Best Affordable/Cheap Meals in Austin, TX

Hey guys, this is my guide to the best affordable eats in Austin, Texas. I included a few spots just outside of Austin as well, but every restaurant on this list offers great value without sacrificing quality.

Whether you're trying to save money, support local businesses, or simply find delicious meals that won't break the bank, this guide has you covered. I know the economy has been tough for a lot of people lately, so I tried to include prices whenever possible and recommend options from all across the Austin area.

If you're looking to eat well on a budget, these are the spots I personally keep coming back to.

Cabo Bobs

I think just about everyone in Austin has a favorite burrito order at Cabo Bob’s. It is one of those build your own burrito spots that seems to have a loyal following, and with multiple locations around town, it is easy to see why. Why go to chipotle when we have this amazing local option?

My go to order is the fish burrito. I start with their fresh cilantro tomatillo tortilla, which they press and cook right in front of you. Then I add white rice, black beans, fried fish, queso, cilantro, shredded cheese, lettuce, cabbage, plenty of lime juice to cut through the richness, and a drizzle of their 99 sauce. It might sound like an unusual combination, but trust me, it is incredible. I always grab an extra side of hot sauce as well.

Their fried fish is especially good, and if you are a regular, be sure to pick up a punch card. After 6 burritos, your 7th one is free.

This is their website.

Loca d'Oro

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Loca d'Oro is currently running a really unique program called Pay What You Will, available Tuesday through Thursday. During these days, guests can dine at the restaurant and pay whatever fits their budget.

The goal of the program is to make dining out more accessible while continuing to support the local community, and I think it's a really thoughtful initiative.

If you're looking for a nice meal but are trying to stay within a budget, this is definitely something worth checking out.

JewBoy Burgers

In my opinion, Jewboy Burgers is an Iconic Austin spot. With ample outdoor seating and a dog-friendly patio, it offers a welcoming environment for all. The portions are generous, and a must-try is their shareable queso. While the burgers are solid, the real hidden gems are their flavorful burritos. Take a look at their menu, but keep in mind that they don't take reservations. Click their website here. They have a bean and cheese burrito for only 5 bucks and it's big enough to be a meal or you can get a burger 11 dollars or a chili hot dog for 7!

Song La

Song La is my favorite spot for Taiwanese food in Austin. I regularly make the drive just to eat here. The ground pork over rice reminds me of what you would find in Taiwan, and the popcorn chicken and pork chop over rice are excellent. It is a food truck, so seating can be limited and it can get hot. A meal here can cost you as little at 10 bucks but you can get an even large portion for slightly more.

Click here for their website

Deep End Subs

Deep End Subs is a new addition to this list and is already making some of the best sandwiches I have had in Austin. The owner does not accept tips, and his philosophy is simple: he has dedicated his life to making the best sandwiches possible, drawing on over a decade of experience in the industry.The must orders here are the chicken bacon ranch sub, the Cuban, and the surprisingly good banh mi. Each sandwich feels like a work of art, thoughtfully crafted and clearly influenced by the owner’s experience. Another must try is the fries, which are made fresh in house. They have different combos with 1/2 subs starting around 9 dollars and they also DON'T accept tip.

Click Here for website.

P Terrys

No affordable eats guide would be complete without P. Terry's.

First, I have a lot of respect for how much P. Terry's gives back to the Austin community. Over the years, they've consistently supported local causes, including disaster relief efforts after the floods and many other community initiatives.

On top of that, I think they serve some of the best value burgers in Austin. For a locally owned chain, it's impressive how they've managed to keep their prices so affordable while maintaining quality.

If you're looking for a meal that's actually under $10, P. Terry's is one of the best options in town. It's quick, affordable, and a place I never hesitate to recommend.

Paprika ATX

Paprika is a taqueria in Austin that deserves a lot of recognition in my opinion. What stood out the most to me were their delicious carnitas tacos, the pastor, and the bistec. Note the Pastor is usually a saturday only special. Located right next to Michi Ramen, I highly recommend these tacos to anyone in the Burnet area looking for a top notch taco. Additionally, I really appreciated the passion that the owner clearly has for his food. Tacos here retail around 4 dollars and 2 are enough because they're packed with meat. Or you can get a torta for 12 dollars.

Click here for more.

Tan My

Tan My holds a special place in my heart, and I’ll admit I’m biased. it’s probably my personal favorite pho spot in Austin. I’ve been coming here since I was a kid, and later through high school and college, when my dad and I would go almost every Wednesday.
Fast forward a decade, and the secret is definitely out. Thanks to word of mouth and social media, Tan My has become one of the top pho destinations in Austin. These days, you might wait 10–30 minutes for a table, though weekdays are a bit easier. Despite the crowds, the hospitality remains personal.

