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✓ verified
O'Betty's Red Hot
Gourmet Dogs for Two
A burlesque-themed Uptown hot dog joint since 2003, just off Court Street, slinging all-beef natural-casing dogs (named after burlesque stars), brats, tofu dogs, and fresh-cut fries. Open till 3am. Two dogs and shared chili-cheese fries land well under $20. Closed Sun & Mon.
📍 Athens (15 W State St, Uptown) · ⏳ Tue–Sat, 11am–3am
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✓ verified
Big Mamma's Burritos
Burritos for Two
An Ohio University late-night staple on Court Street — huge made-to-order burritos, bowls, and salads (try the Chipotle Ranch). Cheap and open lunch-to-late, so two eat for well under $20. There's even a 5-pound Mega Mamma challenge. Closed Monday.
📍 Athens (10 S Court St) · ⏳ Tue–Sun, lunch to late
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✓ verified
Bagel Street Deli
Bagelwiches for Two
An OU institution where you build any bagel sandwich you can dream up — toasted and steamed, 50-plus combos with names like Feta is Beta — in a narrow shop with foil-sculpture-covered walls. Two bagelwiches run well under $20.
📍 Athens (27 S Court St) · ⏳ Daily, 8am–8pm
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✓ verified
Casa Nueva
Co-op Mexican for Two
A worker-owned cooperative since 1985 — "Athens' living room" — serving locally sourced, Mexican-inspired food with vegan and gluten-free options, a full cantina, and live music. Tacos, burritos, and enchiladas keep two under $20. Closed Tuesday.
📍 Athens (4 W State St, Uptown) · ⏳ Mon, Wed–Sun
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✓ verified
GoodFella's Pizza
Late-Night Slices for Two
Court Street's late-night slice since 1995 — big, fluffy, bakery-style square slices in cheese or pepperoni. The legendary deal is two slices and a drink for about $5, so two eat for a fraction of the cap. Open into the small hours.
📍 Athens (6 W Union St + 35 N Court St) · ⏳ Daily, to 3am (Court St eves)
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✓ verified
Union Street Diner
All-Day Breakfast for Two
An old-school Athens diner serving all-day breakfast, burgers, fried apps, omelettes, and even deep-fried Oreos. Generous portions at diner prices keep two well under $20. Open daily from 8am.
📍 Athens (70 W Union St) · ⏳ Daily from 8am
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✓ verified
Miller's Chicken
Fried Chicken for Two
A family-owned Athens institution for 60-plus years, famous for crispy fried chicken and "picnic food" sides like mac salad, mashed potatoes, and slaw. A 5-piece runs about $9, so two share a feast for under $20. Closed Sunday.
📍 Athens (235 W State St) · ⏳ Mon–Sat, 7am–7pm
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✓ verified
Brenen's Coffee Cafe
Coffee & Deli for Two
An OU-alumni-owned Court Street cafe of nearly 30 years — cold-brew and nitro on tap, Ohio-roasted coffee, made-in-house baked goods, plus a deli of paninis, sandwiches, soups, and salads. Two grab coffee and lunch for under $20.
📍 Athens (38 S Court St) · ⏳ Daily from 7:30am
Eating cheap in Athens: Almost everything is walkable on or just off Court Street, and a lot of it runs late — O'Betty's, Big Mamma's, and GoodFella's all serve into the small hours for the post-bar crowd, and GoodFella's "two slices and a drink for $5" is one of the best deals uptown. A few favorites keep daytime hours or close early in the week: Miller's Chicken and Bagel Street close by evening, Union Street Diner runs all-day breakfast, Casa Nueva is closed Tuesdays, and O'Betty's is closed Sunday and Monday.
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✓ verified
Whit's Frozen Custard
Custard for Two
Ohio-founded (Granville, 2003) and parked right on the corner of Court and Union, Whit's scoops fresh frozen custard, shakes, and sundaes with a rotating weekly flavor. Under $10 a person, so two stay well under $20.
📍 Athens (49 S Court St) · ⏳ Daily
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✓ verified
Donatos Pizza
Pizza to Share
Founded in Columbus in 1963, Donatos is Ohio's own — famous for thin-crust, edge-to-edge pepperoni pies. Share a pizza and two eat for under $20.
📍 Athens (688 E State St) · ⏳ Daily
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✓ verified
Jimmy John's
Subs for Two
Freaky-fast sub shop right on Court Street — gourmet subs and the cheaper Slim line. Two subs run well under $20.
📍 Athens (16 S Court St) · ⏳ Daily
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✓ verified
Wendy's
Burgers for Two
Founded by Dave Thomas in Columbus in 1969, Wendy's is Ohio-born — square never-frozen burgers, Frosties, and a value menu. Two eat for well under $20.
📍 Athens (near Court St) · ⏳ Daily