clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
More Maps

12 Bourbon Street Bars That Don’t Suck

New Orleans’s Most Refreshing Frozen Cocktails to Beat the Heat

Where to Celebrate Pride in New Orleans in June and Beyond

More in New Orleans See more maps
ENOLA

New Orleans Essential Cheap Eats & Restaurants

by Gwendolyn Knapp and Nora McGunnigle
1 comment / new
View as Map
by Gwendolyn Knapp and Nora McGunnigle
1 comment / new
ENOLA

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.

Don't see your favorite cheap spot? Leave a comment or send Eater a tip, and we'll update the map as necessary.

Read More
If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Felipe's Taqueria

Copy Link
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]
6215 South Miro Street, New Orleans, LA 70125
(504) 309-2776
(504) 309-2776

Also featured in:

Killer Po-boys

Copy Link
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]
811 Conti, New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 252-6745
(504) 252-6745

Also featured in:

Boswell's Jamacian Grill

Copy Link
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.
3521 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, La 70119
(504) 482-6600
(504) 482-6600

Eat Well Food Mart

Copy Link
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.
2700 Canal St, Ste A, New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 821-7730
(504) 821-7730

Also featured in:

Pizza Delicious

Copy Link
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.
617 Piety St, New Orleans, La 70117
(504) 676-8482
(504) 676-8482

Also featured in:

Trūburger

Copy Link
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]
8115 Oak St, New Orleans, LA 70118
(504) 218-5416
(504) 218-5416

Verti Marte

Copy Link
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]
1201 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 525-4767
(504) 525-4767

Also featured in:

Lucky Dogs

Copy Link
A weenie or sausage from the iconic hot dog stand will set you back about $5. [Photo: Facebook]
French Quarter, New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 524-6010
(504) 524-6010

Dong Phuong

Copy Link
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]
14207 Chef Menteur Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70129
(504) 254-0214
(504) 254-0214

Also featured in:

McHardy's

Copy Link
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]
1458 N Broad St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Also featured in:

Sammy's Food Service & Deli

Copy Link
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]
3000 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70122
(504) 947-0675
(504) 947-0675

Also featured in:

Melba's Old School Po Boys

Copy Link
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]
1525 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117

Also featured in:

Cleo's Convenience Store

Copy Link
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.]
165 Roosevelt Way, New Orleans, LA 70112

More in Maps

Loading comments...

© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

Felipe's Taqueria

6215 South Miro Street, New Orleans, LA 70125
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]
6215 South Miro Street, New Orleans, LA 70125
(504) 309-2776
(504) 309-2776

Killer Po-boys

811 Conti, New Orleans, LA 70112
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]
811 Conti, New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 252-6745
(504) 252-6745

Boswell's Jamacian Grill

3521 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, La 70119
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.
3521 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, La 70119
(504) 482-6600
(504) 482-6600

Eat Well Food Mart

2700 Canal St, Ste A, New Orleans, LA 70119
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.
2700 Canal St, Ste A, New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 821-7730
(504) 821-7730

Pizza Delicious

617 Piety St, New Orleans, La 70117
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.
617 Piety St, New Orleans, La 70117
(504) 676-8482
(504) 676-8482

Trūburger

8115 Oak St, New Orleans, LA 70118
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]
8115 Oak St, New Orleans, LA 70118
(504) 218-5416
(504) 218-5416

Verti Marte

1201 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70116
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]
1201 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 525-4767
(504) 525-4767

Lucky Dogs

French Quarter, New Orleans, LA 70116
A weenie or sausage from the iconic hot dog stand will set you back about $5. [Photo: Facebook]
French Quarter, New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 524-6010
(504) 524-6010

Dong Phuong

14207 Chef Menteur Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70129
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]
14207 Chef Menteur Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70129
(504) 254-0214
(504) 254-0214

McHardy's

1458 N Broad St, New Orleans, LA 70119
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]
1458 N Broad St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Sammy's Food Service & Deli

3000 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70122
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]
3000 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70122
(504) 947-0675
(504) 947-0675

Melba's Old School Po Boys

1525 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117
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]
1525 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117

Cleo's Convenience Store

165 Roosevelt Way, New Orleans, LA 70112
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.]
165 Roosevelt Way, New Orleans, LA 70112

Related Maps