Where to go for cheap eats in Vancouver

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      It’s often the case that dining at top restaurants comes at high prices, which is why most people appreciate a good, inexpensive meal. When Georgia Straight staffers surveyed over 100 chefs and restaurateurs for our Golden Plate awards, we asked them to name the best place for cheap eats in Metro Vancouver, and there was no shortage of answers.

      First place was tied between Malaysian eatery Hawker’s Delight and sandwich shop Meat & Bread.

      Second place was also a tie between Northern Chinese restaurant Peaceful and Vietnamese chain Thai Son.

      Third place was a 10-way tie that included the following diners, takeout spots, and noodle shops:

      Au Petit Café
      Phnom Penh
      Mamalee Malaysian Delight 
      Gyoza King
      Marutama Ramen 
      Hokkaido Santouka Ramen
      Hons Wun-Tun House 
      Save On Meats 
      La Taqueria 
      Stepho’s Souvlaki Greek Taverna  

      Here is a further taste of restaurants, sorted by type, that industry insiders picked for best cheap eats.

      Italian

      Nook
      Pizzeria Farina
      Sciué Italian Bakery Caffé

      Other European

      Bestie
      Fritz European Fry House
      Bodega on Main

      Chinese

      Congee Noodle House
      Legendary Noodle House
      Lin Chinese Cuisine and Tea House
      Sunlock Garden Restaurant

      Japanese

      Hamaei Japanese Restaurant
      Kintaro Ramen
      Momo Sushi
      Zakkushi

      Other Asian

      Chau Veggie Express
      East Is East
      Laksa King
      Longtail Kitchen
      Noodlebox
      Pho Goodness
      The Union

      Latin American

      Guanaco Truck
      Rinconcito Salvadoreno
      Sal y Limon

      Other

      Argo Café
      Babylon Café
      Burgoo
      Cactus Club Cafe
      Local Public Eatery
      Tractor Foods

      Comments

      20 Comments

      Eddy Hardy

      Mar 13, 2014 at 6:11pm

      The Cactus Club may be a lot of things, but 'cheap' isn't one of them. What dumba$$ submitted that one?

      DM

      Mar 13, 2014 at 10:41pm

      Burgoo is overpriced comfort food. I wouldn't use "best" or "cheap" to describe Cactus Club. La Bodega isn't cheap, it's delicious - but not cheap. The Union doesn't fall under the "cheap" category either. This is a terrible list, I'm curious to know which chefs contributed to this.

      I would replace those places with Ba Le Deli, Pad Thai Cuisine, Canteen Mitra, Cazba, Pho Thai Hoa and House of Dosa.

      SlightlyBroozed

      Mar 14, 2014 at 7:01am

      Cheap and food should never be spoken in the same sentence. Cheap means either mass produced single origin plants and animals OR over-produced plants and animals served by an underpaid human. Save your the money… make it yourself using the best quality food you can afford.

      I Agree

      Mar 14, 2014 at 9:01am

      With Hawkers Delight. 70% of these other places are definitely not cheap. Meat and Bread is $10 for a sandwich! Sciue? Cactus Club? Burgoo? Really?!! These "industry insiders" must be bankers, or lawyers, on the side. I'm wondering who put this list together?

      A. MacInnis

      Mar 14, 2014 at 9:06am

      For cheap Indian food, you cannot beat Crave India on Granville at Nelson, just down from Megabite. VERY spicy for a hole-in-the-wall, but very TASTY, too, and they have fresh naan and very low prices (two can eat for under $20 if you plan it right). Their butter chicken is a favourite, they do a nice fish dish... the lamb is tasty but a bit heavy/ oily, so it stays with you... the veggie curry is great but tends to be the hottest thing they have, so vegetarians should be prepared to follow it up with a lassi! Good samosas too. Best cheap eats in Vancouver, if you ask me...

      'taint cheap

      Mar 14, 2014 at 1:52pm

      RE: Burgoo - I had a quick lunchtime soup and beer for 30 bones. Thats some rich chowder and $5 biscuit.

      S B

      Mar 14, 2014 at 2:16pm

      Wow, this is a really bad example of 'cheap eats' in Vancouver. Almost none of these places are cheap.

      L.B.

      Mar 14, 2014 at 2:21pm

      Cheap??? I agree with the other comments that these places are most definitely not the cheapest around, nor the best. I, and most other Vancouverites, could name a dozen better options off the top of my head (and not of the fast food or chain restaurant type).

      where??

      Mar 14, 2014 at 6:18pm

      Cheap food in Vancouver is like affordable housing. If you can afford the house, it's affordable just like the food.

      No "The Dime" at 5 bucks a pop either. This list is food for white collar elite plain and simple.

      hahaha

      Mar 14, 2014 at 10:15pm

      that list ain't no good. but I won't tell you where the good is. because then y'all will go there and it will be busier and they'll up the prices. you lose suckas!