From international cuisine to all-American favorites, we’ve found the best places to eat for under $10 (!) in Minneapolis. Don’t believe us? See for yourself. En avant!
Afro Deli & Grill
This fast-casual spot serves filling African-Mediterranean fusion food at an affordable price. Where else can you get a steak dinner for ~$10? There’s something on the menu for everyone, even picky eaters who would prefer a cheeseburger over adventurous African flavors. If you still have a little jingle in your pocket after the Afro Steak Dinner, you can get a side of sambusas with green sauce and a sweet Somali tea. Minneapolis has the largest Somali population outside of Africa, and this black tea is often served to welcome guests. It is spiced with cardamom, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg, then made creamy with milk and sweetened with sugar. Visit the Afro Deli location in Stadium Village or at either of the two St. Paul locations.
Band Box Diner
Eating at this hole-in-the-wall restaurant is like stepping into a time machine. Established in 1939, Band Box is the oldest operating diner in Elliot Park, so they must be doing something right. The menu is full of all of your favorite all-American meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, expertly prepared after 80 years of practice. The prices haven’t stayed in the 1930s, but hardly anything on the menu exceeds the $10 mark. The Lunchbox burger costs $8.50, served with slaw and delish old-school shoestring fries. Or try the Dude Ranch, which has crispy onion rings, ranch, and their famous Bro sauce for the same price. Band Box is open every day from 9am-9pm, except on Sundays when they close at 3pm.
Lotus Restaurant
This cozy counter-order restaurant in Loring Park serves classic Vietnamese cuisine at reasonable prices. Family-owned and operated, Lotus has been churning out authentic Vietnamese dishes using secret family recipes since 1984. The menu consists of flavorful pho, rice and noodle dishes, crispy chicken wings and tempura veggies, curry dishes, and more, all made to order with fresh ingredients. Go between 11am and 2pm to take advantage of the lunch special, which consists of an entree, steamed or chicken fried rice, and an appetizer for just $10.49. Whatever you do, get the deep-fried banana wontons covered in powdered sugar, chocolate syrup, and crushed peanuts ($5 for five) and a fresh-squeezed limeade ($3).
Lu’s Sandwiches
Located on Nicollet Ave in the heart of the famous Minneapolis Eat Street district, Lu’s Sandwiches is the Twin City’s go-to for banh mi. The fast-casual Vietnamese spot has a simple menu, and while they also serve made-to-order Asian bowls, you’d be remiss to miss out on the aforementioned banh mi. The specialty is made with a choice of protein, topped with all the usual suspects, plus rich housemade butter and pork pate. Ranging from $5-$8, the small and large sandwiches are worth the dough, considering Lu’s bakes their crispy fresh French baguette onsite daily. Lu’s now has a NorthEast location as well as a food truck.
Quang Restaurant
Pho real, we probably could’ve made this entire list out of Vietnamese restaurants, but they all have their specialties, and Quang’s Restuarant is known for their rich, meaty, deeply-flavored pho. If you’re not down with that, do the mock duck and tofu noodle salad. Number 307 on the menu, the spicy Bun (Boon) noodle salad costs $9 and is stir-fried with onions and sprouts and served with lettuce, cilantro, cucumber, mint, onion, and carrot, then topped with crushed peanuts. The no-frills, family-owned mainstay is open for lunch and dinner but closed on Tuesdays.
Smoke in the Pit
Established in 1997, this pint-sized joint knows how to do BBQ: low and slow. Dwight Alexander is the pitmaster for this family-owned operation, where beef brisket is king. They also serve rib tips, giant turkey legs, and smoked chicken wings, among other menu items. At lunch, from 11am-2pm, you can get a beef brisket sandwich and fries for $6.99. At under five bucks for a small or large, the side of fried spaghetti is a customer favorite, too.
Wienery
This tiny, dive-style diner on the West Bank has one of the better Chicago dogs in town. The family-owned counter-service operation serves breakfast (all day), Vienna beef hotdogs, Polish sausages, burgers, “Wiene-wiches,” and plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. Choose from six “dogs,” dressed in any of 17 ways, all of which are under $5. In addition to the Chicago dog, the Picnic dog is also popular, topped with baked beans, cheese, and coleslaw. Or go crazy and try the Cadillac, a breakfast dog with a pancake for a bun! No one ever wants to know that they’re eating two potatoes, nevertheless, that’s how their handcut fries are ordered: One potato worth of fries costs a $1.50; while two potatoes is a deal at $2.25.
There you have it, the best cheap eats in town. Moving to town? Check out thousands of apartments for rent in Minneapolis and get ready to get your (cheap) eat on.
Contenu associé
