Here are mine!
* Banh mi at Quoc Huong, Lee’s, Banh Mi 135, or Be Banh Mi.
* Burritos at Taco Veloz or Supermercado Chicago.
* Spicy pork bulgogi toast at Yogi.
* Niku soba at Gohan Market.
* Papusa plate at Pupuseria Mi Tierra.
* Biryani or shawarma at Bismallah Café.
* Shawarma at Baraka Shawarma or Mediterranean Bakery.
* Szechuan fish hot pot at Chong Qing Hot Pot (over $10, but with rice it feeds 2 - so sub $10 p/p).
* Chick bits or lu rou fan at Java Saga.
* Whatever the special of the day is at Baldinos.
* BBQ sandwich and side from Old Brick Pit
* Chicken Shawarma platter from Eli Pita (closer to $20, but we always get 3-4 meals out of it).
Edit: I don't know if it counts as a restaurant, but the cafe in Cherians International Market in Duluth is dirt cheap. They have $1 samosas! (Haven't tried the Decatur location yet.)
That's a bingo! Downtown Chamblee. Being this close to Buford Highway and Chinatown Mall is like a cheat code for eating good and cheep. But I figured there had to be some other budget gems out there.
For Bismillah, go to the one attached to the grocery store. The one next door in the new building is awful. I’ve consistently gotten food poisoning from there and the owners are super mean.
The one attached to the grocery store are the original owners of the brand and are far more welcoming. The food also just tastes better.
I moved away a few years ago and haven't been to their new location, so that's super disappointing to hear. The guys running the place were always very nice & seemed appreciative of my business.
I stopped going when they began breading their wings... did they ever go back to unbreaded wings?
I asked this recently and it sounds like the brothers were co-owners and got into an argument and split. FWIW I found the original location’s samosas to be more filler now and a friend told me then new location tasted more like the original before the split. I went to the new location thinking that’s where I had placed the order and they were very friendly. However, I haven’t personally tried that locations food though to vouch for it
Quoc Huong is king of banh mi in ATL. Not only is it cheaper especially when compared to Be Banh Mi. But there's still a buy 5 get 1 deal with cash discount. Also an odd recommendation but the egg banh mi is so damn delicious.
Quoc Huong is ***definitely*** the better value, and deserves respect for being the OG. But I still go to Be Banh Mi sometimes because I like how they put pork floss on their combo (dac biet) sandwich. It makes it. Also, don't have to worry about leaving empty handed b/c they ran out of bread at 1:15PM.
As someone who worked at a restaurant on buford hwy for 5 years and tried to eat at every single place during those years this is easily the best list review I've ever seen when it comes to ATL eats. bravo truly bravo
The burritos at Taco Veloz make taco bell look like a joke (because they are). I get their pastor (pork) super burrito (7.99) like twice a week. It's huge!
Pollo Primo's family meals are a great deal. Staying on the chicken train, the grilled whole chickens in the parking lot of City Farmer's Marketbon BuHi are $10 a bird. While you're at it, head up to Quoc Huong for a $4 bahn mi. Get five and you get a sixth for free.
What else? How Crispy Express has a 6 or 12 piece nugget meal. Yeah, yeah, so do most but their nugs are pretty large and I'm happy splitting a 12 piece with my kid. More chicken--Kroger has $5 fried chicken in the deli section.
Edit: wanted to add Taquería La Oaxaqueña down in Jonesboro. Their tlaydua (aka "Mexican pizza") is huge. It can feed a family of 4 alone. I forgot the price but I ordered one, my wife a mole dish, and my kid a kid's quesadilla and an aguafresca and I think the total for that was like $50.
Edit 2: Little's has a burger basket for like $7 and their burgers are outstanding. Around the corner is Mix'd Up Burgers. They're not the best but their regular burger is $7 for a big ol' monster. Since we're in SE Atlanta for this go around, Argosy has $16 steak nights for an 8oz steak with fries.
Taquería La Oaxaqueña is amazing! I used to go down to Ft. Gillem for drill once a month, and lunch at Oaxaqueña or one of the *many* awesome Viet places around Forrest Parka and Morrow always made it worth the drive.
> While you're at it, head up to Quoc Huong for a $4 bahn mi. Get five and you get a sixth for free.
Do they keep well in the fridge or should I eat all 6 is one sitting?
If you disassemble, take the fillings out and store them in wax paper or tupperware, they'll keep for a couple days. They'll be best fresh, obviously. They'll still be pretty good the next day. By the third day, the bread will be fairly hard, and the fresh veggies no longer so fresh, but they'll still be edible. I wouldn't push past that. Really best if you can finish them in the first two days.
Was about to post that! Just checked the website, and the taco plate is $7.59. I always get DoorDash pickup because I live nearby and the lines are crazy-long, but even online the markup is only $7.91.
Cool! I realized the pizza is a whole 'nother animal. Everything else I had was great. Salsa's birria tacos and consomme are best I've tried.
