Cheap
Chts!

A man eating a fruit cup with a small pink umbrella coming out on top as decoration

Lime juice and chile powder brighten up this showy fruit cup from LottaFrutta.

Going out for breakfast with your dad shouldn’t cost $50. One cocktail after work shouldn’t set you back 20 bucks. Buying a taco for $10 is ridiculous. Yet all too often these are the thoughts running through my head as I pay after eating out, even at the most casual places. I know I’m not alone. So it’s time, don’t you think, for a roundup of cheap eats around Atlanta.

I can hear you already: Are there still any cheap eats left in Atlanta? (I thought the same thing.) We can report—after many salsa-stained receipts—that the answer is yes. We brought together our A-team, talked to friends, listened to readers, and set out in search of food worth every bite.

Not everyone wanted to share their secret spots, of course. We all have places we hold close. For me, it’s the chilaquiles verdes at Mr. Taco alongside a Chevron station in Forest Park. For you, it might be the broccoli casserole at The Righteous Room, the beloved dive bar next to the Plaza Theatre in Poncey-Highland. But sharing is caring, right? Let’s share the wealth of meal deals in the city. Times are hard; eating out shouldn’t be.

We hope you’ll discover a handful of new or new-to-you places to try. If you aren’t already, keep hitting up the iconic spots: the prison tacos at El Progreso (across from the federal penitentiary) or the tacos at Supermercado Chicago on Buford Highway; the jerk chicken at Eats or Jamrock; gyros from Nick’s Food to Go; tandoori chicken at Zyka; and chili dogs at The Varsity, to name a few.

Edited by Vené Franco

Written by Edward Adams, Wendell Brock, Carly Cooper, Skye Estroff, Vené Franco, Scott Freeman, Rachel Garbus, Lia Picard, Xavier Stevens, Myrydd Wells Walljasper, and Jennifer Zyman

Photography by Bailey Garrot

Breakfast!

Everythang NOLA piles crunchy granola, seeds, and nuts on a blend of fruity, nutty goodness in its acai Buku Cups.

Everythang NOLA

Sylvan Hills

When you’re craving the dark berry goodness of an acai bowl, this Southside spot offers two things its swankier counterparts don’t: a lower price point and a chance to chitchat with Mama Nola, the owner’s mother who keeps this place bouncing along to a second-line rhythm, especially during Mardi Gras. Here, an acai bowl (aka Buku Bowl) has a chilled acai base (passion fruit optional), and the top is layered with your choice of fruits, plus granola, almonds, coconut, agave, honey, and chia and flax seeds. Extras such as nut butters (peanut, almond, or Nutella) are available too. Weekend tip: Stop in around 1 p.m. for curbside seafood boils by Mama Jane Seafood that include Louisiana crawfish (in season), shrimp, and the usual sausage, corn, and potatoes.

Acai cup, $5.50; mini acai bowl, $10; seafood boil, $12.99–$21.99 per pound. —Vené Franco

Crooked Tree Cafe

Marietta

This homey diner near Kennesaw Mountain provides a twist on the biscuit. A barbecue haven for lunch, Crooked Tree Cafe also offers barbecue with several of the breakfast options, such as smoked brisket hash and a pulled pork breakfast burrito. I recently devoured a brisket, egg, and cheese biscuit. The brisket is smoky and juicy, and the fluffy eggs, cheddar cheese, and buttery biscuit complement the meat. It’s one of those meals that will make you close your eyes so that you can focus on savoring every bite.

$7. —Xavier Stevens

The Coop

Stone Mountain

It was during the Covid-19 pandemic that Stone Mountain restaurateur Michael Kimbrough decided to open a restaurant to fill a void in the Redan area. There was no breakfast place nearby, not even a Waffle House. Since then, The Coop has been serving affordable breakfast for the community. The menu is a mix of ready-made Southern staples—The Standard is a two-egg breakfast plate with grits, home fries, and a biscuit—and made-to-order items such as the Bad and Bougie, a Cali-style breakfast sandwich with turkey, Swiss cheese, avocado, and garlic aioli on ciabatta.

