With inflation sending grocery costs soaring, high gas prices and a looming recession, the saying “a dollar doesn’t go as far as it used to” feels more apt than ever these days, especially when it comes to dining out. It may seem like you can’t even grab lunch anymore without shelling out at least $15, but CityBeat staffers have put together a list of 23 of their favorite spots for an affordable meal. Ringing up for $13 or less per diner, these are not multi-course, sit-down dinners, obviously, but they’re all super-satisfying options to fill you up without breaking the bank.

Al-Madina Market and Grill 6 W. Corry St., Clifton This grocery-plus-restaurant boasts a humble yet comprehensive selection of Middle Eastern staples alongside its open kitchen. The chicken shawarma is lauded by savvy students from nearby University of Cincinnati’s campus. Paired with the spicy garlic potato side dish, this chicken shawarma is a formidably flavorful meal. Photo: Paige Deglow Photo: Paige Deglow
Allez Bakery 1208 Main St., Over-the-Rhine Allez Bakery may be best known for its nationally praised artisanal bread and pastries, but it also crafts spectacular sandwiches. Whether you’re looking for something meaty or veggie-heavy, you’ll find good options when you step up to the counter. A particular favorite is the decadent meatball sandwich, which is only available on Fridays. It features fluffy ciabatta bread loaded with red sauce, pesto, provolone and some gratuitous meatballs. Stock up on napkins for this saucy stack. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Anchor Grill 438 W Pike St., Covington Anchor Grill has one of the cheapest and best breakfasts in the city — and you can get it 24/7/365. Grab a breakfast sandwich or omelet with a side of biscuits and gravy (or pretty much anything else on the menu) for $10 or less. The Glier’s Goetta factory is located across the street, so you can’t go wrong with a goetta dish. In 2020, New Yorker food correspondent Helen Rosner even named the Anchor’s double-decker goetta, lettuce and tomato sandwich ($6.50) one of the best things she’d eaten that decade. The diner celebrated 75 years of offering home-cooked, Southern-style eats in 2021 and maintains its retro vibe. Wood-paneled walls and cozy booths are complemented by a 1940s coin-operated “Band Box,” which contains a miniature toy big band that mimes performances to jukebox tunes. (Brent Stroud) Photo: Emerson Swoger
Brew House 1047 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills Open since the 1970s, Brew House in Walnut Hills is an eclectic neighborhood bar offering a slice of history, cheap drinks, and super good and fairly priced food. The flavorful burgers ($8; $7 without cheese) are the perfect size: a 5.5-ounce 80/20-blend patty. They come with chips, but you can make yours a platter with fries and coleslaw for a slight upcharge, or snag a side of onion rings for $4. Brew House also gets a little crazy with its weekly burger special, like the recent pizza or taco burger with fries ($9.95). It all pairs perfectly with a draft beer ($5) and some James Brown playing over the speakers. (BS) Photo: Facebook.com/brewhousecincinnati
Bridges Nepali Cuisine 4165 Hamilton Ave., Northside The restaurant name — Bridges — encourages diners to use food as a means of connecting to new cultures. owner Ashak Chipalu creates Nepalese food using his mother’s recipes. The dishes are rich with spices — like ginger, garlic, cumin, chili pepper and cilantro — that elevate the simple ingredients like chicken, potato, lentils and cauliflower. In addition to its bowls and curries, it’s known for its unique and wide-ranging samosa selection, as well as momos aka Nepalese dumplings. Photo: Hailey Bollinger Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Carl’s Deli 2836 Observatory Ave., Hyde Park Carl’s Deli has been a Hyde Park staple for over 80 years, with ownership that’s only changed hands a few times since 1938. Most recently, in April 