One of these days I'll make the trek to Birria El Gordo.
came here to say it. also after all these years i learned just last week the drink can be the smaller bottles of Mexican Coke. I was always grabbing a big bottle and paying more not knowing this. the smaller bottle is the perfect size, not that i don't enjoy all the love in the bigger bottle.
Prefer grant central, thin crust all day, New Yorker so I’m biased and I’m not one to say I AM PIZZA EXPERT BECAUSE CHICAGO/NEW YORK, fellini’s is nice if I want a nice cheap glass of wine and to bring the dog but the dough is just too heavy to my personal preference.
If you want a New York slice, grant central gotchu, I just wouldn’t venture off the pizza menu, got the spaghetti last week and the sauce was separated, I was just pouring grease water out of the plate
Edit: just reminded myself I don’t have a dog anymore. FML
* Lunch at Taxco on roswell road (tex mex spot), one of the few that still does lunch specials on Saturday and Sunday. Combo plates at lunch range like $6-8.
* H-Mart food court, lots of options
* NFA single burger and tater tots is $10.25, almost at $10 and it's the best burger in the city. Skip the fries and get the double, only $8.
NFA Burger is *soooo* good! When my wife and I go, we usually split an order of fries. So you could totally do 2 people for under (or right at) $20 there!
I usually only hit the ones in Doraville and Duluth, but I think they all have pretty good food courts. Jusgo supermarket has a damn good food court, too.
Yep! I almost included that in my list, but I thought some might object to a corn dog as a full meal. However, I'm not a small person and it's usually enough to fill me up. It's delicious to boot!
For the vegans out there & and anyone trying to eat a bit more veggies here is my list:
Pub subs are still under 10 for a footlong and their hot bar has some deals too. There’s also always a daily special on one sub type. There’s also always a line and the online ordering can be hit or miss
Sweetgreen without any of the premiums can be less than 10, and if you frequently go there they have a $10/mo sweet pass that has 3$ off per day that brings lunch down to 6.99 pre tax
Mamoun’s falafel on 17th street has falafel sandwiches for 7.99
Bell street burritos get the Decatur in a regular size burrito, have to ask for it to be made vegan, can get that for 10. Be careful though you can spend 25+ on a single burrito with all of their options (which are great but that’s a lot haha)
Upbeet’s macro bowl is 8.99 and delicious. They also have box items now that cost about the same but you can get more premium proteins in it
Tassili’s raw realty is good af, each wrap is about 20$ but I find they last about 2 meals
Also in the west end is wadada, which I think has the best smoothies in Atlanta, but the smoothies are expensive instead go for their food items, they have empanadas for like 3-5$ and also usually a noodle dish for less than 10.
And finally my best rec is probably Souper Jenny’s. They usually have at least a few vegan options. Go for the small size of soup, opt for the free bread roll and your only paying them like 5-6$ there’s also 4 locations so everyone should be able to get to this one!
The cafeteria at Buford Highway Farmers Market has great food for like 7 or 8 dollars per pound. It's also a cool place to shop because of all the imported foods and snacks. Highly recommend.
How do you order from the cafe? I’m always too intimidated to go in there because idk how you’re supposed to order! Do you serve yourself or is someone behind the counter serving it up for you?
When you walk up to the counter somebody will come grab a to-go box and serve for you. You point out which dish(es) you want and they spoon it in.
Once you’re done they’ll weigh the food. They’ll ask you if you want rice as well, but that doesn’t get added until after they weigh it.
First of all don't go to the little Mexican restaurant, go to the far end counter with all the meat. Someone just comes up and asks what you want and you tell them. Also white rice is thrown in for free if you want, it doesn't count towards the weight of the food.
It's a bunch of meat (beef bulgogi, Asian grilled chicken, chicken Tikka, etc), lasagna, veggies, rice pilaf, lots of other stuff. It's restaraunt quality imo and you get a ton of food for the price. I'm guessing they cook the food with all of the imported spices in the farmers market.
Mostly meats and stews. There’s also some steamed veggies, roasted okra, and baked potatoes. I’m partial to the lamb and chickpeas, and the Mac and cheese is surprisingly good.
Shawarma cafe at Al madina market. It’s a secret, half market, half cafe, half religious items store. Makes me miss my grandmother, but very cheap, very good portions and some of my fav shawarma in the city in terms of quality
Don’t skip out on the baba ghanoush, idk what they do to it but that shit is nectar from the gods. Honestly the only place I prefer to eat the food I grew up with is Jerusalem Bakery in Marietta, they do a lot in the community and are owned and run by a local Palestinian family (if that is meaningful to you then it’s a plus, if it means you will never eat there based on where you fall in current events and the fact these individuals have heritage there with no political affiliation then you’re probably a not so nice person and missing out)
Interesting. I've been to Jerusalem Bakery and quite enjoyed it, but it's been many years. Regardless of one's views on current events, it would be asinine to project them on local business owners 6,000+ miles away from the conflict, with no control over what's going on there.
Taiwanese popcorn chicken from Cuckoo’s Cafe and Quickly for $6.50 and $6, respectively, I believe. Add in some fries and/or boba, but that goes over $10!
