Great food doesn’t have to come with a great big price tag. Think of the humble burrito. Properly constructed, it’s every bit as complex and thrilling as elegant presentations at white-tablecloth establishments, offering a perfect balance of flavors and textures: rich, fatty meat, a chewy tortilla, earthy beans, pungent onions, floral cilantro, bright lime, gooey cheese, starchy rice and blistering chilies. Or consider the lowly ramen noodle, the staple of cash-strapped college kids. When made by hand, simmered with pork in broth and seasoned with roasted seaweed, chili oil and other ingredients, it becomes a bright star in a brilliant galaxy of flavors.

Below, you'll find a comprehensive guide to some of our favorite inexpensive eats around Sarasota and Manatee counties. Dig in.