AIL’s favourite cheap eateries 2014

Eating well in the capital doesn't have to cost a fortune - we list our favourite cheap eats of the past year.
AIL’s favourite cheap eateries 2014 picture

Although the cost of eating out is generally still high, there is an exceeding number of places where it’s possible to grab a decent bite to eat at recession-busting prices, particularly since the street food explosion. And believe it or not, some of them are healthy as well as delicious. We list our favourite cheap eats of the last year.

Kerb
If you’re around King’s Cross or the City at lunchtime you can get cheap, exciting food from around the world at Kerb, London’s most famous street food market. Traders change on a daily basis but well-known names like Kimchinary, Yum Bun, Tongue ‘n Cheek, and Luardos frequently appear. More substantial and with more flavour than a sandwich from Pret, not to mention far better value - a very filling slow-cooked pork burrito from Luardos with rice, black beans, salsa, cheese and lettuce is just a fiver.

Hummus Bros
The concept revolves entirely around hummus, plates of it with chunks of marinated slow cooked beef, mushrooms simmered with caramelised onions and sundried tomatoes, and sautéed chicken in tomato sauce. There’s an option of pitta, gluten-free rice cakes and carrot sticks, and even the small portions are generous, the most expensive being the beef priced at £7.25. Nine years after opening, the quality of this eatery hasn’t waned.

Arancini Factory
As the name suggests, risotto balls are the basis of the menu here: rice cooked with garlic, herbs, cheese, rolled in flour and fried. Available in a wrap, stew or a box with stew and salad, the average price per head with a drink is £8. There’s also good coffee (the owners are from Australia, where caffeinated drinks are taken very seriously) and cake.

Honest Burgers
There’s no doubt that there are plenty of quality burger joints around, but we’ve come to the conclusion that Honest Burgers are a cut above the rest. Using rare breed beef from Ginger Pig, free range chicken and market vegetables really does make a difference to the flavour of their rosemary crisps, medium rare patties and condiments like Backyard mayo, with mustard and pickles. Their signature Honest Burger with beef, red onion relish, smoked bacon, Cheddar and gherkins with fries is £9.50.

Jubo
Jubo offers fast food with Korean flavours, think spicy fried chicken, steamed buns filled with slow cooked pork belly, steak subs with bulgogi beef and kimchi slaw. £12 will get you the aforementioned sub and a Korean beer. You’ll find them at Bedroom Bar in Shoreditch.

Foxcroft & Ginger
The emphasis at this all day eatery is on freshly made bread to make muffins for breakfast and pizzas for dinner, among other things. They also do burgers with innovative fillings like semolina fried squid and grilled aubergine with feta and butternut and lime puree, Antipodean-style coffee, fresh tea and wine. The chorizo pizza with goat’s cheese and roasted red peppers will set you back just £7.50.

Published Aug 25, 2014