$8.50. —Edward Adams

Bomb Biscuit

Old Fourth Ward

For all the talk, Bomb Biscuit walks the walk with its Glori-Fried Chicken Biscuit. I will attempt to describe a bite: The biscuit gives you a warm, buttery welcome; the chicken thigh is exactly what you want—huge and tender with a crispy exterior, not to mention tossed in hot honey; and a butter pickle adds a healthy, tangy crunch. It’s a hearty breakfast that you can enjoy in the dining room of Bomb Biscuit or outside on its patio on Highland Avenue, overlooking the Freedom Park Trail. I would also recommend sampling the selection of biscuits, mostly ranging from $3 to $5, to smother in jam.

$9.75. —XS

Two halves of an everything bagel stacked on top of each other with veggie cream cheese and tomato

A fave at Brooklyn Bagel Bakery & Deli is this everything bagel with veggie cream cheese and tomato.

Brooklyn Bagel Bakery & Deli

Ansley Mall

When Alan Ahlzadeh and his son, Avi Ahlzadeh, brought their scratch-made bagels in town from Johns Creek, locals lined up. Nearly four years in, the crowd hasn’t let up, with carb-craving Atlantans waiting in a queue for everything bagels with veggie cream cheese and a slice of tomato. Kettle-boiled, these New York–style bagels are crispy outside and fluffy inside with an even coating of sesame, poppy, garlic, onion, and sea salt for flavor. Ask nicely and the team will even scoop your bagel for you. They don’t skimp on cream cheese, so be sure to grab some napkins.

$4.09. —Carly Cooper

Buena Gente Cuban Bakery

Decatur

Upon entering this quaint patisserie on Clairmont Road (in the same plaza as Community Q barbecue joint) you’re welcomed to a beautiful display of handmade Cuban confections and fried savory island treats—each less than $5. You must get there early to get certain beef items that sell fast, but the vegan chorizo and chickpea empanadas, the ham or chicken croquetas, and the guava pastelitos are just as satisfying. After 11 a.m., Buena Gente offers a perfectly pressed Cubano and a Medianoche, a Cuban sandwich served on sweet Cuban egg bread. Paired with any of the tropical milkshakes, the food makes for a delicious lunch on the go.

Guava pastelitos, $3.50 each; Medianoche, $14. —EA

Home Grown

Reynoldstown

A Reynoldstown staple since 2011, Home Grown, with its worn yellow seats at the counter and countless stickers covering the fridges and doorways, looks as if it’s been there forever. The diner is now part of the fabric of the neighborhood (there’s even a thrift rack inside, Sew Thrifty 5 & Dime), and it plays the part with classic breakfast offerings. One of the best options on a budget is Poncho’s Breakfast Bowl—two eggs served any style over shredded raw cabbage and beans smothered in a spicy ranchero sauce. Like a breakfast chili, it’s a warm way to start the day. I go for fried eggs, breaking the yolk inside the bowl to add some rich creaminess to the already bold ranchero sauce.

$11. —XS

J’s Taqueria

Smyrna

This authentic Mexican joint on Spring Road, down the street from Truist Park, offers a truly unique combo: a food counter and a laundromat. Order up front, where you’ll find an overhead menu with photos of tacos, tortas, burritos, fajitas, and more. I ordered breakfast, then took in the fluff-and-fold scene from the tidy dining area. A generous plate of Huevos Mexicana arrived with rice and beans plus fresh red and green salsas. The eggs were perfectly scrambled, mixed with tomato, onion, jalapeño, and cilantro. The fluffy Mexican rice had the signature peas and carrots, the refried beans sprinkled with a fresh, tangy cheese. The señoras in the kitchen weren’t stingy; they wrapped four warm tortillas in a foil bundle for me.

