No surprise to anyone, the definition of ‘cheap’ has changed drastically over the summer. Now ‘cheap’ is $3.99 a gallon. Even prices of basic, low-on-the-food-chain items, like potatoes and eggs, are staggering. Who ever thought we’d be paying upwards of $3 for a loaf of bread?
 
The upside: There are still plenty of places where you can get a great meal for $10 or less. And you don’t have to cook or clean up. Sometimes parking is a challenge. Other times, crowds have beaten you to it. But there are many, many places near the center of town where you can soak up the culture and enjoy an outstanding meal. If cocooning is on the agenda, most offer takeout; some even deliver.

Bandito’s Burrito Lounge
2905 Patterson Ave. • 354-9999
http://www.banditosburritolounge.com
It’s almost hard to spend more than $10/meal here, because everything—wraps, burritos, burrito bowls—just about all come in under ten. In May, Bandito’s Burrito Lounge broke the Guinness World Record for the largest serving of nachos, weighing in at 3,115 pounds, and no one died making it or eating it. What else do you need to know?

Carytown Burgers and Fries
3500 W. Cary St. • 358-5225
http://www.carytownburgersandfries.com
Dedicated to serving outstanding burgers, this place is the favorite of serious burger hounds. Where the standard is the uber-burger. Dilettantes will love the 1/3 pound basic dressed version. True believers venture into more sophisticated areas, including the Brie Burger with gobs of cheese, the Rodeo with BBQ sauce, lettuce and tomato topped with onion rings, and the South of the Border with guacamole, salsa and sour cream. Although the fries are famously good, don’t limit yourself. Go for the Chili Cheese Fries, the Tater Tots, or the Jalapeno & Cream Poppers with Ranch.

China Panda
616 N. Sheppard St. • 355-6888
Sometimes, nothing fills the bill like Chinese delivery. When those moments strike, call the Panda. He arrives swiftly, with any of the classics you grew up with. Of course,  you can always dine in. China Panda is the friend you can always count on to deliver—to your door and to your taste.

Chiocca’s Downstairs Deli & Bar
425 N. Belmont Ave. • 355-3228
http://www.chioccasdownstairsdeliandbar.com
For more than 50 years, locals have stepped downstairs to gab, drink and eat together. In addition to the best, leanest Reuben in town, Chiocca’s also offers classic subs and sandwiches along with some signature bites like the Downstairs Dagwood, the Beast Feast, and the Downstairs Sub. Wednesday nights, from 7-10 p.m., relax to the dulcet tones of singer/guitarist Roth Rose. (Rose is also a budding author, in the process of penning his first book, “The Gripes of Roth.”

Coppola’s Delicatessen
2900 W. Cary St. • 359-6969
http://www.coppolasdeli.com
Conveniently situated a couple of doors down from Carytown’s Byrd Theater, where second-run movies bring in the frugal intelligentsia, Coppola’s is one of the area’s best meet-and-eat spots, drawing faithfuls and newcomers for more than 20 years with its fine meats and cheeses. Big fat subs, hearty sandwiches, and deli salads are always made with the best ingredients.

The Eatery
3000 W Cary St • 353-6171
Where in the world can you get everything you like on one plate? No one bats and eye when you order pizza, chicken wings and egg rolls, all for yourself. Burgers are not the thickest, but they are the tastiest. And fries are perfection. Friendly, fast and cost-efficient. You can order chicken fried rice, but why not chicken and fried rice? Generous servings and low prices have made this Eatery a hot spot for years. Folks rave about the sweet iced tea, reported to be the sweetest.

The Jerk Pit
2713 W. Broad St • 353-7755
http://www.jerkpit.net
This unique Jamaican grill brings all the flavors of the Caribbean. Curries include chicken, shrimp, goat, and ox tails. And the Jerk chicken and pork are unparalleled around here. Meat challenged? Go for the Jerk Tempeh. Jamaican Patties (chicken, beef or veggie), Coco Bread, and Boonoonoonous (a quaff of tropical fruits) are near impossible to find elsewhere in Richmond. For the full flavor of the island, don’t pass up the Maroon Melt: jerk chicken breast, grilled bell peppers, onions, and melted cheese in warm Coco Bread.

