I'm back with another roundup of Charlotte Restaurants!
Note: This post was originally published as a guide to 10 great Charlotte meals for under $10, however many of these restaurants have increased their prices since initial publication.
As food, gas, and other costs rise, this series is growing more difficult to produce. But I’m still committed to highlighting Charlotte’s locally-owned restaurants that are offering Charlotteans and visitors alike an exceptional dining experience without breaking the bank.
Before we begin, I should share a few ground rules: Like my first roundup, this list isn’t a “Best Of” ranking of restaurants in town; instead, it’s just a simple, numbered list of places you can go to get a really great meal for under $10 (2023 update: prices continue to rise, and some of the meals are no longer under the $10 mark).
This list doesn’t include any chain restaurants, as I prefer the money I spend to remain within our community. I define a “meal” as either a substantial entree (which may or may not be accompanied by side dishes) or a collection of small plates that equate to a meal-sized portion. I personally always choose tap water, because sodas and such are a quick way to drive up the total cost of the bill.
This post isn’t produced in partnership with any restaurants on this list, and I’ve visited each place and paid for these meals myself (which is why it took nearly six months to produce a Part Two!). I typically dine with my partner, Michael, which is why there are often two entrees shown per restaurant – but there is no “sharing” needed to meet the target of a sub-$10 meal (that is, you could go dine at any of these locations alone).
I’ve also ensured that each restaurant here offers diners multiple options under the $10 mark. At the time of publication, the menu items included here were priced at $10 or less (excluding tax and tip) but may have changed since.
Whew.
Hungry? Let’s dig in:
10 CHARLOTTE RESTAURANTS FOR DINING ON A BUDGET
1. JJ’s Red Hots
Once a restaurant makes it on TV, the sudden boost in popularity can really sink the quality. But that hasn’t been the case at JJ’s Red Hots, which once appeared on an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. The hot dog joint uses Sahlen’s Pork and Beef Frankfurters from Buffalo and serves up their hot dogs, sausages, and sandwiches on Martin’s Potato Rolls (my personal favorite bun!).
Just about everything on their menu qualifies to be a part of this list; even their housemade sausages, wings, and chicken sandwiches. But to get the most bang for your buck, order one of their unique hot dog creations or build your own.
They’re so filling that I’ve never ordered a side! Service is quick and friendly, and it’s a great place to bring the family since everyone can order what they want without breaking the bank (even vegetarians – JJ’s has a veggie dog on the menu!).
JJ's Red Hots My Order: Build Your Own Hot Dog, with Chili, Slaw, Pimento Cheese, and Pickled Jalapeños,$4.99now $7.19 Address: 1514 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
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2. Gus’ Sir Beef (now closed)
On the corner of Monroe and N. Wendover Road sits a quintessential Southern meat-and-three with a Greek twist: Gus’ Sir Beef (now closed).
The restaurant with the slogan “Fresh My Farm” has been a Charlotte lunchtime staple since 1969, and continues to serve Queen City residents fresh, local meals at an affordable price (this is a wonderful article about the restaurant). Although it falls closer to the top of the price range for this post, nearly everything on the menu is under $10. And the meals are full-size portions, too – and each daily special comes with two sides, and your choice of biscuits or cornbread (or both!).
Mains and sides rotate each day, but there’s also a menu that is served all week if you’re the kind of person who always likes to order the same thing. Our visit fell on a Friday, and the chicken breast stuffed with feta and spinach and topped with gravy sounded like the perfect meal to honor the family’s history.
The chicken was wonderful, but the sides really stole the show (I can see why there’s a vegetable plate on the menu!). The fried squash was crisp – not soggy – and the collards had just the right amount of bitterness. I’m excited to return to try their fried chicken next – it’s a special on Thursdays.
Gus' Sir Beef (now closed) My Order: Fresh Grecian Stuffed Boneless Chicken Breast with Gravy, Collard Greens, and Fried Squash $9.19 (Friday Special) Address: 4101 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28205
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3. Bahn Thai
I love Thai food – but going out for Thai is often expensive here in Charlotte, especially at dinnertime. Thankfully, Bahn Thai offers a lunch menu at an incredible value: nearly everything is priced at $9.95. Diners can first choose from classic entrees like Pud Thai, flavorful curries, stir fry, and noodle dishes before selecting their protein (chicken, pork, vegetables, and tofu are all offered at the $9.95 $12.95 price point – beef and seafood are more expensive).
