Ecuador Street Eats: $1.50 Almúerzo
I’m loving sampling the street eats here in Ecuador, and especially the ever surprising variety of options in the little kiosk restaurants scattered about El Centro. On every blessed block there seems to be at least one (and often 2 or 3) tiny cubicles serving a pre-set “Almúerzo” (lunch). These are generally very economical and usually include soup, an entrée, a generous portion of the requisite rice and beans, plus a salad and/or sometimes even a simple dessert. The cheapest Almúerzo that I’ve found thus far is at my favorite “Soda Bar Mauri” (of previously featured “Tortilla de Choclo” fame).
In short, this is what you can get for but a mere buck and a half here in Cuenca.
Note, this particular Almúerzo included a steaming bowl of barley potato cream soup, a generous portion of carne (beef), rice, beans, a tiny shredded lettuce salad with a bit of avocado and delicious sweet-sour dressing, along with a side dish of plain “mote” (hominy). And for a beverage? Uh, a glass of orangeade. Not exactly haute cuisine, but it was all quite tasty and very filling.
What about you – have you managed to find a more ample lunch for less than $1.50?
About the Author
Dyanne Off-the-beaten-path travel is my passion,and I’ve always lived life “like-a-kid-in-a-candy-store” – eager to sample as many flavors as I can. Indeed, my life motto has long been: This ain’t a dress rehearsal, folks!
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Off-the-beaten-path travel is my passion, and I’ve always lived life “like a kid in a candy store” – eager to sample as many flavors as I can. Indeed, my life motto has long been:
Nice lunch, that is quite cheap
It all looks good – except for the orangeade. I like my sweets but that stuff’s like syrup! But, hey, who can complain when you get a filling meal for $1.50!
Agreed Anita – the orangeade was a “pass”. 😉
My favorite lunch in the Philippines was lechon manok (spit roasted chicken), puso (AKA ‘hanging rice’, rice wrapped in leaves, cooked, served cold), a pickled veggies I’ve forgotten), 2 tangerines and bottled water. IIRC 5 years ago it was about 50 PHP, or USD $1.
Couldn’t make this post until I found the photo: http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr68/MrPlow42/Cebu/Chicken.jpg (happy meal toy sold seperately 😉
Yep FLN, many Asian countries, beat even the sweet prices for eats here in Ecuador. That lunch looks delicious, but I can’t help wondering… so did you actually buy it at a McD’s in the Philippines?
Ahhh … no. Technically not Street Eats. The stomach churning lack of even basic sanitation practices meant most of the time most foreigners wouldn’t touch most of the available street foods. Instead, we ate the same foods at establishments that had refrigeration for the food, running water and toilets for the staff.
Photo taken in a basement food court where 95%+ of the customers were Filipinos who also didn’t want to risk food poisoning.
Wow, $1.50 for all that? Get me on the next flight to Ecuador!
I don’t think I’ve ever bought a lunch that was that cheap, but I’ve only traveled to places in Europe and the U.S. (though I’m hoping to change that soon).
Yes Jessica, 1.50 is the cheapest I’ve found it here in Cuenca. And though you can get some truly delectable yummies in Asia for that (e.g. steaming bowl of pho in Vietnam), 1,50 for a full lunch surely can’t be beat.
Then again, I’ll keep my eyes peeled – see if I can find one for a buck! 😉
Blimey, and we thought Gran Canaria was cheap for food. We do love a tamale, though. And they’re not exactly in short supply over here.
Ah yes, the humble tamale – made here filled with pollo (chicken) or queso (cheese) and wrapped in a banana leaf, for .50 each.
Thats also what I was thinking Gail, lol And thats for just the tiny small glass… Wow, I am really going to look forward to that kind and price of eating, I can’t wait!! In Encenada I thought I was in heaven with the dollar Carne Asada’s! This beats that all to heck!
Sooooon Ms. Sue. Not so long now, yes? 😉
Nice lunch. Heck here in USA they’d charge 1.50 just for the orangeade!
lol, Sis – ain’t that the truth. 😉