Ben's Chili Bowl
Two Half-Smokes
The half-smoke — a spicy pork and beef sausage topped with chili, mustard, and onions — is one of the few dishes truly invented in Washington D.C. Ben's has been serving them on U Street since 1958. Two half-smokes with all the fixings for $5.95 each. One of the most iconic cheap eats experiences in America.
Taqueria Habanero
Taco Trio for Two
A Michelin Bib Gourmand taqueria on Columbia Heights' Mexican Row — family-run and Puebla-inspired. Tacos (al pastor, carnitas, carne asada on house-made tortillas) run about $4 each, so two people share five or so for around $20. Acclaimed, authentic, and a neighborhood favorite.
Falafel Inc.
Falafel Sandwiches for Two
DC's most beloved falafel chain with locations all over the District and Northern Virginia — fresh falafel sandwiches for under $5 each, plus Zatar fries for $3. Two people eat a full, delicious Middle Eastern meal for under $15. A portion of every purchase supports the World Food Programme.
Mezcalero Cocina Mexicana
$4 Taco Feast for Two
Chef Alfredo and Jessica Solis's Columbia Heights spot with 16-plus taco fillings. Tacos are about $4 ($3 at happy hour) and quesadillas $10, so two people build a taco feast for around $20. Bold, authentic, and a Mexican Row standout.
Shouk
Plant-Based Pitas for Two
DC's beloved Israeli plant-based fast-casual — cauliflower or mushroom pitas and bowls packed with fresh Middle Eastern flavors, tahini, and house-made spreads at $9.75 each. Two people eat a filling, creative, fully vegan meal for under $20. Leaning on Israeli culinary tradition, Shouk proves plant-based can be wildly satisfying.
El Rinconcito Café
Pupusas for Two
Columbia Heights Salvadoran institution beloved for its handmade pupusas — thick masa cakes stuffed with cheese, beans, chicharrón, or loroco, served with curtido and salsa roja for under $4 each. Two people eat a proper Salvadoran meal for well under $15. One of DC's most authentic and affordable neighborhood spots.
Duccini's Pizza
Jumbo Late-Night Slice — about $5
A U Street pizza joint slinging the original DC jumbo slice — a giant New York-style cheese slice for about $5 (a couple dollars more with a topping). One slice nearly feeds two; two people grab a slice each for around $12. Open into the small hours.
Jumbo Slice Pizza
Adams Morgan Jumbo Slice — about $8
The Adams Morgan late-night ritual — a supersized cheese slice (about $8) so big one can nearly feed two. Two slices run around $16, the classic end to a night out on 18th Street. Cash only; open into the early hours.
Ercilia's Restaurant
Pupusas — $2.35
A Mount Pleasant Salvadoran kitchen where a pupusa de queso or revuelta is just $2.35 (shrimp $3.99), griddled to order with curtido. Two people each eat three pupusas for well under $20. Long hours, neighborhood-beloved.
Arepa Zone
Venezuelan Arepas — $6.50–8.50
A Best-of-DC Venezuelan spot griddling corn arepas stuffed with shredded beef, chicken, or black beans and white cheese, $6.50–$8.50 each. Two people each get an arepa for around $15. Also at Western Market.
Roaming Rooster
Halal Fried Chicken Sandwich — $8.50
A DC halal favorite (food trucks plus a Bladensburg Road shop) for crispy fried chicken sandwiches — classic $8.50, honey-butter or buffalo $9. Two sandwiches run about $17, each their own. Halal.
Simply Banh Mi
Banh Mi — about $8
A Georgetown takeout window for crusty banh mi — grilled pork, lemongrass chicken, tofu — around $8, with halal and vegan options. Two sandwiches land near $16, each their own. An appetizer and a sandwich still stay under $15 a head.
The Market Lunch
Eastern Market Counter — under $10
A Capitol Hill counter inside historic Eastern Market — blueberry-buckwheat pancakes are $8.95 and the crab-cake sandwich about $10. Two people each get a plate for around $20. Weekends draw a line; closed Mondays.
El Pollo Sabroso
Half Peruvian Chicken — $16.50 (feeds two)
A Mount Pleasant Latin rotisserie where a half chicken — charcoal-roasted, with a side salad and your choice of plantains, rice, yucca, or fries — is $16.50 and genuinely feeds two. Pollo a la brasa, split, for around $8 a head.
Chercher Ethiopian
Veggie Combo for Two — $19.99
A Shaw Ethiopian mainstay where the seven-item vegetarian combo — lentils, greens, cabbage, and more on spongy injera — is $19.99 and built for two to share with their hands. A full, communal Ethiopian meal for around $20. Closed Thursdays.
Oohh's & Aahh's
Soul Food Plates — sides $5–7
A U Street soul-food institution for fried chicken, four-cheese mac ($6.95), candied yams, and collards ($5.45–$6.95). Two people each build a plate of wings and sides for around $20. Takeout, beloved, always busy.
Chinatown Express
Hand-Pulled Noodles · Lunch $5.95
A Chinatown institution pulling noodles and folding dumplings in the front window. The lunch special is $5.95, eight pork dumplings $5.95, and a hand-pulled noodle soup $6.50 — two people eat for around $13. Watch the noodle-pulling while you wait.
Julia's Empanadas
Empanadas — $6 each (big)
An Adams Morgan late-night staple since 1987 baking big, hearty empanadas — Chilean beef, chicken, spinach, Jamaican — at $6 each. They're filling, so two people share three for around $18, or each grab one with a side. Open till 3am on weekends.
TaKorean
Korean Tacos — about $4.50 ($2 Tue)
A Union Market Korean-Mexican stand topping warm tortillas with bulgogi beef, tangy chicken, or caramelized tofu plus kimchi-slaw. Tacos run about $4.50 (just $2 on TaKo Tuesdays), so two people each get a few for around $20.
💡 Pro tip: All deals are community-verified but prices and availability change. Always check the restaurant's website or app before making a special trip — and if something's expired, flag it on our main directory so we can update it.
See All 1,000+ Deals
Browse the full directory — 72 cities, national chains, updated June 2026.
Browse the Directory