And although they no longer include soup with the lunch special, you’ll still receive a delicious egg roll with your entree. Portions are generous; if I could have stopped myself from eating my entire Panang curry, I would have had plenty to take home for lunch the next day.
Apparently Bahn Thai does a pretty mean takeout business (we saw so many people collecting their orders at the door), so if you’re in a rush, you can order online for pickup.
Bahn Thai My Order: Gaeng Panang with Vegetables,$9.95now $12.95 Address: 12206 Copper Way # 122, Charlotte, NC 28277
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4. Como en Mexico
We’ve been frequenting this authentic, family-run Mexican restaurant practically since we moved to Charlotte – and I can’t believe I’m only now telling you about it. Located in a strip mall off Sugar Creek Road, Como en Mexico offers a menu of fresh, homemade favorites from across Mexico, from hearty caldos to massive tlayudas (definitely not under $10, but Michael and I can split one and it still takes two or three days for us to finish).
My favorite dish, though, is their street-style tacos served on delicious made-in-house tortillas. Over the years I’ve tried just about all of their available taco options, and the chorizo and al pastor tacos are the ones I return to the most. They don’t skimp on the fillings, and three is the perfect amount (pro-tip: on Thursdays tacos are just $2 each!).
Michael always gets the chorizo quesadilla, which is a big, cheesy, greasy monster of a dish that is accompanied by a small side salad for balance. At $9.99, it’s the way to go if you’re feeling especially hungry. Also under $10 are their tortas, but I haven’t been able to tear myself away from the tacos to try. If you order one, be sure to leave a comment letting us know how it is!
Como en Mexico My Order: Three Tacos (Pastor, Campechano, Chorizo),$9now $10.62 Address: 1125 E Sugar Creek Rd, Charlotte, NC 28205
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5. Cedar Land Specialty Grocers & Restaurant
Date syrup was the reason for my first visit to Central Avenue’s Cedar Land; lunch on a budget was the reason for my second. This grocery-store-slash-restaurant has been stocking ingredients from around the globe (but primarily from countries within the Middle East) since 1994 but recently expanded its restaurant to include a few tables and table service.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available, and you’ll find options for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. All but one of the pita sandwiches are $5.99, leaving room in the $10 budget to choose an appetizer or side. The lentil soup is flavorful and filling at just $2.99, and you’ll probably be tempted by the display of sweet treats on your way to pay at the register.
If I can convince myself to order something other than a sandwich next time, I think Michael and I will split a platter and an appetizer (still coming in under budget, but just not as individual meals). Oh, and one thing I noticed is that online ordering is available, but prices are higher than in-person.
Cedar Land Specialty Grocers & Restaurant My Order: Falafel Sandwich with Hummus, Cup of Lentil Soup, and Pistachio Baklava, $9.97 Address: 4832 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
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6. Midnight Diner
Full disclosure: I didn’t totally love my meal at Midnight Diner. I suspect it’s the perfect place to go in the wee hours of the morning, after the bars and clubs close. But at 8 p.m. on a weeknight, completely sober, it didn’t necessarily shine for me.
But, there are disappointingly few restaurants open all night long in Charlotte (or even after 10 p.m. for that matter), so Midnight Diner has earned a place on this list. You’ll find all the standard Southern diner staples on the menu, so whether you’re craving breakfast or dinner, there’s something to enjoy.
Everything about my “One Egg Any Style” with a biscuit, sausage, and hashbrowns was borderline terrible, but Michael’s burger and fries were very good. Perhaps it was an off-night, or perhaps we weren’t there late enough… If you drive by on any given night after 11 p.m., the line is guaranteed to be out the door.
Midnight Diner My Order: Still figuring it out... Address: now at 420 E Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202
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7. Sandwich Club
Michael and I visited The Green plenty of times before we finally ate at Sandwich Club – but surprisingly we’d never noticed it before. And considering it’s been a Charlotte lunch staple since 1996, that looks pretty bad on us!
But finally, we made it to this weekday-only spot, and can’t wait to return. Except for the special sandwich of the week, all “regular” size sandwiches and smaller are under $10 (edit: these options are now $10 and under). In general, my rule is that I don’t eat out at places that serve things I’ll make myself at home, but I’ll gladly make the exception for Sandwich Club.
