Philly's Own $25 and Under

[Lisa1349]

I'm still paying off my life in NY. Working there as a cook and living like I was a Wall St. mogul on college 'let our bank get you in the hole' credit has left my gustatory life in poor spirits. A soothing fact is that I have one of the tastiest jobs in Philadelphia. Before it goes on our shelves, I have to taste it/cook with it/give it my seal of approval. This doesn't stop my longing for the overall restaurant experience I frequently forgo to keep myself off the MBNA 'call every 3 minutes to collect' list.

Just before Christmas, at the end of a long day of work and a few hours of trying to shop on a budget - I was starved. The next train home didn't leave for an hour, then I'd forage in my refrigerator of condiments to devise a meal. I needed another option that wasn't Wendy's on the corner of Chestnut. I read the menu in the window of Ludwig's Garten assuming I could afford a burger and maybe a beer. I got so much more.

I sat in the tavern side (there's a more formal restaurant on the left) where both menus are offered. Their 'wurst platte comes with a link of your choice from 5 available. I went with Ungarische, a great combo of beef and pork with paprika. It also features a huge mound of potato salad, awesome sauerkraut, pickle and a ramekin of mustard. It mentioned Alsatian bread but it was absent from my plate. Paired with a great winter ale, the name of which I remembered for the first 2 weeks I was trying to put together this post - it began with a "p" a single word and tasted of honey and clove. Great with the slight spice if my wurst.

The service was attentive and friendly. The bartender was sure to keep in touch while respecting the 'I want to be alone vibe' coming off me in waves. I was willing to watch the Flyers game although I'm not a hockey fan.

The rest of the late night menu, which is the bar menu served all day until 1am looks enticing as well.

For $20 including tip, I left, and all was right with the world. I also made the next train.

I'll continue to add to this thread in hopes that you'll do the same.

[Rich Pawlak]

I'm still paying off my life in NY. Working there as a cook and living like I was a Wall St. mogul on college 'let our bank get you in the hole' credit has left my gustatory life in poor spirits. A soothing fact is that I have one of the tastiest jobs in Philadelphia. Before it goes on our shelves, I have to taste it/cook with it/give it my seal of approval. This doesn't stop my longing for the overall restaurant experience I frequently forgo to keep myself off the MBNA 'call every 3 minutes to collect' list.

Just before Christmas, at the end of a long day of work and a few hours of trying to shop on a budget - I was starved. The next train home didn't leave for an hour, then I'd forage in my refrigerator of condiments to devise a meal. I needed another option that wasn't Wendy's on the corner of Chestnut. I read the menu in the window of Ludwig's Garten assuming I could afford a burger and maybe a beer. I got so much more.

I sat in the tavern side (there's a more formal restaurant on the left) where both menus are offered. Their 'wurst platte comes with a link of your choice from 5 available. I went with Ungarische, a great combo of beef and pork with paprika. It also features a huge mound of potato salad, awesome sauerkraut, pickle and a ramekin of mustard. It mentioned Alsatian bread but it was absent from my plate. Paired with a great winter ale, the name of which I remembered for the first 2 weeks I was trying to put together this post - it began with a "p" a single word and tasted of honey and clove. Great with the slight spice if my wurst.

The service was attentive and friendly. The bartender was sure to keep in touch while respecting the 'I want to be alone vibe' coming off me in waves. I was willing to watch the Flyers game although I'm not a hockey fan.

The rest of the late night menu, which is the bar menu served all day until 1am looks enticing as well.

For $20 including tip, I left, and all was right with the world. I also made the next train.

I'll continue to add to this thread in hopes that you'll do the same.

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I have always contended that Ludwig's is an unrecognized bargain in Center City. The beer selection alone merits praise, but the food there is superb. That's why Ludwig's is where we begin my annual Golden Age of Beer Tours with lunch there every year.

[philadining]

I'm pleasantly surprised by these comments about Ludwig's Garden, I'd been meaning to try the food there, but in doing a few web searches, came across multiple horror stories about everything but the beer. But I understand that these reports can be unreliable, I'm glad to hear that some folks we trust like it.

[mrbigjas]

it's the fraternity basement smell in the bar that turns some people off; the heady aroma of spilt beer, ashtrays, and a halfhearted attempt to mop it all up. having spent several years of my life in a fraternity basement, though, i find it rather nostalgic and not unpleasant. i do agree about the wonder of the wurst platter and their beer selection.

i will admit that i haven't been real thrilled with the food in the restaurant part, though.

[GordonCooks]

My fave cheap Philly eats - Pat's with no onion, a tacconelli's cheese pie, and mussels frite at Monk's cafe

[Capaneus]

I'm pleasantly surprised by these comments about Ludwig's Garden, I'd been meaning to try the food there, but in doing a few web searches, came across multiple horror stories about  everything but the beer. But I understand that these reports can be unreliable, I'm glad to hear that some folks we trust like it.

