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Fill up on a chopped cheese from Burger Bodega.
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Dine Out on a Budget at These 24 Houston Restaurants

From excellent tacos to comforting bowls of ramen and super-fast Greek eats, here’s where to dine in H-Town without going broke

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Fill up on a chopped cheese from Burger Bodega.
| Burger Bodega

Houston is known to have a variety of quality high-end restaurants but it isn’t always possible to splurge on dinner. Fortunately, the city’s expansive dining scene is also packed with a bounty of affordable restaurants that make dining on a dime totally possible — and dare we say, enjoyable?

Find chef-approved banh mi, buzzy new Mexican cafes, fast-casual Greek eats, and some of the city’s finest burgers using this list of the best-value restaurant food in Houston. Now go on — ball out on a budget.

Don’t see your favorite affordable restaurant on the list? Shout it in the comments.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Tamashi

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Making noodles and broth for ramen can be a time-consuming process, resulting in a hefty price tag. But at this no-fuss ramen joint with multiple locations, guests can choose between shrimp-based broth, tonkatsu, and bone-based broth bowls for under $12. A meal in one, the soups are loaded with noodles, tender meat, fish cake, and a soft-boiled egg. 

Captain Benny's

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Characterized by its boat-shaped, nautical-themed exterior, this local seafood chain has been an institution for Houstonians seeking casual seafood fare. With four locations, the restaurant has a distinct Cajun influence and is witnessed through its plates of gumbo, po’boys, and crawfish tails. Order any of its family dinners, including its jumbo fried shrimp or fried gulf oysters, or go a lighter route and grab the broiled platter with shrimp kabobs and your choice of fish. The sizable entrees come with a good helping of fries or rice, plus a selection of sauces.

Tacos Doña Lena

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In a town with no shortage of places to score tacos, Dona Lena is an impressive choice and it’s got great prices to match. The tacos at this vibrant, family-owned restaurant start at $2.50 and are built on warm, corn tortillas. Choose from beef, chicken, barbacoa, tinga, or a meatless option like soy pastor.

Tarka Indian Kitchen

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Dining on authentic Indian street foods, curries, and more is made convenient and affordable at this counter-service restaurant with multiple locations around town. Heaping platters of spiced lentil, daal, or biryani — rice stir-fried with meat, spices, onions, and ginger — start at $9 while decadent lamb vindaloo is $11.

Treebeards

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Treebeards has been churning out Southern comfort plates for more than four decades, and despite its expansion with multiple locations across the city, the menu remains affordable. Good ol’ standbys like red beans and rice with link sausage and shrimp etouffee start at just $5.50, while the chicken fried chicken platter with two sides provides a hearty meal for $10. Save room for buttercake, a sweet deal at $4.

Burger Bodega

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Though only open for about a year, this New York bodega-themed burger shop has already made its name for itself in the vast Houston burger scene. Its signature smash burger rings in at under $10 and features a double smashed patty with gooey American cheese, grilled onions, house-made pickles, and Bodega sauce loaded inside a potato bun. The filling $11 chopped cheese, an ode to the NYC bodega classic, is also a requisite order, paired well with its signature milkshakes, including the mango lassi, which is an ode to the owner’s Pakistani heritage.

El Rey Taqueria

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Cuban food cravings are easily satisfied without breaking the bank at any of the El Rey’s locations that are peppered around town. A feast like the Special Ropa Vieja platter comes with three “Cuban-style” tacos made with shredded beef stewed in a tomato broth, plus cilantro sauce, cole slaw, pico de Gallo, and a side of black beans for $15. House-made horchata or fresh cantaloupe juice make the perfect pairing for an extra $4 for 32 oz.

AL Quick Stop

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The quick stop for convenient and down-home Mediterranean eats, this unassuming convenience store-turned restaurant is a prime place to score gyros, shawarma, hummus, great mezze, and breakfast tacos stuffed with gyro meat, starting at $3. Go the a la carte route and build your meal, starting with appetizers like falafel or hummus before moving on to a sampler plate of gyro, shawarma, grape leaves, tabbouleh, pitas, and sauces. The family pack for $60 is an unbeatable deal if looking to feed a group. Each pack comes with a pound of each of the meats, six pitas, plus large orders of hummus, salad, rice, tzatziki, and garlic sauces. Be sure to tack on a side of baklava or its dessert pita — its version of a dessert pizza made with fried pita chips tossed in Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cinnadust and topped with chocolate syrup.

