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A Chicago dog loaded with relish, peppers, tomatoes, and onions on a poppy seed-studded bun on white paper. — Uncle Franky’s.

15 Budget-Friendly Restaurants in the Twin Cities

Local feasts around the $10 mark, or less

by Justine Jones and Alex Lodner Updated Jun 3, 2024, 12:24pm CDT

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Uncle Franky’s.

| Eli Radtke

by Justine Jones and Alex Lodner Updated Jun 3, 2024, 12:24pm CDT

No need to break the bank to find a great meal around the Twin Cities, whether you’re on the hunt for a steaming bowl of pho, a turkey melt, a cheeseburger, or a falafel platter, these restaurants across the Cities won’t disappoint. Some of them do have pricier meals on the menu, but all have at least a handful of good options around the $10 mark, or below. Here are 15 budget-friendly restaurants in the Twin Cities.

Note that these restaurants are listed geographically.

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Afro Deli

Abdirahman Kahin’s Afro Deli — with locations in both St. Paul and Minneapolis — dishes up chapati wraps, lamb gyros, and Somali steak sandwiches heaped with thin-sliced beef for right around $10. Curry, chicken yassa, and steak rice bowls clock in at about the same price, while the flaky sambusas, at three for $6.29, make for a perfect quick lunch.

56 6th St E (Minnesota), Saint Paul, MN 55101

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Day by Day Cafe

Head to Day by Day Cafe on West Seventh Street for a classic eggs-and-bacon breakfast around the $10 mark. Other dishes — like the country-fried steak and biscuits and gravy — are just a few dollars more, though the best deal on this menu is the early bird special, a diner-style breakfast platter of eggs, potatoes, sausage or bacon, and pancakes for $10.99 on weekdays and $12.59 on weekends. The same special is $6.99 on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m.

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477 7th Street West, MN 55102

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Slice Brothers Pizza

Adam Kado and Hosie Thurmond’s new University Avenue location of Slice Brothers Pizza slings New York-style slices for $5 and under. A classic cheese slice is just $3.99; supreme, chicken bacon, dill pickle ranch, and other specialties are $4.99 — these are big slices, and very foldable.

641 University Av. (Dale), Saint Paul, MN 55104

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A slice of buffalo chicken pizza on a red and white checkered piece of paper. — Buffalo chicken from Slice.

iPho by Saigon

For a $10(ish) bowl of pho, iPho’s regular or extra-large size does the trick — but the best deal on this menu might be the restaurant’s famous 10-pound jumbo pho, which clocks in at $16.25. This bowl is meant for sharing, and often comes served with an industrial-size soup ladle. iPho offers every kind of meat combo imaginable, from a seafood medley to brisket and flank steak; this broth runs a little on the sweet side, and is laced with anise and cloves.

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704 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55104

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Nelson Cheese & Deli

It’s hard to beat the $8.11 (plus tax) specialty sandwiches at Nelson’s Deli on Como Avenue, which are made with pretty exceptional meats and local cheeses. The cold sandwich menu features a smoked turkey club, a chicken salad sandwich on wild rice bread, and a “St. Paul special” with pastrami and hot pepper cheese — highlights on the hot menu include a Kansas City barbecue sandwich and a Philly beef and cheese.

1562 Como Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55108

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Mim's Cafe

Mahmoud Shahin’s Mim’s Cafe, a staple of the University of Minnesota’s St. Paul campus, dishes up kufta kabobs, fragrant falafel platters, and shawarma with rice for budget-friendly prices, ranging from about $10 to $16 depending on size. (Sides like baba ghanoush and tabouli range from $2 to $6.) Order an extra container of the creamy, garlicky tahini.

1435 Cleveland Ave N, St Paul, MN 55108

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Two platters of Middle Eastern food on a dark table. — Platters from Mim’s.

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Zakia Deli

Stop by Zakia for some of the Cities’ best Greek and Lebanese food. This is a great spot for a quick gyro or kibbi to go, but if you have more time, don’t hesitate to dine in on the bright little patio. Specials rotate daily at $12.99 (think lamb shank, bazella and rice, and savory loubieh, a green bean stew); sandwiches and kebabs hit the $10 mark. A piece of baklava or honey cake is a must.