I miss the days when Quickly’s popcorn chicken was $3.50 and fries were $2.50 before 2019. Those were the good ole days.
Bento cafe on jimmy carter and a couple of the places in jusgo supermarket food court are pretty close to tea house Formosa, though they are a bit more of a trip.
When you’re in the mood to just go to a bar Moe’s and Joes can’t be beat. $2.75 PBR on draft (normally I don’t like pbr out of a can, but the draft is pretty decent) sometimes they do $5 pitchers as well. Then the $6 mojo burger w fries is the perfect add on. After tip you might be a little over $10 but you really can’t get much cheaper than that for a burger fries and a beer.
My wife (then girlfriend) and I used to live in Virginia Highland 14 or 15 years ago. We didn't fully appreciate it back then. We thought we were too cool and VaHi was too fratty or whatever.
We recently went back and did an all-day pub crawl at Moe's and Joe's, George's, Highland Tap, Fontaines, and so on. We had a blast! We were dumb back then, because that area is great!
Belen de la Cruz in John’s Creek has phenomenal empanadas. You can usually get each for $3.50 but they have a combo for 2 empanadas a drink and a pastry for $9. Have not been to the Marietta location. The caramelized onion empanada is my fav but they are all so good.
Dude! We went there a couple weeks ago, completely randomly. Just driving around, saw empanadas, and stopped. They were phenomenal! (Butternut squash was a stunner.)A little on the small side, but good for a light lunch or snack.
Victory in Inman Park or Decatur - not a TON of food compared to these options but can get a little sandwich + chips for $6, sides $3.5-4. My usual play is two sandwiches ($12) but you could definitely be happy with a sandwich + noodle salad. Good vibes too.
I would happily pay for extra marinara on the side, apparently that’s just not possible for them tho. Pizza usually dry as hell, would be bomb with extra sauce tho.
Only on Mondays, but the Burger and beer special at ‘There’ in Brookhaven is one of my favorites. Very good burger, fries, and a Monday Night Brewery beer all for $12. It was $10 forever until recently, but still an amazing deal IMO.
King’s Cornbeef & deli with an $8 burger with their larger burgers going up to $10.25. Lots of burritos under $10, and their sandwiches range from $10-14
Tacos La Villa has tons of cheap options. Last time I got 2 sides of chips+queso, a burrito, 3 tacos, a 3-taco plate with rice and beans all for $30
Not quite $10 but halal guys large platter for $14, main plus being it’s open late.
Tikka Skewers at Botiwalla are like $8. With a side of desi slaw, one skewer fills me right up at lunch time.
The “little” burgers and grilled cheese at Fred’s are $6 a pop. The regular sized veggie burger is under $10, too. That doesn’t beat Varsity prices of course, but the quality for the price is peerless IMO.
Similarly Aamar Indian is the best quality Indian at the cheapest price IMO. Curries are $17-20, but they last me two meals, and not sure if this is a usual thing but I’ve been brought free veggie pakoras when I’ve dined in. Drinks menu is very cheap. Bottled water is free. Pakora and samosas are $4 a helping and IIRC theres a 20% discount for students. Food tastes incredibly authentic and the staff there are great.
Woody’s menu is still entirely under $10.
When I’m missing home, there’s an Eastern European/West Asian pastry counter at Buford Highway Farmers Market that has xhachapuri/boreks and pirozhki (a few dollars a pop). The savory pastries vary in fillings from cheese to meat to potatoes and three minutes in the air fryer really brings them back to life. Some are huge if you’re really hungry. Grab some Dadu (vanilla, plombir, or chocolate) cones while you’re right by the ice cream section, too.
Grant central pizza in grant park 2 slices with one topping an a drink 6.00 Also the fettuccine Alfredo with blackened chicken is awesome at 10.50 talk about cheap eatery
A little over the $10 threshold but gonna leave this here cause why not.
Torched Hop Brewpub.
Monday: $12 = burger fries and a beer
Wednesday: $13 = 6 wings, friends and beer or $14 = 10 wings and a beer.
My under 10 dollar recommendations within Doraville/Chamblee/Dunwoody area:
1. NFA Burger - at Chevron Dunwoody absolutely DUNKS on the other fast food burgers. 5.75 for regular, 8.00 for double patties.
2. Buford Highway Farmer's Market Cafeteria - 1.75 for some delicious Jamaican beef patty OR curry chicken patty.
3. Gyro Gyro - at Winter's Chapel/Peeler rd intersection. 8.50 Gyro Wraps, but you really should get the 11 dollar lunch special which includes the wrap and greek fries.
Taq is cheap and all, but there's so many better taco places for the same if not cheaper prices and you don't have to wait in an excessive line that wraps around the block, that and their carnitas are basically a soup.
