18 Insanely Good Dallas Meals for $10 or Less

No, it’s not just you: everything costs more. Thankfully, some of our favorite Dallas restaurants (18, in fact) appreciate that we are all trying to stay on budget. Here are some of our favorite Dallas hidden gems where you can grab a bite without breaking the bank. Most are fantastic on their own, with or without the good prices. We added variety in the options here, too; it can’t all be $1 taco spots.

Take our advice and enjoy a selection of everything Dallas has to offer, from burgers to banh mi to a Buddhist temple. The only thing you’ll need extra of is napkins.

Ba Lee, Carrollton

We recently visited this Vietnamese sandwich shop in Carrollton and suggested it could have the best banh mi in Dallas – for just $5. Get a crunchy baguette stuffed with pate ham, chicken, crushed meatballs, grilled pork, pork roll or shredded pork with skin. Each sandwich is loaded with pickled daikon, carrot, cilantro and jalapenos. They also have pressed sugar cane juice ($4.50 for a small). 1927 E. Belt Line Road

Buddhist Temple, North Dallas

On Sundays, the beautiful North Dallas temple turns into a bustling food market, where you can load up on delicious skewers and sticky rice for as cheap as $1 each. There are so many options here from different vendors, all of which are as tasty and cheap as they are authentically Thai. Make sure to come prepared though, vendors open at 9 a.m. and tend to be sold out of some items by lunchtime. Each vendor is also cash-only, and there isn’t an ATM nearby, so carve out some time to prepare on Saturday night, you won’t regret it. 8484 Stults Road

Burger House, Addison and East Dallas

Burger House, a Dallas institution, has served award-winning burgers, crispy seasoned fries and handmade milkshakes and malts since 1951. Prices start at $5.45, and the burgers embody the epitome of classic flavors, offering a delicious nod to tradition. Park Cities, Addison and East Dallas

Cheesesteak House, Oak Cliff

Indulge your cravings at Cheesesteak House, where the regular-sized cheesesteaks are a steal at $7.99 and the large is just $8.99.  You can also dive into a world of flavors with one of the specialty sandwiches, also priced at $8.99 for a regular. Bring a towel (so much queso and sauce). Various Locations

Corner Market, Lower Greenville

We’ll take any excuse we can to sing the praises of Corner Market, Lower Greenville’s one-stop deli and flower shop that just celebrated 20 years in business. Somehow, each of their delicious sandwiches remains under $10, and you can get an iced latte on the way out for less than $4. 3426 Greenville Ave.

Del Campo, Flower Mound

Savory empanadas at the Argentinian restaurant Del Campo are just $4.75 each, so you can get two for just under $10. Or buy one savory and get a dessert pastry like the Banutella for just $3.25. It’s stuffed with banana, Nutella, chocolate sauce and powdered sugar. 901 Long Prairie Road, Flower Mound; 10724 N. Beach St., Fort Worth

Del’s Charcoal Burgers, Richardson

Del’s Charcoal Burgers has remained a Richardson institution since 1957, narrowly surviving it’s greatest test yet earlier this year when a fire forced a closure for 42 days. These days, they’re back and just as good as ever, especially when you can get a Del’s Special for $8.50.

Firexbox, Lake Highlands

At Firexbox in Lake Highlands, a glimpse through the drive-thru delivery window reveals a skilled chef meticulously crafting your sushi behind the counter. This sushi extends far beyond the ordinary California rolls, showcasing a level of quality surpassing typical grocery store fare, all at a fraction of the cost. With most rolls priced at $7.29 and sushi a la carte at $5.55 per order, the value is undeniable. While the drive-thru experience may require a bit more patience, rest assured that the made-to-order aspect results in a tasty culinary experience. 9918 Plano Road

Green Spot, White Rock

There’s gas station food, and then there’s Green Spot. The small White Rock outpost does technically sell gas, but it feels like more of a front for a hidden gem of a cafe and eco-friendly marketplace. The food counter at the back offers a great selection of breakfast tacos, plus a bowl with black beans, bacon, egg, sausage and potatoes for just $6. 702 N. Buckner Blvd.

