Famous Inner West Feeds for When You're Ravenous That Cost You $20 or Less

Just beyond the buzzing thrum of the King Street-end of Enmore Road sits cafe Saga. Nab yourself a spot in the narrow light-filled space and get set to confidently have your fill for under $20. Our rec? The Lee Tran sambo — a sandwich that’s both dedicated to the Inner West-local and legendary wordsmith Lee Tran Lam and a pioneer in the broccoli-as-centrepiece movement in Sydney’s sandwich scene.

Expect a golden, crunchy exterior; lava-like melted cheese; and salt and acidity that’s well balanced with capers and lemon respectively. The ideal eating conditions? A cold, rainy afternoon (so you should be sorted, Sydneysiders). Make sure you squeeze the lemon on the side for an extra-zesty hit. You’ll score the hand-held feed for a cool $16.50 — a steal by anyone’s standards.

This family-owned Petersham spot has been serving exceptional Portuguese fare since 1989. And, undoubtedly, it’s been Sydney’s go-to destination for peri-peri lovers for the three decades since. Frangos is famous for chooks barbecued over open charcoal pits, chippies doused in chicken salt and being a stand-out spot to get an affordable feed.

If you find yourself overwhelmed by choice, stick to this formula: armed with twenty of your finest dollars, grab yourself a quarter Portuguese chicken — brushed generously with both garlic and chilli sauces — with hot chips and Greek salad on the side. It will cost you exactly $20 and has institution status.

Choosing to stop by Rosa Cienfuegos’s brightly hued digs on Marrickville Road is a choice to be proud of. The tamaleria slings out traditional Mexican dishes from 10am–8pm, Tuesday through Saturday, delivering gratifying spice-laden mouthfuls to the masses.

Working on a budget, the street tacos ($16) and enchiladas suizas ($16) are both winners, but we say stick to the Oaxaca-style tamales ($9 each). Each corn dough parcel is filled and then steamed in a banana leaf, before hopping into your hot little hands ready for a topping of salsa roja. Opt for the chicken with green sauce, or if you lean veg, nab the poblano pepper, cheese and red sauce combo.

If you’ve been to Mexico, each bite will be a delicious dose of nostalgia (sans passport), and if not, it’ll set the travel-planning wheels in motion (at the very least, a trip back to Rosa’s).

As we’re here to highlight famous Inner West feasts, calling out the Lebanese deliciousness at Emma’s Snack Bar was a no-brainer. The menu begs you to sample the lot, so heading in with a single note will leave you umm-ing and ahh-ing over what to get. When being thrifty, it’s best to stick to takeaway here. And the ticket to surefire yum-town? A kebab to go.

There are two versions to choose from — crispy fish and felafel (each $16) — which are both lightyears away from any you’ve inhaled at a 3am pitstop. With expertly doled-out ratios of fattoush, pickles and condiments (crispy chilli for the fish; tahini for the felafel), you’ll likely finish your takeaway feast before you’ve found a spot to sit. Follow it up with honeyed layers of baklava — the only logical way to spend your remaining $4.

When out for a bite of Chinese, you’re best to take a gaggle of friends with hearty appetites and an enthusiastic willingness to share. And when heading to Shanghai Night, on Ashfield’s bustling Liverpool Road, it’s no different.

If heading as a group of three, ensure your order includes a serve of pan-fried pork buns ($10.80), two shallot pancakes ($11.60), a large serve of steamed prawn dumplings ($19.80) and some Shanghai-style mini pork and crab buns ($10.80). If you’ve got room, grab the zha jian mian ($8.50), to add a bowl of sauced-up noodles to the showcase of dumplings.

All your mates have dinner plans? You can go it alone on a $20 bill — and have as tasty a time as any — but the lengthy laminated menu here is likely to leave you spoilt for choice and life’s really too short for panic ordering.

This Dully haunt is a firm favourite among locals, anyone with a penchant for brunch and those that love high-quality, fresh produce regardless of whether they’re looking to nourish themselves with a comforting or health-centric bite.

If you’re looking for bang for your buck, don’t go past The General and its vege burger ($18). A statement made with sky-high confidence: this loaded bun extends miles further than most plant-powered burgs. The refreshing crunch of lettuce, acidity of pickles and the sprinkling of crunch courtesy of freshly fried jalapeños form a tasty stage for the star of the show: corn fritters. The golden, fluffy orbs are an ideal way to get greasy — and could very well be your gateway feast to vegetarianism.

Looking for a more meaty morsel? There’s a superb cheesy and a fried chicken number under for $20, too.

A fish and chipper that nails the brief — fresh, tender fish; hot, golden chips — is something to cherish. Although, they can be difficult to pick out of a lineup. From experience, there are a few tell-tale signs to watch out for: queues (obviously), a family-run vibe and a vibrant lineup of salads on display. Proving this formula correct is Johnston Street’s Fat Fish.

Keep it simple and lunch on a seafood basket ($14.90) filled with fish cocktails, rings of calamari, chips and more; or, get creative and pick and choose from your standard F&C offering (seafood sticks, Chiko rolls, pineapple fritters) and the more elevated (Greek-style barbecued octopus, garlic prawn skewers, beer-battered New Zealand mussels).

You’ll likely have change to play with, so wander down to Nelson Street and grab a sweet treat from another Annandale stand-out, Cherry Moon General Store.

Image: Unsplash, Yulia Karnavushanka

The Norton Street stalwart and true icon of Sydney’s Little Italy, Bar Italia, has been a tried-and-true spot for a feast since 1952. Whether you sit within the trattoria’s nostalgia-laden dining room or in the courtyard out back, come on your lonesome or with a group of ten, the buzzing spot overflows with low-key, good-time vibes.

There’s a boundless menu, $1 corkage and strict rules — ‘No skim, no soy, cash only’ — accompanying efficient service, generous servings and a bright roll call of gelatos. The optimal way to feast? Grab your crisp twenty and a much-loved pal (with a twenty of their own). Then, split the following down the middle: penne melanzane ($17.50), spinach arancini ($9.50) and a Bar Italia salad ($12.50).

You’ll have to flip your 50 cents change to see who takes it home. Or, pool it with any other loose coins to add a garlic roll ($4.50) for a herby, buttery boat to mop up your leftover napolitana sauce.

Another clear sign of a great place to feast is a short menu — there’s not a lot of choice, but it’s a good bet that what is on offer is top notch. To see this theory in action, head to Banh Cuon Ba Oanh on Illawarra Road. The tiny Vietnamese corner spot is signposted with its sunshine-hued walls, hanging baskets and long lunchtime lines. And it specialises in a singular dish: banh cuon. 

The dish consists of thin rice noodle — made in house — filled with mince and wood-ear mushroom, then folded into delicate parcels. Banh cuon cha que ($11) sees the filled noodles served alongside fried cinnamon pork, fresh herby greens, dipping sauce and housemade fried onions.

With just over half your pocket money burnt, a $3 serve of extra cha que (fried cinnamon pork) or a $3 hit of thit nuong (grilled pork) is a sensible choice. Then, take a stroll along the lively road, stopping to sip a syrupy sweet-and-strong Vietnamese coffee at one of the many cafes.