←

I have not been back for anything but the beer since soon after thay opened, but my couple of meals back then were flat-out horrible. Glad to hear it's gotten much better - though it was bad enough back then that I need a couple more affirmations before I risk it again. Truly shuddersome stuff.

[Capaneus]

I'm still paying off my life in NY. Working there as a cook and living like I was a Wall St. mogul on college 'let our bank get you in the hole' credit has left my gustatory life in poor spirits. A soothing fact is that I have one of the tastiest jobs in Philadelphia. Before it goes on our shelves, I have to taste it/cook with it/give it my seal of approval. This doesn't stop my longing for the overall restaurant experience I frequently forgo to keep myself off the MBNA 'call every 3 minutes to collect' list.

Just before Christmas, at the end of a long day of work and a few hours of trying to shop on a budget - I was starved. The next train home didn't leave for an hour, then I'd forage in my refrigerator of condiments to devise a meal. I needed another option that wasn't Wendy's on the corner of Chestnut. I read the menu in the window of Ludwig's Garten assuming I could afford a burger and maybe a beer. I got so much more.

I sat in the tavern side (there's a more formal restaurant on the left) where both menus are offered. Their 'wurst platte comes with a link of your choice from 5 available. I went with Ungarische, a great combo of beef and pork with paprika. It also features a huge mound of potato salad, awesome sauerkraut, pickle and a ramekin of mustard. It mentioned Alsatian bread but it was absent from my plate. Paired with a great winter ale, the name of which I remembered for the first 2 weeks I was trying to put together this post - it began with a "p" a single word and tasted of honey and clove. Great with the slight spice if my wurst.

The service was attentive and friendly. The bartender was sure to keep in touch while respecting the 'I want to be alone vibe' coming off me in waves. I was willing to watch the Flyers game although I'm not a hockey fan.

The rest of the late night menu, which is the bar menu served all day until 1am looks enticing as well.

For $20 including tip, I left, and all was right with the world. I also made the next train.

I'll continue to add to this thread in hopes that you'll do the same.

←

I can gorge myself on Ethiopian for $25. Also Vietnamese or Mexican. I love Minar Palace - three entrees for $20, just about. And I just heard (on NPR) about an Ivoirean place somewhere on Baltimore that I've got to try.

I am also awfully fond of Rx's $25 weekday prix-fixe. Though after tax, tip, and Your Own Brought Bottle, it might not match your specs. Not clear on the rules of this game.

[rlibkind]

I think the problem some people might have with Ludwig's Garten is simply that they don't care for heartier German fare. A plate of wurst or a jagerschnitzel with cabbage is a wond'rous thing to me, as is a bacon-fat saturated Alsatian onion tart, but our aversion to all things fat these days stands in the way of enjoying these foods. This isn't great cusine, and it is one-dimensional, but it is tremendously satisfying, especially in a cold winter night.

[rlibkind]

For satisfying meals under $25, what about Greek? Some of the steam table items can be quite tasty.

I also think The Famous can fit the bill, so long as you don't ordered smoked fish.

And nothing can be as satisfying as red gravy Italian. You can walk away fromf Ralph's or Villa di Roma after a plate of spaghetti and sausage or manicotti with a glass of cheap vino, including tip, for at least a few bucks less than your limit.

[philadining]

... our aversion to all things fat these days stands in the way of enjoying these foods. 

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That hasn't been my experience with the eG crowd!

But of course you're right about the population in general.

I think Philly's a really great city for cheap eats.

My faves under $25:

Any of the sandwich places we've been raving about: Sarcone's, DiNic's, Tony Luke's, Famous Deli, etc... I'm happy to call that dinner.

Any of my fave places in Chinatown: Sang Kee, Szechuan Tasty House, Rangoon, Penang, etc. perhaps most dramatically, a bowl of noodles at Nan Zhou for, like, $5.

Plaza Garibaldi or Taqueria Veracruzana.

Ethiopian, especially at Dahlak. (I was saddened to recently discover that Amare passed away back in October... he was a nice guy.)

Standard Tap.

Ralph's. Despite all the naysaying, I have never been disappointed in a simple order of gnocchi, or ravioli, with a meatball (OK, except that one time when they just wouldn't give me a meatball, despite asking about it 5 times...)

Brunch at the Morning Glory.

that's a start...

Edited January 18, 2006 by philadining (log)

[rlibkind]

Ralph's. Despite all the naysaying, I have never been disappointed in a simple order of gnocchi, or ravioli, with a meatball (OK, except that one time when they just wouldn't give me a meatball, despite asking about it 5 times...)

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I bet the meatballs were off that night! Didn't the waiter tell you order the sausage instead?

[Capaneus]

I think the problem some people might have with Ludwig's Garten is simply that they don't care for heartier German fare. A plate of wurst or a jagerschnitzel with cabbage is a wond'rous thing to me, as is a bacon-fat saturated Alsatian onion tart, but our aversion to all things fat these days stands in the way of enjoying these foods. This isn't great cusine, and it is one-dimensional, but it is tremendously satisfying, especially in a cold winter night.

