Cheap Eats in Philadelphia

Eating on a budget in Philadelphia – I’ll be honest with you – it’s better than all the fancy dining and rare finery in the entire city. This is a town built on the cheese steak, and rightfully so. The Philly cheese steak is a glorious experience, ensconced in passion and loyalty the likes of which you have never seen. We’re going to skip the cheese steak in this article. Indeed, there is no way to write about Philly’s signature feast without subjecting at least half the city to a level of apoplexy normally reserved for religious outrage or familial defense. Instead, here are some non-cheese-steak alternatives for the hungry traveler, all for under $10.

From the outside, the Couch Tomato Café may appear to be just another pizza joint, and for a good meal under $10, you might not be surprised if it were merely that. But the commitment to excellence in recipes and ingredients sets Couch Tomato apart. Daily deliveries of fresh produce, the highest quality mozzarella on the market, and a menu that offers inventive salads, calzones, and paninis virtually guarantee repeat business. There are just too many delicious options for one sitting. Every detail undergoes tremendous scrutiny at the Couch Tomato. They insist on using extra virgin olive oil in their crust (and allow the ingredients to meld for 72 hours), and brew their iced tea and squeeze their lemonade instead of resorting to cheap bottled sugar water. When you want excellent pizza, and still get change back for a $10, have a seat at the Couch Tomato.

Another high-value/low-cost option for the discerning and frugal Philadelphia visitor, Elevation Burger lives up to its name by raising its game. “Ingredients matter,” the restaurant’s slogan proudly proclaims. Forget about deliveries of frozen patties and prepackaged fries here. In fact, forget about delivery of ground beef. Elevation grinds the (organic, grass-fed, free range) beef for their burgers right there on the premises, and cook their fries in olive oil, making them a healthier alternative to fast food fare. And just to keep up with the quality of the other menu items, the shakes and malts are made from real ice cream, hand-scooped when you order it. This kind of attention to elevating the burger experience could come at a much higher price, but Elevation Burger comes in well under our $10 limit.

At Mel’s Kitchen, you will immerse yourself in diner culture, where low prices, and hearty, delicious meals are the order of the day. If you’re careful two travelers can enjoy a Mel’s breakfast for a total that doesn’t exceed our limit (and order scrapple to boot – a favorite in Philly that is despised nearly everywhere else). But Mel’s lunches are worth going out of your way for, that much is certain. The roast pork sandwich is the specialty of the house, and the chicken parmesan sandwich is also widely-renowned. A meal built around either of these mouth-waterers will still come in under $10, but considering the volume of food, you won’t be hungry for dinner, either, giving you a per-meal cost average of under $5.

Though it would be considered sacrilege to suggest it to many Philadelphians, it is possible to enjoy an inexpensive and delicious meal in Philly, sans-cheese steak. But do yourself a favor, between the excellent meals suggested above, make time for Philly’s signature sammich.