Great Bang for Your Buck! 9 Cheap Eats in Boston

When visiting a new destination, you naturally don’t want to break the bank every time you go out to eat. And that most certainly includes Boston, which is in the top 1% of the most expensive cities in the world. Yikes!

Fortunately, you don’t have to. Cue cheap eats in Boston.

extreme close up of two people each holding one "Fenway Frank," a hot dog in a bread bun
There’s more to cheap eats in Boston than hot dogs…but we like those too. Photo credit: Andrew Malone

Cheap eats are precisely as their name suggests: foods or food establishments that offer low prices. However, you shouldn’t choose just any cheap eats location because you want to also make sure it tastes good, too!

And that’s what brings us to our topic here today: the best nine cheap eats in Boston. Let’s dig in.

Expert’s Tip: Looking for more affordable and fun activities? There are plenty of Free Things to See and Do in Boston!

Saus Boston

Saus Boston is the prime location for stellar cheap eats in the city of Boston. Their flagship location is conveniently found on Union Street and offers those in search of delectable yet affordable grub haven.

They’re well known for several stomach and wallet-satisfying options. Customizable poutine comes in two sizes: regular for $7.25 and big for $8.50. Their crispy, juicy fried chicken “sandos” are just $10, other “sandos” are only $9, brats at $9, and even salad bowls at $9. Saus Boston is indeed the boss…of cheap eats and street food.

close up of two containers of poutine at Saus Boston, a cheap eats restaurant. French fries are topped with cheese curds, bacon bits, and green onion
Add your favorite toppings like bacon bits to your poutine at Saus Boston. Photo credit: Herman Saksono

Tasty Mo:Mo

Tasty Mo:Mo can give you your dumpling fix without making you empty your wallet. This quick-serve eatery dishes out homemade, fresh-to-order dumplings that you won’t soon forget.

Tasty Mo:Mo is adored for its casual atmosphere and variety of lip-smack-worthy dumplings, like their momos (dumplings from northern parts of India and Tibet) and “chilly” momos. Not only are their perfectly-sized dishes easy and enjoyable to digest, their prices are, too.

Close up of dumplings in a bamboo steam basket
There are few things better than delicious dumplings…except maybe cheap AND delicious dumplings! Photo credit: Jason Leung

Gene’s Chinese Flatbread Cafe

On the hunt for some cheap noodles? Then Gene’s Chinese Flatbread Cafe can easily supply them. Both you and your bank account will love every bite.

Slurp up their hot sour noodle soup ($9.33) or their lamb noodle soup ($12.15), which are two of their most popular dishes. Give any one of their noodle dishes a try, really, because they all consist of hand-pulled noodles!

Don’t forget to give their other authentic yet extremely affordable Western Chinese dishes a try, like their lamb flatbread sandwich ($6), Xi’an cold noodles ($9.20), and lamb stew ($12.95).

Close up of a bowl of thick, hand-pulled Chinese noodles dressed with garlic, chili peppers, and cilantro, on a red cafeteria tray at Gene's Flatbread Cafe, a cheap eats spot in Boston
Hand-pulled noodles at an unbeatable price? Count us in! Photo credit: charlene mcbride

Mike’s City Diner

Who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned diner? When you’re looking for some seriously wicked breakfast or lunch for unbeatable prices, head on over to Mike’s City Diner without hesitation.

Mike’s City Diner is a local joint that serves up those classic diner extra-large portions for a great value. While all of the items on their menu are worthy of your tasting (and gorging), the Famous Pilgrim is their number one item, which is a Thanksgiving-inspired sandwich that was contrived by owner Jay Hajj.

Imagine it: freshly cooked slices of turkey, stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce on a fresh bun. And all for $11.25. Need we really say more?

