ASK LOIS: 10 really good, inexpensive restaurants in Hollywood, Hallandale and Dania Beach

South Florida Sun Sentinel readers have made it clear: They love inexpensive eating.

Readers have been sending me requests for cheap eats in their cities, and my research has found some cities have plenty, others hardly any. Today we are highlighting an area with lots of moderately priced restaurants, and tremendous variety to boot: Hollywood, Hallandale Beach and Dania Beach.

At these restaurants, the majority of entrees are under $20. The eateries are locally owned and get consistently good reviews in “Let’s Eat, South Florida”, the Sun Sentinel’s foodie Facebook group.

If you’re looking for a meal outside southeast Broward, check out my previous “Ask Lois” columns: I’ve looked at Tamarac-Margate-Pompano Beach; Weston-Plantation-Davie-Pembroke Pines; Boca Raton and Boynton Beach-Delray Beach-Lake Worth.

In the meantime, enjoy this very international selection of affordable eateries that have been around for a while and are highly recommended by loyal patrons.

The Black Beans Cafe, 712 S. State Road 7, Hollywood; 954-966-6773

This Cuban eatery may look bare-bones on the outside but has an extensive menu of Caribbean classics. Lechon Asado, or roast pork, goes for $8.95, while Pollo Empanizado, or breaded chicken, is $10.50. Flan or tres leches for dessert costs only $3. A “Let’s Eat, South Florida” reviewer called the eatery “my go-to Cuban hole in the wall” and said: “Fantastic value but it’s also one of my favorite meals for any price.”

Dragon City, 6706 Stirling Road, Hollywood; 954-894-5019; dragoncityhollywood.com

Dinner entrees are way under $20 at Dragon City, including Beef with Oyster Sauce ($12.75) and General Tao’s Chicken ($12.95). Dragon City has all the Chinese dishes Americans love: Egg Foo Young, Chow Mein, Won Ton Soup, egg rolls, and lots of tofu dishes for vegetarians. Said one diner who posted in ” Let’s Eat, South Florida”: “Looks like a total dive from the outside, but nice simple Chinese style inside and super clean. Tanks of seafood and fish, can’t get any fresher. Most folks were Asian in there, big parties of 10 or more at round tables with Lazy Susans. Total high energy vibe too. Huge menu. Everything came super hot, fresh, complex seasoning, large portions, but for all we ate, extremely reasonable.”

Eddie Hills Sushi Thai, 134 N. Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach; 954-454-0023; eddiehills.com/main

Wait in line with the rest of south Broward for a stab at Eddie Hills’ 13-page menu, which covers the gamut of Thai and Japanese dishes. Along with sushi and sashimi, sample the soba noodles, curries, pad Thais, teriyaki or tempura. Chicken with mixed vegetables goes for $19, or try one of the sushi rolls ($4 to $15).

The Greek Joint Kitchen & Bar, 1925 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; 954-929-9966; thegreekjoint.com

Several entrees top our $20 maximum, but this is a great destination for reasonably priced Greek food, including a pork or chicken souvlaki stick platter ($15) or a Spicy Greek Burger ($16). A “Let’s Eat” reviewer offered this advice: “To start, you must order the Dip Platter ($12). It’s the perfect blend of Hummus, Tirokafteri (made of feta and roasted red peppers) and Tzatziki served with pita bread OR the Grilled Octopus that will melt in your mouth.”

Holi Vegan Kitchen, 701 N. Federal Highway, Suite 104, Hallandale Beach; 954-251-3028; holivegankitchen.com

Burgers, bowls, wraps, quesadillas, pastas and pizzas: They’re all on the menu at this lovely little find you could easily pass on Federal Highway without noticing. There are also homemade cakes, cinnamon rolls and chocolate chip cookies. If you like smoothies, try the No. 3: It’s made of espresso coffee, bananas, blueberries, dates, coconut milk and vanilla ($9.95).

The Le Tub Saloon, 1100 N. Ocean Dr., Hollywood; 954-921-9425; theletub.com

Open since 1975, the landmark Le Tub is famous for its 13-ounce burger, a blend of sirloin and chuck seasoned with salt, pepper and garlic powder on a poppy-seed bun with American cheese and lettuce, tomato and onions on the side ($14). The Sun Sentinel’s former food critic, Mike Mayo, once praised the uncomplicated combos and said the eatery achieves “simple burger perfection.” Locals have a love-hate relationship with this landmark; ordering can be chaotic and wait times can be long, but you can’t beat the Intracoastal Waterway scenery and kitschy atmosphere (wooden booths on the open-air patio are framed in blue and pink toilet planters).

Oaxaka, 2033 Harrison St., Hollywood; 954-745-4750; eatoaxaka.com

Oaxaka is a Mexican-Asian fusion joint with rave-worthy guacamole and chips. Although Mexican staples, such as quesadillas and tortillas, dominate the menu, Oaxaka also offers dishes with creative Asian spins, such as tacos with yellowfin tuna and kimchee sauce ($8) and the Tuna Tower ($19), made of rice, tuna, kimchee, guacamole and wakame salad. A “Let’s Eat” reviewer said: “The establishment itself is tiny and definitely geared towards take-out orders, but that didn’t stop them from providing an excellent dine-in experience!”

Pachamanka Authentic Peruvian Cuisine, 321 Johnson St., Hollywood; 954-926-1020; www.pachamankarestaurant.com

What a treat to be able to try creative Peruvian fare at reasonable prices right off Hollywood’s Broadwalk. Options include Aji de Gallina, a chicken stew ($18), and Ceviche de Pescado, fish marinated in lime juice ($16). There’s an extensive selection of appetizers, soups, entrees and side dishes. “Pachamanka is the best on the beach,” according to one ” Let’s Eat” reviewer.

Tarks of Dania Beach, 1317 S. Federal Highway, Dania Beach; 954-925-8275; tarks.business.site

Tarks, a hole-in-the-wall landmark since 1966, is under new ownership but has retained its no-frills menu: Buffalo wings ($14.99 for 10), raw oysters ($14.99 for a half-dozen), steamers and fried-belly clams, New England chowder and seasoned curly fries, and topnecks or littleneck clams steamed or raw by the bucket. The new owners are maintaining the distinctive ocean-blue facade, splashed with murals of dolphins, palm trees and clam shells. As a loyal patron wrote in “Let’s Eat, South Florida”: “I hope to bring my kids here one day, as my dad brought me when I was just a kid. The seafood is fresh, the gator is MY FAV, and the BEST key lime pie in Florida. ”

The Tipsy Boar, 1906 Harrison St., Hollywood; 954-920-2627; www.thetipsyboar.com

This gastropub attracts a fun-loving crowd seeking burgers and beer, as well as foodies looking for Instagrammable ingredient combinations. A favorite among locals, the Boar offers burgers and sandwiches for $15 and lots of interesting appetizers, such as Goat Cheese, Apricot and Thyme Croquettes ($8) and Skillet Cornbread with Bacon ($8). There are also several vegetarian options and a kids’ menu.