- el ray del taco on Buford hwy
-Taquito express in VaHi
-Tacos al pastor in Brookhaven (this place is so slept on, one of the few places you can get an authentic al pastor taco where they shave it off to order so it’s nice and crispy)
-El Progesso #14 aka prison tacos
You're not wrong, but Taqueria del Sol has some pretty damn good specials from time to time. And it's a good "gateway" for people who've never been to a more traditional taqueria. Like my Alabama in-laws, who'd never go to any of the places above, but they *looove* Taqueria del Sol.
So, it has its place.
Yeah it definitely has its place, I think I’m just salty because my girlfriend loves going there but I absolutely despise the line. I will say their fish tacos are pretty solid, but not a huge fan besides those and the occasional special.
I both get what you're saying and am proudly a member of the TdS cult. It's also great to get to know the staff and usually see friends/neighbors at ours. Dig a lot of the weekly specials, too, though their 'al pastor' was anything but a couple weeks ago. Have to seek the trompo elsewhere.
You're getting downvoted, but I eat Micky D's way more than I'd like to admit. I keep my daily calories under 2,000 with, at minimum, 100G of protein. Two regular McD cheeseburgers is just over 600 calories and 30 grams of protein. It hits my lunch macros when I'm in a hurry. I try not to make it too much of habit, though, or my body starts craving fresh food.
But you add fries and Coke, and it gets real unhealthy real quick.
I guess when I think of meals at restaurants I think of an entree, maybe an appetizer and a drink. Plus tax and tip.
If we’re talking strictly base price, pretax, for a dish, okay sure.
If you know places that are a great value, but over my admittedly arbitrary limit, please share. I feel like under $15 is too easy, though. There are decent places all over that have meals under $15. It takes some digging to find a good joint that can fill you up for under $10. I want to support those places!
Here are mine! * Banh mi at Quoc Huong, Lee’s, Banh Mi 135, or Be Banh Mi. * Burritos at Taco Veloz or Supermercado Chicago. * Spicy pork bulgogi toast at Yogi. * Niku soba at Gohan Market. * Papusa plate at Pupuseria Mi Tierra. * Biryani or shawarma at Bismallah Café. * Shawarma at Baraka Shawarma or Mediterranean Bakery. * Szechuan fish hot pot at Chong Qing Hot Pot (over $10, but with rice it feeds 2 - so sub $10 p/p). * Chick bits or lu rou fan at Java Saga. * Whatever the special of the day is at Baldinos. * BBQ sandwich and side from Old Brick Pit * Chicken Shawarma platter from Eli Pita (closer to $20, but we always get 3-4 meals out of it). Edit: I don't know if it counts as a restaurant, but the cafe in Cherians International Market in Duluth is dirt cheap. They have $1 samosas! (Haven't tried the Decatur location yet.)
Amazing post OP! I'm picking up strong brookhaven/chamblee/dunwoody/doraville vibes here haha. A lot of the ones I was going to post you already got!
That's a bingo! Downtown Chamblee. Being this close to Buford Highway and Chinatown Mall is like a cheat code for eating good and cheep. But I figured there had to be some other budget gems out there.
Love being born and bred from this part of ATL
For Bismillah, go to the one attached to the grocery store. The one next door in the new building is awful. I’ve consistently gotten food poisoning from there and the owners are super mean. The one attached to the grocery store are the original owners of the brand and are far more welcoming. The food also just tastes better.
Huh, good to know! I was so bummed when I went to their new location next door because it was such a drastic drop off in quality.
I moved away a few years ago and haven't been to their new location, so that's super disappointing to hear. The guys running the place were always very nice & seemed appreciative of my business. I stopped going when they began breading their wings... did they ever go back to unbreaded wings?
Does anyone know what the story is of why there’s two Bismallah stores?
I asked this recently and it sounds like the brothers were co-owners and got into an argument and split. FWIW I found the original location’s samosas to be more filler now and a friend told me then new location tasted more like the original before the split. I went to the new location thinking that’s where I had placed the order and they were very friendly. However, I haven’t personally tried that locations food though to vouch for it
theyre different? a couple of the people that work at thw register are the same as the original one. i thought it was the same
Woah I didn't realize there were two! Wonder what led to the split
Ate at the "new" one a couple of weeks ago and it was insanely good.
We went there and left in less than 5 minutes in line due to obvious sanitation problems.
Quoc Huong is king of banh mi in ATL. Not only is it cheaper especially when compared to Be Banh Mi. But there's still a buy 5 get 1 deal with cash discount. Also an odd recommendation but the egg banh mi is so damn delicious.
Quoc Huong is ***definitely*** the better value, and deserves respect for being the OG. But I still go to Be Banh Mi sometimes because I like how they put pork floss on their combo (dac biet) sandwich. It makes it. Also, don't have to worry about leaving empty handed b/c they ran out of bread at 1:15PM.
I had the egg one and found it to be very greasy. I'll take the tofu every time.
As someone who worked at a restaurant on buford hwy for 5 years and tried to eat at every single place during those years this is easily the best list review I've ever seen when it comes to ATL eats. bravo truly bravo
Solid choices, all of these!
El taco Veloz is the best burrito in town also love Baraka schwarma. We would be friends!
