Twin Cities' Best Cheap Eats 2008

A bustling Italian eatery that’s been serving home-style delicacies since 1911.

Reviews:

• “Cossetta’s is the place to go in St. Paul for Italian foods.”
• “A St. Paul institution. Real, traditional, no-joking-around Italian-American food.”
• “CHE TROIARIA”
• “A truly hilarious degree of incompetence "
• “Pure and simple a great place to go. "

Tips: Parking is a breeze, since Cossetta’s has its own lot.

Cossetta’s Italian Market & Pizzeria

Reviews:

• “YUMMMMMM!!!!”
• “Best Vietnamese sandwiches and Pho”
• “Quick, cheap and better than average – way better”
• “Best all around Vietnamese food!!”
• “Fantastic Food, Consistent.”

Saigon Restaurant & Bakery

A magnet for the young—and the young at heart—who savor thick, scrumptious malts and shakes made the old-fashioned way.

Reviews:

• “Worst burger I’ve ever tasted!”
• “All those shakes!”
• “Great lunch spot!”
• “Great for a cheap dinner and good food”
• “yeah, the malts are good. "

Tips: Indulge yourself with a specialty malt: fig-banana, or Heath Bar, Butterfinger, pina colada, M&M or chocolate-chip-cookie dough.

The Malt Shop or email The Malt Shop

Family-run restaurant serves traditional Indian cuisine while Indian music is played on electric guitars.

Reviews:

• “Exactly what we wanted”
• “Hot hot hot right from a tandoor, informal service, my kids love it!!!”
• “Won’t be back to eat at Randoor”
• “Poor Customer Service – Rude Behavior by owner”
• “very bad service and rude behaviour fro the Restaurant in charge”

Tips: There is a lot in the back.

Tandoor Restaurant or email Tandoor Restaurant

Hip Warehouse District pizzeria that’s a perennial favorite with the late-night set.

Reviews:

• “Not even close to FAT LORENZOS!!!”
• “PIZZA LUCE= Amazing pizza, great service, and fun family friendly atmosphere!!!”
• “Waaaaay overrated”
• “UNDERCOOKED FOOD!”
• “Good pizza, incredibly fast”

Tips: After-bar pizza cravings? The kitchen is open until 3am on weekends.

Pizza Luce or email Pizza Luce

Addictive sandwiches at bargain prices make this Vietnamese deli a constant craving for those in the know.

Reviews:

• “I’m addicted to the spring rolls”
• “Best place for fresh and filling food!”
• “vegetarian friendly vietnamese "
• “yummy yummy yummy gimme some!”
• “Great prices and Vietnamese food!”

Tips: The sandwich line can get busy at meal times, so come early or late for fast service, or call your order in ahead of time.

Jasmine Deli

Dig into a legendary burger in a classic dive-bar setting.

Reviews:

• “BEST JUICY LUCY”
• “The best old skool bar around, the ultimate in low overhead!”
• “The Best Burgers in the Country…. Bar None”
• “Simply put”
• “Classic”

Tips: Just about any order buys your seat for as long as you want it—which is why people do their homework and write their novels here.

Matt’s Bar

Minnesota River Valley roadhouse known for its burgers.

Reviews:

• “Excellent Burgers”
• “Very Solid Burgers”
• “Complete Disapointment”
• “Great Burgers”
• “Sloppy burgers”

Tips: If you like it well-done, make sure to say so, otherwise you’ll get it a little pink in the middle.

Lions Tap Family Restaurant

Good Italian fare for times when you have to dine and dash.

Reviews:

• “Fastest yummy Italian food”
• “Broders?”
• “Great for a quick bite”
• “Decent”
• “wonderful neighborhood spot”

Tips: Shop the restaurant’s complete line of gourmet foods and seasonings to create an authentic Italian feast at home.

Broders Cucina Italiana

Locals come for American-style comfort food in a relaxed setting.

Reviews:

• “Love the amosphere”
• “Great food”
• “great food!!!!! BAD service!!”
• “Great Juicy Lucys”
• “Great Food @ Great Prices”

Tips: If you don’t want to look like a loser in front of all the regular diners, don’t try to enter through the front door; it’s locked. Go around back like everyone else.

5-8 Club