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

1. Green Pig Bistro
Arlington, VA 22201
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)
2. Ravi Kabob House
Arlington, VA 22203
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)
3. Ben's Chili Bowl
Washington, DC 20009
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)
4. DGS Delicatessen
Washington, DC 20036
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)
5. Estadio
Washington, DC 20005
Estadio in DC sells spicy Marcona almonds for $4.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62105533/estadiodc.0.0.jpg)
6. Pho 14
Washington, DC 20009
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)
7. The Pretzel Bakery
Washington, DC 20003
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)
8. Cava Mezze
Arlington, VA 22201
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)
9. Carmine's
Washington, DC 20004
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)
10. Pizzeria Orso
Falls Church, VA 22046
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)
11. 2 Amys
Washington, DC 20016
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)
12. Vidalia
Washington, DC 20036
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)
13. The Big Greek Cafe
Silver Spring, MD 20910
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)
14. Pica Taco
Washington, DC 20009
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)
15. Tippy's Taco House
Fairfax, VA 22031
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)
16. Greek Deli & Catering
Washington, DC 20036
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)
17. Radius Pizza
Washington, DC 20010
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:
18. Alegria
Vienna, VA 22180
Sample the mushroom taco at Alegria for $3.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62105593/alegria.0.0.jpg)
19. Julia's Empanadas
Washington, DC 20009
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)
20. Taylor Gourmet
Washington, DC 20002
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)
21. Levi's Port Cafe
Washington, DC 20002
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)
22. MGM Roast Beef
Washington, DC 20018
The breakfast sandwich at MGM Roast is $3.49.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62105613/mgmroast.0.0.jpg)
23. Tortilla Cafe
Washington, DC 20003
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)
24. Ambar Balkan Cuisine
Washington, DC 20003
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)
25. Boqueria
Washington, DC 20036
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...