisconsin besides the Five Guys...

Thanks in advance for recs!

[yfunk3]

Well, I ended up at Tacklebox. It was good, but I don't think it was worth the $20 I spent for the entire meal. I got the shrimp roll (which was tasty and did come with lots of fries), a lemonade ($4 for a lemonade!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and an extra side of cornbread because I can't resist cornbread (and it was $4.50!!!!!!!!!!!).

It was quite a bit of food, and everything was good and all...but I made a few mistakes in what I ordered, I guess. If there's a next time, I'll definitely keep it simpler.

The cornbread was very fresh and had noticeable bits of corn in it, so one bonus point for that.

[yfunk3]

Hmmm...Tacklebox it is, then (have a strange hankerin' for fries now), though I just remembered that there's a newly remodeled Aditi Indian restaurant on M Street. Has anyone eaten there recently?

[woodleyparkhound]

re: Tacklebox... I think their fish tacos are tasty and a good value, as is their "fish and two sides" plate, but I was horribly disappointed in their clam roll. It was TINY, had very few clams in it, and to make up for the fact that it is expensive, was served with about a quart of limp, cold, inedible fries -- horrific.

[Bood]

Go to Tacklebox.

[hamster]

Try out Morso Express - I haven't tried it yet but there are some good reviews. Turkish. Corner of M and Potomac.

Pain Quotidien is really nice for lunch alone.

Tackle Box and Amma's are also good suggestions - I hope Amma's isn't closed!?

[woodleyparkhound]

Re: Amma's.... someone posted this on Yelp on 5/28/10...

Note *Amma's have recently move to Vienna, Georgetown location is now close [sic]

[beets4dinner]

Bangkok joe's is all flash and spendy; don't bother.
Tacklebox -- amazing, go there.
Stay away from the waterfront (food-wise, anyway)
Pizzaria Paradisio has decent lunch specials.
George's Falafal has this quiet upstairs seating area, and the food is servicable.

[SheriS]

1. Clydes - Chain but still good
2. Cafe La Ruche - if not too hot outside is nice
3. Bangkok Joe's down by the water - sit at the dumpling bar.
4. Miss Saigon - on M Street
5. Bistro Francais on M Street runs a daily lunch special with several selections
6. Paper Moon - Italian - also runs daily lunch specials (make sure you ask because there are usually some not listed, even on the board out front)

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Miss Saigon Restaurant
3057 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Paper Moon
1069 31st St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Bangkok Joes
3000 K St NW Ste Lbby, Washington, DC 20007

Cafe La Ruche
1039 31st St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Bistro Francais
3128 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007

[lawhound]

Bangkok Joes is overly sweet, titmidly spiced "Thai" food. I don't know too much about Georgetown these days (though the Booeymonger's of my memory was both decent and cheap) but have eaten at BJ's recently and not impressed.

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Booeymonger Restaurant
3265 Prospect St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Bangkok Joes
3000 K St NW Ste Lbby, Washington, DC 20007

[lawhound]

Booeymonger's?

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Booeymonger Restaurant
3265 Prospect St NW, Washington, DC 20007

[woodleyparkhound]

Amma's Indian Vegetarian Kitchen for a wonderful masala dosa. You can easily get out of there for under $15 - under $10 is even possible if you get a glass of water to drink.

Amma's Indian Vegetarian Kitchen
3291 M St NW
(between N 33rd St & N Eton Ct)
Washington, DC 20007

[Lori D]

Didn't Amma's close?

[woodleyparkhound]

Oh NO!! That's distressing news, indeed! It's never been packed when I've been in there. I guess the rent did them in. Now I don't know where to get a decent dosa - that's accessible by public transportation.

[dcandohio]

Cafe LaRuche

[littlew1ng]

what about pizzeria paradiso? or tackle box.

[flavrmeistr]

Or Moby Dick?

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Moby Dick
1070 31st Street N.W., Washington, DC 20007

[mjhals]

I vote either Tackle Box or Bodega. I could see spending a lot more than $15 at Bodega, but if you limit yourself to a soup and maybe 2 tapas you'd come in under. I'd also go over at Tackle Box 'cause I like their lobster roll and I think that's $19 (but worth it in my opinion).