$9.99. —VF

Tia Rosie’s Kitchen

Hapeville

This tiny gem on Dogwood Drive is painted a bright blue with prayer flags waving out front and cafe tables inside and out. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including a dish of the day (among the entrees are pozole, bistec con papas, and mole verde), and has pretty, luscious desserts (flan, tres leches cake, and cups of cream swirled with colorful gelatin cubes) to take away. We came for the breakfast burrito but changed course once we noticed pancakes. Three oversize cakes and their heartwarming griddle spots won us over with each scrumptious, maple-syrup–smothered bite. And there was something extra in the batter. Buttermilk? Lemon zest? We’re not sure, and owner Rosie Salas wouldn’t share her secret, but it was next level. Served with two sides (our pick: bacon and scrambled eggs).

Pancakes plus sides, $8. —VF

Lunch!

A twofer at LottaFrutta: the Just Veggin’ sandwich and Limonatta fruit cup

LottaFrutta

Old Fourth Ward

Open since 2006, this pan-Latin fruteria serves fresh-cut fruit cups (try the Limonatta, a tropical mix topped with lime juice and guajillo chile powder) and Cuban-inspired grilled sandwiches from a colorful, historic house. Detour off the Beltline for a Just Veggin’ sandwich. Stuffed with tomato, cucumbers, sprouts, avocado, and creamy, melted Havarti, this buttery panini is both indulgent and nutritious. Made with toasted sweet Latin loaf slices, it has crunch without the crumbs. Best eaten hot, the Just Veggin’ can be enjoyed at one of the umbrella-shaded tables on the premises. If the weather is warm, pair it with a Lovin’ Lulo smoothie (strawberry, banana, naranjilla, and your choice of milk, water, or pineapple juice).

Grande fruit cup, $5.75; sandwich, $7.03; smoothie, $5.68. —CC

Belén de la Cruz

Johns Creek

Argentinian native Belén de la Cruz opened her eponymous empanada shop in Johns Creek in 2020, later opening three other metro Atlanta locations. Three empanadas ($3.80 each) make for a satisfying meal. Take napkins for the Angus beef empanada, which is juicy and loaded with diced onions and bell peppers. Vegetarians will delight in multiple options, including a hearty spinach empanada and a cheesy one with butternut squash. Empanadas are baked to order, so place takeout orders in advance if you want to avoid an occasional long wait. For dessert, try a marquise ($4.40), a fudgy brownie topped with dulce de leche spread and a massive dollop of meringue, or alfajores ($2.20 each), buttery shortbread sandwich cookies filled with dulce de leche.

Combo includes empanadas (3), a drink, and a pastry, $14. —Myrydd Wells Walljasper

Taqueria Don Claudio

Lithia Springs

In search of a place to eat after an afternoon outing at Sweetwater Creek State Park, I stumbled upon this humble restaurant with bold-tasting food. Taqueria Don Claudio’s tacos are authentic and beautiful in their simplicity: a protein, plus raw onions and cilantro. The chorizo taco, packed with spice and heat, is my favorite. Close on its heels are the lengua and pastor tacos: Even those unaccustomed to beef tongue will find the flavor worth the experiment, while the marinated pork seems to melt in your mouth with each bite. Together they make a great trio. A special treat is that the restaurant serves its own handmade corn tortillas on weekends.

$12.47 for three tacos. —Scott Freeman

Lee’s Bakery

Buford Highway

The secret’s long been out about this unpretentious Buford Highway treasure, which has been serving superlative Vietnamese fare since 2006. But fame and honor—the New York Times declared Lee’s banh mi one of the best in America—have inflated neither the Lee family’s heads nor their prices. It may seem outrageous, but one of those award-winning banh mi sandwiches is $5.25 ($3.25 for a half, but as the counter staff noted, why not get more bang for your buck, and your belly?). Nearly everything else on the menu, from bún (rice vermicelli noodle dishes) to pho soups piled with greens, is less than $15, and plenty of tofu options make this an ideal lunch spot for vegetarians and vegans.

Banh mi, $3 half, $5.25 whole. —Rachel Garbus

Piled high: the ABC Sandwich at Java Saga

Java Saga

Doraville

Don’t let the name fool you. Though Java Saga brews fine coffee, it’s the Taiwanese fried chicken, courtesy of owner Alvin Sun and his mother, Amy Lee, that makes this modest Buford Highway storefront extraordinary. Served as it is on the streets of Lee’s native Taiwan—as popcorn-size bites showered with fried basil leaves or as ginormous, schnitzel-dwarfing cutlets—the bird also stars in Sun’s fast-food–style sandwiches. His ABC (American-born Chinese) sandwich is an autobiography in edible form: a magnificent pile of crispy bird, dripping with hot sauce and creamy, apple-laden coleslaw, plus sweet pickles and a slice of jalapeño American cheese. A combo comes with crinkle fries and a drink.

