Big city eats on a small scale budget: where to eat for less than $30
It's no secret that the Triangle (the area of Raleigh, Durham, & Chapel Hill, NC) is a hidden gem from foodie heaven. There are a variety of genres to choose from each with a different price tag. If I had my way I would probably have a budget of $100 plus dollars a day picking and choosing each delight. That is a fantasy world for me and for most....So where to start?
Hopefully these ten restaurants can give you some good ideas. All of them are under $30 for a two person dinner. Drinks not included, so pop a bottle at home ; ).
1.) La Place Louisiana Cookery- Hillsborough, NC
I love La Place. If you are a fan of flavorful Cajun or Creole goodness then this is the place for you. From crawfish
étouffée to po- boys this has all of the classics. La place also received the award for "Best Bloody Mary of Orange County" in the 2017 Best of the Triangle Independent Awards. The Andouille sausage is made in house and the drinks perfectly crafted. Try the gumbo over potato salad if you are feeling brave, it perfectly balances the hot flavor with a cool creamy undertone. It melts in your mouth and is an interesting twist to the traditional recipe. Expect a small wait on weekends. It's a cozy little place with limited seating and great ambience.
2.) Mediterranean Deli, Chapel Hill, NC
This place is very affordable as it has an al a carte menu...so eat as much or as little as you like. The vibe is nice as well with beautiful mosaic tile and Persian rugs on the wall. When I say this place has everything, it really does as far as my knowledge of Mediterranean food goes. The pita is baked fresh daily with kosher and gluten free options. Well worth a visit for lunch or dinner. Also the 2017 winner of best Mediterranean restaurant in Orange County by Indy Weekly.
3.) Guglhupf - Durham, NC
So I am cheating a little bit with this one. You can get lunch or visit the cafe for under $30 but thats a stretch for dinner. (Pronounced Goo-gul-huff). Guglhupf is a bakery/German restaurant. Go get a bratwurst sandwich or schnitzel for lunch. You can also skip lunch all together and head to the bakery for classic european pastries & breads. The patio is decadent and well shaded. Also a 2017 Indy award winner for "Best Outdoor patio in Durham County."
4.) Beasleys Chicken & Honey- Raleigh, NC
This was my husbands and I's first date. No self conscious salad for me. We both ordered chicken & waffles with pimento mac and cheese custard. It was love at first bite. The contrast of flavors between the crispy savory chicken and the sweet waffles drenched in syrup was heaven. I am already a huge fan of fresh pimento cheese but adding it to mac was genius. The sides add a nice touch with fresh seasonal veggies and buttermilk biscuits from scratch. This soul food joint is tasty. Come hungry & reserve a table it's usually pretty packed.
5.) Cosmic Cantina- Durham, NC
This is a great place for cheap eats from 11-4am! The tacos, nachos, and burritos are also way cheaper than chipotle. It can be hard to find.. a little hole in the wall up a stair case so be sure to google the address. They also have the cheapest Margarita pitcher in town so bring your friends.
6.) Remedy Diner - Raleigh, NC
I am not a vegan by any stretch of the imagination but I do enjoy vegan food. This funky little diner does vegan and non-vegan food really well. So well that I waited until the very end of our meal to tell one of my friends that he was eating tempeh, not pulled pork. He couldn't believe how tasty it was.
7.)Bosphorus - Cary, NC
This no frills Turkish restaurant was an excellent find thanks to the beloved family I nannied for. I would have never known it was there. It is located across the train tracks in an unassuming strip mall. The prices are affordable for lunch or dinner and the staff is so friendly! Try the Cigar Bourek (Sigara Boregi) Feta cheese mixed with parsley, chopped onions rolled in Filo Dough fried and served with marinara sauce. The cigars explode with flavor and the buttery Filo pastry practically melts in your mouth. They also serve Pideler, an amazing turkish pizza with various toppings.
8.) Ixtapa- Hillsborough, NC
Ixtapa is on the Eno River near downtown Hillsborough just across the bridge from Weaver Street Market. This is a quaint family owned restaurant and one of the most authentic Mexican food restaurants in the Triangle. They hand make their own tortillas and fresh press their juice. It's so good a food blogger even wrote about it in The New York Times. The prices only add to how great it is. Tacos al a carte are $3 a piece. Ixtapa's guacamole is pure bliss. Many people don't realize a good guac has A LOT of aggressively-flavored ingredients, and tons of salt. You need both to cut through the fatty avocado flavor, which coats your tongue and can mute any other flavors. Their recipe is perfect. Do yourself a favor and go try some!
9.) The Little Dipper- Durham, NC
My husband took me here for my birthday last year and it was divine. The Little Dipper is a fondue restaurant with seasonal craft wine & beer. The staff is extremely knowledgeable about what pairs well with each cheese and chocolate mixture. The best part is that your fondue and meat is cooked right before your eyes.
I know what you are thinking ....how could this be under $30 for two people? Well my dear, they have daily specials. A three course date there will cost you $65 a head and if it's a special occasion, it is well worth it. Tuesdays however are the real steal, $10 a person for succulent cheese and chocolate family style fondue with all of the fixins' to dip in. You can add a craft beer for $3 and thats $13 a person.. not too shabby.
10.) Spanglish- Triangle Food Truck, NC
The first time I enjoyed Spanglish I unashamedly ordered seconds, which I never do. Spanglish is a Puerto Rican food truck with a rotating menu. Their location schedule is posted online weekly via their Facebook page. The truck serves up piping hot fried empanadas, plantains, & other savory Puerto Rican treats. Typically you can find them in Durham or Raleigh. Do yourself a favor and hunt them down! You can also call in for take out!
