http://local.msn.com/special/results/2005_cheapeats.asp?GT1=6660

Here's Atlanta:

1. The Varsity
61 North Ave NW, Atlanta, GA
North Avenue landmark serves up throwback fast food and neon-drenched, old-Atlanta nostalgia.

2. Eats
600 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA
Midtown slacker favorite specializes in inexpensive, flavorful meals.

3. Doc Chey's Noodle House
1556 N Decatur Rd NE, Atlanta, GA
Americanized noodle shop is a big hit in Emory Village with affordable, large portions.

4. Fellini's Pizza
2809 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA
Low-key intown pizzeria features thin-crust pies, quality ingredients and top patio real estate.

5. Waffle House
2264 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE, Atlanta, GA
From pecan waffles to legendary hash browns, breakfast fare rules at this homey 24-hour chain restaurant.

6. Fat Matt's Rib Shack
1811 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA
To-die-for ribs in a red-hot blues shack: Atlanta arrives on the (sauce-stained) barbecue map.

7. McDonald's
Various locations, Atlanta, GA
Eternal Kids: America's fast food diet, from cradle to grave.

8. Moe's Southwest Grill
2915 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA

9. Grant Central Pizza
451 Cherokee Ave, SE, Atlanta, GA
Charming neighborhood Italian joint serves cheap, delicious pizza and pasta.

10. Taqueria Del Sol
1200B Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, GA
Serious south-of-the-border flavors shine in edgy urban digs.

chicago
1. MacArthur's
5412 W Madison St, Chicago, IL
Generous portions of soul food at a nice price make this cafeteria a West Side favorite.

2. Opart Thai House Restaurant
4658 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL
Laid-back Thai spot in Lincoln Square boasts an extensive menu and great value.

3. Perry's
174 N Franklin St, Chicago, IL
This Loop legend builds sandwiches so big--and so good--that nobody minds the line out the door.

4. Potbelly Sandwich Works
2264 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL
Tasty baked sandwiches served in a charming, antique-filled setting.

5. Pompei Bakery
1531 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL

6. Gene & Jude's Red Hot Stand
2720 River Rd, River Grove, IL
Hot-dog lovers drive from miles around for Chicago-style franks at this bare-bones stand near O'Hare.

7. Pasta Bowl
2434 N Clark St, Chicago, IL
Fresh pasta and sandwiches at cheap prices make this a favorite for young Lincoln Parkers.

8. Penny's Noodle Shop
3400 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL
Bold, Asian flavors and bargain prices make this neighborhood joint hot with the locals.

9. Thai Bowl
1049 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL

10. Mr. Beef
666 N Orleans St, Chicago, IL
A celebrity favorite, the Italian beef sandwich at this no-nonsense joint is out of this world.


Mr. Beef is awesome. Penny's and Pompei are great too.

Baltimore has Quizno's as #2 and Double T Diner twice. Bullshit.

Tempe, AZ
Horse & Hound /Dorsey & Broadway
4-7 happy hour daily, $3 for a dozen jumbo wings.
These aren't those puney little wings you get at Hooters. These suckers a huge and very tastey.

Boston



I think the only place I've eaten at is Pho Pasteur...they're awesome.

Chicago:

Jim's Grill
15something W. Irving Park Rd.
Looks like a greasy spoon, but some seriously delicious Korean breakfast and lunch fare inside. Try the Soy Veggie pancakes; so much better than they sound.

Café Colao
26something W. Division
Best Puerto Rican sammies you'll find. Plus outstanding coffee and pastries.

Bahn Thai
7600 block of S. Harlem in Bridgeview
Looks like a hole in the wall, but is simply the best Thai food I have ever had. If you like spicy... BE CAREFUL!!! They will kill you. Mild is usually more than enough for veteran spice eaters. Medium is serious pain. Spicy will kill you.

The Wiener's Circle
25something N. Clark
Great burgers, Chicago-style dogs, and fresh-cut cheddar fries. Plus, the service is as colorful as it gets. Hint: Better know what the hell you want, and waht you want on it when you get to the front of the line.

Villa Palermo
2600 W. Devon
(773) 465-5400 for delivery
If you want thin-crust pizza in a thick-crust town, this place has some amazing, no-frills pies. Also, Sun-Times critic calls their Chicken Vesuvio the best in the city. Damn, I never tried that. BTW, I posted the phone # from memory after more than 5 years. Tells you how much I ate there.

