Check out these $5 eats in Orlando

COMMENTARY

Dining out becomes expensive — but it’s always nice to have someone else do the cooking. Grab a $5 dish from these Orlandoarea restaurants to avoid those dishes but still protect that wallet.

As the name suggests, this fast-casual restaurant keeps things light with salads and wraps. Create your own mix, or try one of Eden’s own combinations. A small version of either dish is $5.09. The Derby has some protein already included in its mix, so you may not need to add a meat for $2.10. This cobb-like combination comes with romaine, crumbled bacon, diced egg, crumbled bleu cheese and a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette.

Go: Find a location near you at EdensOrlando.com.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find much on the menu of this fast-casual eatery that’s more than $5. Breakfast ranges from breakfast sandwiches for $2.99 to a stomach-filling platter of scrambled eggs, potatoes, bacon or sausage and Cuban toast for $3.99. Sandwiches, salads and soups are the main deals for lunch. Latin Square packs its namesake sandwich with savory and sweet ingredients such as shredded meat (pick from beef, chicken or pork), sweet plantains, sauces and potato sticks. If you’re not in the mood for a sandwich, however, the quarter oven roasted chicken with chimichurri sauce is a steal — especially since it comes with a side for $4.99.

Go: 250 S. Orange Ave. in Orlando; 407-970-7045; LatinSquareCuisine.com.

Feed your soul with this beloved Orlando restaurant’s $5 Wednesday special. Stop by from 11 a.m. to close to make your plate. The deal includes cornbread, a meat (baked chicken, fried wings, turkey necks, meat loaf, smothered rib tips, beef stew, or fried swai or flounder), and a side (collards, black-eyed peas, lima beans, white rice, green beans, candied yams, mac and cheese, yellow rice or okra and tomatoes). I was a fan of the crispy fried wings, vinegary, tender collard greens, saucy okra and tomatoes, and velvety mac and cheese that I tried during my restaurant review earlier this year.

Go: 742 Carter St. in Orlando; 407-425-5301; NikkisPlace.net and Facebook.

With a menu full of small plates, Sticky Rice offers diners a budget friendly way to try Laotian cuisine. Not one dish costs more than $5.50. A few of my favorites include the namesake dish paired with two dips ($2), the wellseasoned chicken laab that comes with lettuce for wraps ($4.50), and the crunchy pork spring rolls ($3).

Go: 1915 East Colonial Drive in Orlando; 321-800-6532; Facebook.

Latin American street foods come flying out the kitchen in this downtown Orlando spot. Salchipapas ($5) is indulgent with crinkle cut french fries mixed with hotdog florets, and topped with sauces and shredded queso blanco. Arepa de choclo are a little less rich, but still tasty: griddled corn cakes stuffed with mozzarella cheese in the middle ($4.50).

Go: 57 W. Central Blvd. in Orlando; 407-426-7007; http://www.SuperRicoColombia.com