Cheap Food Critic

839 Clay St
San Francisco, CA 94108

So you are in San Francisco and you want some good Chinese food, where do you go? Well, there’s tons of great places here for sure like R&G Lounge but my favorite here is Capital Restaurant. These guys are known for their Pepper Fried Chicken Wings; which they self-proclaim to be famous for. I normally don’t believe restaurants when they hype themselves up for being famous for whatever reason but these guys definitely did not disappoint.

Of course I had to order up some of the wings when I was here. An order comes with 10 wings or so and is covered in slices of jalapeno peppers (actually not that spicy though). The wings are fricking huge and are probably genetically overgrown but who cares there’s more meat. The outside is super crunchy without the excess batter like some places. There’s a nice saltiness and jalapeno flavor to the wings. The inside is always cooked perfectly and is piping hot. Be aware though it does take a little longer if you order the wings because its takes a while to fry up these giant chicken wings. An order of these wings are about $7 after tax

I’ve also tried the Beef Chow Fun and the Egg Tofu with Ground Meat. The Chow Fun is not the best I’ve had but it’s still not bad. The Egg Tofu with Ground Meat on the other had is top notch. Some of the best tofu dishes I have ever had. Either one will run you about $8 after tax.

Probably the best value in this area. Save yourself a few bucks and get some of the best cheap Chinese food in San Francisco.

Note – Cash only

Yelp – 4.0/5.0 Stars (300 Ratings)

1237 S Jackson St
Seattle, WA 98144

Mon-Sun 7:00 am – 6:00 pm

It’s always a struggle for me whether Saigon Deli or Seattle Deli makes the better Vietnamese deli food. So I am taking the easy way out and just declaring a draw. I enjoy both of these places and both are really really cheap. The deciding factor for which deli I get food from normally depends on which one is closer to where I am or whichever I had most recently (I like to switch it up). Despite the similarities, I really enjoy each of these places for different reasons. My favorite sandwich at Saigon Deli is the BBQ Pork (compared to the chicken sandwich at Seattle Deli). I also enjoy the lunch/dinner items here better than Seattle Deli. But it really depends on what is on the menu that day. For under $10 you can pick up two banh mis and a coffee or a banh mi and a combo rice plate.

When ordering here be prepared for a line no matter what time you show up. No worries though the lines move very quick. There is a small parking lot on the east side of the building…a huge plus considering meter maids are no joke in this area.

Yelp – 4.5/5 (248 Ratings)

Thai Curry Simple
406 5th Ave S
Seattle, WA 98104

Mon-Sat 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

So this is a relatively new entry into the cheap food scene in the Seattle-Area…well new to me at least. The store-front sits right across the street from the bus/light rail station in the international district (definitely a grimy part of the ID). From the front the store it may look closed but once you get inside it has the feel of a cozy little coffee house (not Starbucks). The wall to the right as you walk in has all of the menu items and the specials. I have had the lunch specials Panang Curry Chicken and the Pad Thai. Both were pretty good but definitely not as good as Thai Tom (on the Ave). If you are in the area and looking for a cheap lunch (about $6) Thai Simple Curry is a very good option for delicious Thai food. During lunch there will be lines and you will be sitting very close to people.

Yelp – 4.5/5 Stars (147 Reviews)

King Noodle (formerly Homestyle Hong Kong Cafe)
615 S King St
Seattle, WA 98104

Mon-Thu, Sun 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Fri-Sat 11:00 am – 12:00 am

I normally would not do a review of a place this new but I was very impressed with the food at this place. Concept is pretty cool as well. Upon sitting down instead of getting a normal menu you receive a pencil/crayon and a paper menu with check boxes. You select the type of noodle, broth, protein and veggies for your order…kind of the Subway of Chinese noodle houses. I have been here twice already since its initial open. I had the congee with fish and fish cakes the first time and rice noodles, Szechuan broth, bean sprouts, and beef and fish balls the second time. Both were awesome! And amazingly cheap…for under $10 you can get a noodle soup with your choice of veggies and protein ($6.99) or congee with your choice of 2 proteins ($5.99). I am a little torn now. Prior to coming to this place I was all for Mike’s Noodle House as the best congee in the city but this place definitely gives Mike’s a run for the money (especially because of the customization options and lower price point).

