BREAKFAST

The Golden Egg

Nearly everything, from pancakes and waffles to omelets and scrambled eggs, costs less than $10. But don’t be fooled by the little numbers on the menu. The Golden Egg’s portions pack a wallop, with generous helpings. 960 Sagamore Avenue, Portsmouth, N.H., 603-436-0519, goldeneggrestaurant.com

RUNNERS-UP:

Colby’s Breakfast & Lunch Joint, Portsmouth, N.H., 603-436-3033

Congdon’s Doughnuts, Wells, Maine, congdons.com

Café Espresso, Portsmouth, N.H., cafe--espresso.com

Harvey’s Bakery and Coffee Shop, Dover, N.H., harveysbakery.com

Betty’s Kitchen, North Hampton, N.H., bettyskitchen.com

LUNCH

Ceres Bakery

“Cheap eats” can imply limp lunch options, but not at Ceres Bakery. Here, popular items include the Ceres Caesar, Pad Thai with Chicken or Tofu, and warming Chicken Pot Pie for the chillier

months. Bring your appetite, but don’t expect to empty your wallet. 51 Penhallow Street, Portsmouth, N.H., 603-436-6518, ceresbakery.com

RUNNERS-UP:

The 401 Tavern, Hampton, N.H., the401tavern.com

The Green Bean, multiple locations, nhgreenbean.com

Cafe Nostimo, Portsmouth, N.H., cafenostimo.com

Lexie’s Joint, Portsmouth, N.H., lexiesjoint.com

Popovers on the Square, Portsmouth, N.H., popoversonthesquare.com

DINNER

The Maine Diner

“My father used to say, ‘If you serve quality food at a reasonable price and have fast and friendly service, you will succeed,’” says Dick Henry, owner of The Maine Diner. Thirty years and six million customers later, Henry attributes much of the diner’s success to their reasonably priced all-day breakfast menu, famous Lobster Pie, and the fixed daily dinner specials. 2265 Post Road, Wells, Maine, 207-646-4441, mainediner.com

RUNNERS-UP:

Gilley’s PM Lunch, Portsmouth, N.H., gilleyspmlunch.com

Roundabout Diner, Portsmouth, N.H., roundaboutdiner.com

Cafe Nostimo, Portsmouth, N.H., cafenostimo.com

Lexie’s Joint, Portsmouth, N.H., lexiesjoint.com

Street, Portsmouth N.H., streetfood360.com