Combo, $12 or $16. —Wendell Brock

Royal Spice

Dunwoody

For those seeking an affordable lunch with lots of flavor, consider Royal Spice in the Dunwoody Village shopping center. The Indian restaurant offers an express lunch special that includes a curry of your choice (the creamy coconut curry chicken stands out, as does the chana mushroom for vegetarians), a veggie of the day, naan, crispy onion pakora, and a bright lemony lentil soup. For an extra $1, you can swap out the pakora for a hefty vegetable samosa.

$11.99. —Lia Picard

Falafel King

Druid Hills

At Emory Village, Falafel King holds court for lunch. There’s usually a line of students out the door, patiently waiting for one of the more unique meals in Atlanta. Nicholas and Jane Nam immigrated from South Korea and purchased Falafel King in 2006. The Nams kept the Middle Eastern menu ... and then added sushi. Soon, the menu items spilled into one another, and the Mixed Sandwich was born—a pita filled with juicy chicken shawarma and crispy falafel (made daily in a wok) and lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes, all topped in a tasty sriracha mayo. Falafel King no longer offers sushi, but the pita sandwiches are a mainstay for a robust-flavored, filling lunch in your hand for less than eight bucks.

$8. —XS

Sgt. Wyatt’s Country BBQ

Kirkwood

Sgt. Wyatt’s Country BBQ has been at the corner of Memorial Drive and Wyman Street since 1974, and Oscar Wyatt, the sergeant, has been cooking barbecue since the ’50s. His son and wife now help run the small counter, known for its family meals and huge portions of pork. I go for a chopped pork sandwich, doused in their “come-back” sauce, a delicious vinegar- and mustard-based red sauce. At Wyatt’s, I can rely on my order coming in a paper boat, always heavier than I expect, with the pork’s flavorful bark nearly spilling over the sides.

$7. —XS

Da Cocinita Magic Taco

Kirkwood

Across the road from Sgt. Wyatt’s is another favorite, a taco truck that moved into town in 2023 and is here to stay. Parked in the lot of the Texaco gas station, Da Cocinita keeps it simple with only a few menu options: street tacos, a quesadilla, and Magic Tacos. It’s hard not to try something labeled as “magic.” These tacos come in flour tortillas, made from scratch daily, with cheese grilled onto its exterior. Pick your protein—chicken, ground beef, or steak—and it will come covered in onions, cilantro, sour cream, and more cheese. Thankfully, these tacos deliver on their name. The homemade Georgia peach lemonade is the perfect thirst quencher to pair with the meal.

Three tacos for $10. —XS

Dinner!

A world of flavors from Northern Thailand come together in khao soi, a specialty served at Tum Pok Pok.

Tum Pok Pok

Chamblee

Though celebrated in northern Thailand, khao soi has only recently begun to find a place on American Thai restaurant menus. One of the most authentic versions in Atlanta is at Tum Pok Pok. The dish features a bed of chewy egg noodles soaked in yellow coconut curry, a braised chicken leg, and a topping of fried egg noodles for crunch. Add in the pickled mustard greens and shallots that come on the side, along with a healthy dash of chili sauce. You immediately understand why there are multitudes of foodies on YouTube gleefully sampling khao soi dishes at various restaurants around Chiang Mai.

$16. —SF

Little’s Food Store

Cabbagetown

This tiny bodega has been selling essentials since 1929. In 2010, Brad and Nina Cunard took over and soon shifted the focus to hot food, cooked to order. Order the Cabbagetown Half Pound Classic Cheeseburger Basket with two quarter-pound, prime-cut beef patties ground in-house, stacked with melted American cheese, grilled onions, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and yellow mustard on a sesame seed bun. The greasy, griddled burger is paired with medium-cut fries for a filling meal. Dine at the counter on one of the red vinyl stools to get the full effect. Not so hungry? The Single Slider Basket, made with one two-ounce patty, should do the trick.