Pita Inn
Dempster, just east of Crawford, in Skokie
You want falafel? Great stuff here, with fresh-baked, homemade pita bread for about $7, including sides!

Riverside Restaurant
Harlem Ave., just north of Ogden in Riverside
Bohemian food. Quality home cooking at less than $10 an entree (includes soup, homemade bread, and dessert). Wienerschnitzel, goulash, and stuffed cabbage are personal favorites. And try the liver dumpling soup. Awesome.

I think I've been to all these except for Doc Chey's. WTF with McDonalds and moe's????

If we're really talking about "beast" cheap eats, I think you could go with just about any Chinese joint.

that's pretty weak that mcdonald's is listed.

Tacos Al Carbon
4420 Lake Worth Rd. Lake Worth, FL 33461 Phone: (561) 432-8474

SLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMINNNNN' mexican food for REAL cheap. None of the employees can speak english very well, so we're talking authentic. Open 24 hours, so it's the spot for the 3-4 drunken crew.

This is a total hole in the wall joint, but by far the best and most authentic mexican i've had in south florida. Burritos and tacos are LOADED. Fresh homemade hot sauce, and iced Dos Equis and Modelo Especial. You can't fuck with it.

There's a place like that here in Annapolis. You must take someone who knows at least a little Spanish just to get by. They also serve tripe.

los angeles:

1. Zankou Chicken
5065 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Armenian roasted chicken that sizzles in the heart of Hollywood.

(Zankou Chicken is heaven, I love this place.)

2. Alejo's Presto Trattoria
4002 Lincoln Blvd, Marina Del Rey, CA
From strip-mall spaghetti stop to local institution, this is home-style Italian food that won't break the bank.

(Never ate here)

3. In-N-Out Burger
7009 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA
The country's first drive-thru chain with made-from-scratch burgers and a devout following.

(I don't eat burgers, but this is definitely a good fast-food joint)

4. Tommy's Original Hamburger
2575 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Cheap, chili-drenched burgers have sated L.A.'s hungry masses for more than 50 years.

(Ewwww chili, but this is also a popular place at 2am when you're drunk & hungry)

5. The Counter
2901 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA
Gargantuan gourmet burgers made to order in a retro-modern atmosphere.

(Haven't been here)

6. The Original Pantry
877 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA
Old-school diner with steak, chops, all-day-eggs and a side of L.A. history.

(I think not. This is the greasiest, ghetto breakfast joint. But, it is a popular place for party kids.)

7. Philippe the Original
1001 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA
Downtown French dip favorite has been serving the legendary sandwich since 1908.

(OMG THESE SANDWICHES ARE TO DIE FOR.)

8. Loteria Grill
6333 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA
Fresh, authentic Mexican food boosts the Farmers Market to new gastronomic heights.

(Never been here.)

9. Johnnie's Pastrami
4017 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA
Any way you slice it, this is still the hippest dip in town.

(Yup, this place is good. I don't eat pastrami, but they have other good sammiches here as well.)

10. Tito's Tacos
11222 Washington Pl, Culver City, CA
Westside's most beloved taco institution has a tasty, basic approach to fast food.

(Yes. Good tacos.)


I will have to add:

ROSCOE'S CHICKEN & WAFFLES
(Sunset & Gower or the one on Pico)
I can't believe they don't have this on this list. Sheesh. #13 original smothered. Thanks.

PINK'S
(Melrose & La Brea I think?)
Best hot dogs ever. Worth the long-ass wait.

NICK'S
(on Main St. in Seal Beach)
BEST. BREAKFAST. BURRITO. EVER.

TACO LOCOS
(off PCH in Laguna Niguel)
For OC, this place is the joint for tacos... mmm...

Dude I could go on & on about cheap places to get your grub on in LA but that should do for now.

yeah, jim's is dirt-cheap. i had breakfast there with a friend of mine and it came out to $7 between us.

i'd also add victory's banner on roscoe near leavitt to the chicago list. it may be a bit more expensive than some of those other places, but everything's amazing. and it caters to vegans.

