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Cheap Eats 2015: The Top New Cheap Restaurants, Mapped

$ not $$$.

by Erin Perkins
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by Erin Perkins

Sure, you have that one affordable Chinese spot where they know your order by your phone number, but what if you want to branch out? (Or have suspicions the woman on the phone is judging you for ordering tofu and broccoli for the third time this week.) Here are a few of the newest and hottest cheap eats spots to pop up in the Lowcountry.

Presented in alphabetical order.

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Apartment A

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The beers are cold and the queso is hot at newcomer Apartment A. From the same owners as affordable favorite The Taco Spot, this downtown neighborhood house is the place to go for $3 Tecates and $5 nachos.
221 Coming St Apt A, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 720-1888
(843) 720-1888

Artisan Meat Share

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Artisan Meat Share goes above and beyond your average sandwich/charcuterie shop. Most of the ingredients are made in-house — from the bread, to the pickles, to the cured meats, and the condiments. These two-hand sandwiches and sides will leave you completely sated.
33 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 641-7299
(843) 641-7299

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Benny Palmetto's Pizza

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If you absolutely must have a slice of pizza bigger than your head for $4.50, Benny Palmettos is your spot. The pizzeria hails from Virginia and recently brought its mammoth pies to Mount Pleasant. [Photo: Benny Palmettos's]
433 West Coleman Boulevard, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

Charleston Sports Pub

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West Ashley's Charleston Sports Pub offers interesting bar food at low prices. Wings come in flavors like honey Sriracha, PB&J, and ghost pepper, while burgers range from classic to an "On the Border" version. Most items won't cost you more than $10.99. [Photo: Charleston Sports Pub]
1124 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407

Chick's Fry House

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The menu at Chick's Fry House has the same pedigree as Southern favorite Hominy Grill — minus the line of tourists. Chick's offers a casual environment to dine on affordable menu items, such as a two-piece chicken, with biscuit, for $6.00.
1011 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 203-4871
(843) 203-4871

Garcia's Tortilla House

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Garcia's Tortilla House is quickly becoming the peninsula's top spot for breakfast tacos and a quick, cheap menu of chorizo choices. You can get a hearty lunch of San Antonio-influenced fare for under $10.
100 Spring St #A, Charleston, SC 29403

Minero

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Where else can you try a Sean Brock creation for $3? Minero is the celebrity chef's Mexican-influenced outpost on East Bay Street. Most menu items are under $10, so bring some friends and try a few plates of chilaquiles and Valentina-soaked chicken wings.
155 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 789-2241
(843) 789-2241

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My Three Sons of Charleston

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Soul food chef Alice Warren has a new restaurant in North Charleston, and the menu is brimming with affordable options for Lowcountry favorites. Go for the deviled crabs, seafood rice, and okra soup. Most of the menu items don't go over $9.99. [Photo: My Three Sons]
1910 East Montague Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 202-0189
(843) 202-0189

Smoke BBQ

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If you're looking for a new, affordable barbecue option, look no further than Smoke BBQ on King Street. Chef Roland Feldman creates elevated meat dishes with familiar flavors, and the majority of items are under $10. The side of hash over grits is a hearty option for only $4.
487 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403
(856) 672-0007
(856) 672-0007

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Spero

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Spero is the spot to go for a gourmet-level meal at fast-casual prices. Small plates, like local snap peas with mushroom conserva, guanciale, mustard tarragon vinaigrette, are all under $10.
616 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 203-3255
(843) 203-3255

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The Junction Kitchen & Provisions

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There's nothing over $8 on the menu at Park Circle's Junction Kitchen & Provisions. The cozy restaurant serves filling breakfast items all day (a bacon sandwich is only $4.50) and other comfort items in the evening (tomato pie for $6). [Photo: Junction Kitchen]
4438 Spruill Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 745-9189
(843) 745-9189

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Torres Superette

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Convenience store Torres Superette isn't new, but folks are taking notice of the increased take-out offerings. Tacos start at $2 a piece, tortas are $6, nachos are $4, and hot dogs can be had for pocket change. Friend them on Facebook to see the daily specials.
843 Rutledge Avenue, Charleston, SC 29403