Yelp – 4/5 Stars (21 Ratings)

Noodle King – Congee

660 S King St
Seattle, WA 98104

Mon-Tue, Thu 9:00 am – 8:30 pm
Fri 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Sat 8:30 am – 9:00 pm
Sun 8:30 am – 8:30 pm

Many people probably have never had Cambodian food before but it really reminds me of Chinese food mixed with Vietnamese food.  This place is probably a little more on the Chinese side then others but whatever its good food.  There are a lot of really good items on the menu but I keep coming here for the Foursome and the Sate Beef Noodle soup.  Something about the combo of the broth and the soft wide-rice noodles that makes these two dishes soooo delicious.  Also, the hot soup on cold rainy days in Seattle really hit the spot.

For under $10 you can many items on the menu but I would go for the Foursome or the Sate Beef Noodle soup.

Yelp – 4/5 Start (170 Reviews)

225 12th Ave South
Seattle, WA 98144
Mon-Sun 7:00 am – 7:00 pm

And

22618 Hwy 99
Edmonds, WA 98026
Mon-Sun 8:00 am – 8:00 pm

In Seattle we are lucky to have some really good Vietnamese deli spots.  One of my favorites is Seattle Deli.  My normal order here consists of the vermicelli noodle salad and a banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich).  The vermicelli comes with grilled pork and meat balls or egg roll atop a bed of rice noodles which is atop a bed of vegetables.  Fish sauce and pickled daikon radish and carrots are also provided on the side.  As for the banh mi the chicken is my favorite but the bbq pork is also pretty damn good.  The sandwiches come with your ordered meat along with jalapenos, pickled daikon radishes and carrots, cilantro, and fresh daily baked bread.  For way under $10 you can get a banh mi, vermicelli noodle salad, and a Vietnamese coffee (dark French roast drip coffee with condensed milk).

Notes – Both locations are to go only and only accept cash.  Also, check out Saigon Deli around the corner and compare for yourself.  A review of Saigon Deli will come soon.

Update 08/10/12 – I just got one of the new items, a shrimp tempura spring roll. It was fricking awesome. It’s probably my new favorite items here. Get it if you can. They normally only make 6 of these a day and once they are out that’s it.

Seattle Location:
Yelp – 4/5 Stars (191 Ratings)

Edmonds Location:
Yelp – 4/5 Stars (62 Ratings)

516 6th Ave S
Seattle, WA 98104

Mon-Sat 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Only one dish you need to order here…HOUSE SPECIAL FRIED RICE!  I have had many items on the Green Village menu (Juicy Beef Soup, Chicken Cold Noodle, Chow Mein, etc.) all were delicious but the fried rice is probably the best fried rice anywhere.  The portions are large and the service is great. What else can you ask for? Maybe longer hours for these guys. If it were not for the early closures every day I would go here a lot more.

For under $10 you can get an order of the House Special Fried Rice and a soda pop.

Make sure you bring cash.  No checks or credit/debit cards

Yelp – 4/5 Stars (107 Ratings)

418 Maynard Ave S
Seattle, WA 98104

Tue-Thu, Sun 9:30 am – 8:00 pm
Fri-Sat 9:30 am – 9:00 pm

This is my go to spot for congee in the Seattle area.  I have never been disappointed with the cod congee here, except for when they run out.   For those who are not familiar with what congee is, it is soupy white rice dish also commonly known as porridge.  Doesn’t sound too glamorous but it is great for those cold, dreary, rainy Seattle days.

The wonton noodle soup is also one of the best in the Seattle area.  The wontons are meatball sized and well worth the money. For less then $10 you can get a bowl of congee or wonton noodle soup as well as a Chinese doughnut (pretty much just deep fried bread).

Be aware that this place is not the biggest restaurant and during lunch or dinner rush you probably will be waiting a little bit.  No worries though, customer turnover is normally pretty quick.

Yelp – 4/5 Stars (276 Ratings)

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