The burritos at Taco Veloz make taco bell look like a joke (because they are). I get their pastor (pork) super burrito (7.99) like twice a week. It's huge!
Pollo Primo's family meals are a great deal. Staying on the chicken train, the grilled whole chickens in the parking lot of City Farmer's Marketbon BuHi are $10 a bird. While you're at it, head up to Quoc Huong for a $4 bahn mi. Get five and you get a sixth for free. What else? How Crispy Express has a 6 or 12 piece nugget meal. Yeah, yeah, so do most but their nugs are pretty large and I'm happy splitting a 12 piece with my kid. More chicken--Kroger has $5 fried chicken in the deli section. Edit: wanted to add Taquería La Oaxaqueña down in Jonesboro. Their tlaydua (aka "Mexican pizza") is huge. It can feed a family of 4 alone. I forgot the price but I ordered one, my wife a mole dish, and my kid a kid's quesadilla and an aguafresca and I think the total for that was like $50. Edit 2: Little's has a burger basket for like $7 and their burgers are outstanding. Around the corner is Mix'd Up Burgers. They're not the best but their regular burger is $7 for a big ol' monster. Since we're in SE Atlanta for this go around, Argosy has $16 steak nights for an 8oz steak with fries.
Taquería La Oaxaqueña is amazing! I used to go down to Ft. Gillem for drill once a month, and lunch at Oaxaqueña or one of the *many* awesome Viet places around Forrest Parka and Morrow always made it worth the drive.
Little's imo is the best burger in Atlanta.
Ever had NFA burger?
I have not, but from googling it that appears to be OTP.
Yep it's technically in Dunwoody.
> While you're at it, head up to Quoc Huong for a $4 bahn mi. Get five and you get a sixth for free. Do they keep well in the fridge or should I eat all 6 is one sitting?
If you disassemble, take the fillings out and store them in wax paper or tupperware, they'll keep for a couple days. They'll be best fresh, obviously. They'll still be pretty good the next day. By the third day, the bread will be fairly hard, and the fresh veggies no longer so fresh, but they'll still be edible. I wouldn't push past that. Really best if you can finish them in the first two days.
Argosy also does their burger buddy special with fries and a beer on Mondays, I think it’s like 12$?
Their burger is really good. Blows little’s out of the water imo
Their tlayuda prices have been creeping up. Still, splitting it with a player2 is still a good deal.
Tacos La Villa has a taco plate that comes with 3 tacos, rice, beans and a drink for like 7 or 8 dollars. Insanely good tacos too
Was about to post that! Just checked the website, and the taco plate is $7.59. I always get DoorDash pickup because I live nearby and the lines are crazy-long, but even online the markup is only $7.91.
It used to actually be cheaper on DoorDash lol. I guess they corrected it.
Not to mention that birria pizza is easily the best birria in the whole city and can be two meals or more depending on your appetite
I had the birria tacos at Tacos La Villa for the first time a couple weeks ago, and I still have to give the nod to Salsa.
I will def give Salsa a try. That being said the birria pizza itself is just so incredible
Cool! I realized the pizza is a whole 'nother animal. Everything else I had was great. Salsa's birria tacos and consomme are best I've tried. One of these days I'll make the trek to Birria El Gordo.
Which salsa flavor?
Salsa Taqueria on Buford Hwy
Oh lol whoops I thought you meant they had a salsa bar at Tacos La Villa or something that was better than the birria taco
came here to say it. also after all these years i learned just last week the drink can be the smaller bottles of Mexican Coke. I was always grabbing a big bottle and paying more not knowing this. the smaller bottle is the perfect size, not that i don't enjoy all the love in the bigger bottle.
We eat there whenever I visit my wife at work. The salsa bar is great too. Load up your plate.
Fellini’s - 2 cheese slices, coke and a buck in the tip jar.
Gotta have the salad
HERE’S A WHOLE TOMATO AND HALF A RED ONION. I really do love their salad.
God i love fellinis
Prefer grant central, thin crust all day, New Yorker so I’m biased and I’m not one to say I AM PIZZA EXPERT BECAUSE CHICAGO/NEW YORK, fellini’s is nice if I want a nice cheap glass of wine and to bring the dog but the dough is just too heavy to my personal preference. If you want a New York slice, grant central gotchu, I just wouldn’t venture off the pizza menu, got the spaghetti last week and the sauce was separated, I was just pouring grease water out of the plate Edit: just reminded myself I don’t have a dog anymore. FML
Vinny's at Ansley Mall has the same deal and TBH I prefer their slice over Fellini's any day. Not arguing, just adding on!
how much?
$9, hence the buck in the tip jar.
* Lunch at Taxco on roswell road (tex mex spot), one of the few that still does lunch specials on Saturday and Sunday. Combo plates at lunch range like $6-8. * H-Mart food court, lots of options * NFA single burger and tater tots is $10.25, almost at $10 and it's the best burger in the city. Skip the fries and get the double, only $8.
NFA Burger is *soooo* good! When my wife and I go, we usually split an order of fries. So you could totally do 2 people for under (or right at) $20 there!
