Financing for whatever moves you.

MONICA’S

$4.99 » MEXICAN

THE VIBE: This longstanding Deep Ellum restaurant is famous for its salsa music nights.

WHY IT’S A BANG FOR YOUR BUCK: The Mexican lasagna — layered corn tortillas, sweet corn, black beans, chicken and cheese — is one of nine dishes on the $4.99 lunch menu. Each plate comes with black beans and rice, unless you order one of the three vegetarian options, like potato enchiladas, which include rice cooked in vegetable stock.

FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE: Add any enchilada with queso for $1.50.

TIP: Monica’s has complimentary valet parking during lunch. Ask for a lunch punch card — buy five entrees over five visits, and the sixth one is free.

MAIN &

X 214.748.7140

MONICAS.COM

GLORIA’S $4 » A PUPUSAANDA TAMAL

THE VIBE: This hip Latin restaurant is a Dallas institution, and the Lower Greenville location received a makeover last year.

WHY IT’S A BANG FOR YOUR BUCK: Pupusas, thick pockets of corn masa, are stuffed with spicy pork and cheese. Handmade tamales have chicken, potatoes and bell pepper. And you’ll receive all the chips, salsa and creamy black bean dip you can eat.

FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE: A small chicken soup, $4.99, makes a good lunch on its own.

TIP: Return during Gloria’s happy hour, Sunday-Thursday all day, for $5 mango margaritas.

GREENVILLE & PENROSE

214.874.0088

GLORIASRESTAURANTS.COM

Keller’s $4.95 » No. 5 double meat special with fries a N d a lemoN ade

The vibe: Old-fashioned drive-in where you might find yourself parked between a gang of middle-aged bikers and a soccer mom in a kid-filled SUV.

Why iT ’s a bang for your buck: Reliably good made-on-the-spot burgers since the 1960s. Plus, the place is a piece of Dallas history.

for a fe W dollars more: Add cheese to your fries or tots for $1.50. A six-pack of beer is $5.25.

Tip: Be sweet to your carhop. At least one of them has been there all 40-some years.

Abr A ms & Northwest h ighw A y 214.368.1209

e ddie’s d eli $4.50 » c hicago hot dog

T he vibe: Not much to look at and hardly any seating, but the dogs are worth standing for.

Why iT ’s a bang for your buck: “No frills” applies (and boy, does it) to the atmosphere only, because the Chicago hot dog is overflowing with toppings yellow mustard, diced onions, green relish, tomato slices, kosher pickle wedge, sport peppers and celery salt, for starters.

for a feW dollars more: A bag of chips and a can of soda will run you about $2. Tip: Eddie’s is closed Sundays. Hours of operation are 11a.m.-8 p.m., officially, but the place usually takes orders until 9 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

tthompson@virginiacook.com

IZMIR MARKET AND DELI $4.95 » PITA BLT AND CHIPS

THE VIBE: The subdued, cozier (read: tight space) version of its sister restaurant a few steps away, Café Izmir. Whether you call for delivery or stop in for a sit-down or take-out lunch, Uncle Medhi or Aunt Faye Nazari will greet you with a kind voice and meticulous customer service.

WHY IT’S A BANG FOR YOUR BUCK: Turns out that a BLT tastes much better on Izmir’s pita than on more carb-heavy breads or rolls. Choose either mayo or the restaurant’s hummus (arguably the best in the city) to garnish the sandwich.

FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE: Pay $2 extra to trade the chips for a Greek salad.

TIP: If you need a pick-me-up to get through the afternoon, the tiny but potent cup of Turkish coffee, $2.75, will do the trick.

GREENVILLE & MARTEL

214.826.7788

CAFEIZMIR.COM

NATIONAL SPORTS LOUNGE $4.99 » BARBECUE BRISKET SANDWICH

THE VIBE: NSL is dedicated to televised sports. You can see a TV from anywhere, including every bathroom stall. And then there are the scantily clad waitresses.

WHY IT’S A BANG FOR YOUR BUCK: If you don’t like barbecue, choose from five other $4.99 lunch specials including a burger, BLT or quesadillas.

FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE: A basket of fries is $2.99 and good for sharing.

TIP: NSL is about sports and pretty girls or chilling on the huge patio (of course they have TVs outside). Watch a Rangers day game or World Cup highlights over lunch with office buddies or clients.

GREENVILLE & MCCOMMAS

214.453.2524

NSLINFO.COM

Design Concepts

We’ve merged with KDA to offer an expanded range of products and services. Now you can have the best of both worlds – the turnkey custom solutions of Kitchen Design Concepts or the right-sized flexibility of KDA. Whatever your kitchen dreams and budget, we are in the neighborhood toserve you.

Please visit us at our NEW LAKEWOOD LOCATION:

Or visit our Carrollton location:

$4.75 for a fe W dollars more: Start with an order of fried calamari for $3.95. n or T hwes T & Ferndale

The vibe: Italian bistro that’s usually bustling. You’re likely to see a neighbor on any given lunch hour. There’s a banquet room in back, but it’s not always open. Service is swift and friendly. Once you’ve been in a time or two, you’ll know the staff, and they’ll know you.

Why iT ’s a bang for your buck: The artichoke salad — with mounds of mozzarella, Canadian bacon and artichoke hearts easily feeds two.

Tip: Feel free to bring your own bottle of wine, if you have the afternoon off, that is.

214.503.0388

T onyspizzapas T a.ne T

Taqueria Pinocho

$4.05 » Three Tacos for a fe W dollars more: Wash it down with a cane sugar Mexican cola for $1.50.

The vibe: Cafeteria-style Mexican food hole-in-the-wall. Why iT ’s a bang for your buck: There are less expensive tacos in Dallas, but few are better for the price. Taqueria Pinocho usually offers about a dozen tacos, $1.10 to $1.35 each, including beef, chicken, barbacoa and egg.

Tip: The line grows long at lunchtime, but it moves quickly. not everyone who works there speaks english. Just point to what you want, si no habla español. Remember: maiz means corn and harina means flour.

214.823.4272

1. STONE ELEPHANT - QUESADILLAS OR CHICKEN TENDERS 214.342.9200

2. TAQUERIA LOS ALTOS - TACO LUNCH SPECIAL 214.361.6769

3. MONICA’S ACA Y ALLA - MEXICAN LASAGNA 214.748.7140

4. GLORIA’S - A PUPUSA AND A TAMALE 214.874.0088

5. KELLER’S - NO. 5 DOUBLE MEAT SPECIAL WITH FRIES AND A LEMONADE 214.368.1209

6. EDDIE’S DELI - CHICAGO HOT DOG 214.692.5844

7. IZMIR MARKET AND DELI - PITA BLT AND CHIPS 214.826.7788

8. NATIONAL SPORTS LOUNGE - BARBECUE BRISKET SANDWICH 214.453.2524

9. TONY’S PIZZA AND PASTA - MOZZARELLA, RICOTTA & SAUSAGE CALZONE 214.503.0388

10. TAQUERIA PINOCHO - THREE TACOS 214.823.4272