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Nope, I love other German places (there's a place in the NE that has excellent food), and plenty of asorted Central European food, though mostly I've gotten it home cooked. Those dinners were just wholly inedible. Like I said, they were a long time ago. They sound like they have gotten a lot better.

[KatieLoeb]

The dinner specials at the South Street Diner are usually very good and range from $8.95-13.95 on any given day. Comes with soup or salad, two veg and dessert - the full meal deal for a bargain price. I recently had sliced London Broil with a baked potato, steamed asparagus, a small salad and a slice of chocolate cake for about ten bucks. Their Greek dishes are usually pretty good too.

I can always get out of Dmitri's on the cheap and be very satisfied. A plate of hummus, an order of grilled octopus and usually a plate of their delicious sugar snap peas with feta is enough for two with leftovers.

Pretty much any of my usual haunts in Chinatown can feed me for several days for $25.

Villa di Roma is my South Philly go to for a big honking plate of pasta and some cheap chianti. Good meatballs there if you're looking.

La Lupe could feed a small family for $25.

[MarketStEl]

Ethiopian, especially at Dahlak. (I was saddened to recently discover that Amare passed away back in October... he was a nice guy.)

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Make that two of us now.

He was one of the people I most enjoyed interviewing for the Current. It took place one afternoon at Dahlak, over glasses of mango juice and a few samples of his fare.

I hope his wife is doing fine and glad to see that the restaurant continues to thrive. I assume she runs it all herself now.

Edited January 19, 2006 by MarketStEl (log)

[Rich Pawlak]

I have to add the upstairs Grey Lodge kitchen to this category. Some of the most satisfying and surprising food I've had anywhere in years. Perhaps the city's best cheesesteak, red curry mussels to die for, a brilliant deconstructed take on the spinach salad, fish and chips worthy of a British pub, gorgeous quesadillas, that wacky upside-down tomato pie, and the always-difficult-to-choose-from tap beer menu.

[Buckethead]

Two people can spend $15 at Alyan's (on 4th St. 0.5 blocks south of South St.) and leave satisfied. For $25 you would have a feast. We usually split the falafel platter, fries (with fried onions on top), and another appetizer and pay $15 and change. It's BYO if you want to bring something.

[Rich Pawlak]

That also reminds me of the new Philly Felafel at 18th and Sansom, which would be a fabulous $25 and under bargain.

[KatieLoeb]

I have to add the upstairs Grey Lodge kitchen to this category.  Some of the most satisfying and surprising food I've had anywhere in years.  Perhaps the city's best cheesesteak, red curry mussels to die for, a brilliant deconstructed take on the spinach salad, fish and chips worthy of a British pub, gorgeous quesadillas, that wacky upside-down tomato pie, and the always-difficult-to-choose-from tap beer menu.

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I'll heartily second this suggestion. The mussels are outrageously good and the Grey Lodge's cheesteak is my favorite one in the city.

There's a damned fine whiskey and bourbon selection in addition to all that great beer too.

[Tim Dolan]

I'm currently in love with Good Dog's self-titled burger (no onions, can't stand 'em). It's amazing. I don't know much, but I do eat an awful lot of burgers and this one, IMveryHO, is the best in the city. I've had burgers from most of the good places(Standard Tap, Black Sheep, among others), and I'd say Good Dog knocks them all off the block. I read on another thread the Rouge makes a killer burger, so in the coming weeks I'll be stopping by to see if they can give the current Champ a challenge.

[KatieLoeb]

I'm currently in love with Good Dog's self-titled burger (no onions, can't stand 'em). It's amazing. I don't know much, but I do eat an awful lot of burgers and this one, IMveryHO, is the best in the city. I've had burgers from most of the good places(Standard Tap, Black Sheep, among others), and I'd say Good Dog knocks them all off the block. I read on another thread the Rouge makes a killer burger, so in the coming weeks I'll be stopping by to see if they can give the current Champ a challenge.

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I've had both the Good Dog burgers and many many Rouge burgers since I used to eat them two or three times a week when I worked there. While the Good Dog burger is an excellent burger, I'd have to give the Rouge burger the edge, at least to my taste. Juicier meat and a better roll, as well as Applewood smoked bacon, a heap of carmelized onions and really stinky blue cheese. Yum!

[chowfun]

We tried Ludwig's tonight for the first time. Not haute cuisine, but very tasty. The kids enjoyed their beef soup that was like a beef stew. The cream of mushroom soup was good as was my green salad with pickled onions and balsalmic vinagrette. My son got the lunch portion of spaetzle with pulled pork topped with broiled smoked cheese. It was a very big portion. I had the wienerschnitzel (topped with fried eggs, capers and anchovies) with spaeztle and red cabbage. My husband had the farmers feast which was a platter with knockwurst, another wurst, and a smoked pork chop with their excellent saurkraut. The alsatian bread was good and served with herbed butter. The beers were great. We left very full and happy with leftovers.