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New Orleans' Best Cheap Eats, as Decided by Readers

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In Friday's Open Thread, Eater asked readers to recommend their favorite dirt cheap eats in New Orleans. Here are 15 of the best low budget dining recommendations from Eater readers, in map form.


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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Dong Phuong

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"Bahn Mi for under $3.50," gushes an Eater reader. "Lunch specials for all under $10.00. Don't mind the $10 in gas you need to get there from uptown or mid city. The good food and the lack of any hipsters within 3 miles makes the trip well worth it."

Juan's Flying Burrito

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Says a fan of the Mid City/Uptown staple, "under $10 and a lot of protein and rice...Juan's "Flying Burrito" is like 2 meals, or one if you scarf it down, but it will haunt your swollen belly if you eat it too quickly." The Flying Burrito comes with shrimp, chicken, and steak plus all the normal burrito filler for $8.25.

Boswell's Jamacian Grill

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You eat their chicken and meat patties at all the festivals, but the lunch buffet at their no frills restaurant on Tulane is the jam for midday money saving. Plus the artwork and regulars are something to behold.

Russell's Marina Grill

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"Good homemade food," and dinner entrees that hover around $11/plate, though they also serve breakfast for dinner here, or as one reader attests, "Best omlettes in town. My grandkids love eating breakfast items for dinner, especially the chocolate chip waffles."

Cajun Seafood

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Most people go here for the boiled crawfish and a dose of sketchiness. But "$12 gets you a HUGE shrimp po'boy. You'll want to split it with at least 1 if not 2 people," says a devoted fan.

Maurepas Foods

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You don't need to spend a fortune to experience quality local and seasonal food, especially at Maurepas Foods in the Bywater. The goat tacos make a swell lunch at $8, plus a big ass bowl of the best grits in town for another $3.

Felipe's Taqueria

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Diners can build their own cheap meals at Felipe's in the Quarter and Uptown. A meaty burrito combo with a drink, chips and dip, will set your back about $10.

Killer Po-boys

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The name doesn't lie. Cam Boudreaux serves up po' boys ranging from $8-12 bucks at his kitchen in back of Erin Rose, but they aren't your average lunch fare. The Morrocan Spiced Lamb Sausage with Tzaziki sauce sumac carrots, and torn mint for $10 reveals the po' boy renaissance is happening in the Quarter.

Magasin Vietnamese Cafe

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At the Vietnames hot spot Uptown, Banh Mi will set you back less than $5, Pho less around $8, and special plates of meat, rice, and veggies all around $7.50, but the real deal is the filet mignon special plate at just $10.50.

Domenica (Happy Hour)

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Domenica really is king of New Orleans Happy Hour. All of those amazing woodfire pizzas are half off (along with beer, wine and well cocktails) from 3-6p.m. everyday of the week. A lardo pizza for $6.50? Yes, please.

Pizza Delicious

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A reader on the newest cheap good eats: "Slices from Pizza Delicious ($2-2.50), combined with a cauliflower or spinach roll (2/$5)... I think all of their pastas top out at $9 or $10 for a generous portion."

Eat Well Food Mart

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It's in a strange location on Canal and Broad near a very busy bus stop and the courthouse, but at this mini mart with a killer food counter "$6 gets you a huge and great Banh Mi with a can of soft drink."

Taceaux Loceaux Truck

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From Dos Jefes to The Kingpin, the roving taco craziness sells hungry Uptown boozers 2/$6 pork tacos that are amazing, and lots of specials usually under $8.

Norma's Sweets Bakery

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"Empanadas and all the savory and sweet pastries at Norma's" are all on the crazy cheap, like less than a buck. "Actually anything from Norma's" including great Cubans won't set you back more than $10, and it's also a beloved hidden gem.