2412 Kennedy St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

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A lamb shank sits in a bowl of rice on a table with vegetables in the foreground. — A lamb shank from Zakia Deli.

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Marino's Deli

A classic Italian deli in Northeast Minneapolis, Marino’s has been around — first as a cafe, now as a full-service deli — since 1969. Grab a sandwich for lunch for around $10 (the house sub, heaped with genoa salami, cappocollo, provolone, and meatballs is a great bet) and add on sides like spaghetti, Italian sausage, and garlic bread, all in the $2 to $3 range. Save room for cannoli, of course.

1946 Johnson St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418

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Ideal Diner

Ideal Diner, a tiny, sunshine-yellow diner on Central Avenue, has served Northeast Minneapolis since 1949. Today, it’s one of the few spots in the Cities you can get a cup of coffee for $1.75. Breakfast dishes are served all day — the Polish Man breakfast, a combo of eggs, Polish sausage, and hash browns, nods to the neighborhood’s Eastern European immigrant roots. Buttermilk short stacks are served with a generous dollop of butter.

1314 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

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Uncle Franky's

Nothing beats a good dog for a cheap and satisfying lunch. Even a double dog at Uncle Franky’s is under $10. While the tiny Minneapolis spot is famous for its hotdogs, and rightfully so, give their version of a Juicy Lucy a try for around $8, or the triple (yes, triple!) Windy City Burger for $7.50. Plan for a nap immediately afterwards.

728 Broadway St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

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A Chicago dog topped with peppers, tomatoes, relish, and onions. — A Chicago dog from Uncle Franky’s.

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Sammy’s Avenue Eatery

Sammy McDowell, the very beloved late owner of Sammy’s Avenue Eatery, opened his Broadway Avenue sandwich shop in 2012, and it’s stayed open following his passing. Stop by for a turkey bacon club, a chicken teriyaki sandwich, or a chicken salad sandwich, all around $6.75 — for a quick, hearty breakfast, the egg sandwiches all clock in around $6.

1101 W Broadway Ave #1, Minneapolis, MN 55411

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Two subs with bacon, turkey, provolone, lettuce and tomato in buns on a a green and white checkered paper. — Turkey clubs from Sammy’s.

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Matt's Bar

Matt’s, which claims to be the home of the original Jucy Lucy (to distinguish its Lucy from other Twin Cities versions, Matt’s spells its burger without the “I”) is a great budget-friendly option for classic bar food. The Lucy clocks in at $9.75, while classic burgers, chicken sandwiches, grilled cheeses, and fries all run under $10.

3500 Cedar Ave S (at E 35th St.), Minneapolis, MN 55407

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Tacos El Kevin

Tucked a little building on Portland Avenue that’s painted with bright stripes of green, yellow, and blue, Tacos El Kevin is one of the Cities’ best taco restaurants. Keep it classic with barbacoa or carnitas, or go for the crispy tacos dorados (a plate of three is $10). If you’re on the hunt for something heartier, try the mojarra frita and feast on a whole fried fish.

3751 Portland Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407

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Lu's Sandwiches

Lu’s serves some of the best banh mi around, starting at $7.25. You can’t go wrong with the classic grilled pork, but options like the Special Ham, made with Vietnamese meatloaf and pork belly, or the pork meatballs (marinated Shanghai-style) are also great bets. Grab some delicately sweet sesame balls for a bite of dessert.

2624 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408

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Toma Mojo Grill

Toma Mojo Grill, a fast-casual mini-chain founded by two fine dining veterans, recently launched a value menu. All 12 items — featuring crispy and grilled chicken snack wraps, French fries, hummus wraps, chicken drummies, and cans of Hamms — are $2.99 and less. Toma Mojo has a location in Richfield as well.

