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Kamalan Bakery
Kamalan Bakery
Emily Bond

Houston Cheap Eats 2015: Best New Cheap Restaurants Map

Restaurants that have opened within the past 6 months and are considered in the $ price range.

by Emily Bond
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Kamalan Bakery
| Emily Bond
by Emily Bond

Eating on the cheap shouldn't mean eschewing good food. In fact, here are seven choices in our fine city that have recently opened, each one very budget friendly. We only selected restaurants considered in the $15 or under price range for lunch.

Restaurants selected are arranged alphabetically, and not in any particular order of favorites. Although we do have favorites. If you've got a recent spot that just opened you'd like us to try, let us know 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. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Velvet Taco

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The Dallas-based chain only recently opened their latest location on Houston's busy Washington Corridor, but it's already getting a lot of buzz. The neon-hued taco palace makes everything on the menu from scratch and is known for inventive combinations. Taco creations range between $2.50 for the #19 (bacon, egg, frittata) to $6.50 for the #17 Ahi Taco.

Velvet Taco. [Photo: Facebook]

4819 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007
(832) 834-5908
(832) 834-5908

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Crescent City Beignets

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The beloved Cajun beignet cafe has re-opened a year after closing. The powdered and puffed breakfast and desserts aren't the only inexpensive treat (one for $1.50, three for $4.25) on the menu, try the classic crawfish étouffée $6.95 or for $12.95 get the half-oyter and half-shrimp lo-boy.

Crescent City Beignets. [Photo: Yelp/Maria S.]

6383 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77057
(832) 581-2788
(832) 581-2788

Brooklyn Meatball Company

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Brooklyn Meatball Co. II (1200 McKinney) officially opened for business July 7 at the Shops at Houston Center food court in the tunnels downtown. The Italian staple recently gained some serious critical acclaim when local food critic Phaedra Cook added the meatballs to her top "100 Favorite Dishes 2015," in the Houston Press. Despite the top-notch rating, the meatballs make for a super affordable meal. Try two of these delicious home-made meatballs with a sauce of your choosing, served with fresh basil-ricotta and a hunk of bread for only $4.99.

Brooklyn Meatball Co. II. [Photo: facebook]

930 Main St Ste T240C, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 751-1700
(713) 751-1700

Kamalan Bakery

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In one of the more popular center's in Chinatown, Dun Huang Plaza, is recent newcomer Kamalan Bakery, a Vietnamese bake shop. Their selection of beautiful breads and pastries are placed on a large dark oak table in the middle of the shop and on metal stands lining the left wall. The selection varies upon each visit, but staples include the sesame red bean buns, egg tarts and savory buns. Try the pumpkin bread mixed with Matcha and fresh pumpkin puree baked in.

Kamalan Bakery. [Photo: Emily Bond]

9889 Bellaire Blvd Ste E219 Houston, TX 77036
832-410-1082
832-410-1082

BuffBurger

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Less than a month since opening, BuffBurger's gotten a glowing review from My Table - Houston and won second place at Houstonia's Magazine's Burger Bash with their goat cheese and roasted tomato burger. The Spring Branch newcomer is certainly pricier than your average burger joint, especially with their burgers boasting toppings like truffle aioli, but at $8.50 for a gourmet burger the price is still well below what you're getting in return.

BuffBurger. [Photo: Facebook]

1014 Wirt Rd, Houston, TX 77055
(281) 501-9773
(281) 501-9773

Also featured in:

Hugs & Donuts

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Gourmet donuts are still having a moment and in Houston leading the pack is Hugs and Donuts. The speciality donut store in the Heights offers the occasional buy one get one free special at 2 p.m., but be sure to follow their social media accounts to know when BOGO specials happen, or other exciting deals. @hugs_and_donuts

Hugs and Donuts. [Photo: Yelp/Myra W.]

1901 N Shepherd Dr Ste 4, Houston, TX 77008
(713) 806-9267
(713) 806-9267

Also featured in:

Asia Market

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Fans were a little uneasy when news broke the market had been sold to new owners, leaving many to wonder about the fate (specifically the food) of this beloved Thai food spot. We're happy to say the market, which is now dubbed Asia Market Thai Lao Food is still serving the same delicious food at the same low prices. The soups have kept their spice, the Panang Curry ($7.95) remains a favorite, and the staff is incredibly friendly. The market is now open 7 days a week.