Half Pound Classic and fries, $10.99; Single Slider and fries, $4.69. —CC

Zion Delight

Chosewood Park

Near the famed prison tacos, served at El Progreso #14 across from the United States Penitentiary, is another icon in the form of soul food at Zion Delight. Located in a Texaco gas station, this is a small meat-and-threes operation: Food served cafeteria-style with no menu. The star of the show is the braised oxtail that, yes, falls off the bone all juicy and tender. I ate it with gravy and rice alongside cornbread, candied yams, and collard greens. The candied yams were doused in cinnamon, and the collard greens balance the sweetness with its savory goodness. The cornbread, dense, sweet, and salty, is the perfect closer of an already delicious plate. When I went to pay at the counter, James made me go back and get seconds, all at the same price of one plate.

$14 for a plate. —XS

There’s plenty of crunch in this Korean taco combo at Hankook Taqueria: first-rate fries plus crispy chicken and panko-c

Hankook Taqueria

West Midtown

I was hipped to Hankook Taqueria by dancers at Atlanta Ballet, who would slip over to the restaurant on lunch break from rehearsals at their nearby studio. At first blush, Korean-influenced tacos struck me as an odd pairing, but it worked magnificently. The tongdak (crispy chicken) comes with flour tortillas and a spicy aioli sauce under a blanket of lettuce and Monterey Jack cheese. The Sang Sun (fish) is a panko-crusted mahi-mahi with Korean barbecue sauce that is rich in flavor. Get the combo: two tacos with fries, which come paired with a scrumptious chipotle ketchup. These are, by the way, the best french fries I’ve ever eaten.

$10. —SF

Pielands Sub & Slice

Virginia-Highland

An old-school, New York–style pizza shop, Pielands slings pies, subs, and slices alongside salads and wings over its counter. Pop in for a Green Granny (or two): The square slices are filled with flavorful basil and garlic pesto, juicy marinara, Pecorino Romano cheese, extra virgin olive oil, and mozzarella hand-pulled in-house. Munch on a Caesar salad while you wait for your thin-crusted creation to cook. A small is large enough to share, with crunchy croutons and ample shaved Parmesan. Made on-site, the dressing is creamy and tangy. Plus, there’s a free Pac-Man machine to play.

Slice, $6; small Caesar, $8. —CC

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen

Westside and Druid Hills

The ribeye tibs at Desta Ethiopian Kitchen is one of my favorite meals, though there’s a wide variety of other proteins to choose from, ranging from lamb to chicken and filet mignon. The magic is in the sauce. It is made with tomatoes, peppers, onions, and berbere spice that is native to Ethiopia. Each bite carries a burst of complex flavors, and I usually turn up the heat by mixing a side of awaze (spicy red chili paste) into the dish. The restaurant diplomatically includes a fork, but the traditional way to eat tibs is by hand, tearing off a piece of injera (a soft and spongy flatbread) to grab proteins and soak in the sauce before taking the bite. Just do it and thank me later.

$17.49. —SF

Anh’s Kitchen

Midtown

In an unassuming storefront on Peachtree Street, authentic Vietnamese cuisine is served daily at Anh’s Kitchen. The vermicelli noodles are one of my favorite meals to grab for dinner in the inviting sunshine-yellow dining room. These Vietnamese rice noodles are light and delectable and come with a fresh mix of cucumbers, carrots, peanuts, shallots, and lettuce with your choice of protein. I usually opt for the grilled chicken, but pork and shrimp are other choices. The noodles are served with a side of rich fish sauce, which adds a savory umami to the combination. Anh’s is a great late-night option, too, open until 2 a.m., with an extensive menu of pho and banh mi.

