Cheap Eats in Florida

Although I truly enjoy 5-star dining, I do love finding a bargain. When it comes to restaurants, it might mean planning ahead, planning what time you eat or knowing where to find the best deals. Here’s a list of some of my favorite places to find food that is cheap (though we’re not talking the dollar menu at McDonald’s), yet tasty.

• Coupon sites: There’s South Florida Dines, restaurant.com, the Entertainment Book and even GoGoBoGo. All offer half price dining certificates and some give you even better deals from time to time. Most of them you have to buy them 1-2 weeks (min) before you want to go to the restaurant, therefore planning ahead is required. Restaurant.com lets you purchase the voucher right before going to the restaurant, but I find their selection to be poor. Lemongrass, Tropical Smoothie and Timpano all participate, so the variety offered is large. Be sure to check out the small print as a minimum purchase and/or date restrictions are likely.
• Why not check out one of the culinary schools to find a bargain meal deal? FIU offers a 3-course lunch prepared by students for only $15. The meal includes a salad, warm bread, choice of 2 entrees, dessert along with your choice of iced tea, glass of wine or coffee/tea. How does a deconstructed Caesar salad in a garlic tuille sound followed by your choice of duck confit with dirty rice and orange gastrique or baked red snapper with beurre blanc and a peach and blueberry napoleon for dessert sound? Who said that cheap isn’t delicious?
• This lunch menu at The Brickwall Grille in Stuart just blew me away. With most items costing just $6, you are sure to find something for everyday of the week. Enjoy the grilled cheese sandwich with 4 cheeses, Swiss, Mozzarella, Provolone, Cheddar one day, and the Muffalata Sandwich with marinated portabella mushrooms, roasted red peppers, fresh mozzarella and basil aioli the next. You will also find fettucine alfredo, quiche du jour, cheese pizza and a chicken salad wrap on this bargain lunch menu.
• Happy hours always make you a little bit happier and it’s even better when the offer the great meal deals. Some of my favorite that come to mind include:

RA Sushi – They have 2 locations in South Florida, one in Palm Beach Gardens and the other in Pembroke Pines. From 3:00 – 7:00 pm, Monday through Saturday, drink specials range from $1-$6 and sample Happy Hour menu items include: California Rolls ($3.25); Shrimp Nigiri ($2.38); and Crispy Spicy Tuna ($4.88), Coconut Shrimp Tempura ($4.13); Edamame ($1.75); and Pork Gyoza ($3.13).

The Grill on the Alley in Aventura offers a killer Happy Hour menu. From 4-7 pm, take your pick from the $3.95 and $4.95 smaller sized portions from the regular menu. Chicken Pot Pie, Seared Ahi Tuna Sashimi, Steak Tartare and Mac & Cheese all grace the menu.

Morton’s also offer bar bites for $5-$6 a plate. Items on the menu include miniature prime cheeseburger trio, jumbo lump crap, spinach and artichoke dip, and four petite filet mignon sandwiches, among others. For details, visit Morton’s online.

Photo from personal collection. Seared Ahi Tuna at The Grill on the Alley.