We Found All the Best Cheap Eats in Houston Where You Can Eat on a Budget
Did you know that there are 3,225 fast food restaurants in Houston as of January 2024?
However, not all these places are exactly friendly to our wallets. And our wallets need some good vibes right now.
So what do you do if you want to eat good food, but only want to spend $10 – $35? Can you still do it in Houston?
Yes, you can – and we’re here to help you out!
1. Someburger
Address: 745 E 11th St, Houston, TX 77008
Phone Number: 713-862-0019
Hours: Monday – Saturday – 10:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
One of Houston’s oldest living businesses, Someburger has been around since the 1950s and has cemented “Texan burger” in the hearts and minds of Houstonians.
“Texan burger” is basically the same as the same ‘ol burger, but without the Ketchup. It was made by Uncle Fletcher Davis for the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, Missouri where he decided to name his creation as the “hamburger”.
Someburger has continued to hold on to this tradition too, with most of their burger menu forgoing the ketchup. It still tastes good though, especially their Someburger and Double Someburger that you can get for $5,15 and $7,75, respectively.
They also have other sandwich options available such as a Grilled Cheese and B.L.T. You can also add some Hand Cut Fries which we definitely recommend!
| Pro Tips: Someburger has two locations in Houston, one in Baytown and one in 11th St. We suggest visiting 11th St. if you want a more authentic experience since they use the original Someburger recipe! |
2. Tamashi
Address: 1106 Silber Rd d1, Houston, TX 77055
Phone Number: 832-519-9572
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
If you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful ramen shop in Houston, then you’re looking to buy from Tamashi! After all, no other restaurant in Houston sells their ramen and a chef’s choice for as little as $13.75 and $20, respectively.
And it’s not like they skimp on their ramen too – the serving sizes are huge, and there’s plenty of flavors for you to choose from! The Curry Tsukemen can be a bit too spicy, so we recommend their Shoyu for that decadent, ramen broth.
Their sushi options are a bit limited, but are still delicious as a for-share plate, with the Sushi Platter having the best value. But if you’re willing to spend more, you can go for either their Chirashi or Sushi Sashimi Combo for $20!
| Pro Tips: Although Tamashi’s prices are affordable, the restaurant is also relatively small. When it’s packed, it might take at least 30 minutes to get your food, so we suggest ordering an appetizer! |
3. Christy’s Donuts
Address: 1103 W Gray St Suite C, Houston, TX 77019
Phone Number: 713-524-4005
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 4:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Sunday: 5:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Christy’s Donuts have been loved by Houstonians since they opened their doors in 1983! That’s more than 40 years of service!
Christy’s Donuts’ signature White Donuts have just the right amount of sweetness, but they also have Apple Fritters and Blueberry Cakes if you’re not looking for fried dough.
However, you can also get an assorted half-dozen box if you’re not sure what you want!
They also sell another Houston staple – Kolaches! Though they don’t have traditional Kolaches filled with cream cheese, it’s been “Houston”-ified and comes with more savory options like Sausage and Chicken instead.
| Pro Tips: They open early and close relatively early too! If you want a fresher batch, we suggest visiting them 30 minutes after they open if you want a piping-hot treat to start your day right! |
4. Shri Balaji Bhavan
Credit: @greenwaybarista on Instagram
Address: 5655 Hilcroft St., Houston, TX 77036
Phone Number: 713-783-1126
Hours: Sunday – Monday, Wednesday – Saturday:
Tuesday: Closed
If you’re on the lookout for a place that sells South Asian – specifically, Indian food – for a cheap price in Houston, then we recommend trying out Shri Balaji Bhavan inside Hillcroft Park Center!
Their food variety is unmatched, and even if the price is a lot more expensive compared to their Indian counterpart, it still tastes good and unlike any Indian restaurant here in Houston!
We suggest trying out the combo of their Samosa, Upama with Maidu Vada, and Sada Mulga Podi Dosa for an authentic Indian food experience. You can even add an extra $5.99 for a glass of their Boondi Laddu, too!
| Pro Tips: Shri Balaji Bhavan gets crowded during the brunch rush. If you want to try out their food then we suggest visiting them for breakfast or in the afternoon when there’s less crowds present. |
5. Jones Fried Chicken
Credit: @lisaostrin on Instagram
Address: 6633 Fondren Rd, Houston, TX 77036
Phone Number: 713-772-7799
Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 AM
Friday – Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 AM
If you ever found yourself craving for a good fried chicken place in Houston, then we suggest giving Jones Fried Chicken a visit for their cheap, halal-friendly meals!
Their Lamb over Rice platter comes with a large serving size, and you can add their Chili Cheese Fries. Jones Fried Chicken’s signature Wings & Shrimp is good too, if you came here for the chicken, though!
