Home - Bang for your Burger Buck

East Coast, Sandwiches | Sep. 2018

Bang for your Lobster Roll Buck: Bob’s Clam Hut

Cheap Eats, The South | Sep. 2018

Cheap Eats Charlotte

Asian, The South, Vegetarian/ Vegan | Sep. 2018

Gan Shan Station ~ Asheville N.C.

Cheap Eats, Southwest | Sep. 2018

Micklethwait Craft Meats ~ Austin

Cheap Eats, The South | Aug. 2018

John’s Roast Pork ~ Philadelphia

Tacos, West Coast | Jul. 2018

Bang for your BURRITO Buck: the hunt for the best burrito in San Francisco

Austin | Jul. 2018

Bang for your Lobster Roll Buck: Bob’s Clam Hut

East Coast, Sandwiches By blackbookali September 21, 2018 Tags: Bob's Clam Hut, Lobster, Lobster Roll, Maine, New England, Sandwiches No Comments

The Vitals:
the spot: Bob’s Clam Hut 315 US route 1 Kittery ME 03904
the eats: Jumbo Lobster Roll
the bucks: $24.95
the full nelson: a sandwich splurge worth every bite

In the world of Lobster Rolls, Bob’s Clam Hut isn’t the cheapest deal around; that title is held by Sullivan’s which we featured in Cheap Eats Boston. But it sure does make a case for one heck of a sandwich splurge. No, the $25 sandwich won’t have you rolling on the floor from the pangs of overeating, but it is unadulterated seafood indulgence at its finest. And it all starts with showcasing the whole point of a $20+ sandwich . . . the lobster.

Cheap Eats Jacksonville

Cheap Eats, The South By blackbookali September 17, 2018 Tags: Brew Five Points, Butt Hutt Smokehouse, Cheap Eats, Florida, Jacksonville, Metro Diner, Ya Ya Sweets No Comments

Cheap Eats Jacksonville was the second hit of the “one-two Florida culinary punch” that started with the left lead in St. Peterburg and followed up with the right cross in Jacksonville Florida. Straight up, I had no expectations about eating around these parts and man did I get a mouthful of solid Cheap Eats and as well as some killer Thai and some upscale dining as well. Regarding the latter – stay tuned for a future post on that, #bacon #hollandaise, but for now: strap in and get ready for another taste of Cheap Eats Jacksonville!

J.G. Melon ~ New York City

Burgers, New York City By blackbookali September 14, 2018 Tags: Burgers, J.G. Melon, New York City 3 Comments

The Vitals:
the spot: J.G. Melon 89 MacDougal st. NY NY 10012 other locations in upper east side(original) and upper westside
the eats:Cheeseburger
the bucks: $12.50
the full nelson: one of NYC’s most celebrated burgers is worth a visit

The J.G. Melon burger has been on my radar for years now as it consistently makes the best of NYC burger annual round ups. Another classic example of the NYC pub style burger, much like Corner Bistro and PJ Clark’s, expect to find a thick patty cooked to requested temperature and a classic garnish of pickle and onion. In the age of chef driven concept burgers, the J.G. Melon burger relies on simplicity and quality but does it warrant a $12.50 price tag? Well, context is everything, but this burger is worth taking a closer look at.

Cheap Eats Charlotte

Cheap Eats, The South By blackbookali September 10, 2018 Tags: Cast Iron Waffles, Charlotte, Cheap Eats, Cooking Channel, Good Food on Montford, North Carolina, Queen City Sliders, Wu's Cajun Seafood No Comments

Cheap Eats Charlotte was a landmark episode for me: this was the 50th episode of Cheap Eats. Hard to believe three years ago it all started with the pilot episode in Minneapolis but here we are. Fitting that this special episode featured some of my favorite things about food: burgers, food trucks, chocolate and food culture collisions. Charlotte is a growing town that likes to eat and with that, let’s take one more big bite of Cheap Eats Charlotte!!

Gan Shan Station ~ Asheville N.C.

Asian, The South, Vegetarian/ Vegan By blackbookali September 7, 2018 No Comments

The Vitals:
the spot: Gan Shan Station 143 Charlotte St Asheville NC 28801
the eats: Black Bean Chicken, Brisket Fried Rice, Chinese Broccoli, Salt and Pepper Tofu, House Made Dumplings, Korean Cabbage Wraps
the bucks: $10 a dish and meant for sharing. factor about $10-$15 a person.
the full nelson: when you’re craving food from the entire continent of Asia

For a moment, I got caught up in the idea that Gan Shan Station would be the future of Asian restaurant dining in America. Then I paused and realized there was no way the tide of regional specific Chinese, ramen only and Korean fried chicken joints would shift anytime soon. Still Gan Shan Station does tell me a lot about the conscience of American diners in the 21st Century: all Asian cuisines are on the table.

At Gan Shan Station you will find dishes from Korea, Japan, China and Thailand. Its kind of like an all Asian food court one might find in Los Angeles’ famed San Gabriel Valley, a Mecca for many Asian foods, regional Chinese in particular. But we are not in LA, we are in Asheville North Carolina, which might raise an eyebrow or two. Well prepare for some bulging eyeballs as well, because seeing is believing and you have got to gander at the deliciousness going on at Gan Shan Station.

Cheap Eats Dallas

Cheap Eats, Southwest By blackbookali September 3, 2018 Tags: Cheap Eats, Cooking Channel, Dallas, Emporium Pies, Glazed Donut Works, Lockhart Smokehouse, Monkey King Noodle Company, Texas No Comments

Maybe you know that Dallas is called the Big D. If you do, you might have an inkling that there is more to the food scene here than just barbecue and Tex Mex. Not that Cheap Eats Dallas woudn’t be one heck of an episode working off a day’s worth of barbecue and Tex Mex, it’s just that you would be missing out on hip neighborhoods serving seriously trending eats and some of the most authentic Chinese noodles I have ever had. Yep, the Big D is more than just some Texas sized clichés on a plate, so let’s take one more big bite into Cheap Eats Dallas!