Hi slowlane! I'm an occasional lurker on this forum, but have never posted here (other forums, yes, but never on the cooking forum). I live about 10 minutes from Bethesda. I don't eat out a lot but am happy to share what I know. I don't know how adventurous of an eater you are, but many of the best cheap restaurants are ethnic. Bethesda has a slew of restaurants in the downtown area, so you'll have a ton of choices.

In Bethesda:

My favorite downright cheap place is Moby Dick House of Kabob at 7027 Wisconsin Avenue. I could eat their chicken kabobs every night and be a happy camper.

If you like Indian food, Haandi Indian Cuisine at 4904 Fairmont Avenue is excellent.

Not cheap, but excellent, is Blacks Bar & Kitchen at 7750 Woodmont Avenue.

If you have a car, you're also close to Silver Spring and Wheaton. Wheaton has many excellent thai restaurants (my favorite is Ruan Thai). Silver Spring has a couple of ethiopian restaurants I love -- Addis Ababa and Bete are my favorites.

I've linked Washingtonian magazine's most recent Cheap Eats article. Hope that helps. Have a good visit.

Here is a link that might be useful: Washingtonian Cheap Eats

Thank you, Arlosmom! So nice of you to make so many suggestions and like the article! Chicken kabobs sound great. I was thinking about Mexican one night, but everything I find shows no prices on their menus, and that's kind of a hint that I can't afford them :) Any suggestions about Mexican in the area?

We'll have a car, so I'll be sure to check out the other towns, too. Thanks again :)

Guapo's is a popular local chain with a location in Bethesda. Here is their dinner menu: http://www.guaposrestaurant.com/restaurants/menu-dinner.html
I have to admit though, I'm more familiar with their margaritas than their food.

Another option is Mi Rancho. Their menu online doesn't have prices, but they are not expensive. Both the Silver Spring location and the Rockville location are close to Bethesda, but Rockville is probably easier to find -- Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda becomes Rockville Pike as you head north, so it's a straight shot.
http://www.miranchotexmexrestaurant.com

I had another thought while driving home today -- Hard Times Cafe is another local chain serving chili, burgers, wings, hotdogs, salads, etc. They have a location in Bethesda. It's a fun family friendly place, and inexpensive too.

Bethesda has a ton of restaurants, but it's an expensive part of the DC area, so it has a lot of pricey restaurants.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hard Times Cafe

Thanks again, Arlosmom. I hope everyone in the area is as pleasant and helpful as you've been :)

Jaleo's is good if you like Tapas. http://www.jaleo.com/ There's a ton a restaurants with outdoor cafes on this street as well (7271 Woodmont Avenue). It would be a perfect evening to stroll and eat.