Dirt Cheap Birmingham

From the bottom of the price barrel come some of the best burgers and brilliant buffets. Birmingham-based rap star Mike Skinner AKA The Streets has even included in his lyrics the delights of the local “greasy spoon” where you’ll be fed and watered for under a fiver. To be savoured not sniffed at.

Mr Egg – Voted by local BBC radio listeners as one of the best “greasy spoons”, so called for their dishing out of the traditional British breakfast fry-up of eggs and bacon, here Mr Egg gives an authentic experience. A plate of special chips costs £1.50. Address: 22 Hurst Street. Telephone: 0121 622 4344.

Wing Wah – Huge converted pub decked out with Oriental kitsch interiors. Eat as much as you want from the buffet for as little as £5.99. Address: 188 Causeway Green Road, Oldbury. Telephone: 0121 552 0041. Website: www.wingwah.net.

McDonalds – Head to the Golden Arches for the fasted food and super sizes or arrange your very own Ronald McDonald to entertain at a kids party or a WiFi connection. Burgers from 99p. Address: 368 Perry Bar, One Stop Retail Park. Telephone: 0121 344 3997.

Cafe Face – Run by former scientist Majid, originally from Iran, he knows what it’s like to live in a strange new place and so offers the local students hear advice along with sandwiches and other comfort food. Meals from £2.20. Address: 519 Bristol Road, Selly Oak. Telephone: 0121 4154 651.

Weatherspoons – National chain of pubs, often converted from various theatres, offer cheap deals (2 meals deal costs £6.69) on curries, burgers and beers. The Dragon Inn has WiFi and TV screens too. Address: The Dragon Inn, Hurst Street. Telephone: 0121 622 7850.

Visiting European cities on a tight budget? Check out our other dirt cheap guides!

Amsterdam budget travel guide.
Barcelona budget travel guide.
Berlin budget travel guide.
Copenhagen budget travel guide.
Istanbul budget travel guide.
London budget travel guide.
Madrid budget travel guide.
Rome budget travel guide.
Vienna budget travel guide.