GET MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK AT THESE 10 RESTAURANTS

If you love food as much as we do then you will love the list that Austin Monthly has put out.

Austin is home to a huge amount of delicious cuisine—but that doesn’t mean you should have to empty your wallet every time you want to try a new place to eat. Everybody knows about our city’s fabulous upscale restaurants, like Emmer & Rye and Uchi, but there are also plenty of places for the diner-on-a-budget to grab a meal.

So, to make it a little better on your pocketbook, we’ve rounded up 10 affordable (but yummy!) Austin restaurants.

Photo courtesy Velevet Taco/Facebook

Velvet Taco

Velvet Taco made its Austin debut just last month, but it has already made an impression. Freshness is an important concept to the people of Velvet Taco, so named in honor of the only dessert item on the menu, red velvet cake. All of the 21 tacos are made from scratch, and, thankfully, so are the tortillas. At this joint taco prices range from $3.50 to $6.75—you’re definitely going to want to get two.
Velvet Taco, 11501 Rock Rose Ave., (512) 704-8226, velvettaco.com/austin

Bouldin Creek Cafe

Vegetarians and vegans rejoice for this affordable, delicious veggie-friendly fare. Bouldin Creek Cafe, located on South First St., has a diverse menu of meatless dishes, including its award-winning veggie burger, the Veggie Royale. But, even the most meat-loving carnivores will find something scrumptious here, and there are plenty of plates for less than $10 at this charming spot. Try the fajitas Italianas or the renedict, a vegetarian take on traditional eggs benedict.
Bouldin Creek Cafe, 1900 S 1st St., (512) 416-1601, bouldincreekcafe.com

New Fortune Chinese Seafood Restaurant

This Chinese eatery could fill a whole separate menu with the items it offers for less than $10. If you’re out for a lunch bite, try any of the lunch specials—they’re only $7.50. If you head down for one of its Sunday-night dinners, take a look at the salt and pepper pork ribs or the Kung Pao tofu. If those aren’t your speed, the menu is enormous, and there are plenty of other affordable options.
New Fortune Chinese Seafood Restaurant, 10901 North Lamar Blvd., (512) 832-9992, newfortuneseafood.com

Photo courtesy Wild Burgers ATX

Wild Burgers

We hope you’re hungry, because these burgers are huge. Wild Burgers, a food truck located on E. Sixth St., doesn’t have an enormous menu, but you’re sure to be happy with pretty much anything you order. The wild lamb burger is topped with homemade tzatziki and shoestring fries, making a deliciously fun meal. Or, if you’d rather, order the wild chicken butter garlic burger—this one’s so cheap, you can get a side of fries or plantains and still stay under your $10 budget.
Wild Burgers, 1211 E. 6th St., (512) 736-6417, wildburgersatx.com

Baby Greens

Eating healthy is hard enough without having to spend so much for good, fresh veggies. Local salad joint Baby Greens is hoping to change that with a menu full of inexpensive yet appetizing healthy salads and wraps. Everything on the menu is less than $10, and all of the salads can also be made into a wrap for an even lower amount.
Baby Greens, 1508 W. Anderson Ln., (512) 770-6255, eatbabygreens.com

Juan in a Million

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner: Take your pick, it’s all great here. Juan in a Million opened in 1980, and the menu hasn’t changed much since. Try the carne guisada or any of the enchiladas. With prices like these, you won’t regret it. Don’t forget a hearty handshake from Juan on the way out—they’re free!
Juan in a Million, 2300 E. Cesar Chavez St., (512) 472-3872, juaninamillion.com

Aviator Pizza & Drafthouse

It’s not every day you can go to a pizza place and walk away having spent less than $10. But at Aviator Pizza & Drafthouse, all your dreams can come true because there are plenty of low-budget menu choices. Some of the more exciting options include the 9-inch bacon double cheeseburger pizza and the 9-inch el nacho pizza, but you can also choose from their list of delicious Italian-inspired sandwiches as well.
Aviator Pizza & Drafthouse, 6501 South Congress Ave., (512) 326-1150, aviatorpizza.com/austin

J.T. Youngblood’s

It’s simple ordering at this old-fashioned chicken restaurant over in the Mueller district. If you’re looking for some greasy, finger-licking chicken tenders and comfort-food sides like yeast rolls and mashed potatoes, look no further. At J.T. Youngblood’s, you can order 8 wings or 2 chicken pieces for less than $10. Don’t forget to check out the other sections of the menu, though: they also sell chicken sandwiches and fried livers for a low price.
J.T. Youngblood’s, 1905 Aldrich St., jtyoungbloods.com

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Photo courtesy Blacks BBQ/Facebook

Black’s BBQ

Texans love their meat, which means they can get a little skeptical when they hear about cheap ‘cue. But there are no tricks here: Black’s BBQ just serves high-quality meat for a low price. You can get a half pound of meat and a side for less than $10, or try out a couple links of sausage. If neither of those meals tickle your fancy, dig into a juicy barbecue sandwich (and you can double-meat it, too).
Black’s BBQ, 3110 Guadalupe St., (512) 524-0801, blacksbbq.com

Komé

You might be surprised to see this restaurant on the list, particularly because of its renown in the Austin food scene. Sure Komé can have some higher-priced dishes, but if you play your cards right you can dine out without spending too much. The lunch menu is especially affordable, as all of the lunch specials can be purchased for less than $10.
Komé​, 4917 Airport Blvd., (512) 712-5700, kome-austin.com

Article first seen on Austin Monthly