Best Bang for the Buck

While this page is primarily devoted to Best Values in the DC/MD/VA area, I will allow a couple of noteworthy exceptions.  These places offer the best bang for the buck.

Perhaps my favorite all-time comfort food.

North Dumpling - Chinatown NYC - They charge an astonishing one dollar for 5 fried pork dumplings. These are NOT frozen, dry dumplings like you get at TGI Fridays.  The dumplings are freshly made by several elderly chinese women.  You can see them rolling the dumplings as you order.  Throw some Sriracha and soy sauce on top and you've got the cheapest meal in the country.  I typically eat 25+ a day when I'm in town playing volleyball across the street.


Noodles and Company - Northern Virginia - 5.99 for a soup and sandwich duo.  My favorite is the Spicy Chicken Caesar pita sandwich with their freshly made chicken noodle soup.  My longtime favorite for a couple dollars more is the Pesto Cavatappi with parmesan chicken on top.  A full belly for under 10 bucks. 

Honeypig - See my review in Top 10 Local Restaurants for more info... But... Somehow I end up in Honeypig, have a great time and when the check comes for our group, even after 8 rounds of sojoo and 9 courses in front of us, I only end up spending 30 dollars.  And I know Koreans are good at math.  As such, Honeypig earns a spot in my best values list.  And to top it off, there is a karaoke bar next door to both of their two Virginia locations!

Chef Geoff's - Recently hit up Chef Geoff's Happy Hour in Tysons Corner and they have some great stuff on there for extremely reasonable prices.  A lot of places offer cheap beer specials off domestic piss-water (I actually prefer domestic piss water but I feel cool slamming those types of beers like everyone else) but they offer discounts off their superb selection of appetizers, too.  If you are in the area, it's a great value until the dinner prices rise after Happy Hour ends.

Pho 75 - Herndon, VA - Good, cheap, beef noodle soup.  That's the only reason to go.  They don't even have summer rolls here but who cares when the soup is this good.

Pei Wei - Everywhere, VA - Pei Wei has a really great lunch special where you get a choice of one of their slightly downsized version of  main dishes, soup, and egg rolls for 6.99.  Pei Wei is a pretty good deal in general considering you get served at your table yet you don't have to tip.  Fast modern-chinese for under 8 bucks after tax.

Cerrito's Papuseria, Chantilly, VA - 2 dollar papusas, tacos and tamales in a shack on the side of route 50 near South Riding.  If you want authentic El Salvadorian food at bargain prices, head on over.  It's easy to stuff yourself for less than 10 dollars a person.