Sometimes we find ourselves on a tight budget, that means cutting back on many of the things we enjoy most.
Clothes, games, concert tickets, and yes, even some of our favorite restaurants. But that doesn’t mean we can’t occasionally treat ourselves to some yummy and still affordable grub.
There are a bunch of places around town that we can chow down at and still keep our wallets unbruised and intact. These are some of our city’s crown jewels when it comes to eating pretty on a small dime. The prices below come from each kitchen’s own menu or ordering page, so go get yourself something delicious.
Of course, donuts are the natural food choice when visiting somewhere as iconic as Buckeye Donuts. But you don’t have to eat them for lunch or dinner if you don’t want to. They’re open 24 hours, so if an 11 p.m. gyro craving strikes, a traditional gyro runs $9.50 and a donut adds a couple of dollars.
Location: 1998 N. High St.
Under $10: traditional gyro, $9.50
Website: Buckeye Donuts
Los Guachos is so friendly on the wallet and the tastebuds. Seriously, you can get so much food at Los Guachos for $10 or less. Their Original Taco Al Pastor is $3, so three tacos still come in at $9, and the classic quesadilla is $8. It’s basically heaven.
Location: 5221 Godown Rd. (the original), 1344 Cherry Bottom Rd. in Gahanna, 7370 Sawmill Rd. and 1121 S. Hamilton Rd.
Under $10: three Original Tacos Al Pastor, $9
Website: Los Guachos
If you’re craving a burger, head to Press Grill. This Short North icon has cheeseburgers for $5.50, and they’re so yummy. Honestly, their whole menu is super affordable: a Nathan’s Famous hot dog is $5 and the grilled havarti sandwich is $7. On Mondays, two Nathan’s dogs go for $7.
Location: 741 N. High St.
Under $10: cheeseburger, $5.50
Website: Press Grill
Mili Cafe is tucked into the Emporium Square shopping center on the Northeast Side, serving Vietnamese favorites for a casual meal. The banh mi is a good place to start: a Vietnamese sandwich packed with meat, vegetables and seasonings in a crisp baguette. The menu listing puts a cold-cut pork banh mi at $5, or you can spend a little more on the grilled pork version for $5.50. Save room for a bowl of pho if you’re in the mood for something warm and filling.
Location: 5858 Emporium Sq.
Under $10: cold-cut pork banh mi, $5; grilled pork banh mi, $5.50
Website: Mili Cafe
Lucky’s Market sells its homemade sandwiches for $5, and the pizza and sushi counters sit a few steps away. The food is delicious and made in house. Plus, it’s a great place to stop for lunch when you also need to pick up some other random items from the grocery store midweek!
Location: 2770 N. High St.
Under $10: homemade sandwich, $5
Website: Lucky’s Market
German Village Coffee Shop makes the cut on several lists around here, but that’s because it’s affordable and delicious. This old-school style diner has incredibly affordable prices. Two people can easily get out of here for $20 or less. A cheeseburger is $8.50 and two eggs with toast runs $4, and the only things on the whole menu that top $10 are the Western omelette and the club sandwich at $10.50. They’re open for breakfast and lunch, and the kitchen closes at 2 p.m. every day.
Location: 193 Thurman Ave.
Under $10: cheeseburger, $8.50
Website: German Village Coffee Shop
Fisher Fish & Chicken is an East Side carryout worth knowing when you’re in the mood for wings or a gyro without a sit-down restaurant bill. The menu has some particularly budget-friendly options, including a regular gyro listed at $3. You can also get 6 whole wings with fries, coleslaw and bread for $9.99.
Location: 3685 E. Livingston Ave.
Under $10: regular gyro, $3; 6 whole wings with fries, coleslaw and bread, $9.99
Website: Fisher Fish & Chicken
Craving sushi without committing to a full restaurant dinner? Sushi Ten has carry-out rolls available at its counter inside Japan Marketplace, making it an easy stop when you want something quick without spending much. A California roll is listed at $4.85, leaving room in the budget for another roll or a sweet treat from Belle’s Bread in the same plaza.
Location: 1159 Old Henderson Rd.
Under $10: California roll, $4.85
Website: Sushi Ten
Dirty Franks has been my go-to cheap date night for a decade now. They have such a great variety of hot dogs, most of them around five bucks, and adding tots or fries won’t break the bank. The downtown shop doesn’t open until 4 p.m. on Mondays. Now if you don’t mind, I’ll be over here daydreaming about a Puff the Magic Popper.
Location: 248 S. 4th St. (the original), plus a campus shop at 2036 N. High St. and a counter inside Ace of Cups at 2619 N. High St.
Under $10: Puff the Magic Popper, about $5
Website: Dirty Franks
Sometimes you don’t need a whole pizza. You just need a slice, and Mikey’s Late Night Slice has you covered. The local pizza shop has nine locations around the metro, including its Short North shop on N. High St., where a slice of pepperoni is listed at $6.15. It’s an easy stop for a quick lunch, a late-night bite or a little pizza break while you’re out in the neighborhood.
Location: 1030 N. High St., plus eight more from campus to Polaris to Dublin
Under $10: one pepperoni slice, $6.15
Website: Mikey’s Late Night Slice
Tony’s Coneys keeps things simple. It’s a neighborhood hot dog counter on W. Broad St. where you can grab a coney without spending much. A regular coney is listed at $2.50 on its online ordering page, so you can order a couple and still have room in the budget for another dog on the side. It’s the kind of straightforward, no-frills stop that belongs on a list of Columbus spots where a quick meal doesn’t have to cost much.
Location: 5266 W. Broad St.
Under $10: regular coney, $2.50
Website: Tony’s Coneys
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