I had a SS sink put in 2.5 years ago, and hated it. Not only did it look horrible, but it was hard to keep clean (and it's just my DH & I) I couldn't imagine having one with a family. Installed a Silgranit in black about 3 mos ago and it's wonderful! I highly recommend you reconsider. I thought it would $$$ but was actually surprised at how affordable they are, found mine at Home & Stone for a little over 300, it's a double sink with one side that's deeper than the other. And if you're looking for a good middle of the road faucet, Moens are great. We bought the Aberdeen because I wanted my handle separate from the spout but Moen is famous for quality and their warranty is for the life of the faucet.

Check our MR Direct Int'l. They have a "house" brand of ss sinks in a multitude of styles/bowl arrays. Linky is below. I ordered a double-bowl zero radius from them and it is very high quality. 16ga, solid as a rock. Not installed yet, we're not quite to templating phase, so no pix sorry.

Here is a link that might be useful: ss sinks economical

As an adult, I've always had a SS sink and find it very easy to care for. Yes, it will scratch, but over time the scratches merge to form a "patina". If you get a brushed or satin SS rather than polished, the scratches will be much less noticeable.

I grew up w/porcelain-coated cast iron and did not like how it looked over time...chips & scratches were in the porcelain and while they could be "repaired" by painting them w/porcelain paint, the repairs were usually pretty obvious. My parents replace that sink w/SS and prefer the SS.

Main sink: I have a Ticor SS sink...double bowl (1-3/4 style). I have brushed nickel faucet, soap dispenser, and air switch.

Prep sink: Kohler 5-sided sink...single bowl. I have a brushed nickel faucet & soap dispenser at this sink as well.

The Ticor sinks come with a grid & strainer for each bowl. Generally, they're 16-gauge bowls & 15-gauge rims (the lower the gauge number, the better the quality SS). For the quality and include items, the Ticor sinks are a great deal.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ticor Sinks @ Galaxy Tool Supply

Just to clarify a point in buehl's post, gauge isn't really an indicator of the "quality" of stainless steel. It is a measure of thickness.
The "quality" of stainless steel might be partially dictated by grade (eg 304, 316, etc), which is a statement of the formula of the metal (nickel & chromium content being the drivers).
But quality is a nebulous term, in any event, and is not linked to gauge.
Happy shopping, suzie!

check out the ticor sinks on galaxy hardware. they are high quality and more beautiful than builder-grade SS sinks you see in most houses. We loved the one in our other home. We will be getting a chrome faucet with our SS sink in this house (antiqued bronze is an option too, but I'm not sure that would look quite right with the SS sink).

Another fan of stainless here. We did a quick renovation when we moved in to make the kitchen workable. I have a Blancowave 1 1/2 bowl sink. I love it and am keeping it when we do the real renovation starting in March. It does scratch but it patinas nicely. I have a Delta faucet that I love as well. Blancowave sinks run around $500.00 and the Delta faucet cost us a little over $100.

I like the extra bowl as we only have one sink in our kitchen and I can be soaking veggies in the small bowl while I am rinsing stuff in the large bowl. Besides I can get my jelly roll sheet pans and large roasting pans in the large bowl.

I had a porcelain coated cast iron sink in my previous house and within one year of install it had two large chips in it. You can repair it but it never looks the same. That is why I went back to stainless.

I love my ss 16 gauge satin finish single bowl undermount - Linea Aqua Vienna ($238). I have a satin nickel single handle faucet - Elkay Victoria ($360). The polished chrome Victoria faucet sells for $278.

FYI guage is a measure of thickness not quality. For the quality you want to know the type of SS. SS sinks are usually Type 304 but I have read that type 302 has the best combination of chromium and nickel. If you can get more guage for you $ then go for it but don't pay more to go from 18 guage to 16 guage as it is very unlikely you will ever notice any difference in the performance of the sink.

I also have a sink from mrdirectint...model 3118. You can't beat the price. Service and delivery was superior. I absolutely love this sink!

Here is a link that might be useful: mrdirect international

I have a large, deep single bowl Kindred sink with a grid and I love it. I don't obsess about keeping it clean, just wipe it down with a soapy sponge at night. The bottom doesn't have a patina yet because the grid protects it. I don't know the cost because it was rolled into the kitchen price. I have a stainless Delta Allora faucet with it, about $300.

I have cheap builder's sink but I love the Delta Leland pullout faucet - $238 at Faucet Depot with coupon code Delta2009.

Middle of the road pricing?? How about best value.....

Good Morning Suzienj,

Based on your requirements you should check out the following high quality kitchen sink and faucet that will fit moderate budgets.

Currently on sale for -$377.96

[16 Gauge - Kraus 33" Stainless Steel Farmhouse Kitchen Sink [(https://www.houzz.com/products/33-farmhouse-kitchen-sink-stainless-steel-with-grid-and-strainer-prvw-vr~54142529)

33" Farmhouse Kitchen Sink, Stainless Steel With Grid and Strainer · More Info

Currently on sale for - $179.95

Comes in multiple finishes - Stainless Steel , Stainless Steel & Chrome , Matte Black, etc.

[KRAUS-KPF-1610-Bolden Single Handle[(https://www.houzz.com/products/kraus-bolden-18-pre-rinse-kitchen-faucet-pull-down-sprayer-stainless-steel-prvw-vr~103062512)
[18-Inch Commercial Kitchen Faucet, Stainless[(https://www.houzz.com/products/kraus-bolden-18-pre-rinse-kitchen-faucet-pull-down-sprayer-stainless-steel-prvw-vr~103062512)

Kraus KPF-1610 Bolden 1.8 GPM 1 Hole Pre-Rinse Pull Down Kitchen - Stainless · More Info