Lankford's Grocery & Market

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Lankford’s may be known for its classic and specialty burgers, but there is much more to consider and plenty for under $12. The Montrose gem is open bright and early and touts solid Mexican breakfast plates like migas, huevos rancheros, and chilaquiles, plus $6 mimosas and glasses of wine. Sweet tooth? Spring for a peach or apple cobbler, both under $7.

Champ Burger

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A local favorite since 1963, this old-school burger shack has remained a breakfast and lunch favorite for Houstonians looking for a hearty bite, especially when on a budget. Its Texas-sized steak sandwich is pound-for-pound one of the best deals in town, as this monstrous, beef-stuffed sandwich rings in just under $8. The burgers and breakfast sandwiches are no slouch, either — with its Champ burger loaded with bacon and cheese, and its classic sausage, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich. Vegetarian? The black bean or falafel burger rivals some of the meat-based options.

Pho Saigon

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For fragrant bowls of pho noodle soup, rice plates, and spring rolls head to this unassuming Vietnamese restaurant. Nothing on the menu exceeds twelve dollars, meaning that you could order a bowl of beef, chicken, and seafood pho alongside an appetizer of the cha gio—Vietnamese egg rolls alongside a few Vietnamese iced coffees for under fifty dollars. The banh mi is also an excellent option, and don’t sleep on the desserts, namely the sinh to sau rieng— a refreshing, fruity durian smoothie drink.

Cali Sandwich & Fast Food

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The banh mi might just be the unofficial sandwich of Houston, and at Cali Sandwich, you can choose from grilled barbecue pork, shredded chicken, and more for under $6. Bowls of pho are equally reasonable — a small size starts at $9, but springing for the large for a dollar more is never a bad idea.

Paulie's

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Houston is not short of great red sauce joints, and this casual Italian cafe in Montrose is another case in point. Pasta is handmade here, and the portions are generous — with $8 for a single portion, and $15 for a large that can easily be shared. Order the bucatini amatriciana — a heaping bowl of goodness with smoked bacon, garlic, pecorino, blistered tomatoes, and chili flakes, or the classic rigatoni bolognese, that’s packed with ground veal and beef in a tomato, cream, basil, red wine parmesan sauce. The cafe is also a great idea for lunch, with a boxed lunch option, serving sandwiches like Italian hoagies that come with pasta salad, fruit salad, and a cookie for $20 or less.

Tacos Tierra Caliente

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With its prime location steps from the West Alabama Ice House and a mouthwatering menu of $3 tacos, this iconic cash-only taco truck is one of the best ways to get the most bang for your (literal) buck. Order a few al pastor and chicharron tacos, or splurge on a $5 torta.

burger-chan

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Since launching in 2016, this fast-casual burger bar has garnered a loyal following, and for good reason. Its burgers are built with 2- or 5-ounce 44 Farms beef patties and can be customized from bun to bun to your liking. A 2-ounce burger starts at under $6 — but you can make it a double for just a couple more dollars, plus add interesting toppings like onion strings, kimchi relish, and charred jalapenos for $1 each.

Oishii Restaurant

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Sushi night can be pricey, but at Oishii, diners can indulge in all of the house staples paired with beer, wine, or sake without breaking the bank. Small plates like seaweed salad, chicken yakitori, fried pork gyoza, and agedashi tofu are under $5, while many sushi and sashimi options start at $1 or $2 per piece. Cut down on cost even more by visiting during Oishii’s famed happy hour where appetizers are buy-one, get-one-free.

an exterior shot of the Oishii Houston location.
Oishi Houston offers a variety of small plates for under $5
Oishii Restaurant

Jollof Rice King

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The debate of which West African country makes the best jollof rice will forever linger, and this Nigerian hotspot may help make up your mind. Browse the menu of rice dishes, soups, swallows, and tender meats, all costing under $20. An herbaceous traditional bowl of okra soup is the perfect place to start before diving into one of its signature plates, like the jollof rice or yam porridge, which are complimented with two pieces of meat or one portion of fish, with the option to add on chicken, oxtails, mackerel, beef, goat, or vegetarian options.

Ekko's Greek American Deli

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Located inside a Galleria-area convenience store, this no-frills counter is the definition of a hidden gem. Known for its mouthwatering Greek eats served fast and at a seriously reasonable price, its Gyro sandwiches are packed full of meat. Choose from chicken or a lamb and beef combo — a bargain at $8.

Cochinita & co.

