4 delicious deals for $10 or less at Nudo, VB Chocolate Bar and more

1. Nudo House is taking America by storm. After gracing the cover of Food & Wine, Food Network recently put its spicy miso ramen on its list of top 25 cheap eats in St. Louis. Nudo House feels the love, and now it’s giving some back. This month, beer is buy-one-get-one every day, and each bowl of ramen is served with both halves of a perfectly cooked shoyu-marinated egg.

2. This month, Sqwires in Lafayette Park offers some tasty eats that can be enjoyed for a steal. Grab a spot outside on Tuesdays from 5 to 9 p.m. and sample some its Sqware plates – upscale bar bites sure to satisfy. Dishes vary each week, but you can sample items like eggplant Parmesan with roasted garlic aioli, tortellini salad with zucchini and basil-red wine vinaigrette or a mini apple pie served with creme anglaise. Sqware plates are $5 each or 5 for $20, so do the right thing–bring a friend and splurge.

3. Chocolate reigns supreme at VB Chocolate Bar, where cacao is used in everything from scratch-made ice creams to handcrafted truffles to coffee. This Cottleville hot spot is now open on Sundays, and this month it’s offering a budget-friendly Sunday Funday brunch menu, featuring a $6 quiche, fresh fruit and caprese salad plate. Brunch libations for the same price, and while you really can’t go wrong with bloody marys and mimosas, I suggest you opt for the chocolate-covered strawberry martini.

4. St. Louis is definitely going through an early summer heat wave, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a taste of spring. This month, head to Mai Lee in Brentwood every Wednesday and enjoy the regular spring rolls (that’s the pork and shrimp variety) at half price. While you're there, sample from an overwhelming menu of Vietnamese delights you can’t get anywhere else.

Kevin Korinek is a freelance journalist and photographer.