clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
More Maps

13 Essential Late-Night Dining Options in Dallas

13 Essential East Dallas Restaurants

11 Essential Mexican Restaurants in Dallas-Fort Worth

More in Dallas See more maps
A hand holds a slider above a box full of dozens of sliders. Next to them is a six pack of Lone Star beer.
Make it an easy night at Easy Slider.
Easy Slider

The 15 Finest Budget-Friendly Restaurants in Dallas

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

by Courtney E. Smith Updated
1 comment / new
View as Map
Make it an easy night at Easy Slider.
| Easy Slider
by Courtney E. Smith Updated
1 comment / new

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.

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

Portillo's the Colony

Copy Link

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.

4560 Destination Dr, The Colony, TX 75056
(254) 233-2111
(254) 233-2111

Also featured in:

Soul Bird Chkn Shack

Copy Link

Between the chicken sandwiches and salads, which include Buffalo style, Seoul chicken with gochujang sauce, sundried tomatoes and goat cheese, and so much more, one can get out of this spot with a main course for around the $12 mark. Add on fries and a drink for a few bucks more. And we didn’t even get into the excellent selection of wings, which are around the same price point.

8031 Walnut Hill Ln #1150, Dallas, TX 75231
(214) 276-6316
(214) 276-6316

Also featured in:

On Rotation Brewery & Kitchen

Copy Link

A lot of things on the bites menu at this brewery are under $15 — including burgers, toasted sandwiches, salads, and it’s gluten-friendly fried chicken plates. Pair it with a beer for a few bucks more and make an afternoon of it.

7701 Lemmon Ave Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75209
(972) 850-9279
(972) 850-9279

Also featured in:

Bubba's Cooks Country - Dallas

Copy Link

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. 

6617 Hillcrest Ave, Dallas, TX 75205
(214) 373-6527
(214) 373-6527

Also featured in:

Green Spot

Copy Link

With tacos at $3.75 each or less (or $4.50 for shrimp or Mahi Mahi) and bowls for well under $10, 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.

702 N Buckner Blvd, Dallas, TX 75218
(214) 319-7768
(214) 319-7768

Red Stix Street Food

Copy Link

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.

6501 Hillcrest Ave, Dallas, TX 75205
(972) 913-4883
(972) 913-4883

Hello Dumpling

Copy Link

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. And the second location, now open at Walnut Hill, has the same great stuff and the same great prices.

1146 Peavy Rd, Dallas, TX 75218
(469) 779-1551
(469) 779-1551

Also featured in:

Goodfriend Package

Copy Link

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.

1155 Peavy Rd, Dallas, TX 75218
(972) 807-2899
(972) 807-2899

Also featured in:

Curry Up Now

Copy Link

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.

5665 E Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, TX 75206
(469) 860-1030
(469) 860-1030

Also featured in:

Dairy-Ette

Copy Link

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. 

9785 Ferguson Rd, Dallas, TX 75228
(214) 327-9983
(214) 327-9983

Also featured in:

crushcraft Thai Eats

Copy Link

Heaping helpings of Thai street food including kap khao with ground pork, wok fried noodles with tofu or eggs, coconut curries with chicken and eggplant, and lettuce wraps are all available here for right around $10. As a bonus, it’s absolutely gorgeous inside this Uptown spot.

2688 Laclede St #100, Dallas, TX 75201
(972) 677-7038
(972) 677-7038

Also featured in:

Serious Pizza

Copy Link

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.

2807 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226
(469) 949-9234
(469) 949-9234

Also featured in:

Olivella's Italian Deli

Copy Link

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.

2816 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226
(214) 888-4010
(214) 888-4010

Easy Slider

Copy Link

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.

2701 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226
(469) 917-7111
(469) 917-7111

Also featured in:

More in Maps

Loading comments...

© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

Portillo's the Colony

4560 Destination Dr, The Colony, TX 75056

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.

4560 Destination Dr, The Colony, TX 75056
(254) 233-2111
(254) 233-2111

Soul Bird Chkn Shack

8031 Walnut Hill Ln #1150, Dallas, TX 75231

Between the chicken sandwiches and salads, which include Buffalo style, Seoul chicken with gochujang sauce, sundried tomatoes and goat cheese, and so much more, one can get out of this spot with a main course for around the $12 mark. Add on fries and a drink for a few bucks more. And we didn’t even get into the excellent selection of wings, which are around the same price point.

8031 Walnut Hill Ln #1150, Dallas, TX 75231
(214) 276-6316
(214) 276-6316

On Rotation Brewery & Kitchen

7701 Lemmon Ave Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75209

A lot of things on the bites menu at this brewery are under $15 — including burgers, toasted sandwiches, salads, and it’s gluten-friendly fried chicken plates. Pair it with a beer for a few bucks more and make an afternoon of it.

7701 Lemmon Ave Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75209
(972) 850-9279
(972) 850-9279

Bubba's Cooks Country - Dallas

6617 Hillcrest Ave, Dallas, TX 75205

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. 

6617 Hillcrest Ave, Dallas, TX 75205
(214) 373-6527
(214) 373-6527

Green Spot

702 N Buckner Blvd, Dallas, TX 75218

With tacos at $3.75 each or less (or $4.50 for shrimp or Mahi Mahi) and bowls for well under $10, 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.

702 N Buckner Blvd, Dallas, TX 75218
(214) 319-7768
(214) 319-7768

Red Stix Street Food

6501 Hillcrest Ave, Dallas, TX 75205

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.

6501 Hillcrest Ave, Dallas, TX 75205
(972) 913-4883
(972) 913-4883

Hello Dumpling

1146 Peavy Rd, Dallas, TX 75218

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. And the second location, now open at Walnut Hill, has the same great stuff and the same great prices.

1146 Peavy Rd, Dallas, TX 75218
(469) 779-1551
(469) 779-1551

Goodfriend Package

1155 Peavy Rd, Dallas, TX 75218

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.

1155 Peavy Rd, Dallas, TX 75218
(972) 807-2899
(972) 807-2899

Curry Up Now

5665 E Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, TX 75206

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.

5665 E Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, TX 75206
(469) 860-1030
(469) 860-1030

Dairy-Ette

9785 Ferguson Rd, Dallas, TX 75228

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. 

9785 Ferguson Rd, Dallas, TX 75228
(214) 327-9983
(214) 327-9983

crushcraft Thai Eats

2688 Laclede St #100, Dallas, TX 75201

Heaping helpings of Thai street food including kap khao with ground pork, wok fried noodles with tofu or eggs, coconut curries with chicken and eggplant, and lettuce wraps are all available here for right around $10. As a bonus, it’s absolutely gorgeous inside this Uptown spot.

2688 Laclede St #100, Dallas, TX 75201
(972) 677-7038
(972) 677-7038

Serious Pizza

2807 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226

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.

2807 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226
(469) 949-9234
(469) 949-9234

Olivella's Italian Deli

2816 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226

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.

2816 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226
(214) 888-4010
(214) 888-4010

Easy Slider

2701 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226

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.

2701 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226
(469) 917-7111
(469) 917-7111

Related Maps