Inflation is up, and our bank accounts are down. For those hoping to save a few dollars, every little bit counts. You can treat yourself on a budget. These Dallas restaurants offer good eats at a price that won’t take your whole wallet out.
There’s something for every taste and budget at these local spots.
Taco Y Vino
Enjoy a set of three mix-and-match tacos for $14 at this great Oak Cliff spot. There are over a dozen taco options on the regular menu and loads of specials that pop on and off. It’s more about the dine-in experience, with high-top tables in a renovated house and a giant patio full of colorful furniture that’s actually a sprawling backyard.
213 W Eighth St, Dallas, TX 75208(469) 372-0022Visit Website
El Fenix
With locations all around the Metroplex, this Dallas original has loads of classic Tex-Mex dishes at price points that don’t make us wince, plus strong hacienda vibes with dine-in or to-go options. Chile Relleno, three beef tamales, or most taco platters can be had for under $13, and those all come with sides of beans and rice. The chips and salsa are gratis.
1601 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75202(214) 747-1121Visit Website
Fletcher’s Original Corny Dogs
Since Fletcher’s parked a corny dog food truck at Klyde Warren Park year-round, those treats from the State Fair are available any time a craving strikes. The price is right, at $8 for an original with a side of curly fries for $5 more.
2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75201Visit Website
Lucky’s Hot Chicken
This hot chicken spot serves spicy plates from its classic mid-century Palm Springs-inspired location in East Dallas. Grab the Big Lou, Buffalo chicken, or Southern classic sandwiches for under $13. Pick your spice level.
4505 Gaston Ave, Dallas, TX 75246(214) 443-7927Visit Website
Crushcraft Thai Eats
Heaping helpings of Thai street food, including kap khao with ground pork, wok-fried noodles with tofu or eggs, coconut curries with chicken and eggplant, and lettuce wraps, are all available here for around $12. Crushcraft relocated to the Quad in Uptown, a development that is attracting a lot of new restaurants expected to open in 2025 — that means walking around the complex and browsing or shopping is an option.
2688 Laclede St #100, Dallas, TX 75201(972) 677-7038Visit Website
Dairy-ette has been serving burgers, fries, and milkshakes to Dallas since 1956. Drive up or come in and order a basket. This good old-fashioned American food will make you nostalgic for car hops, and these prices — burgers are under $6. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
9785 Ferguson Rd, Dallas, TX 75228(214) 327-9983
Maple Landing
Barbecue that doesn’t break the bank? Check it off the list at this laidback West Dallas spot, which features heavy wooden decor and a glass garage door front that lets the sun in. For $15, you can get a brisket melt, brisket tacos, a loaded baked potato with brisket, or sandwiches laced with sliced brisket or pastrami brisket. A choice of side is always included.
5855 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75235(214) 612-6473Visit Website
Dream Cafe
With two locations in Dallas, this cafe serves an excellent breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch on weekends. It’s a neighborhood spot that gives diners a good sense of community in its brightly lit dining rooms. Pop in for a $14 Southwest salad with grilled chicken, $15 pasta pignoli, or $15 shrimp tacos.
6465 E Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, TX 75214(214) 824-2503Visit Website
Goodfriend Package
Its breakfast sandwiches are universally lauded, but this spot also serves excellent lunch sandwiches. Most offerings ring in at $11 to $14, but for the budget-minded, grab a grilled cheese for $5.50 and pair it with tomato soup for $4.
1155 Peavy Rd, Dallas, TX 75218(972) 807-2899Visit Website
Hello Dumpling
With a set of eight dumplings ringing in at $11 at most, Hello Dumpling is a steal for homemade dumplings stuffed with diner-favorite combinations like pork with Napa cabbage and beef with carrots and onion. The equally yummy rice dumplings, baozi, and soup noodles top out at $15 for an order, and it’s easy to add on the amazing crispy basil chicken for $8. Parking can be tricky at its Peavy Road location, which shares a parking lot with the very popular Goodfriend burger joint, but there are a few reserved spots for to-go pickups. The newer location on Walnut Hill, however, has ample space.
1146 Peavy Rd, Dallas, TX 75218(469) 779-1551Visit Website
Red Stix Street Food
Chef Uno Immanivong serves Asian street food, with a menu focused on dishes inspired by her childhood in Thailand. For $14, try a banh mi sandwich with beef, shrimp, or drunken noodles. Mix-and-match bowls, starting at $12, can be made with steamed duck fat rice, buttered garlic noodles, Chinese barbecue pork, and teriyaki chicken, among other options.
6501 Hillcrest Ave, Dallas, TX 75205(972) 913-4883Visit Website
Green Spot
With $4 tacos ($4.50 for tacos stuffed with shrimp or Mahi Mahi) and bowls for $8, this affordable spot in Lake Highlands serves up some of the best gas station tacos in the city. And the restaurant is thoughtful — All of the meats are all locally sourced, and the eggs are cage-free. Don’t be surprised if you spot a celebrity or two. Singer Erykah Badu is known to come in for a vegetarian taco occasionally.
702 N Buckner Blvd, Dallas, TX 75218(214) 319-7768Visit Website
Bubba’s Cooks Country
With a one-piece fried chicken meal ringing in for under $10 and a three-piece for under $17, diners at Bubba’s can crunch into some of the best fried chicken in the Big D at a price point a family can manage. The University Park restaurant also offers chicken-fried steak, chicken tenders, and catfish at comparable prices. Dine in to experience its old-school vibe, checkered floors, and mirrored wall, but if you’re in a rush, get your chicken to-go.
6617 Hillcrest Ave, Dallas, TX 75205(214) 373-6527Visit Website
Cris and John
It’s not only affordable, it’s one of the best fusion restaurnts in Dallas, where the husband and wife team who are its namesake mesh their Hispanic and Asian cultures. Basic tacos and bao buns at this spot are $3.75, but it is known for its fusion dishes. Diners can get a trio of birria with angry pho for $13.75 or birria bao buns for $15.50 Or grab a banh mi for $9 to $10. It has indoor dining, fast casual style, and to-go service.
5555 Preston Oaks Rd UNIT 5, Dallas, TX 75254(972) 803-4750Visit Website
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