Quick Bites: Cheap Eats

With prices rising everywhere, it seems impossible to find a reasonably priced lunch. As it turns out, there are quite a few options in the Gables that won’t empty your wallet. Here are a few cheap eats:

Cantonese Fresh

Formerly just a take-out spot, Wu’s Kitchen now has tablecloths for dining on-site. It’s a simple setting, with friendly service, fresh Cantonese food, and great prices. Their lunch menu carries the usual suspects, like vegetable lo mein, Szhechuan shrimp, and sweet & sour pork. We tried the General Tso’s chicken, loaded with fresh, crunchy vegetables, and the pepper steak, again with super fresh green peppers. Both tasty bargains at $11.95 each.

1533 Madruga Ave.
786.391.2387

Weekday Italian

A good plate of pasta under $20 is hard to come by. Fortunately, Altagracia serves three Argentinian-Italian fusions for just $15 on weekdays, noon to 3 pm. Indulge in their spaghetti Bolognese, with a generous beef red sauce and a sprinkle of goat cheese. Or dig into a plate of soft gnocchi bathed in a rich red wine sauce. If pasta is not your thing, for $1 more, order the crispy chicken Milanese: a plate-sized golden cutlet served with fries or salad.

276 Alhambra Circle
altagraciarestaurant.com
786.862.1636

Cheap eats in Coral Gables

Homemade Colombian

With two hearty lunch specials available weekdays for $13, it’s no wonder Barista Cafe is packed during lunch hour (it’s also quite small). On Wednesdays, you can pick between the juicy chicken fricassee with potato, or the filling pork loin stuffed with beef, carrots, and peas. Almost as good as abuela’s cooking! Each plate comes with a side of soup, rice, and salad. We’re doubling down on Wednesdays when the soup of the day is the classic Colombian ajiaco.

2351 Salzedo St.
barista2351.com
305.877.6722

Cheap eats in Coral Gables

Crepe Bouquet

If you’re looking to skip a formal lunch, Stephanie’s Crepes offers a budget-friendly quick dine or to-go alternative. Choose from savory, salad, vegetarian, or sweet crepes — all presented in a bouquet-like crepe wrap. The chicken pesto crepe ($12.99) is a perfect midday bite, filled with chicken, fresh pesto, organic arugula, cherry tomatoes, golden raisins, and a hint of goat cheese. You can also order a petite sweet crepe for dessert — like the classic Nutella with strawberries and banana ($10.99). Bon appétit!

2423 Galiano St.
stephaniescrepes.com
786.402.1732

Cheap eats in Coral Gables

Family Cuban

In the last sliver of Coral Gables that extends north of 8th Street you’ll find La Casita, a family-run restaurant that feels unchanged from the 1960s or 70s. Their prices are also old fashioned, with lunch specials between $11.95 and $12.95. We recently tried their lomito de cerdo — roast pork smothered in onions — a Wednesday special for $12.95, which came with white rice, black beans, and sweet plantains. All your other Cuban favorites are here as well.

l3805 SW 8th St.
lacasitamiami.com
305.448.8224

Looking for more lunch options? Check out more of our Quick Bites.