Atlantic City

Eats on the cheap.
By Beth D’Addono

Everybody goes to Atlantic City hungry—for excitement, some time in the sun and for the hopeful, that big win at the slots or tables. But whether you hit the jackpot, or not, you’ve still gotta eat. AC has plenty of places to refuel on the cheap, local faves with good filling chow that will recharge your batteries and get you back in that winning spirit.

Angelo’s Fairmount Tavern
Mississippi & Fairmount Avenues, (609) 344-2439
www.angelosfairmoungtavern.com 

A Ducktown fixture since 1935, this ramshackle trattoria is fragrant with the comforting smells of a Nonna’s kitchen. In the Mancuso family for three generations, Angelo’s is the real deal—it’s what those big-portion chains are trying to be, but can’t.
Under $15: Ravioli with sausage, pasta aglio e olio and lasagna with meatballs.

Irish Pub
164 St. James Place, (609) 344-9063
www.theirishpub.com

You really can have Guinness ($4.50) for breakfast at this popular cash only watering hole, a favorite of cops and politicos since 1972. Open 24/7 and catering to locals and casino shift workers, the Irish Pub is a slice of the Old Sod, a good spot for a chat and a wee dram.
Under $15: Soup of the day is $1.50, a burger—with cole slaw and fries, $4.50 and fried shrimp is $7.95.

Los Amigos
1926 Atlantic Avenue, (609) 344-2203
www.losamigosrest.com

This ramshackle three-story restaurant, painted in technicolor shades of violet, hot pink, lime and sunflower, serves the best margaritas in town. Lunch is the real bargain here, with hearty portions of fresh Tex-Mex and Southwestern cuisine, prepared by Mexico City native chef Genaro Valdez Castillo.
Under $15: The fish tacos at lunch, made with blackened tuna and salmon ($12.95) and for dinner, the beef burrito grande with pico de gallo ($13.95).

Teplitzky’s
Chelsea Hotel 111 S. Chelsea Avenue, (609) 428-4550

Once a kosher hotel and eatery, Teplitzky’s has been reinvented as a funky coffee shop and deli in the hip Chelsea Hotel, which opened last year. At breakfast, two eggs with hash browns and a bagel is six bucks – and a four-egg spinach and feta omelet is $8 and enough food for two.
Under $15: the $10 corned beef special with fries, homemade matzoh ball soup ($5) and the pastrami cheesesteak with peppers and onions ($12).

Tony’s Baltimore Grill
2800 Atlantic Avenue, (609) 345-5766
www.baltimoregrill.com

A cross between an old head, drinking bar and a diner, Tony’s opened in 1963, and the décor hasn’t been updated since. The crowds come for the pizza (plain cheese is $7.80), hot roast beef ($6.05), spaghetti with anchovies ($8.80) and $2.25 draft beer.
Under $15: Three meatballs with fries, $6.90, ravioli and sausage ($8.15) or go wild and get the fried seafood combo ($12.75).

White House Subs
 2301 Arctic Ave, (609) 345-1564
www.roadfood.com

Maybe it’s the bread, fresh Italian loaves straight out of the oven. Or maybe it’s the oversized fillings of deli meats and cheeses. Whatever it is—White House has been a lines-out-the-door sub shop since 1946. The subs are huge – two-handers – so depending on your hunger, a half ($7 for a turkey sub) will do you
Under $15: The tuna with provolone is the best.

Beth D’Addono is Bucks & Montgomery Living Magazine’s Travel Editor.