Imagine sinking your teeth into a delicious sandwich, your mouth watering with every bite. Well, that’s what I think of every day at school in fourth period, waiting for the bell to ring so I can go get a snack. Thankfully, DC has some of the most diverse and exciting food choices, so I can easily find a place to eat. However, some of these places are just out of the budget of a Jackson-Reed teen. So, I am here to provide you with the top five cheap but still tasty places to eat in DC!
- Falafel inc – 10/10
Falafel inc is located right off M street in Georgetown. Not only is it conveniently near all of the best stores including Brandy, Urban Outfitters, and Sephora, it is also close to the Potomac River, providing the perfect scenery to eat your food. The vibe of the place is very nice and laid-back. The menu only has a few options but the cost of each item is definitely within the budget. The falafel sandwich is $4, the falafel bowl is $5, and the za’atar fries are $4. My recommendation is the falafel sandwich and the za’atar fries, but the bowl is a staple, it all depends on what you are feeling at the moment.
- Julia’s Empanadas – 8.5/10
Julia’s Empanadas is a delicious empanada place located in Adams Morgan. It looks small from the outside with its big yellow banner reading “Julia’s Empanadas”. The different empanada options are almost endless. The most famous empanadas are the Chilean and Jamaican styles. They also have different soups and a fruit empanada for dessert. My recommendation is the Salteñas empanada made with chicken and egg, but there are also vegetarian options. Each one costs $4.37 and is definitely worth every penny. From past experience, they don’t always have all of the empanadas, so be prepared to try something different than you are expecting!
- Bandit Taco – 7/10
Bandit Taco is the best taco restaurant in Tenley. Don’t even compare it to District Taco because the quality and taste of the food is so much better (even if it might be a bit more expensive). Not only the food but the location of this place makes it ten times better. For juniors and seniors who can go out for lunch, this is an easy and great choice. There’s a large array of options including burritos, tacos, bowls, quesadillas, and more. A burrito is around $11 and a taco is around $4, so not the most affordable option out of these but not crazy expensive either. If you want to splurge, some good options are the yuca fries and the drink, Jarritos. Also, don’t forget every Tuesday is taco Tuesday, meaning you can get any taco for only $2.50!
- Popeyes – 8/10
Popeyes is a great fast food option located in Tenley, close to the Chipotle and Cava. Their staple spicy chicken sandwich is mouthwateringly flavorful. This sandwich has a buttery and slightly sweet flavor which perfectly compliments the salty and spicy chicken. The sliced dill pickles on the sandwich are the perfect finishing touch. Plus this sandwich only costs $5.99!
- Honeymoon Chicken – 10/10
Now for the official last restaurant, we have Honeymoon Chicken. This restaurant is definitely not affordable nor within the budget of a Jackson-Reed teen, but it had to be included in this list because it is one of the best restaurants in DC. The fried chicken sandwich holds the spotlight, but you can get buckets of fried chicken and other options as well. It is located in Petworth and is definitely worth a visit. Unfortunately, the sandwich is around $11 and a bucket of chicken is a whopping $27.
I hope you think of these five great options next time you are hungry and looking for delicious food. But remember, it’s okay to splurge and get food that’s expensive because you only live once, and eating a $11 sandwich after school is not going to kill you. •