Yesterday, we brought you the Top 5 Budget Lunch Spots in Montrose. Today, we're moving right next-door to its upscale neighbor, River Oaks. But just because this area is a bit ritzy, don't think for a second there aren't plenty of great dining deals.
Here's our list of the best cheap (under $10) lunch spots that River Oaks has to offer:
Note: For the purposes of this post, River Oaks is defined as south of Buffalo Bayou, west of Dunlavy, east of Suffolk and north of Westheimer.
Honorable Mention: River Oaks Shopping Center's Cafe Ginger -- where you'll find a selection of sushi rolls for between $4.50 and $9 and combination platters with chicken, beef, rice, and soup for less than $10; and Relish Fine Foods -- where you'll find hot and cold sandwiches, seasonal soups, and gourmet salads, the majority of which are $10 and less.
5. Avalon Diner
Diners should be a few things: fast, cheap, and deliciously greasy. Luckily for us, River Oaks' mom-and-pop hot spot Avalon diner is all of those things. Want breakfast for lunch? No problem -- these guys serve it all day long (another diner must to check off the list). Try a fluffy, as-big-as-your-face Philly Steak & Cheese omelette ($8.95), complete with hash browns and a biscuit, or dig in to diner classics like the Patty Melt ($7.25), Grilled Cheese ($5.25), or Frito pie ($4.75 a bowl). Don't forget to save room for a thick Blue Bell milkshake.
Austin implant Torchy's Tacos had become a cult hit among the "gourmet" taco seekers. That is, if the aptly named "Trailer Park" Taco ($3.75) -- with fried chicken, green chilies, and queso -- is considered gourmet. We like the breakfast tacos ($2.25 to $3.50), served all day long; the slow-roasted Green Chile Pork ($3.75), drenched in tomatillo sauce; or the hand-battered Baja Shrimp ($4.25), loaded with cabbage, jalapenos, and chipotle crème. Be sure not to miss out on the sides; Torchy's makes a mean Mexican Street Corn ($3.95) -- a bowl of sweet, freshly roasted corn-off-the-cob that is drizzled with a spicy ancho aioli before being topped with queso fresco, fresh cilantro, and red chili powder.
