Cheap Eats: Dining With a Few Bells and Whistles

Just because you dine on the cheap doesn’t mean you have to take a back seat to pricier eateries. Why can’t you have ambiance, nice music and a cool-looking atmosphere with decent food to boot? Not to worry, I’ve been all over Laurel checking out great deals, places where you’d love to eat and stay a while to just chill. A few are listed below.

Pasta Nostra

7423 Van Dusen Road

Laurel, MD 20707

301-483-6494

A cozy authentic Italian restaurant snuggled in the far corner of a small strip shopping center offers some wonderful Italian meal deals. You can get smaller portion pasta dishes for under $7. But the best day to come is the beginning of the week. Tuesday you can get any pasta lover dish (listed on the menu) for $3.99 if you order a regular pasta dish.

Mondays they have extra large take out pizza for $7.99. Also on the cheap are an array of soups and salads priced between $3 – $5. The restaurant has a quiet and peaceful aura. It’s beautifully decorated with soft hues and ample space to move around. It’s across from Laurel Regional Hospital. Drive slowly, it’s easy to miss.

Mon-Sat 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Sun 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

California Tortilla

13600 Baltimore Ave

Laurel, MD 20707

301-725-6002

Burritos, quesadillas, nachos, fajitas, all of that and much more is yours with a trip to  California Tortilla, a most pleasant place to enjoy an inexpensive meal. This is a happy restaurant. Everyone’s smiling, from the lady chefs to the diners trying to bite into one of those huge burritos. If funds are tight, try one of seven small tacos, each priced under $2.50. One favorite dish is the mesquite Havanna chicken with rice, black beans and spicy sauce. It’s a hefty portion for the smaller of their two-size burrito,  only $5.49. A nice simple meal is their black beans and rice for under $1.50. The great thing about this eatery is they offer tasty, filling food for very low prices. You can put together small side dishes without spending lots of money. Try their chicken tortilla soup or the turkey chilli. The small size won’t break the bank at $2.89

Mon-Sat 11 a.m.- 9:30 p.m.

Sun 11 a.m. -  9 p.m.

Negril

331 Montrose Avenue

Laurel Shopping Center

Laurel, MD 20707

301-498-0808

Jamaican music greets you at the door. Add the tropical ambiance and you might feel like singing or dancing. Hhmmm, what to eat from this reasonably-priced menu selection of goat, chicken and fish entrees?  Indulge in a beef or veggie pattie, a slice of coco bread and a fruit drink all for under $5. Negril has savory appetizers for less than $2 which can serve as a great hunger quencher to tie you over until dinner. Then you can return for a curry chicken dinner served with cabbage and rice and peas for less than $8. Plenty of dining space in the brightly mango-colored eatery. Photos of island life grace the walls. Huge front windows show shoppers in the busy shopping center.

Mon - Sat 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Fri 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Closed Sunday

PW’s Sports Bar & Grill

9855 Washington Blvd-N

Laurel, MD 20723

301-498-4840

Don’t let the name fool you, PW’s  is much more than a sports bar. They offer a wide variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner platters. Breakfast sandwiches, such as meat, eggs and cheese are under $3.50. Bagel with cream cheese is only $1.99.  Everyday they have half off  or great discounts on some of their prime dishes. For example, their quesadillas – a huge favorite – are 50 percent off on Tuesdays. They have five different selections of eight-inch pizzas from $4-$6. The atmosphere is calm and inviting with Jackie, the friendly bartender, ready to chat and take your order.

Daily  5 a.m. – 2 a.m.

Facci

7530 Monpelier Road

Laurel, MD 20723

301/604-5555

This is one gorgeous restaurant. It has all the trappings and wreaks of upscale the moment you enter. The décor is stunning. Soft music to the ear. Maitre d and staff gracious and smiling as they find suitable seating. If you want the best deals, go for lunch or happy hour daily from 3 to 6 p.m. Appetizers are half price. Lunch deals run around $7- $8 for most pasta dishes. Ravioli and Lasagna are hearty meals, both under $8. If you like eggplant, try their Penne Norma, a mix of baby Italian eggplant, zucchini and goat cheese for $8. Grab a to-die-for Caesar salad for $5. When the weather’s nice you’ll want to dine outside and have an affordable soup and salad under one of their lovely market umbrellas.

Sun - Thurs 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Fri – Sat 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.