Let’s face it: Living in Northern Virginia comes at a premium. From our taxes to our restaurant meals (even before tipping), it seems nothing is cheap in our chosen home.
Or is it? Our critic has scoured NoVA for only the most memorable meals you can try for less than $20 across five categories of crave-worthy cuisine. From $4 salteñas and Indian-style eggless cake slices to upscale happy hours that will leave you full, these are the best cheap eats in our region.
Jump to: Indian | Chinese | Peruvian & Latin American | Korean | Greek & Mediterranean | Salteñas | Variety Meals | Herndon Centre Eats | Happy Hours
Indian
Asian Americans compose about 10 percent of the Northern Virginia population, according to Indian American Impact. The largest group represented? Indian Americans. It shows in the excellent selection of restaurants from diverse pockets of the homeland. It’s no wonder there are still places where you can get a bargain.
Amma Vegetarian Kitchen
The deals don’t get much better than Amma’s Feast for $13.50 at this meatless casual eatery. Or maybe they do. If you don’t require the meal’s 10 items, including dessert, you can get a filling repast of a dosa with sambar and chutney for south of $10. 344 Maple Ave. E., Vienna
EggHolic
This street food chain specializes in egg dishes, but there are flavor-packed vegetarian and chicken sandwiches and platters, too. Try the masala half fry for $9.99. The spiced sunny-side-up eggs come with enough bread to make a sustaining meal. 13951 Metrotech Dr., Chantilly
Pastry’s Corner Bakery & Cafe
No longer related to the Chantilly bakery of a similar name, this spot operates inside the Ashburn Lotte Plaza. For $3.25 apiece, the kind operators will heat up an adeptly spiced chicken tikka puff just for you. Finish with a slice of $4 chocolate truffle cake or cardamom-scented rasmalai cake. 43930 Farmwell Hunt Plz., Ste. 100, Ashburn
Saravana Palace
This strictly vegetarian restaurant has a lunch buffet, but at dinner, you can make your own selections and it’s not much more. Just order from the among the chaat, idli, and vada menus, where most items are less than $11. We love the $7.99 samosas, with spiced potatoes and peas wrapped in the lightest, crispiest dough. 11725 Route 29, Ste. A15, Fairfax
Chinese
Chinese food has long been synonymous in our country with inexpensive fried fare tailored to American palates. You won’t find a lick of sweet-and-sour chicken on this list. Instead, we encourage you to travel to China at the end of your chopsticks with these regional eats.
Bostan Uyghur Cuisine
The cuisine of the Muslim Uyghur people in China’s northwesternmost province of Xinjiang is a melting pot of flavors from across the Silk Road. The $8.99 (or $7.99 in Herndon) vegetarian cold skin noodles called rangpiza (translated from liang pi) are adapted from Shaanxi. The chili-and-vinegar-doused wonders are dotted with cucumber, cilantro, and spongy wheat gluten for a textural bonanza. 3911 Langston Blvd., Arlington, bostanuyghurcuisine.com; 1141 Elden St., Ste. 104, Herndon
Chili Wok
Most guests take out at this Szechuan-focused restaurant, but we like the bustle of the tiny dining room. Start with the $8 drool-inducing Strange Flavor Cucumber Salad, then move on to hot chili pork dumplings and Wuhan sesame noodles. 335 Maple Ave. E., Vienna, chiliwokvienna.com
Dumpling Queen
Unusual dumpling flavors including lamb-and-carrot, fish-cilantro, and pork-and-dill get star billing here. They’re all in the $15 range for 12 pieces (plenty for a meal), though we add an extra $1 to get them pan-fried. 13942 Metrotech Dr., Chantilly
Mark’s Duck House
Yes, we love the crisp-skinned fowl that earns this restaurant its name, but when we’re trying to save cash, we order from the daily dim sum menu or wait for the carts that navigate the restaurant on weekends. There you’ll be treated to taro puffs and slippery cheong fun that are always worth a return visit. 6184-A Arlington Blvd., Falls Church
Nanjing Bistro
Nanjing is the capital of Jiangsu province, on China’s East Coast. At this quiet restaurant devoted to Jiangsu cuisine, fill up on buns for an inexpensive treat. The six Nanjing pan-fried mini pork buns ring up at $14.95. You’ll love their crispy bottoms and fluffy sesame-and-scallion-covered crowns. 11213 Route 29, Ste. C, Fairfax
Peruvian & Latin American
There are no two ways about it, we’re grateful for the glut of delicious Peruvian chicken in NoVA. But other Latin American cuisines are catching up in popularity, especially in Prince William County. Try these deals on for size.