Three Thai joints in the top ten, and I really don't like Penny's. And they've got one hot dog joint on the list and it's not even in Chicago. Admittedly Gene and Jude's makes a great dog, but c'mon. Gotta give it up to The Wiener's Circle, or Hot Doug's, or Gold Coast Dogs, or Bowser Dog, I mean... the list is ridiculous. Mr. Beef is good, but almost as pricey as Al's or Portillo's. For a great cheap beef, you gotta go to Mr. G's on Chicago, with a drink and fries, $3.75. For Thai, Satay on Diversey, or Sai Mai on California. I do like Pasta Bowl and Potbelly. I'll also throw out Chicago's Pizza for the $3 slice of stuffed sausage pizza. Cozy Corner for the $3 breakfast specials, they've got 8 of them. I prefer the house special, 2 slices of french toast, 2 eggs to order, choice of bacon, links, patties, or ham. With a cup of black coffee, it's $4.55 after tax. La Pasadita on Ashland and Division for tacos. Estelle's for 10 cent wings on Sunday. The Full Shilling for a $6 steak dinner on Mondays. But most importantly... Mac Arthur's?? EDNA'S. Even Harold's Chicken Shack has got more soul than Mac Arthur's. Moon's Sandwich Shop for ridiculous corned beef. I'm looking forward to trying Jim's Grill. Pick Me Up Cafe is vegan friendly too, Z. So Is Soul Vegetarian (Vegan Rasta joint. Awesome shit).

Then for pricier but damn good breakfasts (near and dear to my heart and stomach), you gotta try Nookie's, Stanley's, and Wishbone.

a few Portland spots:

1. Cha Cha Cha - some of the best burritos in town and really cheap - high quality ingredients.

2. Noho's Hawaiian Cafe - not super cheap but awesome teriyaki stuff/korean ribs/etc.

3. Pastini Pastaria - pretty good quality stuff for under 8-9 bucks. Also in this category - La Buca.

4. Thai Orchid - great little unassuming Thai place near my house - cheap ass lunch.

5. Gravy - great, sickeningly fatty breakfasts. Try the Dalise - omlette covered in white gravy

6. Hotcake House - Portland late night institution for greasy ass food at all hours

7. Stanich's - old school burger joint - simple but good

Chicago

Thai - where's the love for River Kwai on Belmont and Racine
agree with Todd on Pita Inn
don't forget about Irazu on Milwaukee
for Hot Dogs, I like Portillo's the best actually...Gene and Jude's is tremendously overrated (coming from a guy who lived ten minutes from them)
for Beef, it's either Johnnie's or Buona. The rest are pretenders.

oh yeah, i end up at pick-me-up about twice a week. and the best breakfast i've ever had in my life was at cafe selmarie in lincoln square. i still haven't been to stanley's. i hear their mac & cheese is amazing, but it'll be tough to beat handlebar's.

1. Cafe Maspero
601 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA
(oldbulees says - this place is good, but a lil overrated. good pastrami)


2. Cafe du Monde
800 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA
This French Quarter staple serves up steaming cafe au lait and crispy beignets (square doughnuts) 'round the clock.
(oldbulee says - what's not to like? )

3. Camellia Grill
626 S Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA
Inexpensive diner standards complement the local characters and color at this late-night New Orleans favorite.
(oldbulee says - inexpensive my ass. it's the most expensive diner I've ever been to, but the western omelet owns. good food but not cheap for diner food.)


4. Mother's Restaurant
401 Poydras St, New Orleans, LA
The perfect po' boy is worth the wait at this cafeteria-style deli.
(oldbulee says - local place turned tourist. still good though.)


5. Mo's Pizza
1112 Ave H, Westwego, LA
(never eaten)


6. Trolley Stop
1923 Saint Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA
(oldbulee says - poor man's Camellia Grill. Cheap but not very good. Okay especially if you're hammered. It's right next door to the Camellia Grill and it serves the same type food. So if you have 15 bucks left after going out, go to Camellia Grill. If all you have is a 5, hit the Trolley Stop.)


7. Port of Call
838 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA
This rustic neighborhood institution has a whale of a burger.
(oldbulee says - never been but have heard good things from trusted people)

8. Juan's Flying Burrito
2018 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA
Boffo burritos made to order in punk den.
never been

9. Johnny's Po-boys
511 Saint Louis St, New Orleans, LA
never been


10. Dunbar's Creole Cooking
4927 Freret St, New Orleans, LA
Unassuming dining spot sets higher standard for Creole comfort food
never been

There was this hot dog shack called Zach's Shack (couple of blocks down from BoG).... total lifesaver after drinking there all night! Best vegan hot dogs EVER.

KANSAS CITY :

1. Corner Cafe
4541 NW Gateway Ave, Kansas City, MO
Country breakfasts in heaping portions are the specialty at this cozy cafe.

