If you are looking for breakfast, lunch and dinner that goes beyond just the mediocre basics, here are three mouthwatering, budget-friendly dishes from southern New England restaurants that beg a visit, or maybe 100…

BREAKFAST
Custard French Toast, Modern Diner, Pawtucket, R.I.

This Custard French Toast from the Modern Diner in Pawtucket, R.I., was recently hailed as the best diner dish in America, according to the Food Network. It is made with Texas toast dipped in an egg mixture and enhanced with sweet spices — then fried and topped with blueberries, strawberries, kiwi, candied pecans and raspberry syrup. Wow, this is so delicious, albeit a cardiovascular nightmare! More on the Modern Diner

LUNCH
Chili, Vanilla Bean Cafe, Pomfret, Conn.

The full-bodied chili at this quaint, cozy restaurant is probably the most flavorful we’ve tasted in all of New England. This version is slow-cooked for many hours, thus allowing the fresh ingredients to become deliciously synergistic! More on the Vanilla Bean Cafe

DINNER
Baked lamb, Brothers Deli and Restaurant, Wakefield, Mass.

Great Greek baked lamb is hard to find these days, but the cafeteria-style Brothers Deli and Restaurant in downtown Wakefield carries on the tasty tradition. The heaping portion of tender baked lamb, and a succulent herb tomato sauce  with perfectly cooked rice pilaf, corn and a side salad with a huge block of feta cheese brings back the good old days of old school baked lamb done right. More on Brothers

OK, while we’re at it, what would a meal be without dessert?

Believe it or not, this cup of black raspberry ice cream from Kimball Farm in Carlisle, Mass. (several locations, though) is the small-sized! Not only is this homemade ice cream some of the best in New England, but you clearly get your money’s worth. Some ice cream places offer an inferior fraction of this amount for a higher price. It just goes to show high quality can be tagged with affordable prices when it comes to ice cream! More on Kimball Farm