Unbeatable Budget Bites in Delco

Going out is often a treat—skipping the meal prep, cooking and washing dishes is a little luxury that lets you take a break from the daily kitchen routine. But that doesn’t mean that visiting a restaurant has to be an expensive indulgence. There are so many fantastic spots in Delco that offer budget-conscious options for every meal of the day (and we’re not talking about fast-food chains!). 

Whether you’re having a busy work day and can’t swing a homemade breakfast or lunch, or you want to take the family out for dinner without breaking the bank, Delco’s local cafes, delis, diners and pubs have you covered! 

 

Breakfast

The Hungry A

This local institution (open since 1964!) is now under new ownership after longtime proprietors Bruce and Mickey Coletta announced their retirement earlier this year. This charming breakfast joint is now reopened after a round of renovations; while the interior might have gotten a nice spruce-up, many things—including customer favorites on the menu—haven’t changed. One of the most perennially popular breakfast options at The Hungry A is the egg, cheese and sausage sandwich on a long roll. This belly-filling bite is just $5.25! In the mood for something else? Most of the prices are refreshingly low, like the $2.25 hot buttered sticky bun and the meatball sandwich for $5.50. 

755 W. Sproul Rd., Springfield; (610) 543-9720.

 

Train Stop Restaurant

For over 30 years, Train Stop Restaurant has been offering up affordable, tasty breakfasts (all day!), served up at its cute, old-school counter. One of the best deals to fuel your day is the Super Slammer, a hearty breakfast combo that’s just $7.25. Enjoy a plate loaded with two strips of bacon, a sausage link, two eggs, toast, home fries and either two pancakes or two pieces of French toast. Bonus: all the options on the kid’s menu come in at $4.99.

606 South Ave., Secane; (610) 328-0784. 

 

King Breakfast and Lunch

Head to the cheerful bright-red building on the corner of 2nd and Lloyd Streets in downtown Chester for wallet-friendly breakfast plates galore (lunch, too). The scratch-made omelets are an especially great deal: Most come in between $10 and $12, and are served with home fries or grits and toast. 

1000 W. 2nd St., Chester; (484) 490-6992.

 

Lunch

Fourno Pizza & Grill

The menu at Fourno Pizza & Grill offers plenty of cheap eats for lunch, including salads, wraps and chicken tenders. But our top choice is the Panzerotti. These Italian specialties are similar to calzones: savory deep-fried turnovers filled with cheese, sauce and sometimes toppings (Fourno describes them as “inside-out pizzas”). For $9.99, try the Panzerotti Golden Pillow with mozzarella and tomato sauce; for just three more dollars, go big with The Original Panzerotti, stuffed with mozzarella, ricotta, ham, peperoni, genoa salami and tomato sauce. Feeding a crowd? Fourno also offers pizza specials, like two medium cheese pizzas for $24.99.

4306 Woodland Ave., Drexel Hill; (610) 713-5632.

 

Boccella’s Deli

This deli in Havertown offers a wide array of snacks, groceries and craft beer, but is best known for its fantastic cheesesteaks. They’re widely considered the best in the area, and come in at the unbelievable price of $5.99 for a 12” cheesesteak (that’s 1 pound of sirloin steak!). Pair it with a side of fries ($1.99) or a garden salad ($2.99). Practically everything else on the menu clocks in under $10, like the Italian hoagie for $6.49, the chicken Parmesan sandwich for $4.99, and the crab cake sandwich for $5.99.

37 W. Eagle Rd., Havertown; (610) 789-2228.

 

Dinner

The Rooster Diner

This modern take on a diner welcomes guests in with rustic decor, friendly service, comfy booths and an extensive menu that stretches from early-bird breakfasts through dinnertime (it’s open every day, from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m.!). While many menu items are a bit pricier than some local greasy spoons, the quality of the fresh, farmhouse fare is top-notch. One of the best deals in the joint are the Mini Meals, smaller portions that are still plenty of food! Many of these homey hot plates come in under $20, like grilled chicken, roast turkey and chopped steak (all at $16.99), and each entree comes with a house or Caesar salad or a cup of soup, plus two vegetable sides. There are great vegetarian options, too, like stuffed mushrooms and eggplant parmesan. 

8 S. New Middletown Rd., Media; (610) 455-4333. 

 

JT Brewski’s Pub

There are a lot of excellent places in Delco to get a burger, especially the classic (and affordable) smash-burger-style. We’ve got lots of creative pub burgers, too, but usually, those are gonna run you a bigger chunk of change. At JT Brewski’s, a relaxed, craft beer-focused sports bar, the burgers are right in the sweet spot between fast-food and gastro-pub. There’s nothing on the burger menu over $13.99—and that’s for a double-stack—falling well below some bars’ $18 or even $20 price points. Try the classic set-up with spicy mayo, bacon and onion rings, Pop’s Patty Melt for a diner vibe, the turkey burger, or the spicy buffalo burger. 

510 S. Oak Ave., Secane; (610) 626-6670.

 

Azie on Main

Sushi isn’t often associated with dining on a budget, but if you’re down for an early dinner, the happy hour menu at Azie on Main makes it possible. From Monday to Friday from 4 to 6 p.m., find a special menu of $5 and $7 snacks and $8 sushi rolls. The discounted appetizers include soy-garlic-gochujang-glazed fried chicken sliders, tamarind fries and Vietnamese spring rolls, among others. The sushi rolls include spicy tuna crunch roll, salmon avocado roll, albacore tataki with ponzu and more! In the mood for a drink? Try a $5 beer, $8 wine or an $8 cocktail, like a whiskey ginger smash, lychee martini or cucumber sake spritz. 

789 East Lancaster Ave., Villanova; (610) 527-5700.

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Want to know more about everything Delco? We’re more than just your source for good eats — we’re your source for where to stay, what to do and more in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. We’re Visit Delco, PA, and we’ve got you covered from Philly to the Brandywine. Find us at 1501 N. Providence Rd., Media, PA, 19063; (610) 565-3679 or online.

— Emily Kovach 

 

Featured photo: Pixabay