Dining out in Ecuador is one of the best parts of visiting the country! Depending on what region you are visiting and what budget you are traveling on will dictate what you enjoy for your noontime meal or late night snack. Most comedors, or restaurants, serve a plate of the day, which includes soup, the main course (meat, rice or potatoes) a drink, and dessert. These platos del dia usually only cost about 1 dollar.
Roadside stands, only for the brave of heart and iron stomached, serve typical fried 
treats, such as empanadas and fritadas. At a fritada stand the vendor will carve up a slab of pork right there on the spot, pound it out and deep fry the whole thing. Sounds gross, but it’s actually pretty good.
Don’t pass up the delicious seafood served throughout the country, the ceviche in particular, along the coast and in the northern Manabi, is fantastic. As always, take care when eating fresh fruits and vegetables; oftentimes they are washed with unclean water and can have some pretty nasty aftereffects.
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This a comment on your February 11, 2010 posting entitled, “Lunch at a traditional comedor.” I realize that I was only in Ecuador for 2 1/2 weeks in January of this year, but I never found any plato del dia that was anywhere near one dollar. I was in Cotacachi, a small town in the north, Quito, and Cuenca. I consider myself pretty thrifty, always looking for a good deal, but the least expensive plato, similar to what you described, was in the upper two dollar bracket, and most were somewhat higher. From a US standpoint this is still a bargain, and I was well pleased.
ALMUERZA is all over Ecuador.We have been going up and down for eight years and just got back after 6 weeks on the coast.the coast has Almuerza $1.50.We are, too, tight dollar clutchers.$1.00?I think a tad exagerative.
Almuerzos meaning ¨lunches¨ are around $1.80 to $2.50 at this moment. Usually with a choice between two soups and a choice between two main dishes with a fresh juice included. Choose a Comedor or Restaurant that has alot of activity. They usually only serve the lunches between 12 and 3 pm, and often run out of the better choices.