A $10 lunch can feel like something from another era. These days, it’s easy to spend $20 on a quick midday meal once you add a side, drink, tax, and tip. But for diners willing to skip the pricier fast-casual chains and seek out local favorites, a satisfying lunch for around $10 is still within reach. And we’re not just talking about a side salad. From sandwiches, all-day breakfast, and soup dumplings to poke bowls, tacos, and old-school burgers, these St. Louis area restaurants prove that eating out doesn’t always have to break the bank. Whether you’re looking for a cheap workday lunch or simply trying to stretch your dining budget a little further on weekends, here are some spots where $10 and some change can still get a full meal.
Photography by Felina MeierPhotography by Felina Meier
Teri Burger
Photography by Felina MeierPhotography by Felina Meier
Kalua Pork Sandwich
Buzz’s Hawaiian Grill
Buzz’s Hawaiian Grill has no shortage of affordable eats, from Spam musubi and Filipino lumpia to chicken yakitori and beef teriyaki sticks. Nearly everything in its “small dishes” section is less than $10, including saimin for $6, Mochiko chicken nuggets for $7, and Hawaiian fried rice for $5. Sandwiches, including kalua pork, teri burgers, katsu ahi, tofu, and chicken, range from $8 to $9.50. Then there’s the $10 poke bowl, which comes with a scoop of raw ahi poke and a scoop of rice—a remarkably affordable option for a poke lunch. Unfortunately for weekday lunch seekers, Buzz’s is only open for lunch on Saturdays and Sundays. 3457 Magnolia.
Courtesy of Chuck-A-BurgerCourtesy of Chuck-A-Burger
Chuck-A-Burger
Since 1957, Chuck-A-Burger has been serving up an old-school drive-in experience without the modern price tag. Every item on its menu is under $10, offering plenty of ways to put together a satisfying lunch on a budget. Go classic with a $4.25 single Chuck-A-Burger, or upgrade to a double for $6 or a triple for $7.50. Or go a bit out of the box with the BBQ, Pizza, Hollywood Chucks, or patty melts. The menu also includes diner favorites such as a $5.25 breaded pork tenderloin or chicken sandwich, a $4.50 BLT and a $7.25 Philly cheesesteak, plus sides like fries, onion rings, coleslaw, chili, or salads. For a sweet finish, shakes, malts, and old-fashioned floats all come in under $5. 9025 St. Charles Rock.
Courtesy of Courtesy DinerCourtesy of Courtesy Diner
Courtesy Diner
For an all-day breakfast, Courtesy Diner is a classic spot where you can get a hot meal for less than $10. Its breakfast plates, omelets, slingers, and stacks of pancakes range from $4 to $10, while sandwiches are under $6, including options like a burger, grilled ham and cheese, chicken-fried steak, and BLT. The diner also offers chili in a handful of ways, from Frito pie and chili mac to chili with a tamale or burrito, plus a chili dog and nachos. Multiple locations.
Photography by Felina MeierPhotography by Felina Meier
Vegetarian Lunch Combo
The Curry Club
A filling Indian lunch doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. The Curry Club in Chesterfield offers generous portions of their $7.99 vegetarian lunch combo and $9.99 nonvegetarian combo. Each includes two selections from the counter, along with rice and naan, with options ranging from butter chicken and chicken tikka masala to dal, paneer and a variety of curries. Other sub-$10 options include half orders of any curry, mini biryanis and dosas. The snack section also offers deep-fried bites like mirchi bajji, made with mild green chiles, as well as samosas and punugulu, crispy fritters made from fermented rice and lentil batter. 1635 Clarkson, Chesterfield.
Courtesy of Eovaldi’s DeliCourtesy of Eovaldi’s Deli
Extra Special Sandwich
Eovaldi’s
For a classic Italian-American lunch on The Hill, Eovaldi’s Deli is hard to beat on price. The old-school deli serves up hearty sandwiches, pasta, and other homemade specialties, with plenty of options coming in under $10. Grab a 6-inch sandwich like the Extra Special, packed with roast beef, ham, mortadella, salami, pepper cheese, and all the fixings for $9.95, or go for a small order of spaghetti, mostaccioli, ravioli, tortellini, or gnocchi for less than $9. It’s the kind of no-frills neighborhood deli where you can get a filling lunch without spending much. 2201 Edwards.
Courtesy of The GramophoneCourtesy of The Gramophone
Mac Dazzler
Courtesy of The GramophoneCourtesy of The Gramophone
The Jive
Courtesy of The GramophoneCourtesy of The Gramophone
Mac n Cheese
The Gramophone
At The Gramophone, every sandwich can be ordered by the half for less than $10, making it easy to mix and match a few of the restaurant’s creative combinations. Try such classics as the BBLT, Chicka Chicka Parm, or Meatball, or go for something more unexpected, like the Beefy Popper Crunch (with roast beef, Provel, jalapeño popper soup, and Old Vienna chips) or The Helper (with ground beef, mac and cheese, bacon, and Red Hot Riplets). The Stevesie, a newer addition to the menu, is another option for lunch. Manager John Swanston says, “We know it makes more business sense to price half sandwiches at a little more than half the price of wholes, but we have always stuck to exactly half price, because we know folks love to mix and match halves, and we love that this allows them to try multiple of our sandwiches.” 4243 Manchester.
