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I like a dirty place as much as the next person, but, in my opinion, any of the La Pasaditas are just begging for health code violations. Too gross. And they overcook the meat too.

Hi Christine

There are tons of places in London to get a good deal, although it might not seem that way at first. Lahore Kebab House that someone mentioned is a great option, as is Tayyabs. Tayyabs can get really crowded, so go early!

I like the Vietnamese restaurants on Kingsland Road in Shoreditch. Some of them are BYOB and you can get out of there for a lot less than a tenner.

Also, the middle eastern restaurants on Edgware Road are full of good bargains.

One of my favorite places in London is a sandwich shop in Soho called Fernandez and Wells. Really excellent Italian and Spanish meats and cheeses.

Don't forget to check sites like TopTable, SquareMeal, and London-Eating for meal deals. TopTable, specifically, will often have 50% off options and 2-for-1s.

Also, check out the farmers markets all around town on the weekend. Just google London farmers markets and you should find a site all about them.

I'll echo a couple of Caley's suggestions and add my own.

Borough is a must. Now open on Thursdays as well. I prefer it first thing on a Saturday. I also love Broadway Market in Hackney on Saturdays. A bit more "local" and some great people watching. Also, Columbia Road on a Sunday, but get there before noon before the tourists flock in for the photo opps (it's a flower market).

Camden Lock Market: I love the arepas stall. Cheap, delicious. Lots of great people-watching and international dishes.

Other places that are decently priced and good foodie experiences:
The bar at St. John. Skip the restaurant. Just go to the bar, get the rarebit on toast and a pint of Greenwich Meantime.

Edgware Road: Try one of the many Maroushes. Also, the Green Valley Market on Upper Berkeley Street.

Golden Hind is lovely, although the chips are crap. Kingsland Road is great for Vietnamese...I like Au Lac best.

Try TopTable.co.uk for deals. There are many to be had!

Krista
http://www.londonelicious.com

Check out TopTable.co.uk for good bargains. For user reviews, try London-eating.co.uk and Squaremeal.co.uk. (They also have some bargains if you book online, but TopTable is probably the main online booking site.)