Hamburgers and cheeseburgers are still less than a five at this Vic Park icon. After more than half a century in existence, you can still rely on the Little Counter That Could for perfectly sloppy latenight burgers and $3 onion rings served by people in soda jerk hats.

Lawrence and Warden’s ol’ reliable serves one of the most consistent bowls of Vietnamese soup noodles out there. It’s slightly more than $10 for a small bowl of phở that eats more like a large. Other versions like their phở gà sate and phở không are slightly less.

Head to Huntingwood Square for the renowned jerk chicken shawarma at this Jamaican counter. A hefty portion of jerk shawarma poutine is just under $10, as are the shawarma wraps. Entrees like BBQ jerk wings and fried chicken are around $12.

Four veggie samosas for $1—enough said. Sure, it’s not the five for $1 deal of yore, but there’s a reason why this Finch East strip mall favourite maintains a steady line during lunch. The $2.99 daily thali special gets you three types of curry plus rice, you simply can’t beat that.

Despite decades of making some of the most popular dhalpurie and paratha, prices have yet to become unreasonable at this Trini fave on Sheppard East. Boneless chicken, goat, and veggie roti hover between $8 to $12. Meals with rice and peas are just as hefty and average around $12. Doubles are just $2.50.

Situated just off Sheppard and McCowan is this West Indian restaurant making some stellar meals to-go. Doubles ($2.75) and phulourie ($2.75 for a dozen) are a steal. Potato plus channa and jerk chicken with roti or rice range from $7 to upwards of $12.

Holding it down in the heart of Wexford are the spinning shawarma spits of this homey business. Any form you can consume their chicken shawarma is the way to go. In a pita sandwich, it’s $8.50. The falafel sandwich for $7.50, also a clutch move.

Budget-friendly halal eats are the speciality at this counter. There are multiple locations across the GTA but the shop on Sheppard near McCowan sells some of the tastiest snacks, from veggie samosas to beef shami kebabs. A chicken biryani is $9.99 and veggie curries are even cheaper.

Wexford’s resident butcher and shawarma-purveyor is for sandwiches stuffed with grilled sujuk, kafta for under $8. Expect everything to be quick and piping hot. Manakeesh, around $3.49 each, are pure and simple goodness.