12977 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305

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Six chicken snack wraps wrapped in white paper with a label that says “Toma Mojo” on a tan background. — Toma Mojo’s snack wraps.

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Afro Deli

56 6th St E (Minnesota), Saint Paul, MN 55101

Abdirahman Kahin’s Afro Deli — with locations in both St. Paul and Minneapolis — dishes up chapati wraps, lamb gyros, and Somali steak sandwiches heaped with thin-sliced beef for right around $10. Curry, chicken yassa, and steak rice bowls clock in at about the same price, while the flaky sambusas, at three for $6.29, make for a perfect quick lunch.

56 6th St E (Minnesota), Saint Paul, MN 55101

Visit Website

Day by Day Cafe

477 7th Street West, MN 55102

Head to Day by Day Cafe on West Seventh Street for a classic eggs-and-bacon breakfast around the $10 mark. Other dishes — like the country-fried steak and biscuits and gravy — are just a few dollars more, though the best deal on this menu is the early bird special, a diner-style breakfast platter of eggs, potatoes, sausage or bacon, and pancakes for $10.99 on weekdays and $12.59 on weekends. The same special is $6.99 on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m.

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477 7th Street West, MN 55102

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Slice Brothers Pizza

641 University Av. (Dale), Saint Paul, MN 55104

Adam Kado and Hosie Thurmond’s new University Avenue location of Slice Brothers Pizza slings New York-style slices for $5 and under. A classic cheese slice is just $3.99; supreme, chicken bacon, dill pickle ranch, and other specialties are $4.99 — these are big slices, and very foldable.

641 University Av. (Dale), Saint Paul, MN 55104

Visit Website

A slice of buffalo chicken pizza on a red and white checkered piece of paper. — Buffalo chicken from Slice.

iPho by Saigon

704 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55104

For a $10(ish) bowl of pho, iPho’s regular or extra-large size does the trick — but the best deal on this menu might be the restaurant’s famous 10-pound jumbo pho, which clocks in at $16.25. This bowl is meant for sharing, and often comes served with an industrial-size soup ladle. iPho offers every kind of meat combo imaginable, from a seafood medley to brisket and flank steak; this broth runs a little on the sweet side, and is laced with anise and cloves.

Open in Google Maps

704 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55104

Visit Website

Nelson Cheese & Deli

1562 Como Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55108

It’s hard to beat the $8.11 (plus tax) specialty sandwiches at Nelson’s Deli on Como Avenue, which are made with pretty exceptional meats and local cheeses. The cold sandwich menu features a smoked turkey club, a chicken salad sandwich on wild rice bread, and a “St. Paul special” with pastrami and hot pepper cheese — highlights on the hot menu include a Kansas City barbecue sandwich and a Philly beef and cheese.

1562 Como Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55108

Visit Website

Mim's Cafe

1435 Cleveland Ave N, St Paul, MN 55108

Mahmoud Shahin’s Mim’s Cafe, a staple of the University of Minnesota’s St. Paul campus, dishes up kufta kabobs, fragrant falafel platters, and shawarma with rice for budget-friendly prices, ranging from about $10 to $16 depending on size. (Sides like baba ghanoush and tabouli range from $2 to $6.) Order an extra container of the creamy, garlicky tahini.

1435 Cleveland Ave N, St Paul, MN 55108

Visit Website

Two platters of Middle Eastern food on a dark table. — Platters from Mim’s.

Zakia Deli

2412 Kennedy St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Stop by Zakia for some of the Cities’ best Greek and Lebanese food. This is a great spot for a quick gyro or kibbi to go, but if you have more time, don’t hesitate to dine in on the bright little patio. Specials rotate daily at $12.99 (think lamb shank, bazella and rice, and savory loubieh, a green bean stew); sandwiches and kebabs hit the $10 mark. A piece of baklava or honey cake is a must.

2412 Kennedy St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Visit Website

A lamb shank sits in a bowl of rice on a table with vegetables in the foreground. — A lamb shank from Zakia Deli.

