{"id":41868,"date":"2026-10-03T17:19:45","date_gmt":"2026-10-03T17:19:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/41868\/"},"modified":"2026-10-03T17:19:45","modified_gmt":"2026-10-03T17:19:45","slug":"33-charlotte-restaurants-with-lunches-for-10-or-less","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/41868\/","title":{"rendered":"33 Charlotte Restaurants With Lunches for $10 or Less"},"content":{"rendered":"

You\u2019re reading The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with local business-y news and insights for Charlotte, N.C.<\/p>\n

Need to\u00a0subscribe\u00a0\u2014 or\u00a0upgrade\u00a0your Ledger e-newsletter subscription?\u00a0Details here.<\/p>\n

We scoured Mecklenburg County to find where you can eat lunch for $10 or less (not including tax or drink) <\/p>\n

It\u2019s tough these days to find spots for lunch that will set you back less than $10.<\/p>\n

But here\u2019s our list. To qualify, restaurants had to offer a legitimate meal (not just a side) on weekdays for $10 or less, not including tax or drinks. We excluded national fast-food chains. Prices and locations are current as of August 2026. Smaller local chains are listed by location, while larger local chains appear at the end<\/p>\n

\u27a1\ufe0f Have any suggestions of ones we missed? Drop us a line with your favorites.<\/p>\n

Crispy Banh Mi: This small Vietnamese sandwich shop chain has banh mi between $7 and $9. Also on South Boulevard and in Ballantyne.<\/p>\n

House of Pizza: You can get a spaghetti dish with marinara or meat sauce, with a salad and your choice of plain or garlic bread, for $10. Or ravioli or baked ziti for $10 (with bread, but no salad).<\/p>\n

Tacos el Nevado: It\u2019s known for its Mexican street food, especially the homemade tortillas on tacos that are mostly $3.50 to $4.50 each. Or get the \u201cgordita\u201d ($4.99) \u2013 a stuffed corn tortilla \u2013 plus a drink for under $10. Also a South Boulevard location.<\/p>\n

East 74 Restaurant: For Southern homestyle fare, you can get under-$10 lunches including sandwiches and even spaghetti, plus sides. Slight discount for paying cash.<\/p>\n

Monterrey Mexican Restaurant: You\u2019ve got 22 lunch specials to choose from Monday through Saturday that are combos of tacos, enchiladas, burritos and such, typically with rice and beans. Also in Pineville and University City.<\/p>\n

Picadeli\u2019s Pub-In-Deli: Picadeli\u2019s has a wide range of $9 sandwiches (corned beef, pastrami, turkey, ham), which come with a side.<\/p>\n

South 21 Matthews: This drive-in has been serving favorites like burgers ($5.40) and BBQ sandwiches ($5.70) since 1955. Or get two pieces of fried chicken with a side (fries or onion rings seem appropriate) for $8.49.<\/p>\n

Brooks Sandwich House: This well-known spot in NoDa with a walk-up window has been serving burgers for more than 40 years. Cheeseburgers are $8.50 and sandwiches such as livermush and fried bologna are under $8.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Brooks Sandwich House in NoDa has affordable burgers and sandwiches. (Photo by Lindsey Banks\/The Charlotte Ledger)<\/p>\n

Sweet Lew\u2019s Barbecue: Known for its barbecue ($9 chopped pork with slaw and pickles), but don\u2019t sleep on the fish sandwich, either ($8, with side of slaw).<\/p>\n

Innovation Barn: You might know the Innovation Barn as a recycling lab and environmental education center, but it\u2019s also a community gathering spot that offers a $9 \u201cBarn Bites\u201d lunch each weekday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a rotating main dish and sides.<\/p>\n

Zambies Pizza: Zambies Pizza in NoDa offers \u201cmassive slices,\u201d a reader tells us, that are \u201cmore than enough for lunch.\u201d They\u2019re in the $7-9 range. <\/p>\n

Davidson Soda Shop: This spot in downtown Davidson has several menu items flirting with the $10 mark and some under, including chicken quesadillas and grilled cheese and a side.<\/p>\n