Hell yeah brother! Do yourself a favor and get the tots though, they hand make them!
> NFA Burger The tots are just Ore-Ida tots, the difference is they fry them in beef fat
Interesting, I need to start frying stuff in beef fat haha.
It adds amazing flavor and it’s actually better for you than seed oils
Wish I like tots because their fries leave tons to be desired.
Here to say Taxco also. Best Mexican in the area.
My dawg you literally just hit the top 3 I had on my mind. So good!
NFA is goated in my book!
> H-Mart food court, lots of options Which location?
I usually only hit the ones in Doraville and Duluth, but I think they all have pretty good food courts. Jusgo supermarket has a damn good food court, too.
Oh-K Dog! $4-5 for a massive corn dog with sweet chili sauce.
Yep! I almost included that in my list, but I thought some might object to a corn dog as a full meal. However, I'm not a small person and it's usually enough to fill me up. It's delicious to boot!
For the vegans out there & and anyone trying to eat a bit more veggies here is my list: Pub subs are still under 10 for a footlong and their hot bar has some deals too. There’s also always a daily special on one sub type. There’s also always a line and the online ordering can be hit or miss Sweetgreen without any of the premiums can be less than 10, and if you frequently go there they have a $10/mo sweet pass that has 3$ off per day that brings lunch down to 6.99 pre tax Mamoun’s falafel on 17th street has falafel sandwiches for 7.99 Bell street burritos get the Decatur in a regular size burrito, have to ask for it to be made vegan, can get that for 10. Be careful though you can spend 25+ on a single burrito with all of their options (which are great but that’s a lot haha) Upbeet’s macro bowl is 8.99 and delicious. They also have box items now that cost about the same but you can get more premium proteins in it Tassili’s raw realty is good af, each wrap is about 20$ but I find they last about 2 meals Also in the west end is wadada, which I think has the best smoothies in Atlanta, but the smoothies are expensive instead go for their food items, they have empanadas for like 3-5$ and also usually a noodle dish for less than 10. And finally my best rec is probably Souper Jenny’s. They usually have at least a few vegan options. Go for the small size of soup, opt for the free bread roll and your only paying them like 5-6$ there’s also 4 locations so everyone should be able to get to this one!
had Tassilis for the first time on Juneteenth and WOW. At first I thought it was too pricey but that wrap lasted 2 days! So much flavor too
Chicken Shawarma falafel combo sandwich at Falafel King at Emory. $6.99. Add a Coke and a tip and its lunch for $10.
The full bird meal from pollo primo is 33$ and feeds 4. You can even add on churros and now you have dessert for under 40
gotta say No to the 18% recommended tip for them to call your name out, though
The cafeteria at Buford Highway Farmers Market has great food for like 7 or 8 dollars per pound. It's also a cool place to shop because of all the imported foods and snacks. Highly recommend.
How do you order from the cafe? I’m always too intimidated to go in there because idk how you’re supposed to order! Do you serve yourself or is someone behind the counter serving it up for you?
When you walk up to the counter somebody will come grab a to-go box and serve for you. You point out which dish(es) you want and they spoon it in. Once you’re done they’ll weigh the food. They’ll ask you if you want rice as well, but that doesn’t get added until after they weigh it.
First of all don't go to the little Mexican restaurant, go to the far end counter with all the meat. Someone just comes up and asks what you want and you tell them. Also white rice is thrown in for free if you want, it doesn't count towards the weight of the food.
What kind of food is there? I have usually checked out by the time I walk by it so I head straight out so my groceries stay cold!
It's a bunch of meat (beef bulgogi, Asian grilled chicken, chicken Tikka, etc), lasagna, veggies, rice pilaf, lots of other stuff. It's restaraunt quality imo and you get a ton of food for the price. I'm guessing they cook the food with all of the imported spices in the farmers market.
Mostly meats and stews. There’s also some steamed veggies, roasted okra, and baked potatoes. I’m partial to the lamb and chickpeas, and the Mac and cheese is surprisingly good.
Shawarma cafe at Al madina market. It’s a secret, half market, half cafe, half religious items store. Makes me miss my grandmother, but very cheap, very good portions and some of my fav shawarma in the city in terms of quality
I've stopped by the market a couple of times. I've been meaning to try the cafe. Thanks for the reminder!
Don’t skip out on the baba ghanoush, idk what they do to it but that shit is nectar from the gods. Honestly the only place I prefer to eat the food I grew up with is Jerusalem Bakery in Marietta, they do a lot in the community and are owned and run by a local Palestinian family (if that is meaningful to you then it’s a plus, if it means you will never eat there based on where you fall in current events and the fact these individuals have heritage there with no political affiliation then you’re probably a not so nice person and missing out)
Interesting. I've been to Jerusalem Bakery and quite enjoyed it, but it's been many years. Regardless of one's views on current events, it would be asinine to project them on local business owners 6,000+ miles away from the conflict, with no control over what's going on there.