2022, sisters Sydney Turnbull and Cameron Kurz purchased it from Anne McManus, whose family had run the business since 1968. Aiming to keep traditions alive, the sisters have kept the numbered sandwich menu unchanged. Walk up to the deli counter to order sandwiches, salads — like the signature Joanie’s Crabmeat and Artichoke Salad — quiches, pastas, soups and even dessert. Bonus: Everything is $11 and under. Ask for a No. 30 ($9), with creamy homemade red pepper hummus and fresh veggies. The No. 23 ($10.99) is also a hit: Carl’s Country Club features rotisserie turkey, swiss, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion and mayo. For the same price, you can also get half a sandwich and a soup. (Mackenzie Manley) Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Cincy Steak and Lemonade 2607 Vine St., Clifton Cincy Steak and Lemonade is the place to get the most bang for your buck. For just $6 you can get a gyro cheeseburger, fries and a drink. Not to mention their super colorful lemonades, with flavors ranging from rainbow to blue raspberry, and pina colada. With only a few booths in the restaurant, it’s a cozy spot for fast, casual bites. Photo via Facebook.com/Cincys Photo: Facebook.com/cincys
Daylily 3751 Eastern Ave., Columbia Tusculum Chef Jose Salazar’s restaurant group and Deeper Roots Coffee recently opened Daylily, a New York City-inspired bodega and deli in Columbia Tusculum. It offers a taste of home for the Queens-born Salazar, as well as a full coffee program, groceries and beer and wine. The food menu features slightly elevated versions of iconic bodega eats, like egg and cheese on a roll ($5; $8.50 with breakfast meat) and a Chopped Cheese ($9.50), with ground beef, American cheese, sauteed onions, banana peppers and special sauce on a hoagie. Grab either to go or enjoy them on the big back patio. (MZ) Photo: Catie Viox
El Barril Mexican Sports Bar & Grill 940 Pavilion St., Mt. Adams Mount Adams welcomed this dining establishment to its quaint hilltop neighborhood last fall, taking over the space formerly occupied by Next Chapter. As its name suggests, the eatery is part restaurant — boasting both Mexican street food and bar bites — and part sports bar. Across the board, menu prices are pretty reasonable, but if you’re looking for a real bang for your buck, opt for the burger and taco combo ($12.99). The meal comes with your choice of burger (options include the breakfast burger with goetta, bacon, cheese, fried egg and Sriracha mayo or the El Barril Burger with guacamole, sauteed mushrooms, onions and American cheese), two tacos and a side of fries. (HB) Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Galactic Fried Chicken 624 Sixth Ave., Dayton, Kentucky Dayton, Kentucky’s retro sci-fi-themed Galactic Fried Chicken serves up crispy delights for carnivores and herbivores alike, all made using gluten-free batter. Owned by husband-and-wife team Shane Coffey and Kathy McDonald, the menu features the titular fried chicken, plus salads, chicken tenders, sandwiches and classic sides like mac and cheese, deviled eggs, Texas toast and fried pickles. The vegetarian jackfruit nugget meal ($10) comes with eight nugs, a side of Galactic Sauce, coleslaw and housemade pickles. Add fries and a drink for $4. Galactic doesn’t skimp on servings — there’s enough to keep for leftovers or a midday snack. (MM) Photo: Facebook.com/galacticfriedchicken