$15.50. —XS

Maepole

Summerhill

This healthy fast-casual joint is the brainchild of chef Peter Dale, a darling of the Athens culinary scene. After opening Maepole there, Dale exported the model to Atlanta’s newly vibrant Summerhill neighborhood, where he offers a build-your-own bowl concept in an airy, industrial space. Like Gusto or Sweetgreen, the Maepole menu emphasizes nutritious choices such as roasted veggies and whole grains but is also infused with Southern staples: mac and cheese, braised greens, and Hoppin’ John salad. Standard bowls—base, protein, and two sides—run from $12 to $14, or you can try a special chef selection for a few dollars more. Kids eat for less than $7, and options abound for meatless eaters. It’s an easy, cheap dinner you can feel good about.

Tofu bowl, $11.97. —RG

Sweets!

Festive crumbles and fresh berries dot the treats from Doughnut Dollies.

Doughnut Dollies

Marietta

Co-owner Chris Gatti spent his youth working at the famed Donut Hole in Destin, so when he and his wife, Anna Gatti, wanted to expand their now-defunct Canvas Cafe & Bakery, doughnuts were a natural choice. These chef-driven creations come in both cake and brioche bases. The menu changes monthly; standouts include Blueberry Cake, featuring a gorgeous icing made with fresh berries, and Birthday Cake with colorful frosting crumbles. Those who prefer a lighter, fluffier doughnut may opt for Almond Rose, topped with fanciful rose petals and rosewater botanicals for a tasty, fragrant treat.

$3–$4.50. —CC

McEntyre’s Bakery

Smyrna

Stepping into this fourth-generation bakery is like stepping back in time. Think of your favorite cookies from childhood, and you’ll likely find them in the long display case that anchors the shop. From fruit bars, gingerbread men, and coconut macaroons to chocolate chip and thumbprint cookies, you’ll find sweet deals on all manner of treats, including Danish, doughnuts, cannoli, and eclairs. A bargain rack with hefty coconut cake slices for 99 cents was among our finds. Do not leave without an assortment of cake squares. Generously frosted with a pretty rosebud design on top, cake flavors include strawberry, devil’s food, and vanilla. It’s a sugar rush that satisfies in a sensible portion.

Cake squares, $1.69 each. —VF

Assorted Indian delicacies from Gokul Sweets in Decatur

Gokul Sweets

Decatur

We’ll never say no to cake and cookies—but sometimes the sweet tooth craves something further afield. In Atlanta, that requires only a drive out to Patel Plaza in Decatur, where Gokul Sweets has been tempting visitors with its colorful pastry counter since 2002. Priced by the pound, nearly every sumptuous delicacy amounts to less than $1 a pop, from nutty-sweet kaju katli, made of cashew flour and topped with flecks of silvery foil, to rose water-soaked gulab jamun, known as Indian doughnuts. When it’s hot outside, head to the freezer in front of the counter and grab a kulfi popsicle for $2. Gokul offers several versions of the famous Indian frozen treat, but you can’t go wrong with the classic, cardamon-infused malai kulfi; richer and denser than ice cream, sweet but not cloying, it’s the best two bucks a sweaty sugar-holic could spend.

Malai kulfi, $2. —RG

Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream

Buckhead and Midtown

Bypass the cones and sundaes for the 4 Scoop Sampler and treat your taste buds to flavors like Blueberry Cobbler, Graham Central Station, Ooohh . . . Dough!, and Spouse Like a House (malted vanilla with peanut butter ripple and chocolate-covered pretzels). With 48 flavors available at all times, there’s always more to try.

$6.55. —CC

Sugar Shane’s

Ponce City Market

This locally grown bakery stands out for its massive 5.5-ounce cookies. Our pick is Dashing Delta, a buttery creation with hints of cinnamon, butterscotch and white chocolate chips, and a creamy cookie butter filling. Break it open and embrace the gooey center. It’s even topped with Biscoff cookie crumbles.

$6 each. —CC

Cupcakin’ Bake Shop

Colony Square

Here, moist cake is topped with sweet frosting made from cream cheese, buttercream, or whipped cream. Depending on the flavor, it may feature a cookie crumble bottom layer (think Oreo or graham cracker) and a fruity compote inside. Our favorite is the Key lime pie filled with tangy lime curd.

A mini, $2.25. —CC