Dining on a Dime: Where To Feast in Dallas for $10 or Less

Between inflation and the holidays, we're all looking for ways to cut back on expenses, but not our waist line. Here's a roundup of great food at a decent price. We've also got a list for great happy hour deals, a category unto itself.

Ba Lee
1927 E. Belt Line Road
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). 

Blackjack Pizza
2536 MLK Jr. Blvd. and 2120 N. St. Augustine Road
Blackjack Pizza makes one of our favorite cheeseburgers in the city. The patties are thick, as are the slices of tomatoes and onions. A cheeseburger is just $6.75; a double-meat cheeseburger is $9.50. Blackjack has many other options under $10 (links and a chicken strip basket) and some other options a wee bit above ten bucks (spaghetti). Just one thing to remember: Blackjack cash only.

Burger House
Park Cities, 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.

Cheesesteak House
Various Locations
Indulge your cravings at Cheesesteak House, where the regular-sized cheesesteaks are a steal at $7.99 and the large is just $9.99. You can also dive into a world of flavors with one of the specialty sandwiches, priced at $8.59 for a regular and $10.89 for a large. The diverse array is sure to satisfy any appetite.

Del Campo
901 Long Prairie Road, Flower Mound; 10724 N. Beach St., Fort Worth
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.

Del’s Charcoal Burgers
110 S. McKinney St., Richardson
Del’s Charcoal Burgers has stood as a revered local landmark since 1957, celebrated for its homemade root beers, charcoal-grilled burgers, hot dogs and sandwiches. The family-owned establishment offers an array of options, the priciest being the double meat and cheeseburger for $7.60. Hot dogs are capped at $6.45, and sandwiches are priced at a reasonable $6.25 each.

Firexbox
9918 Plano Road
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.

Fuel City
801 S. Riverfront Blvd.
Fuel City is well known for its street tacos (about $12 for four) and the massive burritos, which will set you back just about nine bucks. We're partial to the pastor and barbacoa. However, there are a lot of gas station tacos that will fill you up for less than $10.

Jimmy’s Food Store
4901 Bryan St.
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.

Keller’s Drive-In
East Dallas and Harry Hines Blvd.
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.

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.

Taqueria La Ventana
Various Locations
Take advantage of $2.50 tacos, $8.50 burritos and dips and chips at $5 or less at Taqueria La Ventana.

La Victoria
1605 N. Haskell Ave.
Start your day off at La Victoria with a massive breakfast burrito with sausage, eggs, potatoes and more, starting at $4.

Mama’s Daughters' Diner
Various Locations
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.

The Peak Inn
132 N. Peak St.
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.

Prince Lebanese Grill
502 W. Randol Mill Road, Arlington
When you’re gearing up for a Dallas Cowboys or Texas Rangers game, make a pit stop at Prince Lebanese Grill. This family-owned gem offers beef shawarma sandwiches, gyros and falafel, all priced at $8 or less. For a complete meal under $10, save room for baklava, just $1.25.

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.

What the Pho
221 W. Parker Road, Plano
One of the best dinner deals we’ve seen is at What the Pho, where you can snag two bánh mì sandwiches for $8.99. Yes: two sandwiches for under $9. 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.