Sitting on the corner of Queen West and Augusta, Java house is a ragged-yet-lovable little cafe/resto hang-out with a big patio, tiny kitchen and cheap eats menu that sees no borders.

The international mish mash line-up of entrees offers up favourites like pad thai, shanghai noodles, omelets, pierogies and more, including all-day breakfast specials like sausage & eggs and french toast. No meal is more than $10. Most barely scrape the $6 mark. If you're familiar with the Red Room on Spadina, this menu is going to look very familiar.

If that wasn't easy enough on your wallet, there are even greater deals to be had with daily specials every day of the week. I usually drop by on Saturdays when you can score a pitcher of sangria or imported beer + 2 entrees for $21.

The sangria is unreliable, sometimes strong, sometimes just sweet -- depending on who's pouring -- but always pretty tasty. It makes for a great patio drink, or in my case, an I-wish-it-was-warm-enough-for-the-patio kind of treat.

This evening, the order is one Chicken Pad Thai (pictured at the top) and a Veggie Stir-fry (with extra veggies in place of the standard chicken/shrimp/tofu option).

Both are huge portions, prepared quickly and just as we asked. I'm not about to hand out any fine-dining awards here, but most offerings are pretty good for the price.

Pad Thai is spicy and actually pretty fresh for something whipped up in a few minutes. The Veg Stir-Fry features lots of crisp fresh veggies (no freezer bag platefuls) aside steamed white rice. The whole dish is actually more steamed than fried, making it one of the healthier menu choices... something you might consider if planning on enjoying a pitcher or two.