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An homage to the famous Yucatan dish cochinita pibil, this humble all-day cafe is a solid option for flavorful Mexican fare that’s at great value, with all entrees ringing in under $15 with a hearty serving of rice, beans, queso fresco, pico de gallo, and tortillas. Order the rainbow bowl for a generous serving of the restaurant’s namesake Yucatan-style barbecued pork, plated alongside nutty quinoa, beans, greens, pickled red onion, grilled pineapple, pico de gallo, and an oregano vinaigrette, or the mole negro, a roasted chicken in a creamy cacao mole sauce. In it for takeout? the $48 La Familia dinner offers one larger entree to share plus two sides that together feeds four to six people.

Shri Balaji Bhavan

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Offering an affordable assortment of chaat, dosas, and entrees, Shri Balaji gives the option to sample. Go for the $10 Madras Thali meal, which comes with seasonal vegetables, basmati rice, tangy, tomato, tamarind and lentil soup, sambar, fresh yogurt, lentil chips, your choice of three chapatis cooked on the griddle, and three puris with the dessert of the day. Feeling extra hungry? Add an appetizer like the three stuffed potato-stuffed samosas for $5.

Molina's Cantina

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Few restaurants can stand the test of time and continue to deliver quality food at a low-cost price, but Molina’s pulls it off seamlessly. The iconic Tex-Mex restaurant offers several combination plates with beef chalupas, tamales, chalupas, and more for under $17, including the enchiladas de Tejas platter ($14), a duo of chili con carne topped cheese enchiladas — a staple on the menu for more than eight decades.

San Dong Noodle & Dumpling House

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Located in the Bellaire Chinatown center, this no-frills counter-service restaurant is a favorite for quick, flavorful Chinese food. Choose from a variety of dumplings from pan-fried pork to beef soup varietals all for under $10 for a dozen. Locals swear by its bean sauce noodles, but the chicken steak and roast beef noodles are also fine options. Noodles, dumplings, hefty portions, and affordability make this a great spot for casual Chinese. 

Various dishes at San Dong.

Star Ice & Teriyaki

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Head to this strip-mall spot for Taiwanese cuisine that does not break the bank. Start off with an order of its chicken nuggets and then move onto its fried pork chop with rice complete with bok choy, picked veggies, and egg. Beat the Texas heat with one of its shaved ice desserts that come with traditional toppings of red bean, rainbow, black, and almond jellies for a cool $5. You can easily feed a family of four (with dessert) for under $40 here. 

Beef noodle soup at Star Ice & Teriyaki.

New York Deli & Coffee Shop

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From its food to its nostalgic décor, dining at NY Deli & Coffee Shop is like stepping back in time. This old-fashioned diner remains tried and true for its NY-deli style comfort plates and is always a scene on weekends with early birds looking to score hot and fresh bagels. Along with traditional breakfast pastries, budget eats are aplenty. French toast and pancake platters are under $10 while heartier meals like the hot Reuben sandwich and the bagel and lox come with two sides for under $14.

Tamashi

Making noodles and broth for ramen can be a time-consuming process, resulting in a hefty price tag. But at this no-fuss ramen joint with multiple locations, guests can choose between shrimp-based broth, tonkatsu, and bone-based broth bowls for under $12. A meal in one, the soups are loaded with noodles, tender meat, fish cake, and a soft-boiled egg. 

Captain Benny's

Characterized by its boat-shaped, nautical-themed exterior, this local seafood chain has been an institution for Houstonians seeking casual seafood fare. With four locations, the restaurant has a distinct Cajun influence and is witnessed through its plates of gumbo, po’boys, and crawfish tails. Order any of its family dinners, including its jumbo fried shrimp or fried gulf oysters, or go a lighter route and grab the broiled platter with shrimp kabobs and your choice of fish. The sizable entrees come with a good helping of fries or rice, plus a selection of sauces.

Tacos Doña Lena

In a town with no shortage of places to score tacos, Dona Lena is an impressive choice and it’s got great prices to match. The tacos at this vibrant, family-owned restaurant start at $2.50 and are built on warm, corn tortillas. Choose from beef, chicken, barbacoa, tinga, or a meatless option like soy pastor.

Tarka Indian Kitchen

Dining on authentic Indian street foods, curries, and more is made convenient and affordable at this counter-service restaurant with multiple locations around town. Heaping platters of spiced lentil, daal, or biryani — rice stir-fried with meat, spices, onions, and ginger — start at $9 while decadent lamb vindaloo is $11.

Treebeards

Treebeards has been churning out Southern comfort plates for more than four decades, and despite its expansion with multiple locations across the city, the menu remains affordable. Good ol’ standbys like red beans and rice with link sausage and shrimp etouffee start at just $5.50, while the chicken fried chicken platter with two sides provides a hearty meal for $10. Save room for buttercake, a sweet deal at $4.

