This is one of Silver Spring’s oldest bars, and it keeps prices low to inflation-proof levels. The bar focuses on Maryland craft beer. Find Baltimore’s Peabody Heights pints of Old Oriole Park for $2.95 at happy hour. Bar snacks like tots, nachos, and friend onion rings are all under $5. Best of all, the live music and vintage, dive bar vibes are free to enjoy.

This Salvadoran pupuseria has three locations (College Park, Wheaton, and New Carrollton), and is one of the region’s cheapest options for masa stuffed with cheese and other ingredients. There are traditional pupusas, like revuelta, as well as offbeat options like a ham and cheese pupusa. The spot also has a huge menu of other affordable options, from soups to grilled platters.

The owners ofEl Solalso have an agave-fueled bar that sells regional dishes from different corners of Mexico, including huitlacoche, esquites, tacos, and ceviches ranging from $9 to $13.50 for lunch or dinner. Meanwhile, happy hour-priced tequila and mezcal margaritas won’t run you more than a few bucks. There’s alocationin Alexandria as well.

In addition to offering thebest Italian wine selection outside of Italy, thisiconic Northeast market/deliserves delicious (and affordable) subs and hot sandwiches like chicken parm that range from $5.99 to $9.55. A. Litteri also serves lasagna, pasta, and soups.

Thisglobal bakery專門從事手烤餡餅(6美元)throughout the day. Favorites include a Jamaican-style, curried beef-filled offering, the stewed chicken-packed saltena, and a vegetarian option.

For a reliable happy hour in a bistro-like setting, Chef Geoff’s has happy hour specials that can’t be beat. Enormous mugs of beer go for $10 and wines are priced at $7 a glass. The food menu is also discounted, including a wide ranging burger menu for $5 and pizza and tacos for $4. Happy hour runs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily. A second location is adjacent to American University.

When nothing but a big, two-handed slice of New York-style pizza will do, consider this local pizzeria. There’s also impressive garlic knots and a menu of cauliflower crust pies for gluten-free folks.

Customers and passersby often stop to look at the noodles and dumplings being made by hand at thislong-standing Chinatown spot. The steamed buns, dumplings, and fresh noodle soups are themovehere.

Pastry chef-turned-restaurateur David Guas has been serving cooked-to-order beignets for almost a decade at hisArlington restaurant and cafe, and the price is a very reasonable $3.75 for an order of three sugar-dusted, New Orleans-style fritters. This bake shop also serves solid, affordable sandwiches and breakfasts, like the $9 avocado Benedict.

Thelate-night destination for bubbling Asian hot potalso offers a subscribe-and-save “Hot Pot Club”incentivefor repeat customers.

For one of the best chicken sandwiches around, head to historic Anacostia to try chef Peter Opare’s best seller. The wallet-pleasing $6 order is even cheaper than those fried chicken chains. The takeout restaurant also offers West African staples like Ghanaian peanut soup and goat stew.

Noted chef Johnny Spero put together a Midwest tavern-style pizza menu that also plays favorites to some Italian subs and sandwiches that start at $18 for pies and $14 for burgers and sandwiches. The deal is sweetened at happy hour. A New York-style slice and full-pour beer (from Aslin Beer Company) is just $8.Happy runsMonday to Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.