My Top Five Faves For Eating Under $30
Times are tight, but in spite of the recession, lots of folks are still headed out to eat. We can skimp, but we’re not skipping dinner, dang it. So I’ll sandwich the bad news between the good: people are still going out to eat in droves, they’re just not ordering as much, and restaurants that once had two seatings — even three — are limited to one. Wine? By the glass, baby. Look for specials all around, too: many of your favorite spots might be offering deals these days. In the meantime, try these spots on for a meal that won’t dip into your savings — it you order just right, two people can eat easily for $30.
Figo Pasta, not rated
Area locations
These it’s-almost-Italian sprees of fresh-made pasta palaces from Sandro Romagnoli now have seven locations and eight on the way in the Atlanta area. It’s easy to eat simply here, from salads to the house-made pasta, or you can get your Italian on with dishes such as agnello pecorino olive e rosmarino (roasted lamb with olives and rosemary and Pecorino cheese) over papardelle pasta. Take a date for under $30 rating: 8.5
Pure Taqueria, ***
103 Roswell Street, Alpharetta, 678-240-0023
Chris and Michele Sedgwick’s Baja breezy spot in Alpharetta is about to sprout franchises all over the Southeast, with the second scheduled to open in Woodstock in July. Mix and match from an authentic Mexican menu that’s tons of fun to ramble through, whether you’re noshing on chips and queso fundido with chorizo or going gangbusters on a selection of tacos. Either way, don’t miss the margaritas. Una mas, por favor! Take a date for under $30 rating: 10
The Shed at Glenwood ***
475 Bill Kennedy Way, Atlanta. 404-835-4363
Chef Lance Gummere, who served as Shaun Doty’s sous chef for more than a decade, has finally found a kitchen he can call his own. He makes his mark with fresh ingredients and straightforward cooking, and offerings — such as bruschetta with chicken livers and bacon, or the beet salad with goat cheese — that are as easy on the pocketbook as they are the palate. He and owner/manager Cindy Shera are always cooking up specials, too, like $3 slider night and $20 Sunday suppers. Take a date for $30 rating: 9
Valenza ***
1441 Dresden Drive, Suite 100, Atlanta. 404-969-3233.
Any memories of the clubby M!x, are long gone at this popular nabe spot that offers a taste of the northern regions of Italy, particularly Piemonte in the northwest, where white truffles and risotto reign. Nurturing pastas with the homey, precisely seasoned goodness of cheese-and-sauce dishes that string from fork to mouth are easy to find, as are good wines at decent prices to go with. Take a date under $30 rating: 8.5
The profiteroles at the Shed at Glenwood make for a sweet ending to an affordable meal.
12 W. Peachtree Place N.W., 404-525-2246
Downtown has been booming recently with a lot of big noise: BLT, FAB (what’s with the acronyms?) and Room all opened with a lot of furvish. Social isn’t like that at all: It’s barely noticeable, and seems much more like something you’d find tucked away in Paris’s 16th arrondissement than one of downtown Atlanta’s backstreets. But get ready for one of the best burgers, ever: kefta, here made with marinated lamb, makes up in taste what it lacks in juiciness. Slap on some mustard and feel the flavor. And the dinner menu shines with grilled calamari and fava beans. Slick and minimal, you’ll feel hipper just having walked through the door. Take a date under $30 rating: 9.5
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© 2009 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
31 comments Add your comment
Chris
May 29th, 2009
6:41 pm
Can the guy who wrote this not do math? How are some of these under thirty when the cheapest entree is $15?
Michelle
May 29th, 2009
7:59 pm
I agree with Chris!! Most of these places are hardly bargains. My picks: Top Floor (Midtown), Across the Street (Inman Park), Mali (Virginia Highlands), Holy Taco in East Atlanta (great terrace!) … anyone else?
Rob
May 29th, 2009
9:03 pm
I think its under $30 per person and you have to drink water
Noah
May 29th, 2009
9:14 pm
Agree. They are not the good but cheap places I frequent.
R. H. Gord
May 29th, 2009
9:23 pm
I ate at Chops in Buckhead the other night so I’m not qualified for this discussion…
Fred
May 29th, 2009
9:46 pm
Come on Chris, Ms Ford is known by every person who owns a dining establishment. Think she EVER pays full price for anything or gets anything other than preferential treatment? Check out the flap over her caterer at her wedding…………
stew
May 29th, 2009
11:26 pm
Ms. Ford has a thing for Atlanta restaurants. Does she not know that most of the AJC’s readers live outside the Atlanta city limits and eat locally?