But if you’re not looking for rice meals, then they also have chicken or fish sandwiches that are really filling choices as well!
| Pro Tips: Their Lamb over Rice platter is delicious, but it can be on the spicier side. So be prepared! |
6. Brothers Taco House
Address: 1604 Emancipation Ave, Houston, TX 77003
Phone Number: 713-223-0091
Hours: Monday – Friday: 5:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Saturday: 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM
If you’re ever in Downtown and you’re craving tacos, then you might want to visit Brothers Taco House for a cheap fix! Not only can you buy tacos for less than $6, you can also get a big breakfast platter for a fraction of the price you’d usually pay, too!
Brothers Taco House also prides themselves in having handmade tacos, which gives it a different flavor compared to others. Their cheaper options, like the $1.90 Potato & Egg are good if you want to save money, but it’s only available from 5 AM to 11 AM.
They also have breakfast platters available if you’re looking for something more filling! There are plenty of options for you to choose from, but we suggest their Huevos Rancheros, which costs $7.50 if you’re looking for a filling breakfast.
| Pro Tips: Since Brothers Taco House is relatively small, they can easily get crowded during the lunch rush and you might just miss them since they close early, too! We suggest ordering through third party apps so you can get their food! |
7. Fat Bao
Address: 3419 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
Phone Number: 713-677-0341
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 11:00 AM–9:00 PM
Friday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
From any perspective, Fat Bao is a weird place – they do serve food like Panko-coated fish in a bao bun, after all. But it’s more of a case of “don’t knock it ‘til you try it”, especially since you can buy it for less than $10!
Fat Bao is an Asian-American fusion restaurant, but on an entirely different level. They also have Pork Belly Bao and Pork Katsu Bao for only half a dollar more.
But if you’re looking for something more authentic, then you can try out their Plain Steamed Bao filled with pork for $3, or a share plate of 6 Piece Korean Fried Chicken Wings for $14.50 and still have lots of money left!
| Pro Tips: If you want a different experience at the Fat Bao, they have a secret menu that you can try out! These contain different variations of their usual menu items. All you need to do is to ask the waiter! |
8. Alan’s Deli
Credit: @visit.mulberrystreet on Instagram
Address: Dun Huang Plaza, 9889 Bellaire Blvd Bldg B2, Houston, TX 77036
Phone Number: 832-275-1360
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
One of the cheaper places to eat in Chinatown’s Dun Huang Plaza, Alan’s Deli is a bit of a hidden gem that has provided Houstonians with cheap, delicious, supersized, and authentic Chinese food!
Their serving portions are large, especially considering their price. The Roast Duck on Rice and Roast Pork on Rice both costs $7.50. But if you want more variety for less money, you can get their BBQ Pork on Rice with 2 extra items for $5.75!
If you’re in the mood for noodles though, they also have cheap noodles that you can try out, too! The Pork Feet Noodle Soup is the cheapest one, but has a delicious broth that goes well with the tender, fatty pork feet.
| Pro Tips: Alan’s Deli’s lines can be long, especially during the lunch and after work rushes. If you want to try them out, you will need to either go early or order through their website since they’re not partnered with third-party delivery apps. |
9. Al’s Quick Stop
Address: 2002 Waugh Dr, Houston, TX 77006
Phone Number: 713-522-5170
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 8:00 AM–11:00 PM
Friday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
A family-owned business that has always prided themselves in providing quick, fresh Mediterranean food all for a fraction of the price, Al’s Quick Stop lives up to their name – and they’ve done that since 1991!
Their bestsellers are their Plate menu, with the $16.99 Kabob Plate being the most filling option they have, as well as the most expensive one. Add their $3.99 Baklava as a dessert and $6.99 Spicy Potatoes as an appetizer and you’ll be good to go!
But since the Kabob Plate will make us go above the budget, their Shawarma Plate is also a good substitute.
Al’s Quick Stop also has good variety on their fries too! Although it’s a tad more expensive (it costs $11.99), it’s worth the price, especially since its huge serving size means that you can share it with some of your friends!
| Pro Tips: Al’s Quick Stop uses two kinds of Pita – one regular, and one Gyro Pita. If you’re getting their Pitas, we suggest ordering the Gyro Pita over the regular one for a fluffier bread. |
10. Gyro King
Address: 9203 S Texas 6 Suite #110, Houston, TX 77083
Phone Number: 281-575-0700
Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Friday – Saturday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Branding themselves as “the best Gyro in Houston”, Gyro King’s large and affordable Gyros doesn’t just provide $13 Gyros. You can also get some healthy fruit juices and a wealth of dessert options, too!
If you’re looking for a filling we suggest trying out their Falafel over Rice for $10.84 and pair that with their $5.98 Tiramisu Cake slice for a good one-two combo! If you still want to add a drink, we suggest their $8.38 Celery Juice for a little extra pizazz.
| Pro Tips: If you plan to get their gyros, we suggest going with their white sauce. Their spicy sauce is still good, but it lacks the oomph and spiciness, whereas the white sauce tastes fuller and pairs well with the meat! |