Jimmy’s Food Store, East Dallas

Veteran Italian specialty shop Jimmy’s Food Store serves some of the best Italian prepared foods, sausages, baked goods and imported cheese and pasta in the city. However, you’d be remiss if you didn’t indulge in a sandwich from the takeout menu. Try a hearty deli sub, like the Italian sub loaded with mortadella, capicola, sopressata, pepperoni and provolone cheese for $5.99 for a half and $12.99 for a full. Or try the famous Cuban sandwich with roast pork, ham, Swiss, pickles and mojo sauce for $7.99. 4901 Bryan St.

Keller’s Drive In, East and North Dallas

Keller’s Drive-In, a Dallas classic since the ’60s, offers a nostalgic dining experience. Stay in your car as the friendly waitstaff takes your order and delivers it to your car. Don’t miss the signature poppy seed bun burger, onion rings and a chocolate milkshake, all for under $12. Despite its popularity, Keller’s has maintained affordable prices after 70 years in business, with burgers starting at $3.85. Plus, they now accept credit cards. So, enjoy the retro vibe, and keep some extra napkins handy to avoid any mess on your steering wheel. 6537 E NW Highway and 10554 Harry Hines Blvd.

Tacos La Banqueta, Various Locations

Tacos La Banqueta has tacos starting at $2 for corn and $2.25 for flour. Options include thin grilled beef, pork and pineapple, pork sausage, pork meat, cow head, beefsteak, small intestines, cow tongue, chicken or cheese. All tacos are served with onions and cilantro. Various Locations

La Victoria, East Dallas

Dallasites have been starting their day at La Victoria since 2005, with heaping breakfast burritos filled with sausage, eggs, potatoes and more all for under $4. 1605 N. Haskell Ave.

Mama’s Daughters’ Diner, Various Location

Complaints about rising food prices persist, but breakfast at Mama’s Daughters’ Diner remains an affordable delight. Indulge in biscuits and gravy for just over $4, a fried egg sandwich for under $6 and a short stack of pancakes for less than $7. At lunch, the rotating meat-and-three options offer a diverse daily selection for just under $12. Alternatively, opt for a budget-friendly feast with two chicken-fried steaks priced at $15 or less, perfect for sharing. Note that prices and options vary by location, so check the menu before heading out for a delicious and wallet-friendly meal. Various Locations

The Peak Inn, East Dallas

The Peak Inn is one of our favorite dive bars slash neighborhood haunts. Get an order of cheesesteak eggrolls for $8.25 or a bowl of house-made red chili (with cheddar cheese) for $9.99. The one-third-pound burgers here are phenomenal and only $10.99 (so sue us), and they come with house-made fries. 132 N. Peak St.

Tacos Y Mas, Various Locations

Tacos Y Mas has Mexican street tacos for $2.49 or a signature taco for $3.99. For street tacos, you can choose between steak, chicken, pastor, carnitas, barbacoa, bistec, lengua and tripa. Signature taco choices include grilled steak, shredded chicken, chicken or steak fajita, marinated pork, slow-cooked beef brisket and birria. Various Locations

Texas Taco 6

Between numerous day trips to Garland Camera Repair, the massive sign touting 99c tacos across the street always seemed too good to be true. Located in the back of Shop N Go #14, a convenience and liquor store, the small counter of Texas Taco 6 made a believer out of a skeptic, who ate an entire meal for about $4. 4334 Saturn Road, Garland

What the Pho, Plano

One of the best dinner deals we’ve seen is at What the Pho, where you can snag two bánh mì sandwiches for $9.75. Yes: two sandwiches for under $10, thanks to an all-day buy one get one free deal. Indulge in popular choices like beef and pork or explore one of the other 11 options available, all served with cilantro, jalapeno, cucumber, carrots and daikon. Planning for a potluck but prefer not to cook? Consider a party tray: $40 for 50 chicken dumplings or $50 for 100 pork or vegetable egg rolls. 221 W. Parker Road, Plano