Cheap Eats in 2008

For a city with so many students and young professionals, it's no surprise that cheap eats are available almost everywhere, in every kind of neighborhood and in every type of restaurant. In 2008, Bostonist strove to introduce you to the well- and lesser-known hits of the Cheap Eats world.

Of course, hearty and filling comfort foods often found a place in our reviews. When snow is streaming out of the sky, only really good food is going to get your out of your house. Basta Pasta offers gourmet pasta and risotto with pizza shop decor. Bottega Fiorentina also offers upscale pasta at downscale prices, with a menu of daily specials that could feed you something new for weeks on end. The New England Soup Factory is not as factory-like as the Cheesecake Factory, but instead focuses on finely crafting delicious and nutritious soups to warm you from the inside out. Angela's Cafe serves authentic Mexican by the heaping plateful. And really, what's more comforting that pancakes at any time of the day from the Paramount?

The quintessential Cheap Eats, pizza, was well-represented this year as well. This Bostonist still favors the original Pizzeria Regina in the North End, but Oggi Gourmet, Bostone Pizza, Galleria Umberto, and Pinocchio's all held their own in the tight market.

But Cheap Eats aren't just for take-out. There are plenty of great restaurants in town that will actually bring food to your table for little money. Silvertone consistently produces favorites like steak tips and mac and cheese for under $10, and the Publick House offers one of the best veggie burgers around. Of course, fancier restaurants got in on the Cheap Eats as well, especially as the number of people dining out began to slide with the economy. Masa, Tremont 647, and Gaslight all introduced specials that are a great way to get a fancy meal with little money down. And Restaurant Week, although nothing new, offers a chance to try a more expensive restaurant (but you'll need to put in a little research to get the best bang for your buck).

Everyone is getting a little tighter with their money, but that's no reason to stop eating out. If 2008 was any measure, there's tons of good food out there. Finding it make take a little exploring, but when you can say you found one of the best sandwiches in town for $3, it's well worth it.