11 Best Budget-Friendly Restaurants in Austin
Whether you’re setting some food budget goals, looking to get the most bang for your buck, or just want to track down a tasty taco truck, we’ve compiled some delicious choices to dig into.
We know that eating out can get expensive, especially with so many great Austin restaurants cooking up enticing eats. But just because you want to create a food budget, that doesn’t mean you have to give up the fun of scoping out new places to enjoy. With a variety of food trucks, casual spots, places that serve plentiful portions, and deals and happy hours, saving money eating out has never been easier.
The Best Cheap Restaurants in Austin:
PROJECT POLLO
1401 Rosewood Ave A-1, Austin, TX 78702 (multiple locations)
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This vegan chicken spot is known for their affordable and delicious 2 for $10 Tuesday deal that includes two chicken sandwiches. They’ve also added a 2 for $12 hamburger deal every Thursday. And yes, you read that right. They’re 100% vegan and affordable–a sometimes hard combination to come by.
This restaurant started in San Antonio in 2020 and has since opened multiple locations across the state at a rapid rate. Their goal is to make plant-based dining convenient and accessible while still tasting incredible. Even non-vegans enjoy their tasty options, and they even have a chicken and waffles breakfast, vegan mac, shakes, and burgers.
HOME SLICE PIZZA
1415 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 (multiple locations)
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The words cheap and pizza have gone hand in hand for as long as people have been picking up slices of the hot and cheesy good stuff. What started as a mom-and-pop-type pizza shop has expanded to include two locations, but that doesn’t mean the prices skyrocketed. Home Slice is still a great place to grab a slice and a soda when you’re eating out on a budget in Austin, exploring North Loop, or enjoying a day on South Congress.
TAMALE HOUSE EAST
1707 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
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Grandma Carmen and Grandpa Moses Vasquez used to make cheap, delicious, and authentic tamales for the people of Downtown Austin out of a tiny kitchen in the ‘50s. Now, the restaurant in East Austin is an oasis of mosaic-tiled tables, trickling fountains, a gorgeous garden patio, and the smell of the original family recipes wafting from a larger kitchen.
Their individual tamales are huge, or as they put it, Texas-size. At around $5 each, it's a more than fair price to pay for a tamale that fills your plate. They have expanded their menu over the years to include a variety of innovative and exciting dishes alongside their classics and they have a liquor license, too.
SANDY’S HAMBURGERS
603 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
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Here, an old-fashioned drive-thru exterior isn’t hiding any surprises. At Sandy’s, you’ll find a good old-fashioned menu complete with hamburgers, hotdogs, fries, corn dogs, ice cream, and other essential vintage drive-thru classics. Though you might not be able to get a hamburger for a dime anymore, the prices ensure it stays on locals’ lists of cheap restaurants in Austin.
It’s technically a bit of a fast-food spot, but the simplicity, quality, and affordability make it a must when you’re in the Barton Springs area. You can grab a bite and feel transported to old Austin (they’ve been around since 1946) while looking at the city skyline.
TEXAS CHILI PARLOR
1409 Lavaca St, Austin, TX 78701
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Part bar, part kitschy watering hole, this no-frills spot has the state dish of Texas for cheap. If you love chili, there’s no better place to be. You can also grab a Mad Dog Margarita, as Guy Clark sang about in “Dublin Blues.” When it comes to chili, they have everything from mild to spicy, and all but the vegetarian options are made in the traditional style without beans.
ASIA CAFE
8650 Spicewood Springs Rd #114a, Austin, TX 78759
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If you head north, you’ll find this place serving up heaping portions of a variety of dishes (they had more than 100 menu items to choose from at one point). Almost all of their menu options are under $20 and come with enough for leftovers. If you can’t decide what to get, one of the most popular dishes is the spicy fish.
EL PRIMO
2101 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
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Simple and cheap meals can still be some of the best. If you see this tiny food truck with the name stenciled on the side, you know you’re in for some exceptionally good eats. This taco truck draws people from across the city to enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine at a family-run spot. Their tacos consistently top best taco in Austin lists, and their focus on breakfast tacos truly sets them apart from the pack. To top it all off, the breakfast tacos are only $2.25. When it comes to food trucks in Austin, this one is a can’t-miss.
BISCUITS + GROOVY
1210 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78748 (multiple locations)
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Exploring the city’s breakfast options can add up, but there are some budget-friendly restaurants in Austin that have affordable, delicious breakfast choices if you know where to look. Take this biscuit and gravy food truck that has two locations, for instance. You can get a fresh-made spread of fluffy biscuits, creamy gravy, and all kinds of topping options like eggs, cheese, and sausage for less than $10 total.
Also, you can make any of their options vegan or vegetarian. Their Barton Springs location is located in a somewhat busy area near a few other food trucks, but there are a few parking options in the back.
SMOKEY J’S BARBEQUE
7008 Ranch Rd 620 N, Austin, TX 78732
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Austin is full of barbecue royalty like Franklin’s and Terry Black’s. They are great for a reason, but that fame comes with long lines and higher prices. When you’re looking to answer your Texas barbecue craving without breaking the bank, Smokey J’s is a cash-only walk-up window destination for incredible smoked meats that fit into your food budget.
Here, you can get pounds of your favorites like beef, ham, and sausage. Once you place your order, you can grab it to go or sit and dig in at one of their outdoor picnic tables. Try their popular chopped beef sandwich, or a loaded baked potato covered in cheese, meat, and sauce.
BABY GREENS
10611 Research Blvd, Austin, TX 78759
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Eating healthy has gotten a reputation for being time-consuming, slow, and expensive. But at Baby Greens, you can hit the drive-thru for fresh salads, wraps, and soups that won’t cost a lot of green. There is also a walk-up option, so you can grab fresh made-to-order options and sit at one of their cute outdoor tables.
Founded by Sharon Mays after a period of being vegetarian, she then returned to an omnivore lifestyle but realized it was a challenge for people to find healthy fast food. That’s why you can find a tasty veggie or meat option for every offering here. At Baby Greens, eating out on a budget can be quick, nutritious, and cheap.
CAFE NENA’I
1700 Montopolis Dr, Austin, TX 78741
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This restaurant is gorgeous, Instagrammable, and affordable! The aesthetic cafe was founded by Gladys Benitez, and her mother, Elena Sanguinetti (whose nickname growing up was Nena’i). With recipes from Sanguinetti’s home of Paraguay along with foods from Argentina, they also have specialty Cuban espresso drinks and Venezuelan arepas. This is the ideal place for people who love to explore different flavors, as most menu items cost less than $6. Stop in for empanadas, sandwiches, tortas, and more.
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