Tour of Cheap Eats in Allston (by Kosta)

This entry will be part of an ongoing series about finding the most meals possible for 20 dollars across the various neighborhoods of Boston and it's surrounding towns.

Over the last couple weeks I went on a mission to eat as many meals as I could for $20 in Allston. I scoured the area for deals, cheap corners and shady alleys. I ran into quite a few food options that weren’t that great, but with a bit of hard work and luck I was able to eat seven meals at the places listed below.

ALLSTON

1. Padaria Brazilian Bakery is located near the corner of Brighton Ave and Harvard Ave right next to Blanchard’s Liquor Store. For the most part they only speak Portugese but they are friendly and you can explain what you want by pointing at the various pastries. I’m a pretty small guy, but I have a large appetite. Two small cheese buns and a stuffed meat pie will do for a quick lunch and only costs $2. The meat pie is a round, fist sized hunk of fried yucca and dough stuffed with ground beef, onions and other spices.

Photo by Badaria Brazilian Bakery

2. For $3.25 you can get a Bahn Mi at Pho Viet in the Super 88. While most people head to Chinatown for a good Bahn Mi sandwich, this gem in Allston has ones just as good, with the options of Grilled Beef, Grilled Chicken, Grilled Pork, Shredded Pork, Ham or Tofu. The large torpedo roll stuffed full off pickled carrots, onions, green peppers, cucumbers and grilled meats make for a filling meal.

3. Sakanaya on Linden Street is a fish market that also has a small sushi counter. The best deal on the menu is the donburi, a bowl full of sesame crusted, sweet sushi rice topped with a generous amount of sashimi, tuna, salmon or whitefish for only $4. That’s one of the best deals you’ll get for sushi in the area and it's very fresh.

4. Spike’s Junkyard Dog is an old standard here in Allston. If you’re eating on the cheap the $2.99 basic hotdog on a thick baguette will certainly fill you up, and you can even add a few kinds of relish, mustard or ketchup for no extra charge.

Photo by Sarah Sparks

5. Habanero Mexican Grill on Brighton Ave serves pupusas and tacos that are only $1.75 each. The pupusas are two corn tortillas stuffed with cheese and your choice of meat or veggies and then deep fried and grilled, making a gooey crispy snack. Another option is a taco with choice of meat or veggie topped with salsa, sour cream, cheese and lime. At $1.75 for either it makes a quick, small meal you can’t go wrong with.

6. Bazaar on Cambridge Street is a Russian market with an extensive deli in the back. Their Lamb Samsa ($1.60) is a decently sized turnover stuffed full of shredded lamb and leeks. They also sell a number of other savory pastries and meals that will only cost you between 2 and 4 dollars.

Photo by Bazaar

7. La Befana Pizzeria is some of the better pizza in Allston with good sauce and a good thin crust, a slice of cheese that is nearly a quarter of a pie will cost you $2.70.

Photo by La Befana Pizzeria

So there you have it, places to get some affordable and delicious food all within walking distance of each other in Allston.

Map of the Tour of Cheap Eats in Allston, MA:

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