Marino's Deli

1946 Johnson St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418

A classic Italian deli in Northeast Minneapolis, Marino’s has been around — first as a cafe, now as a full-service deli — since 1969. Grab a sandwich for lunch for around $10 (the house sub, heaped with genoa salami, cappocollo, provolone, and meatballs is a great bet) and add on sides like spaghetti, Italian sausage, and garlic bread, all in the $2 to $3 range. Save room for cannoli, of course.

1946 Johnson St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418

Visit Website

Ideal Diner

1314 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Ideal Diner, a tiny, sunshine-yellow diner on Central Avenue, has served Northeast Minneapolis since 1949. Today, it’s one of the few spots in the Cities you can get a cup of coffee for $1.75. Breakfast dishes are served all day — the Polish Man breakfast, a combo of eggs, Polish sausage, and hash browns, nods to the neighborhood’s Eastern European immigrant roots. Buttermilk short stacks are served with a generous dollop of butter.

1314 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Visit Website

Uncle Franky's

728 Broadway St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Nothing beats a good dog for a cheap and satisfying lunch. Even a double dog at Uncle Franky’s is under $10. While the tiny Minneapolis spot is famous for its hotdogs, and rightfully so, give their version of a Juicy Lucy a try for around $8, or the triple (yes, triple!) Windy City Burger for $7.50. Plan for a nap immediately afterwards.

728 Broadway St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Visit Website

A Chicago dog topped with peppers, tomatoes, relish, and onions. — A Chicago dog from Uncle Franky’s.

Sammy’s Avenue Eatery

1101 W Broadway Ave #1, Minneapolis, MN 55411

Sammy McDowell, the very beloved late owner of Sammy’s Avenue Eatery, opened his Broadway Avenue sandwich shop in 2012, and it’s stayed open following his passing. Stop by for a turkey bacon club, a chicken teriyaki sandwich, or a chicken salad sandwich, all around $6.75 — for a quick, hearty breakfast, the egg sandwiches all clock in around $6.

1101 W Broadway Ave #1, Minneapolis, MN 55411

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Two subs with bacon, turkey, provolone, lettuce and tomato in buns on a a green and white checkered paper. — Turkey clubs from Sammy’s.

Matt's Bar

3500 Cedar Ave S (at E 35th St.), Minneapolis, MN 55407

Matt’s, which claims to be the home of the original Jucy Lucy (to distinguish its Lucy from other Twin Cities versions, Matt’s spells its burger without the “I”) is a great budget-friendly option for classic bar food. The Lucy clocks in at $9.75, while classic burgers, chicken sandwiches, grilled cheeses, and fries all run under $10.

3500 Cedar Ave S (at E 35th St.), Minneapolis, MN 55407

Visit Website

Tacos El Kevin

3751 Portland Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407

Tucked a little building on Portland Avenue that’s painted with bright stripes of green, yellow, and blue, Tacos El Kevin is one of the Cities’ best taco restaurants. Keep it classic with barbacoa or carnitas, or go for the crispy tacos dorados (a plate of three is $10). If you’re on the hunt for something heartier, try the mojarra frita and feast on a whole fried fish.

3751 Portland Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407

Visit Website

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A post shared by @tacosymajestic

Lu's Sandwiches

2624 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Lu’s serves some of the best banh mi around, starting at $7.25. You can’t go wrong with the classic grilled pork, but options like the Special Ham, made with Vietnamese meatloaf and pork belly, or the pork meatballs (marinated Shanghai-style) are also great bets. Grab some delicately sweet sesame balls for a bite of dessert.

2624 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Visit Website

Toma Mojo Grill

12977 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305

Toma Mojo Grill, a fast-casual mini-chain founded by two fine dining veterans, recently launched a value menu. All 12 items — featuring crispy and grilled chicken snack wraps, French fries, hummus wraps, chicken drummies, and cans of Hamms — are $2.99 and less. Toma Mojo has a location in Richfield as well.

12977 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305

Visit Website

Six chicken snack wraps wrapped in white paper with a label that says “Toma Mojo” on a tan background. — Toma Mojo’s snack wraps.

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