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New Orleans Essential Cheap Eats & Restaurants

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Greasy spoons, Vietnamese restaurants, convenience store cafes, po boy shops, soul food counters: Such are the foundation of cheap dining in the Crescent City.  Here now, Eater NOLA presents the essential cheap eats that every New Orleanian should have on their radar.

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Felipe's Taqueria

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Diners can build their own cheap meals at Felipe's in the Quarter, Uptown, and now in Mid City. A meaty burrito combo with a drink, chips and dip, will set you back about $10. [photo: Facebook]

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 Moroccan Spiced Lamb Sausage with Tzaziki sauce sumac carrots, and torn mint for $10 reveals the po' boy renaissance is happening in the Quarter. [photo: Facebook]

Boswell's Jamacian Grill

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You eat their chicken and meat patties at all the festivals, but the lunch buffet for $9 at their no frills restaurant on Tulane is the jam for midday money saving. Plus the artwork and regulars are something to behold.

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 an enormous banh mi made before your eyes AND a can of cold drink.

Pizza Delicious

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Slices from Pizza Delicious ($2-2.50 for standard pies, $3-3.50 for specialty pie slices), combined with a cauliflower or spinach roll (2/$5) make for a filling and ultra cheap meal.

Trūburger

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Burgers start at $3.99 (then add cheese and toppings),Specialty burgers run between $6-7. Zwelges hot dogs come with onions, jalapeños, kraut, and relish and are also $3.99. Ger some fries for $1.99 or a shake for $3.50, and you're good to go. High quality for pretty close to the same price as fast food. Get on that! [photo: Facebook]

Verti Marte

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Breakfasts under $5 and huge entrees around $10. Most consider Verti Marte the Quarter's best 'sponge food' for sobering up. Cash only. [Photo: flickr/Shu]

Lucky Dogs

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A weenie or sausage from the iconic hot dog stand will set you back about $5. [Photo: Facebook]

Dong Phuong

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This Vietnamese bakery in New Orleans East supplies the french bread for many of the city's best banh mi, so no suprise that their own banh mi rule and will only set you back around $3-$5. Plus if you buy 10 you get 1 free. [Photo: flickr/infrogmation]

McHardy's

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This Broad Street fried chicken and soul food hub does a 10 piece fried chicken along with a slew of dinner plates for under $10, or a five-piece with fries for around $5. [Photo: flickr/Anne Larie Valentine]

Sammy's Food Service & Deli

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Another soul food classic that won't break the bank. Sammy's is known for amazing po' boys, but their daily roster of filling lunch specials (in the $9-$12) are worth a try. Also great for a $5 breakfast. [Photo: Facebook]

Melba's Old School Po Boys

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Great deals on fried chicken and wings. Lunch/dinner plates of soul food and po boys in the $10 range. A small gumbo will set you back $2.50. Large breakfasts for under $6. [Photo: Facebook]

Cleo's Convenience Store

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The secret is out about this 24-hour falafel and gyro fave tucked into a convenience store in the CBD. The entrees get a bit pricier (in the $12-$17 range), but the quality is great. The wraps and sandwiches (try the gyro or eggplant sandwich) are the best value in the $6.50-$8 range. [Photo: Yelp/Charles H.]

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Felipe's Taqueria

Diners can build their own cheap meals at Felipe's in the Quarter, Uptown, and now in Mid City. A meaty burrito combo with a drink, chips and dip, will set you back about $10. [photo: Facebook]

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 Moroccan Spiced Lamb Sausage with Tzaziki sauce sumac carrots, and torn mint for $10 reveals the po' boy renaissance is happening in the Quarter. [photo: Facebook]

Boswell's Jamacian Grill

You eat their chicken and meat patties at all the festivals, but the lunch buffet for $9 at their no frills restaurant on Tulane is the jam for midday money saving. Plus the artwork and regulars are something to behold.

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 an enormous banh mi made before your eyes AND a can of cold drink.

Pizza Delicious

Slices from Pizza Delicious ($2-2.50 for standard pies, $3-3.50 for specialty pie slices), combined with a cauliflower or spinach roll (2/$5) make for a filling and ultra cheap meal.

Trūburger

Burgers start at $3.99 (then add cheese and toppings),Specialty burgers run between $6-7. Zwelges hot dogs come with onions, jalapeños, kraut, and relish and are also $3.99. Ger some fries for $1.99 or a shake for $3.50, and you're good to go. High quality for pretty close to the same price as fast food. Get on that! [photo: Facebook]

Verti Marte

Breakfasts under $5 and huge entrees around $10. Most consider Verti Marte the Quarter's best 'sponge food' for sobering up. Cash only. [Photo: flickr/Shu]

Lucky Dogs

A weenie or sausage from the iconic hot dog stand will set you back about $5. [Photo: Facebook]

Dong Phuong

This Vietnamese bakery in New Orleans East supplies the french bread for many of the city's best banh mi, so no suprise that their own banh mi rule and will only set you back around $3-$5. Plus if you buy 10 you get 1 free. [Photo: flickr/infrogmation]

McHardy's

This Broad Street fried chicken and soul food hub does a 10 piece fried chicken along with a slew of dinner plates for under $10, or a five-piece with fries for around $5. [Photo: flickr/Anne Larie Valentine]

Sammy's Food Service & Deli

Another soul food classic that won't break the bank. Sammy's is known for amazing po' boys, but their daily roster of filling lunch specials (in the $9-$12) are worth a try. Also great for a $5 breakfast. [Photo: Facebook]

Melba's Old School Po Boys

Great deals on fried chicken and wings. Lunch/dinner plates of soul food and po boys in the $10 range. A small gumbo will set you back $2.50. Large breakfasts for under $6. [Photo: Facebook]

Cleo's Convenience Store

The secret is out about this 24-hour falafel and gyro fave tucked into a convenience store in the CBD. The entrees get a bit pricier (in the $12-$17 range), but the quality is great. The wraps and sandwiches (try the gyro or eggplant sandwich) are the best value in the $6.50-$8 range. [Photo: Yelp/Charles H.]

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