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Apartment A

221 Coming St Apt A, Charleston, SC 29403
The beers are cold and the queso is hot at newcomer Apartment A. From the same owners as affordable favorite The Taco Spot, this downtown neighborhood house is the place to go for $3 Tecates and $5 nachos.
221 Coming St Apt A, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 720-1888
(843) 720-1888

Artisan Meat Share

33 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403
Artisan Meat Share goes above and beyond your average sandwich/charcuterie shop. Most of the ingredients are made in-house — from the bread, to the pickles, to the cured meats, and the condiments. These two-hand sandwiches and sides will leave you completely sated.
33 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 641-7299
(843) 641-7299

Benny Palmetto's Pizza

433 West Coleman Boulevard, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
If you absolutely must have a slice of pizza bigger than your head for $4.50, Benny Palmettos is your spot. The pizzeria hails from Virginia and recently brought its mammoth pies to Mount Pleasant. [Photo: Benny Palmettos's]
433 West Coleman Boulevard, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

Charleston Sports Pub

1124 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407
West Ashley's Charleston Sports Pub offers interesting bar food at low prices. Wings come in flavors like honey Sriracha, PB&J, and ghost pepper, while burgers range from classic to an "On the Border" version. Most items won't cost you more than $10.99. [Photo: Charleston Sports Pub]
1124 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407

Chick's Fry House

1011 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
The menu at Chick's Fry House has the same pedigree as Southern favorite Hominy Grill — minus the line of tourists. Chick's offers a casual environment to dine on affordable menu items, such as a two-piece chicken, with biscuit, for $6.00.
1011 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 203-4871
(843) 203-4871

Garcia's Tortilla House

100 Spring St #A, Charleston, SC 29403
Garcia's Tortilla House is quickly becoming the peninsula's top spot for breakfast tacos and a quick, cheap menu of chorizo choices. You can get a hearty lunch of San Antonio-influenced fare for under $10.
100 Spring St #A, Charleston, SC 29403

Minero

155 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
Where else can you try a Sean Brock creation for $3? Minero is the celebrity chef's Mexican-influenced outpost on East Bay Street. Most menu items are under $10, so bring some friends and try a few plates of chilaquiles and Valentina-soaked chicken wings.
155 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 789-2241
(843) 789-2241

My Three Sons of Charleston

1910 East Montague Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405
Soul food chef Alice Warren has a new restaurant in North Charleston, and the menu is brimming with affordable options for Lowcountry favorites. Go for the deviled crabs, seafood rice, and okra soup. Most of the menu items don't go over $9.99. [Photo: My Three Sons]
1910 East Montague Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 202-0189
(843) 202-0189

Smoke BBQ

487 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403
If you're looking for a new, affordable barbecue option, look no further than Smoke BBQ on King Street. Chef Roland Feldman creates elevated meat dishes with familiar flavors, and the majority of items are under $10. The side of hash over grits is a hearty option for only $4.
487 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403
(856) 672-0007
(856) 672-0007

Spero

616 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29403
Spero is the spot to go for a gourmet-level meal at fast-casual prices. Small plates, like local snap peas with mushroom conserva, guanciale, mustard tarragon vinaigrette, are all under $10.
616 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 203-3255
(843) 203-3255

The Junction Kitchen & Provisions

4438 Spruill Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405
There's nothing over $8 on the menu at Park Circle's Junction Kitchen & Provisions. The cozy restaurant serves filling breakfast items all day (a bacon sandwich is only $4.50) and other comfort items in the evening (tomato pie for $6). [Photo: Junction Kitchen]
4438 Spruill Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 745-9189
(843) 745-9189

Torres Superette

843 Rutledge Avenue, Charleston, SC 29403
Convenience store Torres Superette isn't new, but folks are taking notice of the increased take-out offerings. Tacos start at $2 a piece, tortas are $6, nachos are $4, and hot dogs can be had for pocket change. Friend them on Facebook to see the daily specials.
843 Rutledge Avenue, Charleston, SC 29403

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