Cheap Eats Across the Country: 26 Meals Under $10

Give your wallet a break and keep your stomach happy with meals that cost less $10 or less across the country.

Serial Grillers — Tucson, Ariz.

The City of Brotherly Love might have the monopoly on cheesesteaks, but Serial Grillers in Tucson is throwing down a trump card. Next time you're in town, treat yourself to the “Psycho Ribeye” — the eponymous rib eye, with grilled onions, jalapeno, avocado and pepper Jack ($8).


Serial Grillers
5737 E. Speedway Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85715

Bacon Bacon Truck — San Francisco

San Francisco's Bacon Bacon Truck uses the salty favorite twice in its name, and even more in its recipes. Their star Pork Belly Sandwich is loaded with a fried egg, arugula and caper aioli ($8) — but the truck also peddles bacon in the form of fries, burritos, bouquets and cookies.


Bacon Bacon Truck
205A Frederick St.
San Francisco, CA 94117

Denver Biscuit Co. — Denver

Buttermilk fried chicken, tender belly bacon and cheddar cheese are smothered in sausage (or vegetarian mushroom) gravy at the Denver Biscuit Co. in its $7 biscuits and gravy platter.


Denver Biscuit Co.
3237 E. Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO 80206

Book Trader Cafe — New Haven, Conn.

A Tale of Two Turkeys is a simple sandwich served in a complex place: oven-roasted turkey, Swiss cheese and Russian dressing spread on rye, sold in New Haven’s Book Trader Cafe for just $7.50. Since the cafe is also a functioning book shop, you can browse the shelves once you tuck in.


Book Trader Cafe
1140 Chapel St., Ste. A
New Haven, CT 06511

Yardbird — Miami Beach, Fla.

Rich cheddar and fragrant cow’s milk get a Creole kick in this mac and cheese from Miami hot spot Yardbird Southern Table & Bar. The best part is that you can get a helping of this decadent, crunchy dish for only $10 — even though the rest of the food is far from cheap.


Yardbird Southern Table & Bar
1600 Lenox Ave.
Miami Beach, FL 33139

Miller Union — Atlanta

Atlanta’s Miller Union Restaurant is making the most of local staples with this $5 play on a Southern classic. Finely chopped country ham and velvety, locally made Thomasville tomme cheese are melded into crispy grits fritters. These aren’t your mama’s grits — in the best possible way.


Miller Union
99 Brady Ave. NW
Atlanta, GA 30318

Franks 'n Dawgs — Chicago

This Chicago eatery is inspired by the Windy City’s Eastern European influence. Franks ’n Dawgs batters four artisanal sausages in polenta until golden brown for juicy, crispy corn dogs that’ll set you back only $7.95.


Franks 'n Dawgs
1863 N. Clybourn Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614

Oklahoma Joe’s — Kansas City, Kan.

The Hog Heaven sandwich at barbecue chain Oklahoma Joe’s doubles up on smoky meat with pulled pork and sausage on a bun. At $6.99, it’s heaven for your wallet, too!


Oklahoma Joe’s (Multiple Locations)
3002 W. 47th St.
Kansas City, KS 66103

Taceaux Loceaux — New Orleans

The very streets of New Orleans are a party, filled with balmy weather, picture-perfect architecture and the brassy notes of jazz. Stop at famed food truck Taceaux Loceaux for some creamy avocado fries or tangy kimchi fries (both $5 a serving) or the Messin’ with Texas brisket taco ($8 for two) for some sustenance while you soak in the atmosphere of the Big Easy. Laissez les bons temps rouler!


Taceaux Loceaux
See social media for daily location

El Pelon Taqueria — Boston

El Pelón Taqueria in Boston combines grilled steak, fried plantains, black beans and crema for just $7.95 in its El Guapo Burrito. No wonder the burrito is called handsome.


El Pelón Taqueria
92 Peterborough St.
Boston, MA 02215

Ron's Roadside BBQ — Ann Arbor, Mich.

This pulled pork sandwich has all the smoky-sweet flavors of Southern barbecue, served for just $8 in Ann Arbor. The meat spends six to 12 hours smoking over apple, cherry and oak wood until it’s fall-apart-tender.


Ron's Roadside BBQ
5850 Pontiac Trail
Ann Arbor, MI 48105

moto-i — Minneapolis

Moto-i balances potent Asian flavors like spicy cabbage slaw and togarashi with sweet soy sauce to dress up fried chicken — all for just $8.