Asia Market Thai Lao. [Photo: Facebook]

1010 W Cavalcade St Ste D, Houston, TX 77009
(713) 863-7074
(713) 863-7074

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Velvet Taco

4819 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007
The Dallas-based chain only recently opened their latest location on Houston's busy Washington Corridor, but it's already getting a lot of buzz. The neon-hued taco palace makes everything on the menu from scratch and is known for inventive combinations. Taco creations range between $2.50 for the #19 (bacon, egg, frittata) to $6.50 for the #17 Ahi Taco.

Velvet Taco. [Photo: Facebook]

4819 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007
(832) 834-5908
(832) 834-5908

Crescent City Beignets

6383 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77057
The beloved Cajun beignet cafe has re-opened a year after closing. The powdered and puffed breakfast and desserts aren't the only inexpensive treat (one for $1.50, three for $4.25) on the menu, try the classic crawfish étouffée $6.95 or for $12.95 get the half-oyter and half-shrimp lo-boy.

Crescent City Beignets. [Photo: Yelp/Maria S.]

6383 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77057
(832) 581-2788
(832) 581-2788

Brooklyn Meatball Company

930 Main St Ste T240C, Houston, TX 77002
Brooklyn Meatball Co. II (1200 McKinney) officially opened for business July 7 at the Shops at Houston Center food court in the tunnels downtown. The Italian staple recently gained some serious critical acclaim when local food critic Phaedra Cook added the meatballs to her top "100 Favorite Dishes 2015," in the Houston Press. Despite the top-notch rating, the meatballs make for a super affordable meal. Try two of these delicious home-made meatballs with a sauce of your choosing, served with fresh basil-ricotta and a hunk of bread for only $4.99.

Brooklyn Meatball Co. II. [Photo: facebook]

930 Main St Ste T240C, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 751-1700
(713) 751-1700

Kamalan Bakery

9889 Bellaire Blvd Ste E219 Houston, TX 77036
In one of the more popular center's in Chinatown, Dun Huang Plaza, is recent newcomer Kamalan Bakery, a Vietnamese bake shop. Their selection of beautiful breads and pastries are placed on a large dark oak table in the middle of the shop and on metal stands lining the left wall. The selection varies upon each visit, but staples include the sesame red bean buns, egg tarts and savory buns. Try the pumpkin bread mixed with Matcha and fresh pumpkin puree baked in.

Kamalan Bakery. [Photo: Emily Bond]

9889 Bellaire Blvd Ste E219 Houston, TX 77036
832-410-1082
832-410-1082

BuffBurger

1014 Wirt Rd, Houston, TX 77055
Less than a month since opening, BuffBurger's gotten a glowing review from My Table - Houston and won second place at Houstonia's Magazine's Burger Bash with their goat cheese and roasted tomato burger. The Spring Branch newcomer is certainly pricier than your average burger joint, especially with their burgers boasting toppings like truffle aioli, but at $8.50 for a gourmet burger the price is still well below what you're getting in return.

BuffBurger. [Photo: Facebook]

1014 Wirt Rd, Houston, TX 77055
(281) 501-9773
(281) 501-9773

Hugs & Donuts

1901 N Shepherd Dr Ste 4, Houston, TX 77008
Gourmet donuts are still having a moment and in Houston leading the pack is Hugs and Donuts. The speciality donut store in the Heights offers the occasional buy one get one free special at 2 p.m., but be sure to follow their social media accounts to know when BOGO specials happen, or other exciting deals. @hugs_and_donuts

Hugs and Donuts. [Photo: Yelp/Myra W.]

1901 N Shepherd Dr Ste 4, Houston, TX 77008
(713) 806-9267
(713) 806-9267

Asia Market

1010 W Cavalcade St Ste D, Houston, TX 77009
Fans were a little uneasy when news broke the market had been sold to new owners, leaving many to wonder about the fate (specifically the food) of this beloved Thai food spot. We're happy to say the market, which is now dubbed Asia Market Thai Lao Food is still serving the same delicious food at the same low prices. The soups have kept their spice, the Panang Curry ($7.95) remains a favorite, and the staff is incredibly friendly. The market is now open 7 days a week.

Asia Market Thai Lao. [Photo: Facebook]

1010 W Cavalcade St Ste D, Houston, TX 77009
(713) 863-7074
(713) 863-7074

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