Photography by Felina MeierPhotography by Felina Meier
Southwest Cheddar Melt
Lion’s Choice
The local roast beef chain serves up plenty of specialty sandwiches that come in under budget, with most priced between $7 and $9. The Remix puts a spin on the classic roast beef with Texas toast, garlic aioli, and Swiss cheese, while other options include the El Cubano, Triple Dare, and Southwest Cheddar Melt. There’s also a new sandwich offering, The Phil, a St. Louis take on a Philly cheesesteak. For something simpler, an original roast beef, ham, or turkey sandwich starts around $5, with even the large and king sizes coming in under $10. Multiple locations.
Courtesy of Mi RanchitoCourtesy of Mi Ranchito
Mi Ranchito
Just off the Delmar Loop, Mi Ranchito makes it easy to keep lunch under $10 with a long list of specials served Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Most of the options are $7.50, including the Speedy Gonzáles with a taco, enchilada, and rice or beans, as well as combination plates with burritos, enchiladas, tacos, and quesadillas. Other budget-friendly picks include a chicken chimichanga for $8.25, chicken soup for $8.50, carnitas for $9.75, and a grilled chicken salad for $9.99. Even the lunch fajitas and fajita quesadillas are just $10.25, making Mi Ranchito a solid option when you want a full Mexican lunch without spending much. 887 Kingsland.
Courtesy of Nudo HouseCourtesy of Nudo House
Shrimp Pho
Nudo House
Nudo House is a go-to for an affordable, filling lunch, with its banh mi sandwiches priced at just $8–$9. Choose from options including braised pork shoulder, chicken, banh mi pho dip, tempura-fried chicken, and tofu. The restaurant is also launching “Slurpsdays,” offering $10 bowls of pho or ramen every Thursday during its regular hours. The weekly deal will be available for the foreseeable future, at least through the end of the year, making Thursdays an especially good day to stop in for a budget-friendly bowl. Multiple locations.
Courtesy of Pastaria Deli & WineCourtesy of Pastaria Deli & Wine
Salami Sandwich
Pastaria Deli & Wine
Pastaria Deli & Wine is another good option for a sandwich lunch, with half sandwiches that make for a lighter meal. Not every sandwich is available in a half size, but most of the menu’s offerings—including the caprese, salami, roasted turkey, chicken salad, tuna salad, prosciutto, and Sloppy Guisseppe—are available for $7–$8. 7734 Forsyth.
Courtesy of Seoul TacoCourtesy of Seoul Taco
Cheesy Corn Elote Quesadilla
Courtesy of Seoul TacoCourtesy of Seoul Taco
Bulgogi Steak Quesadilla
Seoul Taco
Seoul Taco has built its menu around Korean-Mexican fusion, and several of its lunch options still land right around the $10 mark. Three street tacos with your choice of protein, white onion, cilantro, and salsa verde cost $9.99, as does a quesadilla with your choice of protein, jack and cheddar cheeses, lettuce, Seoul Sauce, wasabi sauce, and sour cream. The Korean Cheesy Corn Quesadilla (filled with melted mozzarella, roasted corn salad, Seoul Sauce, and green onions and topped with Tajín and spiced Cotija cheese) is an even better bargain at $8.99. Or, for the ultimate budget move, try Jack’s Crispy Beef Taco, a crunchy taco filled with seasoned beef and beans, American cheese, lettuce, and Tapatío, for just $1.50 each. Multiple locations.
Courtesy of Soup Dumpling STLCourtesy of Soup Dumpling STL
Soup Dumpling STL
This quaint dumpling shop is the perfect spot for a quick, inexpensive lunch. Six chicken and pork soup dumplings are $9.50, while the beef option comes in at $9.90. Alongside soup dumplings, the small menu includes affordable options such as hot wings for $8.95 and cucumber salad for $7.95. When you dine in, you’ll also get a free cup of the house-made broth. 8106 Olive.
Courtesy of Taco BuddhaCourtesy of Taco Buddha
Baja Taco
Courtesy of Taco BuddhaCourtesy of Taco Buddha
Nashville Chicken Taco
Taco Buddha
Taco Buddha’s individual tacos start at around $5.25, so a pair makes for an easy lunch at $10 and some change. If you’re looking to mix things up, you can also turn to the $4.75 “Lil Dilla,” two small griddled flour tortillas filled with melted Monterey Jack cheese. Add beans for $2.50 or proteins like pork, tandoori-style chicken, carnitas, vegetables or crispy portabellas for around $5, and you’ve got a surprisingly filling lunch for less than $10. Multiple locations.
Courtesy of The Village BarCourtesy of The Village Bar
Courtesy of The Village BarCourtesy of The Village Bar
Village Bar
The longtime spot in Des Peres offers no-frills sandwiches and bar food for lunch. Nearly everything on the menu costs less than $10, making it an easy choice for a cheap, casual sit-down meal. Options include burgers, wings, sandwiches, hot dogs, house-made chili, and salads, while the munchies menu features such classics as toasted ravioli, nachos, loaded fries, and chicken tenders. It’s nothing fancy—but that’s part of the appeal.12247 Manchester.
Courtesy of The VineCourtesy of The Vine
Beef shawarma
The Vine Mediterranean Café and Market
South Grand is known for offering a world of flavors within just a few blocks, and The Vine is one of the best places to stretch your lunch budget. Nearly every sandwich on the menu is $10 or less, with options ranging from chicken shawarma and chicken kafta to the Mediterranean kabob. For something especially satisfying, try the shish kafta, featuring seasoned lean ground beef with tomato, onion, pickle, and tahini, all wrapped in warm pita. 3171 S. Grand.
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Dining and Cooking