Chigga
May 30th, 2009
12:49 am
I guess you have to share the meal then you date will think your a cheapo!!!!! LOL
Yanamom
May 31st, 2009
8:43 pm
Cheep? I don’t think so, try for $20.00 or less for 2 dinners, that is cheep. We want kid friendly places to go with a family of 4 for under $30.00 for dinner. That is what we call a good bargin! But $30.00 for two? I don’t think so.
concerned
May 31st, 2009
10:28 pm
this is the worst newspaper cover to cover on the planet
DrinkSlinger
June 1st, 2009
1:53 am
this was a terrible article. I have eaten at 4 of these places and the only way you can eat for under 30 bucks is if you get salads or appetizers and waters, just like any middle priced restaurant. Hopefully, next time, the author can actually put some effort into the title they decided on. Under 30 bucks? Sheesh… Around here, Woodstock, Try The Place or BLD’s… Rosie’s Diner is also a good bet.
Meridith Ford Goldman
June 1st, 2009
9:17 am
Well, this seems to have hit a nerve. Actually, I’m not a guy, and I did the math — You can get in and out of these places for $30. No, you can’t eat everything on the menu and drink booze until your skull aches. But you can eat, reasonably for $30. And for the record, Fred — you’re right. A lot of restaurateurs know what I look like. I’ve been doing this for a while, so that’s bound to happen. But I don’t accept things for free. Frankly, most restaurants don’t bother to offer because they know I won’t accept it — they know the rules as well as I. If things get sticky, I cover the cost of an item in my tip. But that’s pretty much the standard for any dining critic, anywhere.
Darin
June 2nd, 2009
1:13 pm
Yea for the Social mention! I love that place. I was just there last Friday night and enjoyed the chicken liver/toast small plate and it ended up being a fine small dinner (the kind that leaves plenty of room for dessert later) along with a beer. This is currently my fave Atlanta restaurant.
Figo is another place my family likes and it really is a good bargain for the quality of food. I like the spinach papardelle with the mushroom sauce.
Another place I can recommend is Sausalito on Peachtree and 17th. Their enchiladas are really good. It’s a cute spot with a nice patio, but you do have to put up with eating with disposable utensils and plates.
Chris
June 2nd, 2009
8:08 pm
Firstly, I apologize for referring to you as, “guy.” I recently moved and the food critic where I used to live was a guy and I forgot it was a new paper. However to say that you, “Hit a nerve,” completely misses the point of our comments. You were not writing an article on some sensitive topic where people get riled up. If any “nerve” was hit, it’s the one that says, “I don’t want to spend thirty dollars on dinner and need to hit McDonald’s on the way home.” To say that, “No, you can’t eat everything on the menu and drink booze until your skull aches.” Is such a terrible straw man and everyone can see it. Did anyone on here imply that we should be able to eat anything we want and buy a bunch of drinks. No, we merely wanted more to our meal than a salad and appetizer. If I am wrong, by all means tell me. Please point out what entrees we could order at these places and get out for less than $30. Figo certainly hits this mark. But I would have a very difficult time at most of these places.
lovemygrub
June 2nd, 2009
9:38 pm
I agree with Chris, and sorry to the hypersensitive critic! Nobody expects to drink “until our skulls ache” but want to go for a date night for a reasonable price. My advice — try Decatur. My date and I each had three beers, an appetizer and two dinners for $50 at Universal Joint. The best hummus I’ve ever had. Nothing fancy, but an interesting and fun crowd and great service.
lovemygrub
June 2nd, 2009
10:10 pm
Enter your comments here
Meridith Ford Goldman
June 3rd, 2009
9:42 am
No problem on the guy thing Chris. Just thought you should know. Social — have you tried it? definitely a good spot that’s not expensive. Pure — have you tried it? Ditto. Figo definitely. The only place on this list that seems questionable to me is the Shed. I put it on the list because it’s a nice neighborhood spot — a little nicer than the others — and the chef and owner try really hard, and yes — if you choose wisely — you can get out for around $30, especially if you go on one their “specials” nights, which I mentioned. I was trying to include places all around the city — Alpharetta, Southside, Downtown, etc. and I wanted at least one of them to be a little more upscale, to allow options for those who might want them. There are many others, of course. Like lovemygrub’s suggestion of the U Joint in Decatur, by all means let me know what spots you like in this category. I would love to include them in an upcoming “Top 5/In Search Of” as readers’ and commentors’ picks.
Jason Greene
June 3rd, 2009
1:00 pm
OK, you guys. Lay off Meridith. Most true foodies do not live OTP. We dedicated foodies live in the city, not in restaurant chain heaven(OTP), Yes there are many other bargain spots in the city, besides these. And she does not get reduced dinners, when she is doing a review.
