From $5 burgers to $9 banh mi, here are the best cheap eats around Tacoma
When it comes to eating out, people have different ideas of what constitutes a “cheap” meal. Some are happy to pay less than $20 , while others are looking to spend single-digit numbers.
There’s also something to be said for getting the most bang for your buck — a $20 dish might last you two meals or more. But for this list, we’re focusing on cost, rather than overall value.
Keep reading to find spots where you can get a suitable meal for under $15, and in lots of cases, under $10.
The Red Hot
- 2914 6th Ave., Tacoma
- 253-779-0229
- redhottacoma.com
This 21+ hot dog joint sells most of its franks for under $10. A plain hot dog goes for $6.75 while some more inventive varieties are between $7 and $9, like the Hound Dog with creamy peanut butter and bacon, and the Destiny City Slaw Dog with homemade gold BBQ sauce, all-meat chili and Southern-style slaw. Plus, The Red Hot has several sausages and burgers for under $10, and a wide selection of vegan dogs.
Frisko Freeze
- 1201 Division Ave., Tacoma
- friskofreeze.com
This Tacoma landmark burger drive-thru has kept its prices in line with its retro aesthetic, for the most part. A humble hamburger will run you $5.20, (50 cents more for a cheeseburger), while the heftiest burger, a Triplemeat-Double Cheese goes for $8.10. Chicken and fish sandwiches are in the $6 range, while a grilled cheese and corn dog are under $4 each. Fries are $4.40, so a single burger and fries will run you around $10. Milkshakes are around $5 if you really want to splurge.
Jubilee Burger
- 858 S. 38th St., Tacoma
- 253-348-2137
- jubileeburger.com
Jubilee, another local burger joint, has been a longtime presence in the Lincoln District. Hamburgers are $4.95, cheeseburgers are $5.50. The Double with double patties and double cheese is $6.50, and The Smitty, a 1/3-pound patty with cheese on a hoagie roll, is $9.50. Most combo meals (that come with fries and a drink) are $11 to $12.
Parky’s Pizza Bar
- 3551 McKinley Ave., Tacoma
- 253-212-2367
- parkyspizzabar.com
Every single pizza at Parky’s (which readers voted as the best pizza joint in Eastside Tacoma) is under $15. A classic Margherita is $13, while other pies are about the same or a dollar more. That includes the $13 Italian with pepperoni, prosciutto, Italian sausage, black olives, onions and red sauce, and the $14 Betta With Feta, which comes with prosciutto, crisp bacon, crumbled feta, red onion and red sauce. Plus, each panini is under $10, and entrée salads hover in the $7 to $10 range.
Vien Dong
- 3801 S. Yakima Ave., Tacoma
- 253-472-6668
- viendongrestaurant.com
Basically everything on the menu at this Vietnamese restaurant is under $15, including the pho. A small bowl is $11.50, while a large is $13.50. Stir fry entrées, which usually come with mixed vegetables and rice, are around $14. Appetizers won’t break the bank, either. Egg rolls are $2.50 each, and you can also get six potstickers for $5.50.
Bento Teriyaki
- 3201 6th Ave., Tacoma
- 253-759-0851
- bentoteriyakisushi.com
Teriyaki spots aren’t known to be super expensive, and that’s especially true for Bento Teriyaki, a humble spot on Sixth Ave. Most chicken dishes, whether that be teriyaki, yakisoba, fried rice or stir fry are $11.99. Other proteins like beef, pork and shrimp stay under the $15 mark, along with familiar Chinese entrées like sweet-and-sour chicken, chicken and broccoli and orange chicken. All sushi rolls also stay under $15.
Toast Mi
- 2602 N. Proctor St., Suite D, Tacoma,
- 253-245-2246
- toastmi.com
This local chain, with locations in Seattle, Lacey and Federal Way, has quite a few varieties of banh mi, a baguette filled with meat, cilantro, jalapeño and other veggies. Most banh mi are around $9, including the chicken, pork and tofu. Rice bowls, which come with rice, protein, veggies and sauce, are around $11.25 to $13.25. Toast Mi also offers especially tall boba teas for around $5.
Gyro Bites
- 6409 6th Ave., Tacoma
- 253-888-8885
- eatgyrobites.com
This casual Greek spot serves all the staples you know and love at an affordable price. Gyros with beef, lamb and chicken are $12 to $13, while vegetarian options with falafel, cauliflower and baba ganoush come in around $10. If you’re craving dessert, baklava is $3.99.
Red Elm Cafe
- 1114 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Tacoma
- 253-327-1791
- order.toasttab.com/online/red-elm-cafe
This Hilltop hangout has jumbo Belgian waffles starting at $9.95, plus other inventive varieties for $11.95, like the Chorizo Waffle with the sausage cooked into the waffle and topped with salsa verde and cotija cheese. A build-your-own breakfast sandwich starts at $7.95, while lunch fare like grilled cheese and ham-and-cheese sandwiches stay under $7.
MSM Deli
- 2220 6th Ave., Tacoma
- 253-272-4814
- facebook.com/p/MSM-Deli
While more artisan sandwich shops can run you around $20, MSM Deli offers straight forward subs, starting at around $9 to $10. That includes Mike’s Deluxe, which comes with turkey, ham, roast beef, cheddar, swiss, mayo, mustard, lettuce, sprouts, tomato, onion and pickle — ringing in at $9.99 for a 6-inch sub and $12.99 for a 9-inch sub. Pita Wraps are $8.99, while salads are all under $10.
Taqueria El Sabor
- 1636 S. Mildred St., Tacoma
- 253-565-0501
- taqueriaselsabor.com
While there are quite a few cheap taco places out there, this regional chain is especially affordable. Tacos are $2.82 each, while most entrées are under $15. That includes burritos, taco salads, tortas and pollo asado.
