Cheap Eats reviews

Two meals for under $20

Metromix
April 19, 2011

Cheap Eats reviews

The goal: A meal out for two for $20 or less. Sometimes you get what you pay for, but, as you'll read, Tucson is full of great bargains.

Cheap Eats: Mama's Hawaiian Bar-B-Cue
Critic's Rating:
4

The UA-area eatery is a nice addition; you just have to know what to order

Cheap Eats: Frogs Organic Bakery
Critic's Rating:
4

Oh là là: the boulangerie at Casas Adobes Plaza is tasty, locally focused and cheap

Cheap Eats: La Cocina
Critic's Rating:
4 1/2

Vegetarian cuisine is ultra-friendly at the revamped Old Town Artisans eatery

Cheap Eats: 17th Street Grill
Critic's Rating:
4

The trailer outside the 17th Street Market serves an eclectic, flavorful menu

Cheap Eats: I Luv Pho
Critic's Rating:
4

Two words: bánh mì; and the Vietnamese eatery does the sandwich well

Cheap Eats: Ikkyu
Critic's Rating:
4 1/2

For some of the best Japanese eats in Tucson, head to the Northwest Side

Cheap Eats: Son's Bakery Cafe
Critic's Rating:
4 1/2

Don't let this diner-bakery-Vietnamese joint fly under your radar

Cheap Eats: Flavor of India
Critic's Rating:
3 1/2

Oro Valley's newest Indian joint is skimpy on the spicy, but big on flavor

Cheap Eats: Planet of the Crepes
Critic's Rating:
4

Holy crepe! The East Side food truck makes a decadent dessert crepe

Cheap Eats: Mays Counter
Critic's Rating:
3 1/2

The price is right and the food good at Tucson's only chicken-and-waffles joint

Cheap Eats: Zendejas #13
Critic's Rating:
4

The UA-area Mexican eatery is comfy, casual and – yes – cheap

Cheap Eats: Don's Bayou
Critic's Rating:
3 1/2

The Cajun eatery's food is delicious – if only the portions were bigger

Cheap Eats: Chicago Fast Food
Critic's Rating:
4

Chicago meets the Philippines at the East Side eatery connected to Pinoy

Cheap Eats: Bubby's Chicago Style
Critic's Rating:
3 1/2

The Northwest Side eatery emphasizes fresh, authentic ingredients

Cheap Eats: CeeDee Jamaican Kitchen
Critic's Rating:
4

The new Jamaican eatery prepares island cuisine with great attention to detail

Cheap Eats: Pizza Plus #1
Critic's Rating:
3

The buffet is a good deal – just stick to the pizza

Cheap Eats: Asian Bistro
Critic's Rating:
3

Lunch specials at the midtown Chinese and Thai eatery mean two can eat for about $15

Cheap Eats: Café Tremelo
Critic's Rating:
3 1/2

The food at the Foothills Mall eatery is excellent; the atmosphere, well...

Cheap Eats: Sir Veza’s Taco Garage
Critic's Rating:
2 1/2

In a town oversaturated with El Charros, Sir Veza's is a welcome change

Cheap Eats: Tork's Cafe
Critic's Rating:
4 1/2

Move past the unassuming exterior for some of Tucson's best Mediterranean cuisine

Cheap Eats: El Coqui
Critic's Rating:
3 1/2

The new Puerto Rican restaurant has a menu as diverse as the island

Cheap Eats: Nimbus
Critic's Rating:
4

East Side's Nimbus American Bistro & Brewery has a varied menu and rock 'n' roll soundtrack

Cheap Eats: Mr. K's BBQ
Critic's Rating:
4

Look past the thrift store decor to the insanely good barbecue sauce

Cheap Eats: Gee's Garden
Critic's Rating:
4

Mix up the usual breakfast standards with the Chinese eatery's dim sum

Cheap Eats: Monkey Burger
Critic's Rating:
3 1/2

Continuing the upscale-burger trend, the new East Side eatery has the prices right

Cheap Eats: The B-Line
Critic's Rating:
4

Eat well on a budget at the hip Fourth Avenue eatery

Cheap Eats: Seoul Kitchen
Critic's Rating:
3 1/2

Tucson's newest Korean restaurant is also the most affordable

Cheap Eats: Rincon Market
Critic's Rating:
4

Some of Tucson’s best lunches can be found inside grocery stores

Cheap Eats: Little Luke's
Critic's Rating:
4 1/2

There are many ways to do a Chicago dog and Italian beef; we like it Luke style

Cheap eats: Samurai
Critic's Rating:
4

Far above your average fast-Japanese joint

Cheap Eats: Maya Quetzal
Critic's Rating:
4

Pleasantly unexpected flavors are cooked up at the Guatemalan restaurant

Cheap Eats: Fat Greek 2
Critic's Rating:
4

The sister restaurant to the original Fat Greek does a mean salad

Cheap Eats: Wings and Rice
Critic's Rating:
4 1/2

This is one international hodgepodge—of American, Korean and more—that works

Cheap Eats: Pizzeria Vivace
Critic's Rating:
4 1/2

Daniel Scordato's latest, more casual venture brings his quality to the every day

Cheap Eats: Bison Witches
Critic's Rating:
4

A college hangout thanks to the huge (huge!) sandwiches and a long (long!) beer list