Mac’s Speed Shop: Mac\u2019s in Cornelius offers a weekday $10 \u201cSpeed Lunch\u201d with a choice of entrees such as a smoked quarter chicken or burger, plus a side. Also in Steele Creek and South End.<\/p>\n

Maola\u2019s Pizzeria and Restaurant: You\u2019ve got plenty of under-$10 choices at Maola\u2019s, on Main Street in Cornelius, including rotating $10 specials each weekday, with pasta and a drink or wrap\/hero sub, fries and a drink. Or get two specialty slices and a drink for $8.99. Two cheese slices and a drink are a mere $5.<\/p>\n

Pinky\u2019s Westside Grill: Under-$10 options at Pinky\u2019s in Huntersville include a vegetarian Greek pita with hummus for $9.95, a pimento cheese sandwich for $8.25, a bologna sandwich for $8.50 or a basic burger for $9.75. Also in west Charlotte.<\/p>\n

Monterrey Mexican Restaurant: You\u2019ve got 22 lunch specials to choose from Monday through Saturday that are combos of tacos, enchiladas, burritos and such, typically with rice and beans. Also in Matthews and University City.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Monterrey Mexican Restaurant, with locations in Pineville, Matthews and University City, has a wide range of under-$10 lunches. (Photo: Tony Mecia\/The Charlotte Ledger)<\/p>\n

Azucar: Who\u2019s up for generous portions of Cuban food? Azucar in Ballantyne has 10 weekday $10 lunch specials including grilled chicken thighs and white fish in chimichurri. One standout is the vaca frita (grilled shredded beef with onions).<\/p>\n

Calle Sol: The SouthPark location of Calle Sol has a handful of $10 lunch specials such as a Cuban sandwich, stir fried rice and roasted pork, an unusually good value for a sit-down restaurant. (The Plaza Midwood location has a good deal, too: a cafeteria-style lunch for $11, but that\u2019s not under $10.)<\/p>\n

Crispy Banh Mi: This small Vietnamese sandwich shop chain in Ballantyne has banh mi between $7 and $9. Also on South Boulevard and east Charlotte.<\/p>\n

Lula Banh Mi & Pho: Lula, at the Arboretum, offers value Vietnamese food, including eight varieties of banh mi sandwiches for $8 to $9.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

There\u2019s $8 banh mi sandwiches at the Arboretum at Lula Banh Mi & Pho. (Photo: Tony Mecia\/The Charlotte Ledger)<\/p>\n

Rusty\u2019s Deli: Rusty\u2019s, at the Quail Corners Shopping Center, can be packed at prime lunchtime. There are still good values, like chicken salad or tuna sandwiches for $9.82.<\/p>\n

SOUTH END\/SOUTH BOULEVARD<\/p>\n

Crispy Banh Mi: This small Vietnamese sandwich shop chain has banh mi between $7 and $9. Also east Charlotte and in Ballantyne.<\/p>\n

Mac’s Speed Shop: Mac\u2019s offers a weekday $10 \u201cSpeed Lunch\u201d with a choice of entrees such as a smoked quarter chicken or burger, plus a side. Also in Cornelius and Steele Creek.<\/p>\n

Tacos el Nevado: It\u2019s known for its Mexican street food, especially the homemade tortillas on tacos that are mostly $3.50 to $4.50 each. Or get the \u201cgordita\u201d ($4.99) \u2013 a stuffed corn tortilla \u2013 plus a drink for under $10. Also an east Charlotte location.<\/p>\n

Mac’s Speed Shop: Mac\u2019s offers a weekday $10 \u201cSpeed Lunch\u201d with a choice of entrees such as a smoked quarter chicken or burger, plus a side. Also in Cornelius and South End.<\/p>\n

Steele Creek Cafe: This old-school Southern diner with generous portions offers affordable lunches, including sandwiches just under $10.<\/p>\n

Banh Mi Brothers: You can score Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches: $7.95 for traditional meat or $8.75 for vegan.<\/p>\n

Halal Cart University: How about a gyro? Or chicken or lamb over rice? They\u2019re between $8 and $9 at Halal Cart University. Also at Trade and Tryon uptown.<\/p>\n

