Summer Guide: Cheap eats

Meanwhile, what makes me smile at Stacy's Smokehouse is the sloppy-good pulled pork sandwich ($4.50), or maybe some crispy, cornmeal-crusted fried catfish ($1.99). At prices like that, a slice of sweet potato pie ($2.50) is hard to pass up. And at Bertha's Café, I usually feel justified indulging in a thick, moist brownie ($2.00) because the sandwiches are such a good deal. I'm often tossed up between the asparagus and Havarti panini ($5.50), with mozzarella, tomatoes, roasted red peppers, and fresh basil, and the roast beef sandwich ($6.00), topped with blue cheese, arugula, and mayo.

The cost of a gallon of gas might be skyrocketing into an unknown future, but in times like these, it's comforting to know that some menu prices are still set in the 20th century.

Da Vang
4538 N. 19th Ave.
602-242-3575

Pho Avina
4920 W. Thunderbird Rd., Suite 110, Glendale
602-439-2547
www.phoavina.com

Lee's Sandwiches
1901 W. Warner Rd., Chandler
480-855-1778
www.leessandwiches.com

Carolina's Mexican Food
1202 E. Mohave St.
602-252-1503
www.carolinasmex.com

Rito's Market & Mexican Takeout
907 N. 14th St.
602-262-9842

Phoenix Ranch Market
2518 N. 16th St.
(with additional Valley locations)
602-252-9228

Al-Hana at Baiz Market
523 N. 20th St.
602-252-8996

Haji Baba
1513 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe
480-894-1905

Chino Bandido Takee Outee
15414 N. 19th Ave.
(second location in Chandler)
602-375-3639
www.chinobandido.com

The Fry Bread House
4140 N. 7th Ave.
602-351-2345

Cornish Pasty Co.
960 W. University Dr., Tempe
480-894-6261
www.cornishpastyco.com

Welcome Diner
924 E. Roosevelt St.
602-495-1111

Stacy's Smokehouse
1650 E. Indian School Rd.
602-230-6724

Bertha's Café
2916 N. 40th St.
602-955-1022
www.berthascafe.com