Dining out on a budget: 10 meals at area restaurants for $15 or less

Faith Harrington, The Standard-Times
·3 min read
3

Going to your favorite restaurant and not having to cook can be a treat — a very expensive treat. The cost of restaurant food is up 6% since the beginning of 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This makes a trip to the grocery store sound much more feasible than a night on the town.

Although the price increases are slowly going to continue to climb, some local restaurants are making sure you don’t have to forgo a great dining experience by keeping lost-cost meals on their menu.

Here are local eateries with mouthwatering dishes under $15:

Moby Mac N’ Cheese

Moby Mac N’ Cheese is comfort in a bowl at Moby Dick Brewing.
Moby Mac N’ Cheese is comfort in a bowl at Moby Dick Brewing.

You can’t go wrong with a comforting plate of mac and cheese from Moby Dick Brewing Co. The Moby Mac N’ Cheese with zesty house-made cheese sauce, cavatappi pasta, ritz cracker crumbs, and scallions for $13. Add bacon or broccoli for $2 to pump up your meal at 16 South Water St., New Bedford.

Fish and Chips

Max's has a a great deal on Fish and Chips.
Max's has a a great deal on Fish and Chips.

Get a New England staple for a wallet-friendly price at Max's, 405 State Road, North Dartmouth. Their fish and chips with coleslaw and tartar sauce will only cost you $14.75. Make sure to check out their burgers that are all under $15 as well.

Toys for kids: Have you seen all these people around the Southcoast wearing tutus?

JR Steak

Make sure to order the JR Steak at David's Restaurant.
Make sure to order the JR Steak at David's Restaurant.

Head over to David's Restaurant for your steak and potatoes fix. They are offering the  JR Steak, grilled sirloin steak, David's steak sauce, one egg, hot pepper, French fries, and rice for only $13. Check out what else they are dishing up at 70 Church St., New Bedford.

Lasagna

Head over to Riccardi's Italian Restaurant for a fantastic slice of Lasagna.
Head over to Riccardi's Italian Restaurant for a fantastic slice of Lasagna.

Feeling like Italian cuisine? Head over to Riccardi's Italian Restaurant for a fantastic slice of lasagna which is egg noodles layered with ricotta, special cheeses, lean ground beef, and tomato sauce for $12.95. Add some meatballs and it still comes in under at just $14.45 at 901 Hathaway Road, New Bedford.

Pork Steaks Portuguese Style

Churrascaria Novo Mundo is serving up delicious Pork Steaks Portuguese Style.
Churrascaria Novo Mundo is serving up delicious Pork Steaks Portuguese Style.

On the menu at Churrascaria Novo Mundo you will find many authentic Portuguese dishes under $15. Try the Pork Steaks Portuguese Style with aromatic spices and herbs, peppers, and French fries for only $12.99. Get yours now at 98 County St., New Bedford.

New Bedford Eats Authentic Indian food has hit Fairhaven, sample Greek food in Dartmouth

Black Velvet

Dig into the the Black Velvet at Sixes & Sevens.
Dig into the the Black Velvet at Sixes & Sevens.

A tasty option for you to dig into would be the Black Velvet at Sixes & Sevens. It is black pepper pastrami, cheddar, provolone, caramelized onions, and spicy brown mustard on sourdough bread served with fries or housemade chips for $15. Located at 7 South 6th St., New Bedford.

Margarita Flatbread

Margarita Flatbread is on the menu at Krave Restaurant and Bar.
Margarita Flatbread is on the menu at Krave Restaurant and Bar.

Elevate your pizza game by heading to Krave Restaurant and Bar for a $15 flatbread pizza. Try them all marguerita, Portuguese steak, shepherd's pie, meat lovers, and Korean BBQ at 1856 Acushnet Ave, New Bedford.

Clam Strip Roll

Can't beat the price of the Clam Strip Roll at Mikey B's.
Can't beat the price of the Clam Strip Roll at Mikey B's.

For a taste of the sea drive on over to Mikey B's and get the Clam Strip Roll. For $14.99 you will indulge in fried clam strips without bellies piled into a buttery, grilled bun with fries and tartar sauce on the side. Located at 989 Victoria St., New Bedford.

Festive drinks: Get these apple and pumpkin inspired fall cocktails before it's too late.

Cowboy Up Burger

For a great burger get the Cowboy Up Burger at Rose Alley Ale House.
For a great burger get the Cowboy Up Burger at Rose Alley Ale House.

Sometimes you just need a burger and when you do Rose Alley Ale House has got you covered. They are serving up the Cowboy Up Burger with onion rings, jalapeños, cheddar Jack cheese, and BBQ sauce for $14.99. Dig into one today at 94 Front St., New Bedford.

Pho

It's time for Pho at Traveler’s Alehouse.
It's time for Pho at Traveler’s Alehouse.

Keep the cold away by ordering the Pho at Traveler’s Alehouse, 111 Huttleston Ave., Fairhaven. It consists of traditional beef broth, rice noodles, thinly sliced top round beef, sliced beef brisket, and onions, served with bean sprouts, cilantro, Thai basil, sliced jalapenos, and lime for $15.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Eating out: SouthCoast restaurants will meals $15 or less