La Unica Mexican Restaurant: You\u2019ve got choices: 14 lunch specials under $10, typically with burritos or enchiladas plus rice and beans. Also in Harrisburg, Indian Trail and Huntersville.<\/p>\n

Monterrey Mexican Restaurant: You\u2019ve got 22 lunch specials to choose from Monday through Saturday that are combos of tacos, enchiladas, burritos and such, typically with rice and beans. Also in Matthews and Pineville.<\/p>\n

Felix Empanadas: You can get a chicken, beef, spinach or cheese empanada in Latta Arcade for $5. So that\u2019s two for $10, or get one and a side. They\u2019re filling. (Also at Optimist Hall.)<\/p>\n

Halal Food Cart: How about a gyro? Or chicken or lamb over rice? They\u2019re between $8 and $9 at Halal Food Cart at Trade and Tryon. Also in University City.<\/p>\n

K.O. Sushi: This sushi spot on South Tryon Street has several 12-piece rolls for under $10, including California rolls, salmon rolls and shrimp rolls.<\/p>\n

Pie in the Sky: Slices are $4 in this pizzeria in Latta Arcade, so get two for $8.<\/p>\n

Pizzeria Sapienza CLT: This by-the-slice pizza spot on North Church and 9th streets has several under-$10 lunch specials that will get you two slices, enough to power you through the afternoon.<\/p>\n

Sandwich Club: This old standby off The Green has several hearty $10 sandwiches, including the Parkside (breaded chicken, bacon and cheese) and the Carolina Crunch Wrap (grilled chicken with cheese, tortilla strips and BBQ ranch).<\/p>\n

STK Steakhouse: You might be surprised to see an uptown steakhouse on this list, but STK on North College offers a $9.99 cheeseburger and fries lunch special. It\u2019s unusual to find a steakhouse burger for under $10.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Pinky\u2019s Westside Grill: Under-$10 options include a vegetarian Greek pita with hummus for $9.95, a pimento cheese sandwich for $8.25, a bologna sandwich for $8.50 or a basic burger for $9.75. Also in Huntersville.<\/p>\n

The Stockyard: This one flies under the radar, but regulars say it\u2019s an affordable secret, in an industrial area on Rozzelles Ferry Road. The fried flounder gets high marks (as do its inexpensive breakfasts, but that\u2019s another article).<\/p>\n

Common Market: Common Market, which has three locations in Charlotte, lists several sandwiches on its menu that fit the under-$10 description, including the turkey, bacon and cheese; spicy turkey, a Reuben and a club sandwich. It\u2019s in Plaza Midwood, South End and Monroe Road.<\/p>\n

Sabor Latin Street Grill: Locally based chain Sabor has 14 locations in the Charlotte region and came up frequently in conversations about inexpensive lunches. In addition to regular tacos for $3-4 and an empanada value meal for $8.99 (empanada, side, chips and drink), it offers a $7 burrito on Mondays and half off tacos on Tuesdays \u2014 so that\u2019s as little as $1.50 a taco.<\/p>\n

Viva Chicken: A hack one reader uses for an inexpensive and satisfying lunch is to order the 1\/4 chicken kids meal at Viva Chicken ($8.25), a locally based chain with eight Charlotte-area locations. The meal comes with a side and drink. \u201cI\u2019ve never been questioned about it, and I don\u2019t look like I\u2019m 10 or 12 or whatever,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You\u2019re reading The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with local business-y news and insights for Charlotte, N.C. Need to\u00a0subscribe\u00a0\u2014 or\u00a0upgrade\u00a0your Ledger e-newsletter subscription?\u00a0Details here. We scoured Mecklenburg County to find where you can eat lunch for $10 or less (not including tax or drink) It\u2019s tough these days to find spots for lunch that will set<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":41869,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[93,192,3027,3025,3023,3026,3024],"class_list":["post-41868","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-north-carolina","tag-business","tag-news","tag-north-carolina","tag-north-carolina-dining","tag-north-carolina-food","tag-north-carolina-grocery-stores","tag-north-carolina-restaurants"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/vive.im\/@dc\/117378127313848423","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41868","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41868"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41868\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41869"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41868"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41868"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41868"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}