One important note: Tan My does to go only on certain nights, so double-check their hours/call before you go. Lunch is usually the safest bet if you want to dine in.

Spicy Boys Fried Chicken

Spicy Boys Fried Chicken has long been one of my favorite spots for a hot chicken sandwich in Austin. I recommend the OG sandwich with sweet chili honey, papaya salad, and Thai basil ranch, as well as the five piece bone in chicken. While consistency has dipped slightly over time, it is still worth trying.

Click here for their website

Habanero Cafe

Habanero Cafe is a great Tex Mex option that leans into an old school Austin feel. They are especially known for their beef fajitas, which are more like seasoned cuts of beef rather than traditional sliced skirt steak. The enchiladas are also worth ordering. It is a very homey, comforting spot. They have meal deals as low as 6 dollars with enchilada plates retailing around 12 dollars. On Mondays they have chicken fajitas and crispy taco plates retailing for 10 dollars as a lunch special!

Click here for their website

T-Loc's Sonora Hot dog

Green Hot dog for Austin FC at T Locs

Carne Asada Fries at T Locs

This is one of my top 3 food trucks in Austin. T Loc's has been around for years, and it's a huge surprise he doesn't have a brick and mortar location. Everything here is good, I'm serious! They serve Sonoran-style food and source their tortillas and buns from Arizona. The tortillas are buttery, flaky, and delicious. They have amazing carne asada and carne asada fries too. My go to orders are the carne asada plate, the fries, and their agua fresca. The Sonoran hot dog is also a must try. The hot dogs start at 6 dollars but the most popular option is 10 dollars.

Here is their instagram.

Bird Bird Biscuit

Bird Bird Biscuit

One of my favorite spots in town for a delicious biscuit sandwich! The Queen Beak (with cayenne black pepper honey, bacon infused chipotle mayo, and fried chicken breast) is my go to chicken sandwich. I also recommend getting an order of their dough doughs! The biscuit sandwiches retail from 9-11 dollars and one is more than enough to fill you They also have delicious biscuits and gravy.
Check out their menu here.

Chef Hong

Chef Hong is one of my favorite spots for dumplings in Austin. In my opinion, they make the best boiled dumplings in the city.

The wrappers have that perfect chewy, bouncy QQ texture, and the pork filling is juicy and packed with flavor. If you're craving traditional Chinese dumplings, this is the spot I recommend.

They also serve other classic dishes like liangpi and a handful of other traditional Chinese specialties, so there's plenty to try beyond the dumplings.

The only downside is that they're a food truck located near UT campus, so parking can be a bit of a hassle. But if you're willing to deal with that, I think the dumplings are absolutely worth the trip.

Chatpatti Chaat

Chat Patti is my go to spot when I'm craving Indian street food. Everything on the menu is vegetarian, and I like coming here because they're open relatively late and are conveniently located in North Austin.

My favorite dish is the dahi puri, and I also always order the vada pav, which is essentially a spiced potato patty served in a bun, kind of like an Indian style burger.

Most people will be full after just 1 or 2 dishes, so it's an easy and affordable meal. The food truck is also located in a great park with several other food vendors nearby, making it a fun place to explore if you're dining with a group or want to try a few different things. A single Vada Pav retails for around 4 dollars.

Din Ho Chinese

Din Ho Chinese is another great option to check out. They’ve been a longtime staple in Austin, serving a wide range of Cantonese style dishes, including barbecue pork, roast pork, and live seafood.

I personally recommend ordering the lobster, panfried beef noodles, and wonton soup, along with an order of their roast duck and char siu. This is a great spot to feed a large group for a special occasion.

Click here for their website.

Stuffed Cajun

Stuffed Cajun is probably my favorite spot for Cajun food in Austin. They focus on New Orleans style Cajun food, and they do a really good job bringing those flavors to the area.

One of my favorite things here is their lunch special, where you can get a boudin ball, cup of gumbo, half a po’boy, and fries for a really great price (around 13 bucks last i checked? ) . It is one of the best value options if you want to try a variety of their food.

I also really enjoy their Cajun style crawfish. Their seasoning is done really well, and the flavors are exactly what I look for in a good seafood boil. Another thing I appreciate is their frozen section, where you can purchase many of their menu items to take home and enjoy later.

For those reasons, I highly recommend checking out Stuffed if you’re craving Cajun food in Austin.

Pedrosos Pizza

So far, out of all the pizza spots I've tried in Austin, Pedrosos is by far my favorite. I've eaten a lot of pizza over the years in Boston, New York, and all around Texas, and I can say for certain that Pedrosos is the closest I've gotten to NY. This is the spot I go when I bring food for a birthday party. Their Stromboli with all the meats retail for 18 but I usually share it with 2-3 people. A 16 inch cheese pizza is 18 dollars. I know there's cheaper fast food options but I like supporting local!