Cheap Eats: Tohono Chul Park Tea Room
Critic's Rating:
4

We'd be hard pressed to find a better setting for breakfast

Cheap Eats: El Saage
Critic's Rating:
4

These Middle Eastern treats—including standout shawarma—are excellent

Cheap Eats: Roma Imports
Critic's Rating:
4

The Italian market and deli deserves all the acclaim it gets

Cheap Eats: Pho Thu
Critic's Rating:
4 1/2

One of the lesser-known Vietnamese joints in town, Pho Thu is top notch

Cheap Eats: Little Cafe Poca Cosa
Critic's Rating:
4 1/2

The original Poca Cosa continues to serve up an original take on Mexican food

Cheap Eats: Laverna's
Critic's Rating:
4 1/2

This off-the-beaten path diner is worth putting into your breakfast rotation

Cheap Eats: Jack's Original Barbeque
Critic's Rating:
3 1/2

The homey atmosphere kicks this barbecue up a notch

Cheap Eats: Lani's Luau
Critic's Rating:
4 1/2

Your best local bet for authentic Hawaiin cuisine

Cheap Eats: Red Garter
Critic's Rating:
4

In between pool games, grab a burger and a beer for cheap

Cheap Eats: Taco Bron
Critic's Rating:
3 1/2

Make this an East Side destination, especially for the Tuesday deals

Cheap Eats: Vero Amore
Critic's Rating:
4 1/2

The pizzas and salads fill us with amore

Cheap Eats: El Güero Canelo
Critic's Rating:
4

For a good time—order a carne asada caramelo and Sonoran hot dog

Cheap Eats: Kenney D's
Critic's Rating:
4

Kenney knows his Chicago-style, Italian beef

Cheap Eats: Café Zope
Critic's Rating:
4 1/2

Just 4 months old, the crêperie and espresso bar is something special

Cheap Eats: El Merendero
Critic's Rating:
4

Dinner-grade Mexican fare for lunch-grade prices

Cheap Eats: Mario's Pizza
Critic's Rating:
4

Serving up New York-style pies for 30 years, and the price is right

Cheap Eats: Game On
Critic's Rating:
4 1/2

The locally owned sports bar and grill is notches above the competition

Cheap Eats: Silver Saddle
Critic's Rating:
4

The 29-year-old steakhouse shines in quality and price

Cheap Eats: Daggwood Cafe
Critic's Rating:
4

Whatever, Jared: You want a good sandwich, you head here

Cheap Eats: European Market
Critic's Rating:
3 1/2

Cheers to this funky, midtown gem

Cheap Eats: El Rio Bakery
Critic's Rating:
4

So much more than baked goods, though those are delicious, too

Cheap Eats: Sauce
Critic's Rating:
4

Sam Fox's take on pizza is simple and classic

Cheap Eats: Bumsted's
Critic's Rating:
4

The sweet potato fries still rule

Cheap Eats: 1702
Critic's Rating:
3 1/2

49 beers on tap and pizza slices as big as your head

Cheap Eats: Chef Alisah’s
Critic's Rating:
4

Tucson's new—and only—Bosnian eatery a go-to for homey cuisine

Cheap Eats: Madre Mia's
Critic's Rating:
3 1/2

Refreshing fare distinguishes this Mexican eatery

Cheap Eats: Barrio Brewing
Critic's Rating:
3 1/2

Good food, quality beers and a train-dependent happy hour

Cheap Eats: Mosaic Cafe Dos
Critic's Rating:
4

Top-notch Oaxacan and Sonoran fare

Cheap Eats: Cindy Lou’s Cafe
Critic's Rating:
3 1/2

Well-made sandwiches lure the locals

Cheap Eats: La Bella China
Critic's Rating:
3

The price is right at this Southwest side Chinese joint

Cheap Eats: Desayunos Cora's
Critic's Rating:
3 1/2

No-frills, no-nonsense food at South side eatery

Cheap Eats: Alice's Restaurant
Critic's Rating:
3 1/2

When singing Alice’s praises, don’t forget meatloaf

Cheap Eats: Tucson Tamale Co.
Critic's Rating:
4

A new eatery with a fresh concept

Cheap Eats: Montgomery’s Grill
Critic's Rating:
3 1/2

A restaurant in a trailer park?

Cheap Eats: Mabuhay Filipino
Critic's Rating:
4

Robust cuisine served up for low, low prices

Cheap Eats: Szechuan Omei
Critic's Rating:
3

No surprises at this longstanding, Americanized-Chinese joint

Cheap Eats: Dickman's Meat & Deli
Critic's Rating:
4

Wisconsin transplants focus on top-quality ingredients

Cheap Eats: Bob's Smokehouse
Critic's Rating:
4

You can't judge a restaurant by its strip mall

Cheap Eats: Miss Saigon Bar & Grill
Critic's Rating:
4 1/2

Vietnamese favorite's 2nd locale good, pho sho

Cheap Eats: Crying Onion Cafe
Critic's Rating:
4

So comfy, there's no cause for tears

Cheap Eats: Saigon Pho
Critic's Rating:
3

Good value for tasty fare, but slow service

Cheap Eats: Hot Dogs Obregon
Critic's Rating:
3

Stable spot lets eatery put down roots

Cheap Eats: Ali Baba
Critic's Rating:
4

Try the sampler plate for fresh, vibrant flavors

Cheap Eats: Las Brasas
Critic's Rating:
4 1/2

Hole-in-the-wall look belies good, simple fare

Cheap Eats: Pat's Drive-in
Critic's Rating:
4

A Tucson classic for a reason

Cheap Eats: Sabor Tropical
Critic's Rating:
4

A tasty journey to Colombia

Cheap Eats: Wings Over Broadway
Critic's Rating:
4

New owners and, all of a sudden, we're Wings-nuts

Cheap Eats: Sultan Palace
Critic's Rating:
5

The Afghani eatery is just as excellent in its new digs

Cheap Eats: Sunny Daze Cafe
Critic's Rating:
4

The food and service brighten mealtime

Cheap Eats: El Sur
Critic's Rating:
4 1/2

Fare, service: ¡excelente!

Cheap Eats: Frankie's
Critic's Rating:
4

Grab a cheesesteak—and go for the Whiz

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