Eleven great places to eat for under $10 – Archive
Written by Crow's Nest Staff, Jan 24, 2011, 0 Comments
Design by Tara McCarty
Here are 11 quality restaurants around St. Petersburg that will leave your taste-buds tingling without leaving your wallet or purse empty.
Meghan Hoodhood
Contributing Writer
Money gets a little tight at the beginning of each semester while we wait for the student loan checks to arrive. We’ve exhausted our Bulls in the Burg discount at Burrito Boarder, burned out our turkey craving at Jimmy John’s, and finished way too many bread bowls at Panera Bread. Other options are still out there, though.
Downtown St. Petersburg can be pricey, and there aren’t many places around town to eat cheap without ending up at a drive-thru. Just because we are college students on a budget doesn’t mean that we have to miss out on good quality food. Stick to the drink specials at Applebee’s and late-night McFlurries at McDonald’s, but take the time to stop at these nicely decorated, reasonably priced, made-to-order restaurants.
Breakfast:
Places for a good start.
Skyway Jacks has a seat-yourself, fast-service, homey-breakfast restaurant environment. Order the cinnamon sugar French toast here and you get four full slices, lightly battered in egg with powdered sugar on top for $4. Add strawberries or peaches with a nice glass of OJ and you’ve got enough energy to last you through calculus. Skyway Jacks is located on US19 past 22nd Avenue South, about ten minutes from campus.
Banyan Coffee and Tea is a very traditional—yet surprisingly tasty—gem located at 689 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N. Try the breakfast sandwich with hickory-smoked bacon, sautéed spinach, a fried egg and white cheddar on Cuban bread for $7. Drink some Kahwa coffee with your breakfast for a warm and comforting combination.
Frog Pond is located on St. Pete Beach and although it is a little farther than the other restaurants, it is a must-eat kind of place. Don’t let the frogs on the walls distract you; the steak Benedict is $9.75.
Emilio’’s serves breakfast and lunch with prices mostly under $10. Located at 437 Central Ave., this bistro setting is energetic and relaxing. Order the berry parfait with mixed berries lightly sweetened, layered with homemade granola, Greek yogurt and raw honey for $4.99.
Lunch:
Places in-between classes.
Dockside Dave’’s, also located on St. Pete Beach, has the best fresh fish in the area. Try the catch of the day or the grouper sandwich for $9.
El Cap on Fourth Street is famous for its World Champ Burger. The restaurant is a little more laid back, and the food is tasty and cheap. It’s only $4.25 for the burger; add fries for $3.25.
Simply Delicious, located on Ninth Avenue and 21st Street, is known for its ridiculously overstuffed sandwiches. Try the Cuban sandwich and you’ll have plenty left over for only $9.
Dinner:
Places to sit and enjoy.
Three Birds Restaurant and Tavern has Shepard’s Pie for $7. It’s an English pie with a mixture of ground beef, vegetables and homemade mashed potatoes served with a side. Add Shock Top Draft for $3.
Red Mesa Cantina on Third Street South is considered one of the better, more expensive restaurants downtown, but it has cheaper options for a lighter appetite. Try ordering the Duck and Ahi Tuna Tacos for $4 each. The decorations and romantic setting make this restaurant worth the extra dollars.
Ciccio’’s has delicious California cuisine—try any of the bowls or stir fry dishes. The Hot Sweet has sliced chicken, roasted peppers, pineapple, hot sweet sauce and stir-fry veggies for $7.70.
Hiro’’s Sushi Bar is the one late-night restaurant that is entertaining and cheap after 10 p.m. Thursday Karaoke nights are always a good time, with half-off sushi and drinks. Try the Mexican Roll and Crab Rangoon, but don’t go there in a hurry; there’s usually a wait.