Burger Bodega

Though only open for about a year, this New York bodega-themed burger shop has already made its name for itself in the vast Houston burger scene. Its signature smash burger rings in at under $10 and features a double smashed patty with gooey American cheese, grilled onions, house-made pickles, and Bodega sauce loaded inside a potato bun. The filling $11 chopped cheese, an ode to the NYC bodega classic, is also a requisite order, paired well with its signature milkshakes, including the mango lassi, which is an ode to the owner’s Pakistani heritage.

El Rey Taqueria

Cuban food cravings are easily satisfied without breaking the bank at any of the El Rey’s locations that are peppered around town. A feast like the Special Ropa Vieja platter comes with three “Cuban-style” tacos made with shredded beef stewed in a tomato broth, plus cilantro sauce, cole slaw, pico de Gallo, and a side of black beans for $15. House-made horchata or fresh cantaloupe juice make the perfect pairing for an extra $4 for 32 oz.

AL Quick Stop

The quick stop for convenient and down-home Mediterranean eats, this unassuming convenience store-turned restaurant is a prime place to score gyros, shawarma, hummus, great mezze, and breakfast tacos stuffed with gyro meat, starting at $3. Go the a la carte route and build your meal, starting with appetizers like falafel or hummus before moving on to a sampler plate of gyro, shawarma, grape leaves, tabbouleh, pitas, and sauces. The family pack for $60 is an unbeatable deal if looking to feed a group. Each pack comes with a pound of each of the meats, six pitas, plus large orders of hummus, salad, rice, tzatziki, and garlic sauces. Be sure to tack on a side of baklava or its dessert pita — its version of a dessert pizza made with fried pita chips tossed in Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cinnadust and topped with chocolate syrup.

Lankford's Grocery & Market

Lankford’s may be known for its classic and specialty burgers, but there is much more to consider and plenty for under $12. The Montrose gem is open bright and early and touts solid Mexican breakfast plates like migas, huevos rancheros, and chilaquiles, plus $6 mimosas and glasses of wine. Sweet tooth? Spring for a peach or apple cobbler, both under $7.

Champ Burger

A local favorite since 1963, this old-school burger shack has remained a breakfast and lunch favorite for Houstonians looking for a hearty bite, especially when on a budget. Its Texas-sized steak sandwich is pound-for-pound one of the best deals in town, as this monstrous, beef-stuffed sandwich rings in just under $8. The burgers and breakfast sandwiches are no slouch, either — with its Champ burger loaded with bacon and cheese, and its classic sausage, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich. Vegetarian? The black bean or falafel burger rivals some of the meat-based options.

Pho Saigon

For fragrant bowls of pho noodle soup, rice plates, and spring rolls head to this unassuming Vietnamese restaurant. Nothing on the menu exceeds twelve dollars, meaning that you could order a bowl of beef, chicken, and seafood pho alongside an appetizer of the cha gio—Vietnamese egg rolls alongside a few Vietnamese iced coffees for under fifty dollars. The banh mi is also an excellent option, and don’t sleep on the desserts, namely the sinh to sau rieng— a refreshing, fruity durian smoothie drink.

Cali Sandwich & Fast Food

The banh mi might just be the unofficial sandwich of Houston, and at Cali Sandwich, you can choose from grilled barbecue pork, shredded chicken, and more for under $6. Bowls of pho are equally reasonable — a small size starts at $9, but springing for the large for a dollar more is never a bad idea.

Paulie's

Houston is not short of great red sauce joints, and this casual Italian cafe in Montrose is another case in point. Pasta is handmade here, and the portions are generous — with $8 for a single portion, and $15 for a large that can easily be shared. Order the bucatini amatriciana — a heaping bowl of goodness with smoked bacon, garlic, pecorino, blistered tomatoes, and chili flakes, or the classic rigatoni bolognese, that’s packed with ground veal and beef in a tomato, cream, basil, red wine parmesan sauce. The cafe is also a great idea for lunch, with a boxed lunch option, serving sandwiches like Italian hoagies that come with pasta salad, fruit salad, and a cookie for $20 or less.

Tacos Tierra Caliente

With its prime location steps from the West Alabama Ice House and a mouthwatering menu of $3 tacos, this iconic cash-only taco truck is one of the best ways to get the most bang for your (literal) buck. Order a few al pastor and chicharron tacos, or splurge on a $5 torta.

burger-chan

Since launching in 2016, this fast-casual burger bar has garnered a loyal following, and for good reason. Its burgers are built with 2- or 5-ounce 44 Farms beef patties and can be customized from bun to bun to your liking. A 2-ounce burger starts at under $6 — but you can make it a double for just a couple more dollars, plus add interesting toppings like onion strings, kimchi relish, and charred jalapenos for $1 each.

