Inexpensive eats in West End, Roatan

Just got back from a visit to West End, Roatan last week, and I've noticed that while there's lots of information about some of the great higher-end restaurants there, I have seen very little information on the inexpensive places to eat in West End, so I figured I'd post something to help out all of you that are cheap like me. It's true that a lot of places are expensive, especially if you try to compare the prices with mainland Honduras (big mistake...think U.S. prices), but if you know where to look, you can feed two people for under $10 easily - with a couple beers - and in some cases under $5, especially if you dig baleadas, tostadas, and the like. Here's some of the places to look for when you're in West End:

Monce's - Located across the street from The Bakery #2 and next to Happy Diver's, this place serves breakfast and lunch. 4 or 5 different kinds of baleadas...try the chorizo & egg baleada, it's damn good. They also have tacos, and make lots of different varieties of fruit smoothies / milkshakes. My wife and I would get 3 baleadas and split a banana milkshake in the morning for around 100 lempira.

Unnamed stand next to the Purple Turtle and across from the Blue Channel - This place is opens around lunchtime and stays open well into the night, serving up baleadas, tostadas, enchiladas, and deep fried meat filled pastries. Bring your Spanish, because the ladies that run it don't speak much English. The place is very cheap, and you can also grab a beer there, even though you won't see it with the sodas in the display coolers...just ask.

Next to Coconut Tree Divers - There's a little shack that sells snacks...they also will cook you up a baleada, very cheap.

Cool Treats - Next to The Bakery #2 (sharing the same building) you can grab a quick slice of pizza for 30 lempira.

The Galley - Little place sitting back from the road a bit, right next to Paradise Computers, serving mostly pasta...you can get a plate for under 100 lempira if I remember right.

Open lot near to Twisted Toucan - there is a lady that sets up a grill and whatever she brings, right under a tarp / tent. Just ask her what she's cooking and enjoy.

Mavis & Dixies - Not everything on the menu is inexpensive, but if you go there for lunch try the Island Lunch. For 120 lemps you get whatever fresh fish they caught that morning, beans, rice, a salad, and some veggies. Well worth it, especially when compared w/ some of the seafood prices around town.

Rotisserie Chicken - near Rudy's. You can get a 1/4 or 1/2 chicken with a couple sides for pretty cheap...can't remember exactly how much, but I think it was around 100-120 lempira.

Somewhere near the Lost Paradise bungalows, at the far end of town - I can't remember the exact location, but it's not on the beach side, and sits back from the road a bit. Basically it's lady under a porch awning with a ton of pots cooking...fried chicken, stews, etc. all for a reasonable price. There will be a lot of people sitting around eating...you'll know the place.

Ok, those are the places I can think of off the top of my head...I may have left some out, but then again I didn't eat everywhere in town. If I remember more I'll post 'em later. Hope this helps some of y'all that are like me and don't want to spend a ton on food!

Thanks! More travelogue coming?

I was there a little more than a month ago...and there was a truck across from Posada Icris (sp) that made some of the best food that I had while on the island. My last day in WE, I saw the truck leaving, hopefully it'll return (and be there when I'm back.....!).

Keep an eye out for it

#2- It's been back there for the last three weeks. Mike

you don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows

thanks airwayvz..could have done with this 2 weks ago

scubarein.. i hope you don't mean the horrible looking fish and chip van type thing with the graffiti up the side...we were told that hygiene isnt a top priority here...but to each his own

I overheard several local businesspeople talking about how they would never eat at the fish and chips truck because it turns off the generators overnight- meaning all of the food inside is without proper refrigeration. Unfortunately, I heard that AFTER I bought some fish and chips there (I was drawn by the promise of mushy peas and garlic bread... which turned out to be mushy peas and a hot dog bun)... I thought the food was gross and I just sort of picked at it. Glad I didn't eat more.

I loved Monce's though! The woman there is hilarious- I was sweet as sugar every morning (like always!) and she couldn't once muster a smile, despite my buying probably eight or ten smoothies! The drinks are great though. However, the best smoothie I had was actually at Pura Vida (otherwise a forgettable dining experience)- they do a milkshake which I think is vanilla ice cream and sugar- blended with fresh papaya and melon. Insanely good.