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A spread of Italian sandwiches sits on a red and white checked tablecloth.
There are options aplenty for an affordable lunch in Deep Ellum at Olivella’s Italian Deli.
Olivellla’s Italian Deli

The 13 Finest Budget-Friendly Restaurants in Dallas

Feast on nicely-priced Asian street food, burgers, Italian deli sandwiches, burgers, and more

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There are options aplenty for an affordable lunch in Deep Ellum at Olivella’s Italian Deli.
| Olivellla’s Italian Deli

Inflation is up, and our bank accounts are down. For those hoping to save a few dollars, every little bit counts. You can treat yourself on a budget. These Dallas restaurants offer good eats at a price that won’t take your whole wallet out.

From Italian to Asian street food to plant-based fast food to a giant slice of pizza, there’s something for every taste and budget at these local spots.

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Portillo's the Colony

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The lines might be long, but the price is right for a hot dog at this Chicago-export. Treat yourself to a jumbo hot dog for under $5 and build on it with add-ons from there.

On Rotation Brewery & Kitchen

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Most things on the bites menu at this brewery are under $15 — including burgers, toasted sandwiches, salads, and it’s gluten-friendly fried chicken plates.

Bubba's Cooks Country - Dallas

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With a one-piece meal under $10 and a three-piece under $17, eating some of the best fried chicken in Big D is on the menu at a price point a family can manage at Bubba’s Cooks Country. 

Project Pollo

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Get your fast food fix, but make it sustainable and entirely plant-based. This San Antonio chain opened an outpost on Greenville Ave. that serves up chicken sandwiches, burgers, wings, wraps, and more — with options for under $10. There’s also a “pay what you can” menu if those prices are too high. 

Green Spot

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With tacos at $3.75 each (or $4.50 for shrimp or Mahi Mahi) and bowls for $7.50, this affordable spot in Lake Highlands serves up some of the best gas station tacos in the city that won’t give you the heebie-jeebies. The meats are all locally sourced, and the eggs are cage-free. And a sighting of Erykah Badu might happen — she’s known to come in for a vegetarian taco from time to time.

Red Stix Street Food

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Chef Uno Immanivong serves up Asian street food at an affordable price, with dishes inspired by her childhood in Thailand. Try a banh mi sandwich with chicken Thai curry satay or crispy fried tofu for under $10. Mix and match bowls are under $15 and can be made with steamed duck fat rice, buttered garlic noodles, Chinese barbecue pork, and teriyaki chicken, among numerous other options. And they are quite large.

Hello Dumpling

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Priced at eight dumplings for $10 and under, this is a steal for housemade dumplings — the pork with Napa cabbage and beef with carrots and onion are especially good. There are equally yummy rice dumplings, baozi, soup noodles that top out at $14 for an order, sauce noodles at $10.50 on the high end, and amazing crispy basil chicken for only $7.50, along with other plates of hot and cold bites. 

Goodfriend Package

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It’s breakfast sandwiches are universally lauded, but this spot serves up great lunch sandwiches too. And the price is right at $11 to $14 for most offerings — but for the budget-minded, grab a grilled cheese for $5.50 and pair it with tomato soup for $4.

Curry Up Now

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The price is right for Indian street food at Curry Up Now. At $12, its burritos take traditional Indian fare and wrap them up in a tortilla for easy eating. Bowls, rice plates, and the Sexy Fries, an Indian-inspired poutine-type sweet potato fry plate, are all under $15.

Dairy-Ette

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Dairy-ette has been serving burgers, fries, and milkshakes to Dallas since 1956. Drive up or come in and order a basket. This good old-fashioned American food will make you nostalgic for car hops and these prices. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. 

Serious Pizza

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Get a seriously huge slice at this Deep Ellum spot for under $6. Or order a whole pie that will take days to eat — it’s under $17 for an 18-inch large.

Olivella's Italian Deli

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When is a sandwich more than just a sandwich? When it’s stuffed with Italian ingredients, uses fresh-made bread, and costs $14. This Deep Ellum spot also offers salads and pastas for under that price point, and pizzas under $20.

Easy Slider

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Mix and match the unique slider offerings at this joint, with two for $9 or three for $12. They’ll fill up the belly and then some.

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Portillo's the Colony

The lines might be long, but the price is right for a hot dog at this Chicago-export. Treat yourself to a jumbo hot dog for under $5 and build on it with add-ons from there.

On Rotation Brewery & Kitchen

Most things on the bites menu at this brewery are under $15 — including burgers, toasted sandwiches, salads, and it’s gluten-friendly fried chicken plates.

Bubba's Cooks Country - Dallas

With a one-piece meal under $10 and a three-piece under $17, eating some of the best fried chicken in Big D is on the menu at a price point a family can manage at Bubba’s Cooks Country. 

Project Pollo

Get your fast food fix, but make it sustainable and entirely plant-based. This San Antonio chain opened an outpost on Greenville Ave. that serves up chicken sandwiches, burgers, wings, wraps, and more — with options for under $10. There’s also a “pay what you can” menu if those prices are too high. 

Green Spot

With tacos at $3.75 each (or $4.50 for shrimp or Mahi Mahi) and bowls for $7.50, this affordable spot in Lake Highlands serves up some of the best gas station tacos in the city that won’t give you the heebie-jeebies. The meats are all locally sourced, and the eggs are cage-free. And a sighting of Erykah Badu might happen — she’s known to come in for a vegetarian taco from time to time.

Red Stix Street Food

Chef Uno Immanivong serves up Asian street food at an affordable price, with dishes inspired by her childhood in Thailand. Try a banh mi sandwich with chicken Thai curry satay or crispy fried tofu for under $10. Mix and match bowls are under $15 and can be made with steamed duck fat rice, buttered garlic noodles, Chinese barbecue pork, and teriyaki chicken, among numerous other options. And they are quite large.

Hello Dumpling

Priced at eight dumplings for $10 and under, this is a steal for housemade dumplings — the pork with Napa cabbage and beef with carrots and onion are especially good. There are equally yummy rice dumplings, baozi, soup noodles that top out at $14 for an order, sauce noodles at $10.50 on the high end, and amazing crispy basil chicken for only $7.50, along with other plates of hot and cold bites. 

Goodfriend Package

It’s breakfast sandwiches are universally lauded, but this spot serves up great lunch sandwiches too. And the price is right at $11 to $14 for most offerings — but for the budget-minded, grab a grilled cheese for $5.50 and pair it with tomato soup for $4.

Curry Up Now

The price is right for Indian street food at Curry Up Now. At $12, its burritos take traditional Indian fare and wrap them up in a tortilla for easy eating. Bowls, rice plates, and the Sexy Fries, an Indian-inspired poutine-type sweet potato fry plate, are all under $15.

Dairy-Ette

Dairy-ette has been serving burgers, fries, and milkshakes to Dallas since 1956. Drive up or come in and order a basket. This good old-fashioned American food will make you nostalgic for car hops and these prices. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. 

Serious Pizza

Get a seriously huge slice at this Deep Ellum spot for under $6. Or order a whole pie that will take days to eat — it’s under $17 for an 18-inch large.

Olivella's Italian Deli

When is a sandwich more than just a sandwich? When it’s stuffed with Italian ingredients, uses fresh-made bread, and costs $14. This Deep Ellum spot also offers salads and pastas for under that price point, and pizzas under $20.

Easy Slider

Mix and match the unique slider offerings at this joint, with two for $9 or three for $12. They’ll fill up the belly and then some.

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