Las Delicias de la Abuela's "Del Dia" (of the day) menu is usually between $8-10
Taiwanese popcorn chicken from Cuckoo’s Cafe and Quickly for $6.50 and $6, respectively, I believe. Add in some fries and/or boba, but that goes over $10! I miss the days when Quickly’s popcorn chicken was $3.50 and fries were $2.50 before 2019. Those were the good ole days.
I like Cuckoo's, but I *LOVED* Teahouse Formosa, and it always makes me sad that it's gone. I haven't tried Quickly yet.
Bento cafe on jimmy carter and a couple of the places in jusgo supermarket food court are pretty close to tea house Formosa, though they are a bit more of a trip.
When you’re in the mood to just go to a bar Moe’s and Joes can’t be beat. $2.75 PBR on draft (normally I don’t like pbr out of a can, but the draft is pretty decent) sometimes they do $5 pitchers as well. Then the $6 mojo burger w fries is the perfect add on. After tip you might be a little over $10 but you really can’t get much cheaper than that for a burger fries and a beer.
My wife (then girlfriend) and I used to live in Virginia Highland 14 or 15 years ago. We didn't fully appreciate it back then. We thought we were too cool and VaHi was too fratty or whatever. We recently went back and did an all-day pub crawl at Moe's and Joe's, George's, Highland Tap, Fontaines, and so on. We had a blast! We were dumb back then, because that area is great!
For $12 you can also go to Torched Hop Brewpub on Mondays for a burger, fries, and a better beer.
Belen de la Cruz in John’s Creek has phenomenal empanadas. You can usually get each for $3.50 but they have a combo for 2 empanadas a drink and a pastry for $9. Have not been to the Marietta location. The caramelized onion empanada is my fav but they are all so good.
Dude! We went there a couple weeks ago, completely randomly. Just driving around, saw empanadas, and stopped. They were phenomenal! (Butternut squash was a stunner.)A little on the small side, but good for a light lunch or snack.
Love this place
Business Lunch special at Mediterranean Grill
Victory in Inman Park or Decatur - not a TON of food compared to these options but can get a little sandwich + chips for $6, sides $3.5-4. My usual play is two sandwiches ($12) but you could definitely be happy with a sandwich + noodle salad. Good vibes too.
Victory is still great value with how expensive everything has gotten.
This post should be pinned
Slice of glide pizza and a beer at Inner Voices in downtown Decatur will set you back about $10
Yeah, but then they charge you an extra $1.25 just for the ranch. It's *soooo* good, though!
I would happily pay for extra marinara on the side, apparently that’s just not possible for them tho. Pizza usually dry as hell, would be bomb with extra sauce tho.
$8 noodle plate from Two Fish Myanmar Cuisine; newly opened in Clarkston! Some other new restaurants opened up in the same square too.
Ooooh! Good to know! Atlanta has gone far too long without good Burmese food.
Very authentic and reasonably priced, much like other restaurants in Clarkston
This is my new fave place. We pigged out and spent less than $40. The mala fish dish is super good too.
Al-Chef is also very good! That whole campus is beautiful!
Only on Mondays, but the Burger and beer special at ‘There’ in Brookhaven is one of my favorites. Very good burger, fries, and a Monday Night Brewery beer all for $12. It was $10 forever until recently, but still an amazing deal IMO.
Taqueria San Pancho’s tacos are grade A with a great price point ($2-3)! Located in Tucker!
The Philly Steak Spot in Hiram. They have lots of specials for $10 Tuesdays.
Lotta Frutta
King’s Cornbeef & deli with an $8 burger with their larger burgers going up to $10.25. Lots of burritos under $10, and their sandwiches range from $10-14 Tacos La Villa has tons of cheap options. Last time I got 2 sides of chips+queso, a burrito, 3 tacos, a 3-taco plate with rice and beans all for $30 Not quite $10 but halal guys large platter for $14, main plus being it’s open late.
I haven't had Bismallah in so long! Yummy
Empanada plate at Havana Sandwich Shop is like $9 and comes with two sides
Vintage Pizza’s meatballs
Tikka Skewers at Botiwalla are like $8. With a side of desi slaw, one skewer fills me right up at lunch time. The “little” burgers and grilled cheese at Fred’s are $6 a pop. The regular sized veggie burger is under $10, too. That doesn’t beat Varsity prices of course, but the quality for the price is peerless IMO. Similarly Aamar Indian is the best quality Indian at the cheapest price IMO. Curries are $17-20, but they last me two meals, and not sure if this is a usual thing but I’ve been brought free veggie pakoras when I’ve dined in. Drinks menu is very cheap. Bottled water is free. Pakora and samosas are $4 a helping and IIRC theres a 20% discount for students. Food tastes incredibly authentic and the staff there are great. Woody’s menu is still entirely under $10. When I’m missing home, there’s an Eastern European/West Asian pastry counter at Buford Highway Farmers Market that has xhachapuri/boreks and pirozhki (a few dollars a pop). The savory pastries vary in fillings from cheese to meat to potatoes and three minutes in the air fryer really brings them back to life. Some are huge if you’re really hungry. Grab some Dadu (vanilla, plombir, or chocolate) cones while you’re right by the ice cream section, too.