Kuba Kuba
1601 Park Ave. • 355-8817
http://www.kubakuba.info
Best place in town to dabble in Cuban cuisine. Wander in to soak up the atmosphere of this little corner bodega. Deep-fried plantains, shrimp and mussels in a Tasso ham and cilantro broth, three huevos creations are all favorites.  A reasonably priced entradas section includes full-scale dishes that start a little higher than our Cheap Eats requirement of $10 or less. But salads, hefty sandwiches and a creative listing of huevos all come in under ten. And for 75 cents, the best cuppa Cuban joe you can get north of Ybor City.

Mary Angelas Pizza and Subs
3345 W. Cary St. • 353-2333
http://www.maryangelaspizzeria.com
This mainstay of Carytown culture has a following that covers multiple generations. Parents bring their kids and their own parents. College students and Fan-dwellers fill in the rest, all testimony to the pizza and subs and the coziness of the long, narrow dining space. Pasta ranks right up there with the pizza, and salads come in a close second. Best of all, you can dine in, drop in and carry out, or have it delivered in the area.

Mrs. Marshall’s Carytown Cafe
3125 W. Cary St. • 355-1305
http://www.mrsmarshalls.com
For a real taste of Old Richmond, zip into Mrs. Marshall’s in Carytown. Richmond throw-downs and family to-dos have included Miz Marshall’s famous potato salad since 1921. Snap up a sandwich or a chicken salad biscuit for the real flavor of this institution. And now you can leave with a bottle of Aunt Fossie’s Chicken Barbecue Sauce, this generation’s contribution to the traditional flavors of the café.

Robin Inn
2604 Park Ave. • 353-0298
This little corner trattoria is one of the area’s most historic spots. The Loupassi family has been serving up traditional pastas, pizzas, salads and sandwiches on the same site since 1964. Value is tops, especially on a student budget. Ten dollars is very filling. And although it’s stretching the $10 rule, you can always take the splash and share the dinner special, which includes two complete meals and a bottle of wine.

Sticky Rice
2232 W. Main St. • 358-7870
http://www.ilovestickyrice.com
This place is truly unique, serving sushi, sandwiches, salads and full entrees, with a self-described “bad attitude.” Pop some edamame, slurp some noodles. And don’t forget Sticky Rice’s signature side, a Bucket of Tater Tots with SR’s special sauce. The menu’s Big Plates price out of our range for cheap eats. But there are still plenty of choices for those on a budget, as well as for vegans and vegetarians. The kitchen takes noodles seriously. Choose between soba (buckwheat), udon (thick), rice (vermicelli-like) and sticky rice noodles. Or choose for flavor from Mongolian Beef, Veggie Tofu, Szechuan Shrimp, or a host of others.

Table 9 at Park and Meadow.

/the food is made with love

The only people that would think Robin’s Inn was any good must be related to the owner or looking to continue the paid “Robin’s Inn” advertising in their paper. I think it would be a good idea to actually eat at the establishments you write about. The chicken Parmesan there is a boiled chicken breast and out of the can tomato sauce over cooked squishy pasta that taste like it has been sitting in warm water for a few hours. When the dish came to the table I asked what it was she told me “chicken parmesan” I replied, “where is the parmesan?“ She then reached across the table and grabbed the shaker of the fake cheese you find at any pizza place and placed it down in front of me. Anyone with any food experience or someone that has ever eaten chicken Parmesan knows that it is chicken rolled with breadcrumbs and… you guessed it Parmesan cheese then cooked. This place is for the old people in the Fan that need soft serve food without all that crazy young kids stuff called “flavor”. Corporate food from Sabarro’s at shopping malls is closer to Italian, which is still not saying much.

Joe’s Inn is GREAT!

If we missed someone, please let us know.  - Jim

What about Mojo’s and Joes Inn??

This is not a good list!  Sticky Rice caused a good friend of mine food poisoning.  Carytown Burgers and Fries is not good either.  However, there are some excellent places that were totally overlooked - such as Piccola Italy and Elephant Thai - both excellent, cheap, and right on campus.

Great list! Have to say my faves here are Carytown Burger & Fries, Sticky and, of course, Mary Angelas.