Ali Baba’s Middle Eastern Cuisine (thanks to Ben Coleman)
Multiple Locations; 24 Wellesley Street West | 10 Minutes from Museum Station
Daily Specials: $5.00 – $15.00

Ali Baba’s has different specials every day, but the one that catches the eye most is Tuesday’s 2-for-1 falafel sandwich. For $5.00 it’s a completely satisfying meal with a fair amount of veggies and protein. Plus, it’s prepared quickly and is easily taken on the go. Friday’s and Saturday’s specials are each 2 full plates for just over $15.00, which basically amounts to a full, well-balanced sit-down meal for about $7.50. Just make sure to bring a friend.

Kothur
649 Yonge St | 10 Minutes from Museum Station
Lunch Special: $9.00

Kothur is a cozy restaurant that makes Indian food that reminds me of my mom’s cooking. It’s the perfect place for a first date since it’s catered to eating in and has a nice warm ambiance. The food is reasonably priced ($10-$15) and the entrees can easily be split between two people. The only caveat is that rice/naan is extra charge, which shouldn’t be an issue if you split your meal, as the rice (get the rice if you want to save a buck) portions are quite large. Also, there are vegan(!) options.

Tandoori Flavour
455 Spadina Avenue | 10 Minutes from Queen’s Park Station
Specials: $5.00 – $11.00

Tandoori Flavour offers honest-to-goodness Indian food for a terrific price – a hard thing to find in Toronto. Although the menu might not match the quality of that of a formal, sit-down restaurant, the speed and efficiency of the service coupled with the price make up for the occasional rubbery naan. The menu is diverse, with some nice vegetarian options, and for under $10.00 you can pick up a completely satisfactory meal and a drink.