21 January 2011

Sub $10 lunches in Civic

| johnboy
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The world was a much younger place the last time I worked in Civic.

So we’re going to do a review series of $10 or under lunches in Canberra’s hub.

What I need from you dear readers is recommendations of places, and menu selections, you consider worthy of review in the Civic, Braddon, Acton area.

Fire away!

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Love the lunch series and have a recommendation. A place in the Canberra Centre food court dungeon make excellent grilled fish burgers that are both tasty and reasonably healthy. I can’t remember the name of it but they also sell roast meals and rolls.

JohnnyCharisma12:49 pm 04 Feb 11

I agree with the above poster, tasty time is excellent

Chicken Pad thai, beef dry noodle stir fry, both excellent, and cheap.

You have already covered off some of my favourites, but Tasty Time in the bus interchange is worth a mention – my regular is beef laksa.

Burmese curry is good value & nutritious, & soooo unpretentious. Love it!

If you want some place quiet to sit & share a meal, I’m a big fan of the Chinese Vegetarian Restaurant in the London Building on Marcus Clarke Street. Set lunch deals $9.80 dine in, $1 less take away.

toriness said :

i am going to counter the thumbs down to indo cafe – i think they are awesome. my lunchbox is always cooked fresh on request – i ring ahead from my desk and it’s there waiting when i walk over. the $10 lunch deal is your curry/rice, a spring roll/curry puff/corn fritter and a water/can soft drink. value!

my new favourite is the turkish place in the bus interchange next to phoenix (the name escapes me) does a great small (freshly made) pide for $8.50.

I’m sure if you call and make a specific request they will provide it fresh, but the bain-marie that sits full of pre-packaged lunch containers suggests that the majority of food is pre-cooked.

I’ve tried that new Turkish place a few times and their kebabs are very nice, far better than Ali-baba.I also like that they do a small kebab for the times I just want a snack. Stay clear of the gozzleme though, that stuff is most definately pre-cooked and reheated prior to serving because they do it in plain sight.

Virgo1972 said :

Rangi said :

There is a burger place under the James Court appts that does a burger chips and a drinks for well under $10

Yeah its call Maccas 🙂

Oh thats right, glad someone is on the ball, thanks champ!

Izumis in marcus clarke (near the IGA) does various large korean/japanses style meals for under $10. My favourite is the large chicken combo that has dim sims, fried vegetables, rice, noodles and fried chicken for $9.90.

EvanJames said :

Virgo1972 said :

Rangi said :

There is a burger place under the James Court appts that does a burger chips and a drinks for well under $10

Yeah its call Maccas 🙂

Snap. AKA The Scottish Restaurant.

Yeah, but this thread was about food.

+1 zambrero – i get my guac as part of my $9.90 vege burrito price so keeps it under $10.

i am going to counter the thumbs down to indo cafe – i think they are awesome. my lunchbox is always cooked fresh on request – i ring ahead from my desk and it’s there waiting when i walk over. the $10 lunch deal is your curry/rice, a spring roll/curry puff/corn fritter and a water/can soft drink. value!

my new favourite is the turkish place in the bus interchange next to phoenix (the name escapes me) does a great small (freshly made) pide for $8.50.

Agreed re Burmese (though it’s a one bowl bloat situation), Glasshouse Cafe in Industry House Binara Street, Zambrero.

I’m no sushi expert but people who apparently are (rolleyes) tell me that Sushi Sushi is the best in Civic.

I like the $9 vege laksa at Civic Asian Noodle House on Northbourne.

Subway for vege 6 inch with cheese and sauce, about $5

Another little cafe on Binara Street (Republic?) has take out fresh rice paper rolls for about $7.50 that are great.

+1 for Sushi Sushi, we always get the $9.50 sashimi packs and they’re brilliant value considering it’s just 15 pieces of fish without any cheap rice to bulk them out. Always fresh, too.

Virgo1972 said :

Rangi said :

There is a burger place under the James Court appts that does a burger chips and a drinks for well under $10

Yeah its call Maccas 🙂

Snap. AKA The Scottish Restaurant.

