Minimum wage meals

I hope the phrase “in these economic times” goes away in
2010. I can never think of any way to respond than, “Yeah, I
know, things are tough all over,” when I hear somebody talk about
fear and doubt, losing their home or their job, and the general feeling
that this all just really sucks.

We all know eating more meals at home is a surefire way to save some
cash, but I can’t do that all the time. Everyone needs a break
from cooking, a chance to warm up in a place where someone else is
paying for the heat, or interaction with total strangers from which you
might make a friend. After all, it’s not totally gloomy out
there.

So I set out to compile a list of my favorite meals in Reno
available for less than $6.55, tax excluded. $6.55 is Nevada’s
statutory minimum hourly wage for employees lucky enough to receive
health insurance. Why shouldn’t an hour’s work be enough to
buy something enjoyable for your belly that doesn’t come from a
chain restaurant? To make the deal more accessible to all, I’m
not covering happy hours, weekday/weekend specials, or anything
requiring a coupon because the places I love the most during these
economic times are the ones making great meal deals a full-time
policy.

Mi Ranchito

500 Denslowe Drive, 337-8411

This Mexican restaurant has earned more of my money than any place
in town. It’s a pretty stripped-down affair that’s light on
decoration and heavy on good food. The menu features mostly traditional
dishes with a couple of Americanized plates thrown in. I went recently
with my wife, Kat, and we shared the burrito and two-taco plate for
$6.50. Each item comes with your choice of meat; we chose chicken for
the burrito and seasoned pork for the tacos.

Our seasoned pork tacos came atop two crispy corn tortillas with
onion, cilantro and red chile sauce. Mi Ranchito’s grilled meats
are flavorful, flavorful, salty and flavorful. The grilled chicken is
my favorite part of Mi Ranchito’s gigantic burrito, which is
accompanied by healthy portions of rice and refried beans all stuffed
into a flour tortilla. If you’re not craving a burrito, try the
torta and two tacos, $6.50, or the tamale and two tacos for only
$4.

Nu Yalk Pizza

3305 Kietzke Lane, 826-8508

Nine out of 10 American families claim pizza is their favorite food.
Maybe I just fabricated that statistic, but surely it’s close to
true. Pizza is the family-friendly, affordable food a kid actually
wants to eat. Of course, pizza has changed a lot in recent years with
the incorporation of Alfredo and barbecue sauces and crazy toppings
like avocado and pear. However, I’m kind of a purist. I like rich
red tomato sauce with a hint of spice, a ton of cheese, and a pepperoni
here and there, all atop a thin, crunchy crust. Nu Yalk Pizza makes it
just the way I like.

Better yet, they’ll do it by the slice—$2.16 for cheese
and $2.74 for a one-topping slice. When asked about the size of the
slices, the cook said “big.” Taking a stab at specificity,
I’d say they’re about one-eighth of an 18-inch pizza. If
you order plain cheese, a minimum wage hour will buy you two slices and
a mug of Pabst Blue Ribbon ($1.86).

I know Nu Yalk Pizza might look a little dank on the outside, but
inside, the employees always seem like they’re having a good time
serving up some stellar pies

The Last
Crumb

9333 Double R Blvd., 851-3335

This is a relatively new sandwich shop and bakery worth raving
about. I just went there for the first time a month ago, and for
service, value and quality, it can’t be beat. I hope they never
change.

Sandwiches with your choice of homemade bread made from organic
flours and grains and a mind-boggling selection of meats and condiments
run $4.95. I’d like to recommend the slightly toasted croissant
with smoked salmon, brie, havarti and fresh greens. You could
substitute that croissant for the Last Crumb’s Dutch Crunch roll
and be equally pleased.

At that price, you could even still indulge in some carrot cake
($1.50) or strawberry shortcake or peanut butter cake (each $1.25) and
walk out stuffed, feeling like you just ripped off the incredibly
pleasant bakers working the place.

Honey
Bakery

403 Keystone Ave., 322-6668

There are three very enjoyable reasons I stop at Honey Bakery any
time I’m in the area, be it breakfast or lunch. It’s not
the service, which is always fine but never exemplary. It’s not
the ambience, because with only one table, it’s pretty much a
to-go operation, unless you sit on the sunny curb out front. No, the
three things I crave incessantly are the barbecue pork bun, the chicken
mushroom bun and the curry chicken bun. Each is just a dollar,
including tax, and about the size of a tennis ball. Four should quash
the hunger of even the biggest glutton.

Essentially, these buns consist of a sweet and sticky bread into
which Honey Bakery stuffs wonderful mixtures like diced chicken in a
curry sauce before baking them to perfection and serving them up warm.
Honey Bakery also prepares a variety of sweet-filled buns, cakes and
cookies galore, but for me, the savory buns are the
draw.

Chapel Tavern

1495 South Virginia St., 324-2244

Sometimes I wish there was a cheap breakfast that also took some of
the edge off this harsh period in American economic history. Oh wait,
there is—it’s called a Bloody Mary. Fortunately,
there’s a quiet place with great music and friendly bartenders
that serves up unique Bloody Marys for only $5. What makes a Chapel
Tavern Bloody Mary so delicious is that, in addition to the traditional
ingredients, they throw in some pepperoncini juice, a splash of
Guinness, and vodka infused with horseradish, cilantro and peppercorn.
Not mealy enough for you? The Chapel Tavern then tops the drink with a
green olive, pearl onion, celery stick, pepperoncini and a few
fantastic pickled green beans.

The bartenders are more than willing to dress your drink up to
taste. They tend to go light on the tomato juice and heavy on the lime
juice, so make sure you speak up if you like yours otherwise, or
require it so spicy, it’ll tear your mouth to
pieces.

Asian Noodles

1290 East Plumb Lane, 828-7227

Reno has no shortage of pho restaurants, and I thought long and hard
about the friendliest pho shop in town. I usually head to Asian Noodles
to get my fill.

While you might occasionally have to share a table with someone, the
cleanliness, speed and courtesy that characterize Asian Noodles largely
offsets that detractor. I know people are passionately loyal to their
pho purveyors, but most of it tastes the same to me. I always order a
small bowl of rare steak pho ($6.41) and then doctor the salty broth up
with so much red pepper, hoisin and soy sauce that it only vaguely
resembles the chef’s original creation.

Because I throw so many bean sprouts and jalapeños in with
the heaping of rice noodles and thinly sliced beef, a small bowl is
incredibly filling. If you’ve never had pho before, try it,
it’s not as exotic as you think. And if you’re thinking
about breaking the ties with your regular pho place, think of Asian
Noodles.

I walked out of Asian Noodles struggling to think up one last
affordable food place to round out my list. And, though a chain, there
it was, cheaper and more diverse than them all: Costco. $50 buys a
one-year membership, which means a family of four visiting just once a
week has access to a veritable buffet of food samples for less than 25
cents a head. Granted, the pickings are a little slim during the week,
but the place offers weekend visitors willing to push and shove their
way through a crowd an endless assortment of appetizers, microwaveable
entrees, desserts and beverages in little paper cups.

Sadly, this is what it’s come to for so many in these economic
times.