These aren't just affordable dishes; they're dirt cheap eats. For those who only want to spend $5 or less on bar bites, lunch or even a full meal, Eater readers have obliged. In response to our Open Thread, this list includes the city's best in cheap tacos, banh mi, appetizers, sliders and more. Feel free to keep the conversation going in the comments section.
Read More/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70089304/greenpig500.0.0.0.jpg)
25 Dishes Under $5 That Eater Readers Love

Green Pig Bistro
Fried pimento cheese at Green Pig Bistro is $5.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62105513/Green-Pig-044.0.0.jpg)
Ravi Kabob House
Samosas at Ravi Kabob are $1.50 for vegetable, or $2.99 for special with chana.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62105517/ravik.0.0.jpg)
Ben's Chili Bowl
A half-smoke at Ben's will take you out of the $5 range, but get a regular chili dog and only pay $4.20.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62105523/benschili.0.0.jpg)
DGSÂ Delicatessen
Head to DGS during its new happy hour, and the chopped liver is only $5.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62105531/DGS_20Deli-068.0.0.jpg)
Estadio
Estadio in DC sells spicy Marcona almonds for $4.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62105533/estadiodc.0.0.jpg)
Pho 14
The banh mi with pork skin at Pho 14 is $4.49.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62105541/pho14.0.0.jpg)
The Pretzel Bakery
Spend $2 and get a pretzel at Capitol Hill's Pretzel Bakery.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62105547/pretzelbakery.0.0.jpg)
Cava Mezze
Lamb sliders are only $3 at happy hour over at Cava.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62105555/IMG_5026.0.0.jpg)
Carmine's
Cheap $4 bites at Carmine's during happy hour include fried zucchini and meatball sliders.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62105561/carmine.0.0.jpg)
Pizzeria Orso
Head to Pizzeria Orso and try a lamb slider for $3.50.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62105563/Pizza-Week--Orso-152.0.0.jpg)
2Â Amys
2 Amys has several affordable bites, from $3.95 deviled eggs to $4.95 cannoli.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62105565/2amys.0.0.jpeg)
Vidalia
Vidalia is known for its happy hour, where items under $5 include fried pickles and quail nuggets.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62105569/vidalia.0.0.jpg)
The Big Greek Cafe
At both locations of the Big Greek Cafe, get a gyro for $5 all day Wednesday.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62105571/biggreek.0.0.jpg)
Pica Taco
You can get two tacos for $5 at both Pica Taco locations.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62105575/picataco.0.0.jpg)
Tippy's Taco House
At Tippy's Taco House (multiple locations), 4 tacos are $4.50.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62105583/tippystaco.0.0.jpg)
Greek Deli &Â Catering
The widely praised avgolemono soup at Greek Deli is only $3.50.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62105585/greekdeli.0.0.jpg)
Radius Pizza
Meatball sliders and mussels are priced at $5 at Radius Pizza.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62105589/radius.0.0.jpg)
Also featured in:
Alegria
Sample the mushroom taco at Alegria for $3.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62105593/alegria.0.0.jpg)
Julia's Empanadas
Any Julia's Empanada variety is priced at $3.59 each (multiple locations).
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62105595/juliase.0.0.jpeg)
Taylor Gourmet
The arancini at Taylor Gourmet are priced at $4.50 (multiple locations).
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62105603/taylor-gourmet-14th-500.0.0.jpg)
Levi's Port Cafe
For $4.59, get a pork chop sandwich at Levi's Port Cafe.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62105607/levis.0.0.jpg)
MGM Roast Beef
The breakfast sandwich at MGM Roast is $3.49.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62105613/mgmroast.0.0.jpg)
Tortilla Cafe
The Yuca y Chicharrones at Tortilla Cafe runs customers $3.49.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62105617/tortillacafe.0.0.jpeg)
Ambar Balkan Cuisine
The Balkan kabob at the new Ambar on Capitol Hill is $4 during Happy Hour.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62105619/IMG_8274.0.0.jpg)
Boqueria
Cojonundo, a quail tapas dish at Boqueria, costs $4.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62105621/Boqueria-_19th-_-M_-043.0.0.jpg)
Loading comments...