PM said :

Don’t journalists traditionally have beer for lunch?

Only the ones who can afford it!

Don’t journalists traditionally have beer for lunch?

I used to frequent the Baytree near the Customs overpass. Renamed the days of the week to suit the menu.

Cajunchickenday, beefrendangday, [forget what wed was now, I think it was something spicy, maybe pork], beefburgundyday [nobody messed with beefburgundyday], and Friday. Friday was a bit boring.

Also – Aisan Cafe on Moore St – not great food, but cheap and they pack it into the takeaway boxes.

Holden Caulfield1:14 pm 21 Jan 11

It’s been several years since I worked in Civic, so this advice is probably useless, haha, but back in the day the Shalimar “Curry in a hurry” deal was always pretty good.

Asian Cafe on West Row also offered reliable, but not spectacular grub, for a good price.

Not sure if they fall under the $10 limit now, but Blue Olive has generally remained a good gourmet sandwich option despite several changes of ownership.

Mrs Caulfield, who does work in Civic, does tell me Phat Duck is good, but, again, not sure on prices.

The Sushi place in the original lower food court is generally okay as well and definitely comes in under budget.

Rangi said :

There is a burger place under the James Court appts that does a burger chips and a drinks for well under $10

Yeah its call Maccas 🙂

Turkish Grill lunch boxes are $8.50 and are very filling (I just finished one)
Meze down near the Uni Lodge have the best kebabs in the city and are around $8-$9
Asian cafe lunch boxes are good at $8 for a large box
+1 for La Pasa, Zambero, That pizza place and Sushi Sushi.

Also the new Wok place opposite Oporto also looks good, but haven’t had a chance to try it yet.

+1 for Zambrero’s… although throw in some Guac on your burrito and your over $10.

Perfect Poultry near suparbarn does cheap meals, they have a hot bar where chips and gravy is less than $5, Schnitty rolls less than $10. Or my bargain lunch from there – a chicken and corn roll with some mayo for $2.60, walk over to Bakers Delight and buy a roll for 60c !! Lunch for just over 3 bucks =)

Nutmeg does affordable salad’s. $6.50 or $7.50 for a container..

The Glasshouse has yummy meals too. Sangas for around $7 plus they have a variety of hot take away meals for $10.50.

Tip Top Asian Gourmet upstairs in Garema Place. The 5 spice chicken is to die for. Don’t get me started on their home made chilli sauce. Take away under $10.

There is a burger place under the James Court appts that does a burger chips and a drinks for well under $10

far_northact12:34 pm 21 Jan 11

La Pasa (Alinga St). $8 for take away meal – choice of two dishes plus rice or noodles.
Zambrero (Alinga St). Two tacos (choice of meat/extras) – under $10
+ 1 for the Burmese (Alinga St). Always packed and popular.

You probably need to clarify whether the $10 must include a drink, or simply a dish/meal of some description.

My thumbs-up go to:
Phat Duck, Bunda Street. Freshly prepared dishes with plenty of flavour for under (or around) $10.
Zambrero, East Row or Lonsdale Street: Awesome Burritos for $9.90
That Pizza Place, London Cct: Two generous slices of pizza for $9.
Sushi Sushi, Canberra Centre: Cheap hand rolls or various sush trays for under $10.
Shalimar Indian, Marcus Clarke Street: $8 lunch box prepared on order, great flavour.

Thumbs-down to sub-$10 lunches from:
Indo Cafe, London Cct: Cooked hours before (if not the day before), often lukewarm and rubbery.
Sizzle Bento, Garema Place: Sushi train lacks variety and has questionable hygene.
Grill Fusion, Garema Place (now renamed or closed?): Like drinking grease from a fryer.

Burmese Curry is about as cheap and good as it gets in a rice way.

I’ve always wanted to try the Sunrise Cafe but have never quite summoned up the courage.

In the long term you may need to use that gas burner on your desk for more than coffee JB. I’m thinking about a feed a friend lunch exchange with mates at the moment. Todays menu is lambs fry (grilled at table) with new potatoes and turkish tomato salad.

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