Philly Dining On A Budget - PhillyWired.com

Philadelphia is a serious restaurant town, but that doesn’t mean eating here has to cost a fortune. While there are plenty of high-end eateries to choose from, visitors can also opt for an equally satisfying, less expensive dining experience in the region. With menu options running the gamut from a $2.50 pork taco to a $100 cheesesteak, the delicious choices are infinite. The following are just a few suggestions for high-, moderate- and low-priced dining options in the city and countryside:

Brewery

Price-Is-No-Object Options ($40 per person and up):

Its $100 Kobe cheesesteak put Barclay Prime on the map, making this chic steakhouse a destination for special occasion splurges. 237 S. 18th Street, (215) 732-7560
The epitome of class and sophistication, the Four Seasons Hotel’s Fountain Restaurant has been a special occasion hotspot since it opened in 1983. One Logan Square, (215) 963-1500, ext. 2611, www.fourseasons.com/philadelphia
A bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) establishment with a Gallic sensibility, Gilmore’s menu combines traditional and unexpected flavors. 133 E. Gay Street, West Chester, (610) 431-2800, www.gilmoresrestaurant.com
For more than 30 years, La Bonne Auberge has served up classic French cooking in Bucks County. 1 Rittenhouse Circle, New Hope, (215) 862-2462, www.bonneauberge.com
Lacroixhas redefined fine dining in Philadelphia with its highly original design-your-own tasting menus. 210 W. Rittenhouse Square, (215) 790-2533, www.rittenhousehotel.com
Philadelphia’s first claim to culinary greatness, Le Bec-Fin continues to win accolades for its haute French cuisine. 1523 Walnut Street, (215) 567-1000, www.lebecfin.com
Inspired by the French and Italian Riviera, Savona’s Chef Andrew Masciangelo features seasonally changing dishes and an extensive wine list. 100 Old Gulph Road, Gulph Mills, (610) 520-1200, www.savonarestaurant.com
Celebrity chef Alfred Portale lends his seafood genius to Striped Bass, dispensing luxuries like oysters, caviar service and lobster with tarragon cream. 1500 Walnut Street, (215) 732-4444, www.stripedbassrestaurant.com
Widely lauded for its daily changing menu of Northern Italian delicacies, Vetri offers unparalleled dining in an intimate setting. 1312 Spruce Street, (215) 732-3478, www.vetriristorante.com

Moderately Priced Options ($20-$40 per person):

Korean and Japanese specialties are the fare at August Moon, and both are executed to perfection. 300 E. Main Street, Norristown, (610) 277-4008
A tiny BYOB housed in an old country store, Birchrunville Store Café offers up daily menus of seasonal cooking. 1403 Hollow Road, Birchrunville, (610) 827-9002, www.birchrunvillestorecafe.com
The understated but smart dining room at the Blue Horse takes neighborhood eating up a few notches. 602 Skippack Pike, Blue Bell, (215) 641-9100, www.thebluehorse.net
Django’spitch-perfect cooking with fresh, local ingredients has made it one of the hardest places in town to score a reservation, but it’s always worth the wait. 526 S. 4th Street, (215) 922-7151
Its consistent output of finely crafted cuisine has made Old City’s Fork an ongoing favorite for local diners. 306 Market Street, (215) 625-9425, www.forkrestaurant.com
Famed chef Georges Perrier goes casual at his eponymous Georges’, where he lends a proprietary hand to pizzas, sandwiches and moderately priced entrees. 503 W. Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, (610) 964-2588, www.georgesonthemainline.com
Located in a shopping center outside of Doylestown, Il Melograno prepares authentic, refined Italian meals. 73 Old Dublin Pike, Doylestown, (215) 348-7707
Regional Mexican cooking is given the spotlight at Los Catrines and Tequila’s Restaurant, where the lively atmosphere is enhanced by the house-brand tequila and tableside jugs of margaritas. 1602 Locust Street, (215) 546-0181, www.tequilasphilly.com
Rittenhouse Square’s boutique BYOB Matyson serves exquisite but simple fare at reasonable prices. 37 S. 19th Street, (215) 564-2925, www.matyson.com
A taste of Napa Valley in Northern Liberties, Sovalo serves Cal-Italian cuisine and fine wine in an understated, cozy setting. 702 N. 2nd Street, (215) 413-7770

Lower-priced Options ($10-$20 per person):

The best-kept secret of Fairmount, Bridgid’s offers bargain lunches and dinners with a homey flair, as well as an expansive beer list. 726 N. 24th Street, (215) 232-3232, www.bridgids.com
It started as a crab house with a particularly Philly flavor, but Chickie’s and Pete’s has gone on to build a mini local empire based on sandwiches, mussels and their famous crab fries. 1526 Packer Avenue, (215) 218-0500; 11000 Roosevelt Boulevard, (215) 856-9890; 4010 Robbins Avenue, (215) 338-3060, www.chickiesandpetes.com
The family favorites at Christopher’s include brick oven pizza, burgers and eclectic entrees. 108 N. Wayne Avenue, Wayne, (610) 687-6558, www.christophersaneighborhoodplace.com
New Hope’s El Taco Loco serves up Cali-Mex standards like burritos and tostadas at a great value. 6 Stockton Avenue, New Hope, (215) 862-0908, www.el-taco-loco.com
With locations in Ardmore and Center City, Fellini Café Trattoria has a local monopoly on inexpensive Italian eats. 31 E. Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, (610) 642-9009; 2216-18 Walnut Street, (215) 972-0860
The cozy and welcoming Four Dogs Tavern is housed in a historic barn, but it boasts a very contemporary comfort food menu. 1300 W. Strasburg Road, West Chester, (610) 692-4367
The first American outpost of a Dutch chain, Maoz cooks up falafel and all the fixings at a staggeringly low price. 248 South Street, (215) 625-3500, www.maoz.nl
The line forms early for the tasty frittatas, biscuits and pancake specials at Bella Vista’s Morning Glory, arguably the best breakfast joint in town. 735 S. 10th Street, (215) 413-3999
It may be a neighborhood bar, but N. 3rd features global food that’s worth a special trip. 3rd & Brown Streets, (215) 413-3666, www.norththird.com
The cheesesteaks at Tony Luke’s are famous, and the roast pork Italiano is legendary. 39 E. Oregon Avenue, (215) 551-5725, www.tonylukes.com
One of the cheapest and fastest places to eat in Chinatown, Vietnam serves top quality Vietnamese cuisine. 221 N. 11th Street, (215) 592-1163

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