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Oishii Restaurant

Sushi night can be pricey, but at Oishii, diners can indulge in all of the house staples paired with beer, wine, or sake without breaking the bank. Small plates like seaweed salad, chicken yakitori, fried pork gyoza, and agedashi tofu are under $5, while many sushi and sashimi options start at $1 or $2 per piece. Cut down on cost even more by visiting during Oishii’s famed happy hour where appetizers are buy-one, get-one-free.

an exterior shot of the Oishii Houston location.
Oishi Houston offers a variety of small plates for under $5
Oishii Restaurant

Jollof Rice King

The debate of which West African country makes the best jollof rice will forever linger, and this Nigerian hotspot may help make up your mind. Browse the menu of rice dishes, soups, swallows, and tender meats, all costing under $20. An herbaceous traditional bowl of okra soup is the perfect place to start before diving into one of its signature plates, like the jollof rice or yam porridge, which are complimented with two pieces of meat or one portion of fish, with the option to add on chicken, oxtails, mackerel, beef, goat, or vegetarian options.

Ekko's Greek American Deli

Located inside a Galleria-area convenience store, this no-frills counter is the definition of a hidden gem. Known for its mouthwatering Greek eats served fast and at a seriously reasonable price, its Gyro sandwiches are packed full of meat. Choose from chicken or a lamb and beef combo — a bargain at $8.

Cochinita & co.

An homage to the famous Yucatan dish cochinita pibil, this humble all-day cafe is a solid option for flavorful Mexican fare that’s at great value, with all entrees ringing in under $15 with a hearty serving of rice, beans, queso fresco, pico de gallo, and tortillas. Order the rainbow bowl for a generous serving of the restaurant’s namesake Yucatan-style barbecued pork, plated alongside nutty quinoa, beans, greens, pickled red onion, grilled pineapple, pico de gallo, and an oregano vinaigrette, or the mole negro, a roasted chicken in a creamy cacao mole sauce. In it for takeout? the $48 La Familia dinner offers one larger entree to share plus two sides that together feeds four to six people.

Shri Balaji Bhavan

Offering an affordable assortment of chaat, dosas, and entrees, Shri Balaji gives the option to sample. Go for the $10 Madras Thali meal, which comes with seasonal vegetables, basmati rice, tangy, tomato, tamarind and lentil soup, sambar, fresh yogurt, lentil chips, your choice of three chapatis cooked on the griddle, and three puris with the dessert of the day. Feeling extra hungry? Add an appetizer like the three stuffed potato-stuffed samosas for $5.

Molina's Cantina

Few restaurants can stand the test of time and continue to deliver quality food at a low-cost price, but Molina’s pulls it off seamlessly. The iconic Tex-Mex restaurant offers several combination plates with beef chalupas, tamales, chalupas, and more for under $17, including the enchiladas de Tejas platter ($14), a duo of chili con carne topped cheese enchiladas — a staple on the menu for more than eight decades.

San Dong Noodle & Dumpling House

Located in the Bellaire Chinatown center, this no-frills counter-service restaurant is a favorite for quick, flavorful Chinese food. Choose from a variety of dumplings from pan-fried pork to beef soup varietals all for under $10 for a dozen. Locals swear by its bean sauce noodles, but the chicken steak and roast beef noodles are also fine options. Noodles, dumplings, hefty portions, and affordability make this a great spot for casual Chinese. 

Various dishes at San Dong.

Star Ice & Teriyaki

Head to this strip-mall spot for Taiwanese cuisine that does not break the bank. Start off with an order of its chicken nuggets and then move onto its fried pork chop with rice complete with bok choy, picked veggies, and egg. Beat the Texas heat with one of its shaved ice desserts that come with traditional toppings of red bean, rainbow, black, and almond jellies for a cool $5. You can easily feed a family of four (with dessert) for under $40 here. 

Beef noodle soup at Star Ice & Teriyaki.

New York Deli & Coffee Shop

From its food to its nostalgic décor, dining at NY Deli & Coffee Shop is like stepping back in time. This old-fashioned diner remains tried and true for its NY-deli style comfort plates and is always a scene on weekends with early birds looking to score hot and fresh bagels. Along with traditional breakfast pastries, budget eats are aplenty. French toast and pancake platters are under $10 while heartier meals like the hot Reuben sandwich and the bagel and lox come with two sides for under $14.

Related Maps