Nancy
June 3rd, 2009
1:24 pm
I admit I have a penchant for Buford Highway and other ethnic dining, and there are plenty of inexpensive but delicious places there. I love Panahar and Little Malaysia (no atmosphere but amazing food). Both of these are BYOB, which really stetches the dollar. Another good option is to check restaurant websites for dinner specials – Ecco and La Tavola both offer wine and pasta for $15 on Monday night and many other places have week night specials. I love reading all the reviews and then checking out websites so that I’m aware of the menu specials.
LT
June 3rd, 2009
3:40 pm
Actually, a great place to go right now for a good deal is Ippolito’s (I know of 2 locations & both are OTP). They are running a “Hard Times” special on several menu items. $7.95 at lunch & $8.95 at dinner and it comes with a coke.
Jason
June 3rd, 2009
8:58 pm
What about Ted Montana Grill? 10.00 coupons on the website,12.00 lunch and 15.00 dinner deals. Go to there website and get 10.00 coupons. Midtown(Buckhead) has eat great for 8,a lunch special that runs all week.Great food,great service!!
Grant
June 3rd, 2009
9:23 pm
Just want to stick up for MFG here. This is not a “Cheap Eats” rundown (CL & CityGuide have those, though, and they are very helpful when hunting that kind of place), but it’s not a bad list for nice restaurants where you can feasibly squeak in and out without breaking the bank – even if it does mean the lighter side of the food and drink offerings. Cheers to Nancy and Michelle for Top Flr and Panahar, too.
In regards to “concerned,” I think that your comment is more fitting to the point that the AJC is currently headlining sports news, and that there is no mention of GM, Air France, or New Hampshire on the home page. If anything, MFG is what keeps this newspaper from not being the worst newspaper.
ihorizon
June 3rd, 2009
11:16 pm
Folks forget all that places mentioned above and go to Park Cafe in Duluth…A lunch and dessert can be had for under $15..in fact, they have special $10 meal where you can get a luncheon special: a small mixed green salad, a sandwhich, and a soup. Drink is extra so lemon water is good! This is a wonderful establishment and although I have not had dinner there yet, I do frequent the lunch as it is a beautiful quiet place to be out in the patio. Hope this helps.
SamAmI
June 4th, 2009
2:45 am
Hunan Gourmet in Sandy Springs for great Chinese and Thai! Great quality and generous portions for the price. Last week’s dinner – $29.43: One Stella Artois, One Iced Tea, an order of Curry Chicken, and an order of Mongolian Beef. Rice of course. Fed us three adults! Absolutely no complaints. Fantastic! Just a few lights from the perimeter. Straight shot down Roswell Road or Lake Forrest from Peachtree.
obxgrl
June 4th, 2009
8:26 am
What planet does this woman live on? $30 for dinner for two? Does she not know we are in a recession? Give me something less than $20 and not inside the Atlanta city limits.
Meridith Ford Goldman
June 4th, 2009
8:34 am
obxgrl: Guess you better head to Chili’s …
Tucker
June 4th, 2009
8:55 am
Come out to Tucker and try Sangria’s, Mai Thai, Bambinelli’s, and Matthews…under $30 and very tasty.
Amanda
June 4th, 2009
9:15 am
You folks are aware that the newspaper in question is the ATLANTA Journal-Constitution, not Canton, Alpharetta, Lawrenceville, etc…? Having lived OTP for the majority of my life, I’m not saying there aren’t some great restaurants that are worth the drive but stop whining that you don’t get enough dining reviews. You live next to a major metropolitan city, of course the restaurants there are going to be in the limelight.
Brad
June 4th, 2009
9:40 am
For $30, but probably less, one can eat like a KING at any “authentic” Chinese or Korean restaurant and there are plenty of these places around Atlanta, both ITP and OTP
ihorizon
June 4th, 2009
9:51 am
In that case, since the “A” in AJC represents “Atlanta” then I need to recommend definately go to Fresh 2 Order in Midtown. Food is under $30 and you are satified as the meal is that good!!! Go for it!!!
MARCLAR
June 4th, 2009
12:15 pm
i JUST WANTED TO SAY IT WAS A BUMMER NOT SEEING MIDWAY PUB AND GRILL IN EAST ATLANTA VILLAGE ON THIS LIST. EVERYTHING I’VE HAD THERE WAS GREAT AND VERY WELL PRICED. ALSO SERVICE IS ALWAYS VERY PROMPT. ALSO GOOD OUTSIDE AREA. CHECK IT OUT!