Great food doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. From delicious empanadas and sub sandwiches to burgers, tacos and even vegan options, Tampa Bay has a some incredible spots that range from $15 or less. Here are a few of our favorites.
Mel’s Hot Dogs
4136 E Busch Blvd., Tampa, 813-985-8000
Since 1973, Mel’s has been serving its locally-loved Chicago beef sandwiches and the people can’t get enough. The $10.50 specialty sandwich consists of thinly sliced roast beef served on a steamed hoagie with sautéed red bell peppers and topped with traditional Chicago spicy au-jus.
Photo via Mel’s Hot Dogs/FacebookSuperNatural Food & Wine
305 E Polk St., Tampa, 813-758-6230
Looking for a quick, downtown Tampa breakfast spot to grab a bite at before work? SuperNatural offers $2.25 fresh sourdough donuts, $5 breakfast sandwiches (the Alton Brown-approved BEC is $8), $3 fresh roasted coffees and $4.50 iced matcha lattes. Expect it to become a morning routine.
Photo via SuperNatural/websiteAntojitos Latin Cravings
2302 W Columbus Dr., Tampa, 813-251-9499
Tampa’s taste of Columbia can be found at Antojitos. The small joint serves Latin classics like its $1.85 empanadas, $4.50 pork rinds, $3 stuffed yuca and $7-9 sandwiches. Bring an online translator, the menu is in Spanish—and definitely get a bunuelo.
Photo via Google MapsEl Cap
3500 4th St. N, St. Petersburg
Check out this barlike dig for some freshly sandwiches, burgers and beer. El Caps’ menu has remained unchanged since it opened in 1964, including its inflation-resistant prices. There’s not an item on this menu more than $10.
Photo via El Cap/FacebookKooky Coconut
760 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach, 727-517-1300
After laying around IRB all day, wander into Kooky Coconut for a wide selection of tasty foods. The beach bite cafe offers classic American staples like a $4.99 cheeseburger and $2.99 hotdog, famous $8.89 9-inch Cuban sandwich (which some say is the best in Tampa Bay) and Mexican favorites like $6.99 taco, burrito and quesadilla meals—all of which come with free chips and salsa. You also might decide to cool off with one of their 32 homemade ice cream flavors for $3.04 for a single scoop cone.
Photo via Google MapsChicago Paulie’s
1031 N Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-494-4275
If you’re in Tampa and looking for a cheap, yet tasty, classic Italian beef sandwich, Chicago Paulie’s is the place for you. Located next to a gas station, these Best of the Bay-winning sandwiches cost $5.79 for a small, $7.99 for a medium and $10.29 for a large. You can also try the $10.29 “Italian Combo” sandwich, which is a mixture of Italian beef and Italian sausage.
Photo via Chicago Paulie’s/FacebookBodega
1180 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-623-0942
Located in the heart of downtown St. Pete, Bodega offers freshly-made Latin American dishes, including $10-$12 authentic sandwiches, $12.50-$13.50 pork, chicken and tofu plates and $11.50 chopped romaine salads. It’s the perfect spot after exploring the city.
Photo via Google MapsChile Verde
2801 22nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg
The life-size horse and giant red and green “Chile Verde” sign out front will be hard to miss. This unique Mexican spot offers $2.61 tacos, $3.14 pork and chicken tamales and $12.59 chimichangas.
Photo via Chile Verde/websiteDead Bob’s Too
3681 S West Shore Blvd., Tampa
At Dead Bob’s Too, enjoy cheap drinks, good food and watch all the live sports games. During the week from 3 to 6 p.m., domestics are $2.75, house wine is $4.50, white claws are $3.50 and off all calls are $0.50. As for food, one and a half pounds of chicken wings is $11.97, a pound of steamed shrimp is $13.97 and cheeseburgers for $9.47.
Photo via Dead Bob’s Too/FacebookDetroit Coney Island
32922 U.S. Hwy-19, Palm Harbor
Detroit Coney Island is another breakfast, lunch and dinner stop right off of Highway 19. The restaurant serves breakfasts under $10, including famous $4.95 biscuits and gravy, lunch bites like the authentic $3.95 Coney Island hot dog and dinners such as the $12.95 bacon burger.
Photo via Detroit Coney Island/FacebookHavana Harry’s
14219 Walsingham Rd., Largo, 727-596-5141
If you’re looking for a taste of authentic Cuban food, swing by Havana Harry’s to grab one of the best cubans in town. Along with the classic $7.99 cuban, you’ll also find a variety of filling sandwiches for under $10 each, including the roast mojo pork, Cuban gyro and smoked pork melt. The large $8.99 1904 Cuban tossed salad is also a staple on the menu.
Photo via Havana Harry’s/websiteKristina’s Cafe
3590 34th St. N, St. Petersburg
Another diner, Kristina’s Cafe, is open from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. This St. Pete spot is family-owned with beachy decorations and warm service. Most breakfasts cost under $10, including all of Kristina’s famous omelettes. Cheeseburgers cost $7.25, bacon chicken melts cost $7.95 and meatball hoagies cost $9.95.
Photo via Kristina’s Cafe/FacebookHungry Harry’s Famous BBQ
2006 S Parsons Ave., Seffner, 813-643-0063
Established in 1985, Hungry Harry’s (located under large oaks and next to a Hungry Howie’s) serves melt in your mouth BBQ beef brisket, plus chicken, pork (hot sausage is A+), plus all the good southern sides. Five different sauces, too. Lunch specials always clock in cheap, and all you can eat specials depend on the day but start as low as $14.99.
