Scan Fall 2012 by The Connector

Just Trust Me:

Top five places to eat on a student’s budget

PHOTOGRAHPER Jay

Before I force these morsels of knowledge into your noggin’, I want to tell you that I love food. I enjoy eating all kinds of food and will try any kind of cuisine once. With that being said, I like many other college students, end up spending every cent to my name on good food, which may not be the best thing, because as I said earlier, I am in college and should probably be saving my money for books. So, I’ve tried to compile the best of both worlds. In no particular order, great and unique food in Atlanta that you can eat for less than $10, not always including tip and drinks. As you come on this magical journey with me, I suggest you bring a friend. You’ll find out why in a minute.

pretty often. You can get good drinks and food with a great atmosphere as the cherry on top. Tacos are a popular item on the menu with all the traditional options of a Mexican restaurant but with a twist, including different sauces, spices, and meats to excite your taste buds. However, where my heart lies is in the “Bipimbop” with crispy calamari and tofu. If it’s one thing that I’ve learned from being an amateur food trier, it’s that I don’t let names scare me. The “Bipimbop” is actually just a rice dish, but it is an exceptional meal. My steamed white rice bowl comes complete with seared mushrooms, sesame spinach, zucchini, mung beans, fried egg calamari and tofu. I’ve tried different kinds of rice, sauces, meats and meat substitutes to compliment it and I never can finish it all. So, I get a house Takorea and the sesame fries as an appetizer, and I bring a friend to help me out on this $10 bowl, and we “go dutch.”

Woody’s CheeseSteaks

Located at 981 Monroe Drive Northeast has been, as they so humbly state, “ATL’s favorite since 1975.” These hearty sandwiches are more than affordable and the establishment is right down the street from Piedmont Park so you can walk your meal off. My weakness here is the “Phat Dog.” This mega beef hot dog sliced down the middle with a toasted bun reminds me every time why I cannot be a vegetarian, but much respect to those who are. The relish, jalapeños, onion and mustard dress my freshly made dog like no other. I get my bag of barbecue chips and cup of Sprite and devour this guilty pleasure in my favorite Woody’s booth while looking out at my favorite city. After I have inhaled my meal, I think that this Phat Dog is the best $3.50 I’ve ever spent and I put some monetary love into the tip bowl.

Takorea This restaurant on 818 Juniper Street is a much younger establishment than No. 1. It has an unlikely but amazing mixture of Mexican and North Korean cuisine and pops up on Scoutmob

SCAN // Fall 2012

Bowman WRITER Brittany West

P’cheen

At 701-5 Highland Ave you will find bliss. At P’cheen I love to start off with one of this inventive restaurant’s many concoctions from the “DoubleFisters” menu. I get the Budweiser and the apple pie moonshine for $5 and start understanding the reason for the drink menu name. Next, a friend and I get and the “jerkrock shrimp” appetizer which is jerk shrimp, fried plantain, mango and black bean salad mixed to perfection for $ 9. We also may get the “just trust us” appetizer which changes often. P’cheen says they “prepare a one of a kind starter just for you.” On the menu they urge you to “be unique. be bold.” I won’t spoil the surprise appetizer, but just know that I have just challenged you and you must bring your family honor by trying this mysterious dish for $9. Honestly, after these appetizers I usually don’t get around to the bigger meals, but if you have a little extra money you can check out the dinner menu which ranges from $9 to $17.

Victory Sandwich Bar

A hop and a skip down the street from No. 3 is this sandwich heaven on 280 Elizabeth Street. At Victory, you have the option of Gluten free bread, salt and pepper chips and a range of yummy $4 sandwiches like the “Hambo” and the “New Bomb Turk.” The Hambo comes complete with Prosciutto, mozzarella, arugula and slices of apples served with salt and pepper chips. If you don’t know what some of that is, suck it up and try it. Remember not to be afraid of different names. Get the “Slushie,”which is Jack Daniels and Coke for $4, if you’re of age of course, and your entire meal will be $8.

Daddy D’z BBQ Joynt

As I mention this God-sent restaurant on 264 Memorial Drive I wish I could tell you to put the magazine down now and try it. “Soul food” is the business that this gem of Atlanta is into. Whether you want well-seasoned fried zucchini bites, corn bread buttered to perfection, viking portions of barbeque pork or beef ribs, or a slice of homemade strawberry, lemon, or chocolate cake, Daddy D’z is a southern delicacy that you want to experience. The last time I went there I got a sweet tea and the half a slab of beef ribs meal with yams, Texas toast and mac and cheese for $17.49 but my husband and I had to share it and walk around the Pencil Factory businesses after.