DESPITE RISING COSTS, DINING OUT REMAINS POPULAR FOR FOODIES AND THOSE JUST LOOKING FOR A MEAL AWAY FROM HOME. >> A CHEAP PLACE FOR EVEN LIKE A MODEST ENTREE, $22. ANTHONY: RESTAURANT TABS ARE HIGH, DUE TO RISING PRICES. MENU PRICES AROUND THE COUNTRY ROSE MORE THAN 8% BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 2021 AND SEPTEMBER 2022. >> EVERYTHING IS EXPENSIVE. IT IS WHAT IT IS. YOU GO TO ANY NORMAL BAR, GRILL, ETC., YOU’RE PROBABLY LOOKING AT $15 PLUS OR AN ENTREE. ANTHONY: DESPITE BOSTON’S BUDGET BREAKING REPUTATION, SOME RESTAURANTS STILL MANAGE TO OFFER AFFORDABLE FARE WITHOUT SACRIFICING FLAVOR. THIS IS ONE EXAMPLE IN THE NORTH END. DINERS FLOCKED TO THE PIZZA SHOP AND WAIT IN LINE FOR A $2.25 SLICE. CHINATOWN IS A RELIABLE PLACE TO FIND HUGE PORTIONS AND SCRUMPTIOUS SAVINGS. >> PANFRIED DUMPLING IS THE MOST POPULAR. ANTHONY: WASHINGTON STREET IS HOME TO DUMPLING CAFE. ENTREES UNDER $13 MAKE UP MUCH OF THE RESTAURANTS LENGTHY MENU. >> MOST PEOPLE SAY WHEN THEY COME IN THEY ARE JUST LOOKING FOR THE DUMPLING. ANTHONY: MICHAEL CHOW OPENED DUMPLING CAFE IN 2011. HE SAID THE CHEF SERVES HUNDREDS OF DUMPLINGS AND MANY JUICY BUNS EVERY DAY. HE SAYS IT STANDS OUT BECAUSE OF TRADITIONAL COOKING METHODS AND THE USE OF FRESH INGREDIENTS. >> THIS IS THE FIRST ONE IN CHINATOWN. IT IS THE NUMBER ONE TASTE IN CHINATOWN. ANTHONY: OUT IN THE BURBS, FLAVOR AND VALUE HERE. MEALS HOVER AROUND $10-$12, SAYS THE OWNER. >> I THINK IT IS REASONABLE PRICE, BUT ALL THE INGREDIENTS THESE COUPLE OF YEARS HAVE GONE UP A LOT. BUT I’M STILL THINKING, RIGHT NOW WE JUST DON’T MAKE MONEY LIKE BEFORE. ANTHONY: HE IMMIGRATED TO THE UNITED STATES IN 1997 TO ATTEND COLLEGE. HE SAYS HIS POPULARITY SURGED IN PART BECAUSE OF HIS TRADITIONAL COOKING SKILLS. >> I MADE A LOT OF FRIENDS HERE DURING THE SUMMER, THEY WOULD COME TO THE HOUSE FOR NOODLES. THEY KNOW I MAKE NOODLES AND THEY LOVE IT. THEY KEEP TELLING ME, OPEN A RESTAURANT. ANTHONY: HE OPENED HIS FIRST RESTAURANT IN 2010. HE SAYS HE FOCUSES ON HIGH QUALITY INGREDIENTS. >> WE MAKE FRESH NOODLES FROM SCRATCH. ANTHONY: FAST SERVICE AND TREATING CUSTOMERS LIKE FAMILY OUR PRIORITIES FOR WU. >> YOUNG KIDS COME HERE FOR COLLEGE. AFTER COLLEGE, THEY COME BACK HERE. THEY JUST WANT TO COME BACK FOR THE NOODLES. ANTHONY: HE SAYS THE BESTSELLERS ARE THE DISHES THAT FEATURE HAND PULLED NOODLES. THIS ONE INCLUDES SLOW COOKED LAMB, BROTH, AND DRIED LILY FLOWERS. >> ALSO NUMBER 16, HOT SOUR HAND PULLED NOODLE SOUP. ANTHONY: HE SAYS ONE OF THE BEST VALUES UNDER $11 IS THE HOT AND SOUR SOUP WHICH BOASTS 13 HOUSE MADE PORK DUMPLINGS. HE SAYS WHATEVER CUSTOMERS CHOOSE FROM THE MENU, IT IS MADE WITH LOVE. HE IS HUMBLED BY HIS CUSTOMERS LOYALTY AND KEEPS SOME OF THEIR PHOTOS ON THE RESTAURANTS WALLS FOR INSPIRATION. >> NOT ONLY ARE WE MAKING MONEY FROM THE CUSTOMERS, WE ARE THEIR FRIENDS. THEY ARE HELPING US. SHAYNA: THEY ALSO HAVE FLAT FRED’S -- LET BREADS. YOU CAN ENJOY SLOW COOKED PORK OR LAMB STUFF BETWEEN THE SOFT STYLE CHINESE BREAD. ANTHONY: IF YOU HAVE CRAVINGS AT ODD HOURS, THEY ARE OPE