Chefs’ picks for cheap eats

Their own menus may be upscale, but chefs at some of Atlanta’s top restaurants don’t mind eating on the cheap. We asked Kevin Rathbun of Rathbun’s, Jay Swift of 4th and Swift, Stephen Herman of Haven and Gerry Klaskala of Aria for recommendations on places for a good meal for around $7 or $8. Here are their picks, with a Buford Highway flavor.

DiRienzo’s Delicatessen (Deli, Italian) 209 Edgewood Ave. S.E., Atlanta Rathbun: “They do a half-sheet pizza. It’s one of my favorite pizzas in town.” Ming’s B.B.Q. (Chinese) Asian Square, 5150 Buford Highway N.E., Atlanta Klaskala: “The Singapore noodles is outta sight. The shrimp fried rice is great. It’s nothing fancy, believe me. It’s kind of a working man’s kind of place.” Nick’s Food to Go (Greek takeout) 240 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive S.W., Atlanta Rathbun: “I do that a couple times a month, easy. All my waiters and cooks, they all love it, too. Six dollars, you get a gyro sandwich that’ll fill you up for five hours.” Pho Bac (Vietnamese) 4897 Buford Highway, Chamblee Herman: “It’s delicious and cheap. … You can eat like a king for $8.” Pho Dai Loi (Vietnamese) 4061 Jonesboro Road, Forest Park Rathbun: “I couldn’t believe the size of the food, for like $6.” Ria’s Bluebird (breakfast) 421 Memorial Drive S.E., Atlanta Swift: “I go there for lunch all the time and never spend more than $20 for two people. They’ve got a brisket and poached eggs in a tomato broth that’s to die for.” Taqueria El Rey de Taco (Mexican) 5288 Buford Highway N.E., Atlanta Herman: “Delicious, real tacos, not the Americanized version. They’re like $1.50 a piece. They’re super cheap and delicious.”