Moto-i
2940 Lyndale Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408

Frank & Helen's Pizzeria — St. Louis

Frank & Helen's is serving up toasted ravioli, a St. Louis favorite, at six for $6.99. Because the only thing better than pasta and cheese is fried pasta and cheese dipped in meat sauce.


Frank & Helen's Pizzeria
8111 Olive Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63130

Braddah's Island Style — Las Vegas

The Kalua Pig Taco at Braddah’s Island Style plays on Hawaiian and Tex-Mex flavors. Mango, roasted corn salsa, grilled Maui onions and slow-roasted pork are all wrapped in a soft flour tortilla for $7.50.


Braddah's Island Style (Multiple Locations)
2330 S. Rainbow Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89146

White House Sub Shop — Atlantic City

Salami, capicola, provolone and various herbs and spices make up the Italian Submarine at White House Sub Shop. For $6.75, it’s the taste of Atlantic City on a roll!


White House Sub Shop
2301 Arctic Ave.
Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Artichoke Basille's Pizza — New York City

Artichoke Basille's Pizza peddles authentic New York pizza and unique twists like crab, vodka and the titular creamy artichoke for $5 per gigantic slice.


Artichoke Basille's Pizza (Multiple Locations)
328 East 14th St.
New York, NY 10012

The Clam Shack — Kennebunk, Maine

The combination of Maine and seafood just makes sense. Next time you find yourself on the shores of Kennebunk, sample the clam strip roll ($8.95) at The Clam Shack. Salty clams are fried until crisp and golden brown, and then sandwiched in a buttery roll.


The Clam Shack
2 Western Ave.
Kennebunk, ME 04043

Paddy Wagon — Columbus, Ohio

Paddy Wagon’s $6 sandwich makes the most of meaty portobello caps, the burned-sugar sweetness of caramelized onions and glazed pineapple set against spicy pepper Jack cheese. One bite of this decadent sandwich will have you begging for lockup.


Paddy Wagon
See social media for daily location

Slappy Cakes — Portland, Ore.

Portland’s Slappy Cakes has the cure for any pancake craving: A stack of three pancakes is just $10, and they come in flavors including classic buttermilk, strawberry shortcake, blueberry-lemon and even savory (bacon, jalapeno, cheddar and avocado).


Slappy Cakes 
4246 SE Belmont St.
Portland, OR 97215

Campo's Deli — Philadelphia

Campo’s Deli spices things up with a spicy cheesesteak topped with jalapeno cheddar and Buffalo hot sauce. You might need a dip in the Schuylkill to cool off from this $9.50 bad boy.


Campo's Deli
214 Market St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Caserta Pizzeria — Providence

Sausage and peppers meet the calzone in this Ocean State staple. The Pepper Pig is a hearty meal for only $4.75, stuffed with homemade sauce, Italian sausage and bell peppers.


Caserta Pizzeria
121 Spruce St.
Providence, RI 02903

Dixie Supply Bakery & Cafe — Charleston, S.C.

In Charleston, cake for breakfast is definitely an option. Dixie Supply Bakery & Cafe’s carrot cake pancakes let you start your day with the earthy sweetness of the dessert darling for just $6.95.


Dixie Supply Bakery & Cafe
62 State St.
Charleston, SC 29401

Mas Tacos Por Favor — Nashville

At Nashville’s Mas Tacos Por Favor, all tacos are $3, including quinoa sweet potato with roasted tomatillo salsa, chicken, pulled pork, spicy ground beef and fried tilapia.


Mas Tacos Por Favor
732 McFerrin Ave., #B
Nashville, TN 37206

East Side King — Austin, Texas

Beets are deep-fried to release their natural sweetness and topped with Kewpie mayo, shichimi togarashi and green onion in these unique home fries, served by Austin’s East Side King for $7.50.


East Side King (Multiple Locations)
2310 South Lamar, Suite #101
Austin, TX 78704

Oh Mai — Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City’s Oh Mai restaurant is a tasty Vietnamese sandwich kitchen in the capital of Utah, whipping up stellar dishes like brisket pho soup: Fill up with beef broth flavored with star anise, ginger and cinnamon, rice noodles and tender brisket for $5.88 (small) or $6.48 (large).


Oh Mai
3425 State St.
Salt Lake City, UT 84115

Brave Horse Tavern — Seattle

Mild cheese curds pick up the vinegary tang of dill pickle tartar sauce at the Brave Horse Tavern in Seattle. Since the creamy dish is only $9.50, you can definitely wash it down with a draft beer, too.


Brave Horse Tavern
310 Terry Ave. North
Seattle, WA 98109

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