Gulow Street 1614 Hoffner St., Northside Gulow Street is a cozy neighborhood bar that offers craft cocktails, a homey interior and a streamlined menu of sophisticated eats. Covering all the bases in just a handful of dishes, the menu ranges from rigatoni Bolognese to a pimento cheese breakfast sandwich (a replica of the favorite from the co-owner’s now-defunct Cheapside Cafe) to a cheeseburger, all for less than $11. But go for the refreshingly delicious, umami-infused cold sesame noodles ($6 half-portion; $10.50 full), topped with shiitake, carrot, red pepper and ginger-soy dressing. Pair that with a drink from the happy hour menu — $4 Tito’s vodka, $2 Miller High Life or $3 well drinks — or a $10 burger-and-draft deal on Tuesdays. (MZ) Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Island Frydays 2826 Short Vine St., Corryville Island Frydays is the definitive restaurant to break out of culinary monotony featuring authentic Caribbean cuisine made by Jamaica native and former University of Cincinnati football captain Leo Morgan. Though the restaurant has a petite and unassuming interior, they pack a whole lot of flavor. Guy Fieri visited Island Frydays in Sept. 2014 with Diners, Drive-ins & Dives, and you can try the same meal he had: The jerk chicken dinner. Photo: Facebook.com/islandfrydays
Kiki College Hill 5932 Hamilton Ave., College Hill Chefs and husband-and-wife duo Hideki and Yuko Harada met at the Tsuji Culinary Institute in Osaka, Japan. They opened Kiki College Hill in 2019 with the goal of sharing Japanese dishes that can be hard to find in America. With several gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options, it’s the perfect place to accommodate multiple dietary needs without breaking the bank. Kiki’s kimchi ramen ($10) is a soul-nourishing delight, made with slurp-worthy noodles, housemade kimchi, tender tofu, green onion and a tea-marinated egg. The shio ramen ($10) is the meaty counterpart, with chicken broth and pork belly. Keep an eye out for their seasonal specials and desserts. (MM) Photo: Hailey Bollinger
No. 4 Best New Restaurant: Pig Candy BBQ 5901 Kellogg Ave., California Photo: Provided by Pig Candy BBQ
Saigon Subs & Rolls 151 W. Fourth St., Downtown Walk into Saigon Subs & Rolls and you’ll likely be hit with the smell of fresh cilantro. Located downtown, the Vietnamese restaurant is open 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays, making it ideal for lunch break. Consider ordering their banh mi ($6.50), a classic version of the spicy-but-sweet sandwich with cucumber, cilantro, jalapeno and pickled carrots and daikon tucked inside a crunchy, buttery, toasted baguette. Add your choice of chicken, pork, beef or tofu. It’s a steal that will keep you coming back for more. (MM) Photo: Facebook.com/saigonsubsandrolls
SushiNati 3501 Erie Ave., Hyde Park; 7466 Beechmont Ave., Beechmont Hyde Park’s SushiNati boasts half-price sushi all day, every day, which basically means their entire sushi menu is super affordable all the time. There are insane rolls, like the Bengals ($10), with spicy fried tuna, spicy crab, cucumber and avocado topped with torched salmon, green onion, tobiko and ponzu sauce. But it’s their unique veggie rolls that really shine, such as the fried tofu ($4.50), steamed spinach ($4.50) and pickled radish ($3.50). The menu also features Asian soups and various stir-fried or grilled combinations served in stone bowls. (MZ) Photo: Facebook.com
Tortilleria Garcia 5917 Hamilton Ave., College Hill; 11774 Springfield Pike, Springdale; 4200 Aero Drive, Mason At Tortilleria Garcia, tacos are not just relegated to Tuesdays — although they do offer stellar $1 tacos that day. With fillings ranging from carnitas to carne asada and shrimp to potato poblano ($2.89-$4.10), the tacos are served on corn tortillas, made from scratch daily. You can also try some of the meaty options in the tamales ($2.89). If you’ve never tried horchata ($2.99), this is the spot to give the sweetened rice beverage a first sip. The tortillas are also sold in bulk, perfect for making breakfast tacos, chilaquiles, tostadas, nachos or anything else you can dream up in the kitchen. (SMP) Photo: Paige Deglow