Photo via Ray RoaLargo Subs
102 Missouri Ave. N, Largo, 727-584-1484
Right across the street from Largo Central Park, you can get a mouth-watering cheesesteak with bell peppers, mushrooms and hot banana peppers for $10.99 that is sure to fill you up. The sub shop also serves gyros for $9.49, cold Italian subs for $8.89 and signature hot subs like the pizza or cheeseburger sub for $8.89.
Photo via Google MapsLa Segunda
Multiple locations in Tampa Bay
La Segunda Bakery began as one Catalan man’s dream. Turkey bacon avocado sandwiches cost $11.99, Cuban cobb salads cost $10.99 and guava cheese turnovers and cinnamon buns cost $2.99. There are locations in Ybor, South Tampa and St. Pete.
Photo via La Segunda/InstagramLa Teresita
3248 W Columbus Dr., Tampa
Most items at the beloved La Teresita are below $12, including a t-bone steak meal. The 50-year-old restaurant serves fried plantain chips for $4.25, grilled salmon for $11.95 and a chicken and rice dinner for $8.75.
Photo via La Teresita/FacebookDunedin Brewery
937 Douglas Ave., Dunedin, 727-736-0606
Strolling around downtown Dunedin can make a stomach growl. Grab a snack at Dunedin Brewery, including $15 10-piece wings, $8 fried pickles, cheese curds and pretzel bites and $12 loaded nachos, poutine and buffalo cauliflower. You might as well get a brew from Florida’s oldest Microbrewery while you’re there.
Photo via Dunedin Brewery/TwitterMom’s Place
4186 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa
Mom’s home cooking, except you get to eat out for a good price. The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch and serves a $12.95 steak and egg breakfast, $6.95 french toast, $7.95 BBQ burger and $6.75 BLT.
Photo via Mom’s Place/FacebookVIP Mexican American Cuisine
213 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach, 727-270-7215
With locations on both Indian Rocks Beach and Treasure Island, this Mexican-American spot is the perfect spot to hit after cooking in the sun. VIP crafts $3 tacos, $9.95 quesadillas, $13.95 10-piece jumbo wings, $12.95 Mexican pizza and $10.95 famous wet burritos.
Photo via VIP IRB/FacebookThree Coins
7410 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa
The family-style 24-hour diner has each meal covered at cheap prices. Omelets are around $7, two pancakes are $5.25, a BLT is $7.25, a meatloaf open sandwich is $9.95 and a New York strip steak is $14.25. You could spend the whole day here and only spend around $40.
Photo via Three Coins Diner/FacebookWest Tampa Sandwich Shop
3904 N Armenia Ave., Tampa
For more than 30 years, the West Tampa Sandwich Shop has served its famous ‘wiches. Even President Barack Obama ate there in 2012, and a $5.75 honey Cuban is named after him. West Tampa also offers cheap breakfasts, all of which are under $12.
Photo via Google MapsBlack Radish Grocer
2923 N 12th St., Tampa
The all-vegan grocer has everything you need minus the meat and animal products. The menu includes $10 cuban sandwiches and $8 steak and egg bagels and burritos from the deli. The vegan spot also opened a new location in downtown St. Pete this year.
Photo via Black Radish Grocer/InstagramPoFolks
2001 34th St. N, St. Petersburg, 727-327-8090
Hearty and homestyle food is PoFolks’ speciality. For a cheap price, fill up on favorites like Grandma’s fried chicken, pork chops, country-fried steak and more. You won’t want to miss out on desserts like the apple mountain sundae, cobbler, mud pie and strawberry shortcake.
Photo via PoFolks/GoogleGirl and a Grill
4330 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa, 813-693-9181
Just a girl and her grill are taking over Tampa Bay’s breakfast sandwich scene. For under $15, enjoy a cup of hot brewed coffee, a plate of tasty eggs, fluffy pancakes, cheesy grits and sausage or bacon. The breakfast spot is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Photo via Girl and A Grill/FacebookMoon Frog Arepas
412 N Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-778-0202
This downtown Tampa Venezulean-inspired food truck serves its popular arepas for cheap, including pabellon, beef, chicken and domino arepas for all under $9. You’ll also find $11.40 chicken bowls, $9.90 beef patacons and $3.60 sweet fried plantains.
Photo via Moon Frog Arepas/FacebookIsland Crew
2210 E Hillsborough Ave. #2, Tampa, 813-237-1968
If you don’t have time to take a trip to the islands, Island Crew offers seasoned combinations of authentic Caribbean cuisine for a reasonable price. Feast on a plate full of baked chicken, yellow rice and black beans for only $6.99, or just grab a bite with fried plantains or stewed cabbage for $3 each.
Photo via Island Crew/websitePho Quyen
8404 W Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, 813-885-9424
This casual Vietnamese eatery offers over 125 traditional dishes, beginning with appetizers like the $7.25 bang bang shrimp, $5.50 edamame and $4 fried pork egg rolls. For entrees, dine on the $10.95 grilled beef rice platter, $15 pork with crispy egg noodle or the $14.50 chicken curry and coconut stir fry. Pho Quyen also has a location on East Fowler Avenue.
Photo via Google MapsBrocato’s Sandwich Shop
5021 E Columbus Dr., Tampa
In 1948, Brocato’s began as a grocery store, then it was a meat market, and finally, a sandwich shop. According to the website, the stop is home of the best devil crabs in town. A big crab sandwich is $10.99 and other sandwiches range from $7.99-$13.95.
Photo via Google Maps