Never been...heard it's good. It's up in Parkville, which I rarely go to.

2. D'Bronx- 2 locations
3904 Bell St and Crown Center Shops, Kansas City, MO
Back to basics: A pizzeria that dishes up traditional pies and delicious deli sandwiches.

Best pizza in KC, hands down. Everything on their menu is good. I wouldn't really rate this place "cheap" though - more like "average" pricewise.


3. jason's deli
8931 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS
National franchise restaurant offers generously portioned deli fare accented with fresh fruit and plenty of salads for dine-in or takeout.

Never been...but I'm betting there's 5-6 other delis they could've included that are better.

4. Back Yard Burgers
5959 Barkley St, Shawnee Mission, KS

Decent burger, but overrated.

5. Town Topic INC Sandwich Shops
2021 Broadway St, Kansas City, MO
Cheeseburger perfection is the talk of the town at this small favorite.

Great little shithole of a place. Tiny. Try the "Truck Stop" breakfast.

6. Minsky's Pizza
427 Main St, Kansas City, MO

An institution, but I think their pizza is really average.

7. Fric & Frac
1700 W 39TH St, Kansas City, MO

Basically a bar that serves food. I've been there once - it was OK. Probably on this list because they have "2 For 1 Burgers" nite.

8. Westport Flea Market
817 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO
An in-your-face Westport bar and grill where pinball machines and beer signs light up the night.

This place always wins "Best Local Burger" awards...for the most OVERRATED burger I've ever eaten. I've NEVER understood the fascination with this place's burgers. No better than Sonic or Burger King, fer Chrissakes.

9. Oklahoma Joe's BBQ & Caterng
3002 W 47TH Ave, Kansas City, KS

NOW we're talkin'. The best BBQ I've ever had. And the place is located in an cruddy, run-down convenience store. I recommend the "Z-Man" sammich with a side of angioplasty. You can't go wrong with ANY of the meats here, & their fries are the best on Earth.

10. Hayes Hamburger & Chili
2502 NE Vivion Rd, Kansas City, MO

Heard of it, but never been there.

I dunno if Acme is cheap, per se, but GOTDAMN its good. Oyster shooters and Bloody Mary's for Breakfast? Yes, that'd be the monger way.

The ATL list is fairly gar considering they have 3 chain places on there, but damn if I didn't almost eat Fat Matt's last night. The main deciding factor against was that I was too lazy to leave the house.

except that I don't like hot dogs! The hot dog place I hear raves about is Nick's Coney Island where Benicio del Toro would go all the time to get eat hot dogs when he was filming a movie here.

8. Original Hot Dog Shop
3901 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA
"The Dirty O" to those in the know--these dogs are tops.


1. Mamoun's Falafel
119 Macdougal St, New York, NY
A Village landmark for cheap falafel and shawarma.

Dog House Drive In
1216 Central Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM

I don't either!!!!! (Don't dig on swine or red meat) But he makes tofu & veggie dogs too... it was really good. Either that, or I was really drunk. Hehe.

for Charlotte, NC

1. Vinnie's Southside Sardine Bar
1714 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC
Ball caps, t-shirts, oysters, crab legs, and dollar beers are what you'll find at the always-casual Vinnie's.

2. Penguin
1921 Commonwealth Ave, Charlotte, NC

3. Price's Chicken Coop
1614 Camden Rd, Charlotte, NC
The best fried chicken in town, and a draw for people of every race, social class and background.

4. La'wan's Soul Food Restaurant
7705 S Tryon St Ste C, Charlotte, NC

5. Lupie's Cafe
2718 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC
This friendly neighborhood pub serves Charlotte's best chili--and a killer hamburger.

6. Olive Garden
4336 E Independence Blvd, Charlotte, NC
Traditional dishes and all -you-can-eat salad, soup and bread sticks are the draw at this upscale-casual Italian restaurant.

7. The Roasting Company
1601 Montford Dr Ste A, Charlotte, NC
Flavorful chicken and quite possibly the best vegetables in town.

8. Mr K's
2107 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC
When longtime Charlotteans say fast food, this is what they mean.

9. McAlister's Deli
Ballantyne Commons East, Charlotte, NC

10. Landmark Diner
4429 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC
Athens gets all the hype, but the Landmark does it better.

The Penguin is damn good, and I wish they didn't list the Olive Garden as one of the top 10. Other than that, I haven't been anywhere else on the list.