Eda’s Latin Food
The homestyle Nicaraguan victuals here have risen in price with the tide, but you’ll barely notice when you take home a giant nacatamal, a relative of the Mexican tamal, for $6.99. The tangy, achiote-dyed cornmeal hides many enticing secrets, including big, tender chunks of pork, rice, and vegetables. 9071 Liberia Ave., Manassas
El Pollo Rico
The 37-year-old Arlington flagship of this small Peruvian chicken chain still features some of the very best charcoal-broiled birds in the region. While other restaurants might let a flaccid skin or two escape the kitchen, the compellingly spiced ones here are reliably crunchy. 932 N. Kenmore St., Arlington; 10801 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax; 13470 Minnieville Rd., Woodbridge
La Estación
Salvadoran and Honduran dishes, including $2.99 pupusas and tamales, are uniformly inexpensive here, but our favorite time of day to save at this family restaurant is breakfast. The $10.99 Desayuno Campesino combines runny eggs with refried beans, cheese, cream, a corn tamal, and fried pork. 525 E. Market St., Leesburg
La Jarochita Restaurant
The faithful line up at this colorfully decorated restaurant on weekends for a taste of the freshly carved tacos al pastor. That’s because the spit-roasted pork and pineapple is only available after 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Be sure to stop by the salsa bar for limes and spicy salsa verde. 9612 Grant Ave., Manassas
Korean
We’re lucky to have two Koreatowns in Fairfax County. It’s easy to find signs and menus in Hangeul around Annandale and Centreville. These are some of our favorites in those communities and beyond for a tasty meal under $20.
CM Chicken
The chain formerly known as Choong Man Chicken began its domination of the United States right here in NoVA. A double-fried half chicken with tangy pickled radish bites on the side is $15.99. We ordered it with the brand’s signature curry sauce. Multiple area locations
Ko Hyang House
Meaty soups burble and bubble to your table at this gamja tang specialist hidden in an industrial park. The spicy pork-neckbone-and-potato potage is $16, as is the lesser-known wooguhji tang, which features melting cabbage in the place of the potatoes. 4265 Brookfield Corporate Dr.,
Chantilly
Miso
This Korean-run Japanese fusion restaurant combines the best of both worlds with a broad menu of donkatsus and udong soups. For $16.95, the pork tender katsu meal includes a juicy cutlet, mini udong, rice, salad, pickles, and steamed egg. 7410 Little River Tpk., Annandale
Myun-Ga Korean Deli
Recently, Americans have gotten spoiled by the availability of frozen kimbap. But there’s nothing like a roll made fresh. At this petite eatery, all but a few are less than $10 for 12 sizable pieces. We like the $10.49 spicy pork kimbap, but the $12.99 bibim naengmyeon noodles aren’t bad either. 14165 Saint Germain Dr., Centreville
Siroo & Juk Story
The juk in the name refers to a congee-like porridge flavored with meat, seafood, and vegetables. The bulgogi octopus version is $12.99, but the best deal is the Two Hands brand corn dogs. For $4.99 or less, get them filled with cheese, beef sausage, or both. We favor the potato dog. 13830 Route 29, Centreville; 4231 Markham St., Annandale
Greek & Mediterranean
It’s not all Greek to us. In recent years, our definition of Mediterranean cuisine has moved eastward. What ties them together besides a shared sea? Outsized flavors, lean proteins, and lots of fresh olive oil.
Opa Mezze Grill
Our time in Greece was practically defined by phyllo-wrapped pies like cheesy tyropitakia and spinach-filled spanakopita. At $8.75, they’re not too much more expensive here than they are on the streets of the homeland and almost as tasty. 44110 Ashburn Shopping Plz., Ashburn
Plaka Grill
Named for a tourist-favorite neighborhood in Athens, this restaurant is known for its $10.95 scratch-made Plaka Gyro, made with pork, tomatoes, onions, fries, and tzatziki sauce. The American-style beef-and-lamb gyro is $10.50. 110 Lawyers Rd. NW, Vienna; 1216 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Sheesh Grill
Build your own colorful plate at this fast-casual restaurant for around $15. The $14 grilled eggplant is a stunner, filled with garlic yogurt, tomato sauce, fried onions, and mint. With a choice of sides including salads, fries, chickpeas, and sautéed spinach, there’s never an excuse to get the same meal twice. 13940 Route 50, Chantilly; 8190 Strawberry Ln., Ste. 4, Falls Church
Sorrento Grill
One of Herndon’s secret weapons is this Persian-leaning Mediterranean restaurant with grill-kissed kebabs and oversized portions. We dare you to finish one of the $15.50 daily specials in a single sitting. The braised chicken with sweet-and-tangy barberry rice on Wednesday is our favorite. 2443-G2 Centreville Rd., Herndon
Thelo Greek Kuzina
Our favorite pork gyro is $11 at this homey scratch taverna, except on Tuesdays, when it’s $9 at lunchtime. At $16, the halal lamb gyros are more expensive but no less enticing. There are even versions for vegetarians — pitas filled with string beans, eggplant, or zucchini — with prices starting at $11. 10123 Colvin Run Rd., Great Falls
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Feature image of Mama Tigre by Rey Lopez
This story originally ran in our January Issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
