Eat well in Rochester for under €15 a plate: the locals'-budget edition.
Eat well in Rochester for under €15 a plate: the places locals on a budget actually use.
Nick Tahou Hots on W. Main St in Rochester serves the original trademarked Garbage Plate for under $10, one of the best cheap meals in Upstate New York.
Tip: A two-item plate runs $8-$10 depending on protein. White hots, cheeseburgers, or eggs over the top. Cash preferred. Closed Mondays.
Dogtown on Monroe Ave in Rochester serves 18 gourmet hot dog varieties for under $6 each on locally-baked rolls, with handcut fries for a filling budget meal.
Tip: Most dogs are under $6. Handcut fries are an additional $3-4. Closed Sundays. The German-style frank with mustard and sauerkraut is the fastest order.
Han Noodle Bar on Monroe Ave in Rochester serves Chinese broth noodles and stir-fry dishes for $10-$14, one of Monroe Avenue's best quick lunches.
Tip: Lunch is the budget-friendliest time; bowls run $10-$12. The ramen and hand-pulled noodle options are the best value. Counter seating available for solo diners.
Mark's Texas Hots on Monroe Ave in Rochester is a 24-hour diner on weekends, serving hot dogs, plates, and classic diner breakfasts for under $10 at any hour.
Tip: Under $10 for most items at any hour. Open 24 hours Friday and Saturday; closes at 04:00 weekday nights. Cash preferred. The late-night plate is the same price as the daytime order.
Halal Spot on Monroe Ave in Rochester serves halal cheesesteaks, gyros, and burgers for $8-$12 at counter speed, one of Monroe Avenue's top late-night stops.
Tip: Most items $8-$12. Late night open until 02:00. Counter service, no wait time. The chicken cheesesteak is the fastest and most filling order.
Aladdin's Natural Eatery on Monroe Ave in Rochester has served Mediterranean food since 1979, with falafel wraps and hummus plates for $9-$13 per item.
Tip: The falafel wrap is $9-$10, one of the best budget options on the Avenue. Lunch specials run until 15:00 on weekdays.
Natural Oasis on Monroe Ave serves Ethiopian combination platters with 5 or more items on injera for under $15, one of Monroe Avenue's best-value group meals.
Tip: The combo platter at $13-$15 is more than enough for one person and works well for sharing. Wednesday through Friday lunch specials include a drink.
Flour City Bread at Rochester Public Market sells organic sourdough and pastries for $3-$6 per item, the best-value morning stop for artisan bread.
Tip: A loaf runs $6-$9, pastries $3-$4 each. Saturday market stall sells out of popular loaves before 10:00. The cafe inside the market building is open for sit-down coffee and pastry.
Abbott's Frozen Custard at Lake Ave serves Rochester's original frozen custard for $4-$6, open late April through October with a dozen metro locations.
Tip: The Lake Ave location on Lake Ontario is the original; others are throughout the metro. Concrete mix-ins follow the custard base. Closes late October for the season.
Thali of India on South Winton Rd serves a lunch buffet daily for $13-$15 per person, covering 8 or more Indian dishes from dals to biryani.
Tip: Lunch buffet runs daily until 14:00. One of the best-value meals in the Rochester metro. The full buffet includes samosas, soup, rice, and fresh-baked naan.