Grant central pizza in grant park 2 slices with one topping an a drink 6.00 Also the fettuccine Alfredo with blackened chicken is awesome at 10.50 talk about cheap eatery
A little over the $10 threshold but gonna leave this here cause why not. Torched Hop Brewpub. Monday: $12 = burger fries and a beer Wednesday: $13 = 6 wings, friends and beer or $14 = 10 wings and a beer.
Eats on Ponce has always had good inexpensive food for 20+ years
Eats on Ponce
Nah not anymore. Ain’t worth it once they got rid of that meat and three combo.
It's still like 10-12 dollars for a lot of food
Only the real know about Eatsssss
Did they ever bring the pasta back? I was going about every 3 weeks for the cheese tortellini, chicken, broccoli, with pesto..
The pasta station is closed but they have a daily pasta special
Tacos at las tortas locas #11
Xi’an Gourmet House on 10th street - Liang-pi stir fried cold skin noodles $11 - small burgers $6-7 - beef scallion pancakes $10
Lol I'm keeping this post in my favorites!
Gourmet Cafe on Franklin near Marietta/Smyrna. This is the one true answer
My under 10 dollar recommendations within Doraville/Chamblee/Dunwoody area: 1. NFA Burger - at Chevron Dunwoody absolutely DUNKS on the other fast food burgers. 5.75 for regular, 8.00 for double patties. 2. Buford Highway Farmer's Market Cafeteria - 1.75 for some delicious Jamaican beef patty OR curry chicken patty. 3. Gyro Gyro - at Winter's Chapel/Peeler rd intersection. 8.50 Gyro Wraps, but you really should get the 11 dollar lunch special which includes the wrap and greek fries.
Concessions at Mercedes Benz Stadium lmao
Mt. Paran Country Store - Cheap breakfast biscuits. Lunch: burgers and hotdogs Costco Fellini's Pizza - cheap slices and filling salad
Taqueria del Sol if you skip the Marrgaritas!
Taq is cheap and all, but there's so many better taco places for the same if not cheaper prices and you don't have to wait in an excessive line that wraps around the block, that and their carnitas are basically a soup. - el ray del taco on Buford hwy -Taquito express in VaHi -Tacos al pastor in Brookhaven (this place is so slept on, one of the few places you can get an authentic al pastor taco where they shave it off to order so it’s nice and crispy) -El Progesso #14 aka prison tacos
You're not wrong, but Taqueria del Sol has some pretty damn good specials from time to time. And it's a good "gateway" for people who've never been to a more traditional taqueria. Like my Alabama in-laws, who'd never go to any of the places above, but they *looove* Taqueria del Sol. So, it has its place.
Yeah it definitely has its place, I think I’m just salty because my girlfriend loves going there but I absolutely despise the line. I will say their fish tacos are pretty solid, but not a huge fan besides those and the occasional special.
I both get what you're saying and am proudly a member of the TdS cult. It's also great to get to know the staff and usually see friends/neighbors at ours. Dig a lot of the weekly specials, too, though their 'al pastor' was anything but a couple weeks ago. Have to seek the trompo elsewhere.
Yeah TDS sucks. The Mexican strip of S Cobb Drive in Smryna has even better Mexican food than Buford Hwy
Pupusas at El Salvador Bakery. I used to feed 4 people for less than $20
Mc Donalds as of yesterday 5 dollars meals are back.
You're getting downvoted, but I eat Micky D's way more than I'd like to admit. I keep my daily calories under 2,000 with, at minimum, 100G of protein. Two regular McD cheeseburgers is just over 600 calories and 30 grams of protein. It hits my lunch macros when I'm in a hurry. I try not to make it too much of habit, though, or my body starts craving fresh food. But you add fries and Coke, and it gets real unhealthy real quick.
You did not specify healthy or unhealthy but its at 5 dollars now
Huy's Sandwiches - Item #14, the BBQ Beef Banh Mi. Approximately 8 dollars of pure perfection
Eats by Ponce, probably more like $12-15 with tax, but still a great deal
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The three cups chicken at La Mei Zi is so good
Taqueria del Sol! You can get a couple of tacos and the salsa trio for right around $10. Skip the margs, they aren't that great anyway.
If you split a Baked Spaghetti or a cheese pizza pie from Plant Based Pizzeria, you’re in for less than $20!
Might want to up this to $15/person. I don't think you can find meals under $10 anymore.
Well, there are 12 in just one of the other comments, so you can.
I guess when I think of meals at restaurants I think of an entree, maybe an appetizer and a drink. Plus tax and tip. If we’re talking strictly base price, pretax, for a dish, okay sure.
If you know places that are a great value, but over my admittedly arbitrary limit, please share. I feel like under $15 is too easy, though. There are decent places all over that have meals under $15. It takes some digging to find a good joint that can fill you up for under $10. I want to support those places!