Eat Mah Taco at Pal's Lounge

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More cheap taco craziness, this time for the boozers in Bayou St. John. Every Tuesday, this Pal's pop up serves duos of fish, pork, and beef tacos (about 2/$7), and they always have smoked sausage tacos that are 2/$2.

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Dong Phuong

"Bahn Mi for under $3.50," gushes an Eater reader. "Lunch specials for all under $10.00. Don't mind the $10 in gas you need to get there from uptown or mid city. The good food and the lack of any hipsters within 3 miles makes the trip well worth it."

Juan's Flying Burrito

Says a fan of the Mid City/Uptown staple, "under $10 and a lot of protein and rice...Juan's "Flying Burrito" is like 2 meals, or one if you scarf it down, but it will haunt your swollen belly if you eat it too quickly." The Flying Burrito comes with shrimp, chicken, and steak plus all the normal burrito filler for $8.25.

Boswell's Jamacian Grill

You eat their chicken and meat patties at all the festivals, but the lunch buffet at their no frills restaurant on Tulane is the jam for midday money saving. Plus the artwork and regulars are something to behold.

Russell's Marina Grill

"Good homemade food," and dinner entrees that hover around $11/plate, though they also serve breakfast for dinner here, or as one reader attests, "Best omlettes in town. My grandkids love eating breakfast items for dinner, especially the chocolate chip waffles."

Cajun Seafood

Most people go here for the boiled crawfish and a dose of sketchiness. But "$12 gets you a HUGE shrimp po'boy. You'll want to split it with at least 1 if not 2 people," says a devoted fan.

Maurepas Foods

You don't need to spend a fortune to experience quality local and seasonal food, especially at Maurepas Foods in the Bywater. The goat tacos make a swell lunch at $8, plus a big ass bowl of the best grits in town for another $3.

Felipe's Taqueria

Diners can build their own cheap meals at Felipe's in the Quarter and Uptown. A meaty burrito combo with a drink, chips and dip, will set your back about $10.

Killer Po-boys

The name doesn't lie. Cam Boudreaux serves up po' boys ranging from $8-12 bucks at his kitchen in back of Erin Rose, but they aren't your average lunch fare. The Morrocan Spiced Lamb Sausage with Tzaziki sauce sumac carrots, and torn mint for $10 reveals the po' boy renaissance is happening in the Quarter.

Magasin Vietnamese Cafe

At the Vietnames hot spot Uptown, Banh Mi will set you back less than $5, Pho less around $8, and special plates of meat, rice, and veggies all around $7.50, but the real deal is the filet mignon special plate at just $10.50.

Domenica (Happy Hour)

Domenica really is king of New Orleans Happy Hour. All of those amazing woodfire pizzas are half off (along with beer, wine and well cocktails) from 3-6p.m. everyday of the week. A lardo pizza for $6.50? Yes, please.

Pizza Delicious

A reader on the newest cheap good eats: "Slices from Pizza Delicious ($2-2.50), combined with a cauliflower or spinach roll (2/$5)... I think all of their pastas top out at $9 or $10 for a generous portion."

Eat Well Food Mart

It's in a strange location on Canal and Broad near a very busy bus stop and the courthouse, but at this mini mart with a killer food counter "$6 gets you a huge and great Banh Mi with a can of soft drink."

Taceaux Loceaux Truck

From Dos Jefes to The Kingpin, the roving taco craziness sells hungry Uptown boozers 2/$6 pork tacos that are amazing, and lots of specials usually under $8.

Norma's Sweets Bakery

"Empanadas and all the savory and sweet pastries at Norma's" are all on the crazy cheap, like less than a buck. "Actually anything from Norma's" including great Cubans won't set you back more than $10, and it's also a beloved hidden gem.

Eat Mah Taco at Pal's Lounge

More cheap taco craziness, this time for the boozers in Bayou St. John. Every Tuesday, this Pal's pop up serves duos of fish, pork, and beef tacos (about 2/$7), and they always have smoked sausage tacos that are 2/$2.

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