Patch Picks: Great Meals Under $25

Premade dinner on a budget -- what could be better? Check out our favorite yummy local dinners under $25: 

1.

The staple diner of Palo Alto for the past 85 years, the Peninsula Creamery has just what you expect: delicious greasy burgers, hot fries, creamy shakes. Get "The All American" breakfast, or the classic French Dip, each for $6.50. Hours: Mon - Fri, 7am - 9pm; Sat, 8am - 3pm; Sun, close. Find it at: 900 High St., Palo Alto.

2.

Pluto's Fresh Food for A Hungry Universe offers the most customizable, fresh salads around -- choose your lettuce, choose the size, and choose your seven toppings, from broccoli to beets. If fresh food is your desire, this should be your meal-destination. Hours: Mon - Thurs, 11am - 10pm; Fri, 11am - 11pm; Sat, 11:30am - 11pm; Sun, 11:30am - 10pm. Find it at:482 University Ave., Palo Alto.

3.

Bring that gourmet dinner-for-two home -- from the deli or hot food and salad bar at Whole Foods. Whole Foods has a variety of cuisines, healthy options and organic choices that you can pile into the handy carboard "to-go" boxes, like their Asian and Indian food meals. Hours: Daily, 8am - 10pm. Find it at: 774 Emerson St, Palo Alto.

4.

Treat your tastebuds to a dose of tahini at Mediterranean Wraps on California Avenue, which boasts the best falafel in the Bay Area. If meat is your thing, their shawerma is king. Hours: Daily, 11am - 9pm. Find it at: 433 S California Ave. and 209 University Ave., Palo Alto.

5.

For some of the best authentic Indian food around and great service, check out Darbar, a family-owned restaurant nearly two decades in the making. Tucked away downtown on the corner of Lytton Ave. and Alma St., Darbar has been rated the Best Indian Restaurant by Palo Alto Weekly on multiple occasions. Try the Chicken Tika-Masala, it's more popular dish, for under $20! Hours: Mon - Wed, 11am - 2:30pm, 5pm -9:30pm; Thu, Fri, 11am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 10 pm; Sat, 5pm - 10 pm; Sun, 5pm - 9:30pm. Find it at: 129 Lytton Ave, Palo Alto.