Mother Bear's Pizza
Pizza to Share
Bloomington's award-winning pizza parlor since 1973, walls layered in decades of customer signatures — hand-built pizzas plus strombolis, toasted ravioli, and salads. Split a pie and two eat for around $20.
Nick's English Hut
Strombolis & Burgers for Two
An IU institution since 1927 — five rooms of Hoosier memorabilia, the original Stromboli (big enough to split), burgers, and the beer-tray bar game Sink the Biz. Share a stromboli and two eat for under $20. Closed Mondays.
BuffaLouie's
Wings for Two
A Bloomington wing institution since 1987 in the historic Gables — named a top-10 wing joint in the country — plus half-pound burgers and Mr. Louie's pot roast sandwich (about $14). Two split wings and curly fries for around $20.
Anyetsang's Little Tibet
Momos & Curry for Two
A beloved Himalayan spot on 4th Street's international row — Tibetan momos (dumplings), curries, noodle bowls, and Thai iced tea, with garden seating around a fountain. Two eat well under $20.
The Trojan Horse
Gyros for Two
A Kirkwood corner fixture since 1978 — gyros and falafel with lamb and beef carved on the spit in the front window, Greek and American plates, plus house-made baklava. Two eat for around $20.
Village Deli
Breakfast for Two
A Kirkwood breakfast-and-lunch classic since 1980 — ginormous buttermilk and cinnamon-roll pancakes, big omelets, breakfast burritos, and homemade corned beef hash. Two get a hearty breakfast for under $20. Closed Tuesdays.
Siam House
Thai for Two
A longtime Thai favorite on 4th Street's restaurant row — curries, pad thai, and noodle soups with lunch specials that keep two well under $20.
Chubbies Burritos
Taco Tuesday for Two
This Kirkwood Avenue counter does $2 tacos every Tuesday, so two people can grab a pile of tacos and still come in well under $20 — and burritos, bowls, and nachos round out a cheap late-night menu the rest of the week.
Goodfellas Pizzeria – Kirkwood
Slices for Two
A Kirkwood Avenue mainstay since 2006 slinging big hand-tossed New York-style slices for a few dollars each. Two can split a couple of giant slices and drinks under $20, and Mondays add half-price 12-inch pies and a $10 lunch special.
Btown Gyros
Gyros & Falafel for Two
A small Greek and Mediterranean counter near campus where gyro and falafel sandwiches run about $10 or less. Two can each get a sandwich and still land right around $20.
Bloomington Bagel Company
Breakfast Bagels for Two
Downtown's scratch bagel bakery boils and bakes daily, with topped bagels and breakfast sandwiches at low prices. Two can grab bagel sandwiches and coffee for an easy under-$20 breakfast.
Cresent Donut
Dozen Donuts for Two
A Bloomington donut institution baking glazed, cake, and filled donuts at old-school prices. Two can share a box of fresh donuts and coffee for well under $20.
Eating cheap in Bloomington: Kirkwood Avenue and East 4th Street are the two big walkable strips — 4th Street alone packs Tibetan, Thai, and a dozen more cuisines into one block. A few favorites take a day off (Nick's is closed Sunday and Monday; Village Deli closes Tuesdays), so check before you go. And keep an eye out for Indiana's signature cheap sandwich, the breaded pork tenderloin — a hand-pounded cutlet that hangs off the bun — on menus around town, including at Nick's.
Steak 'n Shake
Steakburgers & Shakes for Two
Now headquartered in Indianapolis, this Midwest classic (since 1934) griddles thin Steakburgers and hand-dips shakes off a deep value menu — two eat for well under $20.
Qdoba
Burritos for Two
Build-your-own burritos, bowls, and tacos with free guac and queso — fast, filling, and two eat for under $20.
Jimmy John's
Subs for Two
Freaky-fast gourmet subs and the cheaper Slims line near the IU campus — two subs run well under $20.
See all national chain deals →
See All 1,000+ Deals
Browse the full directory — 83 cities, national chains, updated regularly.
Browse the Directory