Trotta’s Pizza & Drive-Thru 3501 Werk Road, Western Hills Frequently named one of the top 10 best pizza joints by CityBeat readers in the Best Of Cincinnati issue, Trotta’s Pizza & Drive-Thru is a pony keg that slings superior slices. Known for its unique toppings — ranging from chili and goetta to meatballs and hot wing sauce — Trotta’s offers several styles of crust: super thin, traditional, Sicilian (its specialty) and even cauliflower. The Lotta Trotta is a fan favorite for its size alone: 24 slices of Sicilian ‘za, which can feed 10-12 people for under $27. That’s a steal, but if you’re looking for something under $13, you can get a whole 12-inch cheese pizza ($12.20) or stock up on the daily specialty slice ($3 per slice). You never know what you’re going to get, unless it’s a Thursday: on Thursdays, they always serve sausage. (MZ) Photo: Jesse Fox
Unataza Coffee 603 Sixth Ave., Dayton, Kentucky Northern Kentucky Honduran cafe Unataza Coffee brings more to the table than just a piping-hot cup of (locally roasted) joe. The shop also serves a range of Honduran-inspired bites for appetites both big and small. Menu staples range from breakfast tacos to the popular vegetarian Jaded Cauli wrap ($9), but a favorite is the Tacoma Taquito ($9). Named after Dayton, Kentucky’s gone-but-not-forgotten Tacoma Pool, the wrap is made with scrambled eggs, refried beans, turkey bacon, grilled peppers and onions, cheddar cheese, diced onion and cilantro. The savory dish is served with a side of plantain chips and salsa or creamy jalapeno dressing. (HB) Photo: Hailey Bollinger
The Whole Bowl 364 Ludlow Ave., Clifton This is the perfect spot for people who don’t like to make decisions, since Whole Bowl offers only one menu item. While there is an easy vegan alternative, Whole Bowl’s titular dish is comprised of brown rice, beans, black olives, Tillamook cheddar, avocado slices, salsa, sour cream and a lemon-garlic sauce. The only real choices a diner should need to make in the matter is whether to get a 12 oz. Bambino Bowl for $6 or a 16 oz. Big Bowl for $6.50. Photo via Facebook.com/TheWholeBowlCincinnati Photo: Facebook.com
​​Wodka Bar 1200 Main St., Over-the-Rhine Named one of the best bars in America by Esquire magazine, Wodka Bar slings a surprising selection of rare international and house-infused vodkas. But owner Sarah Dworak — the granddaughter of Ukrainian immigrants and the mastermind behind Babushka Pierogies — also supplies a menu of Eastern European eats. There’s caviar, pickled vegetables, smoked meats, borscht, stroganoff and, of course, pierogi. The specialty Four-Way Pierogi ($10) is a vegetarian offering featuring meat-free-chili-stuffed pierogi topped with cheddar, sour cream, onions and Frank’s RedHot. Eat them at the bar or grab some from the walk-up takeout window. (MZ) Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Wunderbar! 1132 Lee St., Covington Wunderbar! is one of those restaurants that’s considered a “hidden gem.” The authentic German-inspired menu features housemade wursts with locally sourced meats, like the restaurant’s super popular currywurst — a peculiar invention of post-World War II Germany. It’s a spiced sausage served with a ketchup-Worcestershire-curry sauce. The rotating sausage menu is written on a blackboard behind the bar, but a must-try is the giant pretzel, a gigantic, plate-sized pretzel that easily complements any of the bar’s refreshing beers. Photo: Wunderbar Facebook Photo: facebook.com/wunderbar.covington.3
Wyoming Meat Market 513 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming Culinary entrepreneur and butcher Shelbi Nation recently purchased the historic Wyoming Meat Market from longtime owner Jim Gelhausen, who had operated it for 41 years. Nation has given the market a bit of a facelift, bringing in new display cases, a dry-aging locker and some natural wines (a house bar is in the works), but the shop still specializes in whole-animal butchery, specifically of Ohio-raised Wagyu beef. The menu also offers a rotating selection of sandwiches. The Italian ($12) comes with three types of cured meat, cheese and your choice of fresh-cut toppings on rosemary focaccia baked at the next-door Wyoming Pastry Shop. Round out your meal with a curated selection of chips, soda or alcohol from smaller, unique purveyors. (BS) Photo: Facebook.com/wyomingmeatmarket