For the sake of discussion, let's call the prerequisite for this list a restaurant where the entrees on the menu are under $15. Yeah, you need to actually have a job to eat at most of these places; they may represent splurges for grad students or starving artists (but that's why they're always referred to as "starving"!). Furthermore, the place has to actually give you an entree that suffices for an entire meal's worth of caloric intake, so you don't have to stop at the In N' Out on the way home in order to feel fully satiated.
You will notice some overlap between this list and my top ten list, and that's obviously because of what I characterize as the most important (read: #1 criteria) for that list: food quality per dollar.
If you want to go with wine, that's a separate cost question, but I'll note a few places with very reasonable wine lists here.
So here's my much-requested, unranked list of my favorite places to eat on a normal person's Tuesday night (or Saturday afternoon) budget:
- Dopo -- To qualify for the cheap eats list (all items on the menu meet the $15 threshold, but some are not sufficiently filling to really fit the profile here), you'll have to go for the mind-numbingly tasty lasagne; the awesome, authentic Northern Italian-style pizzas with super-fresh, high quality, local ingredients and a wonderfully crispy crust; or a platter of the house-cured salumi and local green salad. On the Best Cheap Wine List as well.
- Taylor's Refresher -- Whether it's the Ahi burger or the beef one, the Miss Kentucky, fish tacos or one of the special sandwiches (my favorite I wish were a permanent fixture is a seriously superior steak sandwich), you'll get more than your money's worth. On the Best Cheap Wine List as well.
- Pizzeria Delfina -- Near the top of the pizza list, at the top of the ingredient-quality list, and absolutely the best of the bunch for the range of options that qualify for the Cheap Eats list and make you simply happy. On the Best Cheap Wine List as well.
- La Taqueria -- Find me a better burrito or superior chicken tacos.
- Picante -- Alice Waters' Mexican spot in Berkeley. If you haven't been here yet, you really are missing out. It's a bit of Berkeley take on authentic Mexican.
- Jimmy Bean's -- Such a Berkeley place, you can't go wrong with a single thing on the menu.
- Tartine -- Grilled cheese that is nothing like what Mom made of white bread and Kraft American cheese slices, and quiches/tarts that erase any regret that you're not eating it on a Parisian sidewalk (and paying in Euros!).
- Cheeseboard -- Just one pizza choice per day, and that doesn't even feel limiting here.
- Saul's -- The only place in Northern California that almost makes me miss 2nd Ave Deli in New York a little less.
- Ton Kiang -- My (and Robin Williams') favorite dim sum around.
- Vik's Chaat House -- Tasty street treats and a bustling atmosphere at this Indian joint in Berkeley.
- Pacific Catch -- Almost chain-y, I still need to throw this place on this list because in all honesty, this is probably my favorite Tuesday night fast/cheap eat option. It's healthy, light, tasty, convenient and reliable.
- Hog Island Oyster Co. -- The only way this place gets on the list is if you don't eat what you likely came to experience, i.e., the oysters. So while I challenge you to go here and avoid that temptation, you will not be disappointed if you have what I think is the best grilled cheese I've had, with three wonderful cheeses from Cowgirl Creamery on toasted, buttery Acme Bakery bread. Another entry on the Best Cheap Wine List.
- Street -- Some entrees qualify, others don't, but just have the burger. I'll bet you that it's as good as your favorite.
- Top Dog -- Whether it's recalling those Louisiana Hot Links I had at 2am after a party with Berkeley students back in the day or a more likely current scenario picking up a quick bite on my way to see a show at The Greek, this place is great.
- Barbara's Fish Trap -- Best fish & chips I've had (and I used to live in London -- twice!), and from your seat at the checker-box tablecloth sea-view table, you can even watch the fish coming in for the folks at the end of the to-be-seated line.
- China House -- Maybe you'll think this is a funny entry, but if I'm ordering take-out, this is my place. They'll do all-white-meat chicken, and the stuff is just higher quality cheap Chinese than nearly anywhere.
- Su Hong -- Chinese chicken salad that my mom likes more than even my dad's wonderful home-cookin'.