Okay, we will: Mike’s was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives and Top 5 Restaurants!

close up of a red table with two white plates, one with pancakes that have been cut drizzled with syrup, the other with yellow scrambled eggs
Mike’s City Diner in Boston hits all the marks: huge portions, cheap eats, and classic American diner vibes. Photo credit: Will Marlow

Machu Chicken

Machu Chicken is a family-operated spot that provides customers with authentic, passionately-created Peruvian dishes. The restaurant itself is a colorful Mayan setting, making for a peaceful environment to nosh on their mouthwatering cheap eats.

Their chicken has been noted as “to die for” by several previous customers, especially their quarter chicken ($6) or half chicken ($12). They do more than just chicken, however, and do them all well, too, such as the yucca fries, misty salad, and lomo saltado –a stir-fry with sirloin strips, onions, tomatoes, french fries, and a side of white rice.

Oh, and be sure to wash it all down with a pitcher of their sangria!

Saloniki Greek

Looking for a juicy, flavorful gyro but not looking for a frightening price? Then Saloniki Greek is your place.

Saloniki Greek, which has its main location conveniently in Fenway, offers Greek grub-enthusiasts a real bang for their buck as they really load up the meat in their pitas! They offer gyros, pita plates, wraps, fresh salads, and more. Fast, cheap, great service, and scrumptious–what else could you ask for from a cheap eats in Boston spot?

Extreme close up of a Greek gyro, a pita flatbread folded to ensclose pieces of chicken, tomato, greens, and french fies covered in a creamy sauce
Nothing hits the spot quite like a Greek gyro. Photo credit: george ruiz

El Pelón Taqueria

Los tacos son vida–or, “Tacos are life.” For those who can agree with this statement, then you need the best tacos and other Mexican dishes that are also affordable, and that is certainly from El Pelón Taqueria

El Pelón Taqueria offers taco and burrito lovers a haven where they can score quick yet authentic Mexican bites for a good price and great taste. Their fresh ingredients make the magic happen along with their passion behind each culinary creation.

Their menu is fraught with Mexican goodness: tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, burritos, tortas, brimming plates, and plenty of sides (guac anyone?).

Picture of the exterior of a restaurant in Boston with picnic tables and green umbrellas. Over the door, a white sign with black letters reads "EL PELON TAQUERIA"
Eat alongside locals enjoying the cheap eats at El Pelón Taqueria in Boston. Photo credit: Joshua Bloom

Tasty Burger

Is there really anything more satisfying than a tasty burger? We sure don’t think so, and neither does Tasty Burger!

When on the hunt for a bodacious burger, run, don’t walk, to any one of their Boston locations: Back Bay, Fenway, Cambridge, North Station, and Downtown Crossing. Their mission is to provide their burger fans with truly fresh patties made of quality American beef crafted with traditional, 1940s humble burger techniques.

This old school burger joint is bound to satisfy your tastebuds and your wallet. Their burgers start at $7.25 and you can make it a combo for just $3.95 more!

A retry style neon sign reads "Tasty Burger" in white lettering with a red neon stripe underneath encircling the building. Tasty Burger is the ultimate stop for cheap eats in Boston
The retro neon sign guides the way when you’re on the hunt for cheap tasty burgers in Boston. Photo credit: Eric Kilby

Bánh Mì Ba Le

When in search of a bánh mì that’s one part delicious and one part affordable, then you need one from the popular Bánh Mì Ba Le (1052 Dorchester Avenue). This Dorchester spot is beloved by locals and because of that, it more often than not has quite the lengthy line–but it is most certainly worth the wait.

All of their ingredients are fresh and delectable: French baguettes, cucumbers, daikon, shredded pork, pickled carrots, cilantro, hot peppers, and the classic bánh mì sauce. Add your choice of meat like chicken or BBQ beef, or keep it simple with vegetables–and expect to pay just $4.50.

Close up of a banh mi sandwich, a baguette cut lengthwise and filled with meat and vegetables
Banh Mi is a Vietnamese staple. Photo credit: Amy Tran

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to go broke when you’re hungry in Boston. Instead, you can find some incredible food from any the spots above while saving some serious dough! So head to any one (or all!) of our top cheap eats in Boston when you’re feeling peckish–you won’t be sorry!