The sandwiches are ultra-fresh, customizable, and loaded with ingredients – and I don’t have to buy a bunch of separate items to make a meal. I’ve heard that lines can get pretty long, so order online in advance in case you don’t want to risk waiting (we haven’t had that experience, however). Best of all, there is plenty of seating on The Green to enjoy your meal.
Sandwich Club My Order: Urban Farmer (smoked turkey, goat cheese, avocado, mixed greens, sun-dried tomato aioli on multigrain),$9now $10 Address: 435 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
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8. K.O. Sushi
This takeout-only spot in Uptown offers a deliciously good value on a dish that can often be pricey: sushi. Most basic maki rolls with fish hover around the $5 or $6 mark at K.O. Sushi, and you can easily combine them with a veggie option and stay under $10 (you could also gather a group of friends and order a feast fit for royalty and divide out the cost, and it would likely be even cheaper per person).
They also offer plenty of Maki Boxes that are under $10, and each includes twelve pieces instead of the standard eight. Okay, but how can cheap sushi actually be good? K.O. Sushi’s tiny footprint and high order volume allows them to offer ultra-fresh fish at low prices.
K.O. Sushi My Order: Spicy Maki Combo (four pieces each: Spicy Tuna, Spicy Salmon, Spicy Crab Maki),$9now $10.50 Address: 230 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
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9. Ilios Crafted Greek
Although you may get chain restaurant vibes when you walk through the door, it’s actually not a chain. Ilios Crafted Greek is the fast-casual cousin of locally-owned Ilios Noche, which opened in South Charlotte in 2003.
It’s hard to find a good bang for your buck in South End (unless you’re eating at a chain restaurant), but Ilios Crafted Greek is serving up fresh, authentic Greek food at reasonable prices. Walking in to see chicken and lamb roasting on the spit is a welcome sight (unless you’re vegetarian, I suppose! But they do have falafel…).
The salads and pita sandwiches all ring in at less than $10 (update – the price has now increased), and the portions are extremely generous. And though it’s a bit outside of the scope of this post – if you happen to be dining with a partner you could easily split Ilios’ half-rotisserie chicken meal, which comes with two sides and only costs $13.95 $14.95.
Ilios Crafted Greek My Order: Chicken Souvla Pita Sandwich, Ilios Style, with Seasonal Vegetable,$9.95$11.75 Address: 1514 S Church St, Charlotte, NC 28203
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10. IndiGrille
I mentioned in my Dunwoody post that I’d love a fast-casual Indian option in Charlotte, and thanks to IndiGrille I got my wish!
This ParkTowne Village spot is a little hard to find if you don’t know where to look: once you park, you’ll need to head down the stairs to the street level on the Woodlawn side. Like most fast-casual restaurants, you’ll need to order at the counter – IndiGrille lets you choose your own adventure by ordering with a cashier or at a touchscreen.
Currently, their Kati Rolls (no longer offered) are the only entree option under $10 (although the curry bowls and burritos look very shareable – especially if you pair them with samosas or naan). I went with the lamb kebab, and Michael chose the tandoori chicken – while the chicken was delicious, the lamb was even better.
The wrap was tender and flaky, yet sturdy enough to withstand the weight of its contents. Once you choose your protein (chicken, lamb, paneer, vegetables, or shrimp), you can choose to add any of the five toppings and six sauces. The Kati Roll is filling enough on its own, but if you wanted something else and remain under the $10 mark, you could add a side salad. I’m looking forward to making IndiGrille a lunchtime staple!
IndiGrille My Order: Lamb Kebab Kati Roll (with all the toppings!), no longer available Address: 1600 E Woodlawn Rd #150, Charlotte, NC 28209
FINAL THOUGHTS ON DINING ON A BUDGET IN CHARLOTTE
While I have largely given up on convenience meals due to their cost, it’s reassuring to know that there are still local options in Charlotte beyond the typical fast food chains. These ten local eateries offer a variety of quick and delicious meals that don’t break the bank, providing a refreshing alternative to cooking lunch at home. It’s comforting to find that we can still enjoy wonderful dining experiences thanks to the diverse and vibrant food scene here in Charlotte.
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Questions for you
Have you visited any of these restaurants on the list?
What are some of your favorite cheap eats in Charlotte?
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