You are really spoiled for choice when it comes to restaurants in Phuket. You want cheap local food, you got it, you want a juicy steak, you got it, you want Thai food, Esan food, Urope food, ... whatever, you can find it. We tend to avoid the really touristy places, but even in Patong there are a few places I like. We do tend to eat local food 24 Hrs at 3 Ch restaurant, and tend to eat at home most of the time, but it can be cheap to eat out in Thailand