In spite of the recession, lots of folks are still heading out to eat.

Many of your favorite places might be offering deals these days. Try these spots on for a meal that won’t dip into your savings — if you order just right, two people can eat easily for $30.

Enlarge this image

Elissa Eubanks / eeubanks@ajc.com

The queso fundido at Pure Taqueria is an inexpensive way to indulge the tastebuds.

• Email this
• Print this
• Most popular

SEARCH OUT THESE, TOO [an error occurred while processing this directive]

Figo Pasta (not rated)

Area locations, www.figopasta.com

These it’s-almost-Italian sprees of fresh-made pasta palaces from Sandro Romagnoli now have seven locations with an eighth on the way in the Atlanta area. It’s easy to eat simply here, from salads to the house-made pasta, or you can get your Italian on with dishes such as agnello pecorino olive e rosmarino (roasted lamb with olives and rosemary and Pecorino cheese) over papardelle pasta.

Social (not rated)

12 W. Peachtree Place N.W., 404-525-2246, www.socialintown.com

Downtown has been booming recently with a lot of big noise: BLT, FAB and Room all opened with a lot of fervor. Social isn’t like that at all: It’s barely noticeable and seems more like something you’d find tucked away in Paris’s 16th arrondissement than in one of downtown Atlanta’s backstreets. But get ready for one of the best burgers, ever: kefta, here made with marinated lamb, makes up in taste what it lacks in juiciness. Slap on some mustard and feel the flavor. And the dinner menu shines with grilled calamari and fava beans. Slick and minimal, you’ll feel hipper just having walked through the door.

Pure Taqueria

103 Roswell Street, Alpharetta, 678-240-0023, www.puretaqueria.com/

Chris and Michele Sedgwick’s Baja breezy spot in Alpharetta is about to sprout franchises all over the Southeast, with the second scheduled to open in Woodstock in July. Mix and match from an authentic Mexican menu that’s tons of fun to ramble through, whether you’re noshing on chips and queso fundido with chorizo or going gangbusters on a selection of tacos. Either way, don’t miss the margaritas. Una mas, por favor!