You can preorder in advance via their website. I also recommend trying their italian sub!

Moms Special Cooking

Shan Dry noodle

Mom's Special Cooking is Austin’s only Burmese restaurant. We sampled several dishes, including mohinga, malar, Shan dry noodles, kyay oh, and their green tea salad. The flavors were unique, and even though we’re not very familiar with Burmese cuisine, the balance of acidity, spice, and noodles was a good. The location is a bit off the beaten path, and the ambiance feels more like eating in someone’s home than a traditional restaurant. Still, it’s worth a visit if you want to try  Burmese food. Click Here for Website

Julie's Noodles

pork and chive dumpling

Soup dumplings

Julie Noodle is an unassuming gem that specializes in fresh handmade noodles and dumplings. It has become one of my go to spots for affordable and delicious Chinese food, and it's definitely a place that a lot of people in the Asian community love.

When it comes to dumplings, Julie Noodle has a great selection. Their pork soup dumplings are a must try, with a flavorful broth and tender meat filling inside. I also really enjoy their boiled pork and chive dumplings, which are packed with flavor and always come out fresh.

One of my favorite parts about ordering here is opening the steamer basket and seeing these large, juicy dumplings waiting inside. Their soup dumplings are especially impressive because of the size and the amount of filling you get for the price.

If you're looking for a place that delivers delicious dumplings and handmade noodles without breaking the bank, Julie Noodle is definitely worth checking out.
Expect 10 dollars for a order of soup dumplings and I love their pork rib noodle soup for 13 dollars!

Here is their website

Las Trancas

Las Trancas is one of the most popular spots on this list, and it's always easy to spot when driving through east Austin because of the decently long line. This taco stand has a well rounded menu, and what I like about it is that they have really good salsa and make their tortillas from scratch. Although I wouldn't say that any specific taco is the best, I think all of them are delicious. The lengua is a must! Open late night as well. The nice thing about the tacos here is they retail about 3 dollars each but 2-3 are more than enough to fill you up with how big they are.

Pho Cui

Cui is a Vietnamese restaurant in North Austin. The space is really small, but the food is very good. I like how they incorporate Texas barbecue flavors into classic Vietnamese dishes, giving them their own unique identity.

The thing I recommend most is their Pho Cowboy. It uses smoked Texas style meats like brisket, and I actually prefer it over their classic pho. They also have a really good bún bò Huế, and a lot of their pho options feature smoked meats that work surprisingly well with the broth.

Another dish I enjoyed was their Saigon pork chop rice plate, which comes with nicely smoked pork that is tender and full of flavor. The prices here are also very affordable, making it a great value.

I also recommend getting their appetizer sampler, the bánh bèo nậm, so you can try a variety of different Vietnamese appetizers in one order.

The only thing to keep in mind is that the restaurant is very small, so I would expect a wait if you visit during the weekend or other busy dining hours.

Nothing here is above 14 dollars. This is their IG!
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Discada

Discada has been my favorite taco spot for a long time. While I wouldn't necessarily say that they're the absolute best tacos I've ever had, they hold a special place in my heart. The restaurant specializes in one type of taco, which is cooked in a round pan called a disc for multiple hours, hence the name Discada. These tacos feature a delicious blend of meats and veggies, and they never disappoint. As of 2026 they have a Michelin recommendation. I recommend getting at least 5 for 13.5 in 2026.

Click here for their website.

Cuantos Tacos

Cuantos Tacos is undoubtedly one of the most popular taco spots in Austin, currently located in the Arbor Food Park. What I really appreciate about their tacos is that they use NIXTAmalized style tortillas, and they offer a wide variety of meat options to choose from. While their tacos are on the smaller side, they pack a flavorful punch. They have a Michelin Bib as of 2026. A taco here retails 2-3 dollars but they are on the smaller side. I recommend the one of each where you get 6 tacos for 16.50. Click here for their website.

Inka Chicken

Inka Chicken is a bit of a detour since it's located in Wells branch, but I think it's absolutely worth the drive. The food is delicious, the portions are generous, and it's one of the best values you'll find in the Austin area.

My recommendation is to order the Family Dinner. We usually get the No. 1 Combo, which comes with a whole roasted chicken, 2 large sides, and your choice of 2 sauces.

For the sauces, I recommend the aji amarillo and the aji rocoto. As for the sides, we always order the yuca fries and the fried plantains.

I would say this meal comfortably feeds about 3 adults. If you're dining with 4 people, you will probably want to add another dish or 2. Overall, it's one of my favorite affordable meals to share with family and friends.

Here is their website.