Favorite Renton Bites For Under $5

It's hard to believe that 2011 is almost over, and that I've reviewed nearly 50 restaurants for Renton Patch. What an honor...

In 2012, I'd love to get more feedback from readers, to see Renton's restaurant scene expand, and delve even deeper into what our city has to offer adventurous eaters. My favorite Christmas present, by far, was a hand-bound book my husband made of all my Patch reviews.

So with our pockets a little lighter after the holidays, I thought it a perfect time to look back on the restaurants I visited in the past year and provide a list of my favorite bites for $5 or less. Please feel free to add your own in the comment section.

: Joe's Special $4.50

Renton's premiere food truck puts most fast food to shame. The Joe is "Tender Kobe patty loaded with crisp bacon, cambozola cheese, roasted tomatoes & roasted garlic aioli." You won't find this at Dick's Drive-In. Big flavors for a little price. Add Hand-Cut Fries, Belgian frites-style for $3. Choose two dipping sauces on-the-house: Roasted Garlic Aioli, Classic Fry Sauce, Chipotle BBQ, Tartar, Parmesan Caesar or Green Goddess. Add more sauces for 25 cents a pop.

: Cup of Black Eyed Pea Soup $4; Mocha Brownie $1.95

Peyrassol Cafe is right off the shore of Lake Washington at Gene Coulon Park. This gem doesn't have a view of the water and you should be glad. The prices are downright amazing for the quality of food you receive, and aside from the Melrose Grill, this is your chance to impress guests in Renton with outstanding food, warm service, and a kitchen that entices you from a block away with the perfume of their weekly dinner specials. Lunch time there's Artisan Sandwiches, Pasta del Giorno, Salad & Quiche. But I count myself extra-lucky if I show up on a day when Black Eyed Pea Soup ($4 cup) is on the menu. One of the tastiest legume soups I've ordered, the tomato broth and cumin spices will leave you craving spoonfuls in any season. Sachia served as the executive pastry chef at Wild Ginger, so indulge your sweet tooth with her dessert creations.

: Assorted Tacos $1.10 each

I love taco trucks, but El Maestro lives up to its name, plus you can eat with a roof over your head in the rainy season. The kitchen achieves masterful tenderness with their meats, as well as ladling up Abuela-style Pozole, and has cinnamon-laced Horcata on tap. Choose your meat served on a corn tortilla with a paper boat of lime halves, cilantro and chopped white onion: Al Pastor (Marinated Pork), Carnitas (Slow-Braised Pork), Lengua (Silky-Textured Tongue), Cabeza (Robust Beef Cheek), or Chivo (Earthy Braised Goat). 

: Cup of Crawfish Chowder $4.60

I've been chided plenty, off-line, by Seattle foodies for giving a thumbs up to this kitschy eatery off of Rainer Ave. S. But honestly, Jimmy's makes American-fare an appealing indulgence — mostly due to the fact that they live up to their image of Southern hospitality with jalapeno-spiked Texan Bloody Mary's and tasty vittles. Jimmy's claims to serve gallons a day of their spicy bacon-spiked Crawfish Chowder, and this I believe. Sop it all up with a free basket of their hot yeast rolls. Don't forget to tip the cheerful Roadhouse gals who have to sweep up your peanut shells...

Steamed Wontons with Hot Spicy Sauce $5

Hit Chiang's between 10 am to 3 pm on Saturday or Sunday for the full gamut of Northern dim sum specials. There are two totally different dishes with similar names at Chiang's--the Red Sesame Sauce dumplings are coated with sweet and thick chile sauce, the Hot Spicy Wonton version kicks up the heat with numbing Szechuan peppercorns and cooling steamed greens overlaid. Go for the latter. I can't confirm that the Baked Cakes with Sour Cabbage & Pork are less than $5, but I order you to order some.