🌆 Local Bloomington Meal Deals
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
The IU wings institution at the Gables. Wings, burgers and sandwiches keep two people around $20 — and the cult pot roast sandwich now runs Friday–Sunday only. Open daily from 10:30am.
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
The gyros-and-souvlaki corner of Kirkwood & Walnut since 1978 — now in its final weeks there before reopening in Ellettsville in August 2026. Catch the classic gyro plate downtown while you can; two still eat for about $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.
Asuka Steak House
Sushi Rolls & Soup for Two
Japanese hibachi steakhouse and sushi bar on East 3rd Street. Two avocado rolls ($5.95 each), a miso soup ($2.95), and a house salad ($3.95) land at $18.75 for two.
Aver's Pizza
Two Small Pizzas
A local gourmet pizza institution since 1995, slinging specialty pies until 2am. Two 8-inch small cheese pizzas at $8.10 each come to $16.20 — one pie apiece, well under budget.
BRU Burger Bar
Chili & Loaded Fries for Two
Upscale-casual burger and cocktail bar near campus built around locally sourced beef. A bowl of chili ($7) plus the loaded BRU fries ($9) makes a shareable $16 spread.
Big Woods Bloomington
Breadsticks & Truffle Fries for Two
The Nashville, Indiana-born brewpub's downtown Bloomington taproom — Quaff ON! beers, Hard Truth spirits, and pub fare. Four breadsticks ($4.99) plus truffle parm fries ($10.99) = $15.98 to share.
Bub's Burgers & Ice Cream
Mini Bubs for Two
Family-friendly burger joint famous for the 1-lb 'Big Ugly' challenge and homemade ice cream. Two Mini Bub burgers at $8.75 each keep the tab at $17.50.
Bucceto's Pizza & Pasta
Two Small Pizzas
The longtime local 'Smiling Teeth' spot for California-style gourmet pizza and pasta, with two Bloomington locations. Two 8-inch create-your-own pizzas at $7.00 each = $14.00.
Cafe Turkuaz
Lentil Soup for Two
Family-run Turkish cafe with traditional floor seating, Turkish coffee, and a small Mediterranean grocery. Two small red lentil soups run $3.50 each — $7.00 total, with room to add mezze and stay under $20.
Cardinal Spirits
Brunch French Toast for Two
Craft distillery with an attached cocktail bar and kitchen. Two orders of the Five Spice French Toast at $9 each make an $18 brunch for two.
Dagwood's Deli & Sub Shop
Subs for Two
Award-winning deli slinging huge subs by IU's Sample Gates since 1985. Two 8-inch Veggie Baguettes at $8.39 each = $16.78, and even two Turkey Bacon Clubs still land at $19.30.
Dats Cajun Creole Cafe
Cajun Entrees for Two
Casual Louisiana-style cafe on 4th Street known for gumbo, jambalaya, and creative Cajun-Creole plates. Two full entrees at $7.95 each come to $15.90.
DeAngelo's Italian Creole
Paisanos & Cheesy Bread for Two
East-side kitchen blending Italian pastas and pizza with New Orleans Creole flavors. Two Paisano sandwiches ($2.00 each) plus an order of cheesy bread ($7.00) = just $11.00.
Hive
Egg Sammiches for Two
Eco-minded local eatery doing all-day breakfast, bowls, and smashburgers with vegan and gluten-free options. Two Egg Sammiches at $4.45 each = $8.90 — or add Eggs Your Way and still sit at $16.40.
Homey Hot Pot & Sushi
Sushi Rolls for Two
Downtown spot for cook-it-yourself hot pot plus a full sushi menu. Two cucumber rolls at $4.99 each start two people at $9.98 with plenty of room to add on.
Kimu Asian Restaurant
Burmese Bites for Two
Family-run 4th Street spot for Burmese noodles and pan-Asian comfort food. Two orders of egg rolls at $7.99 each = $15.98 — samusas and fried tofu match the price.
Lennie's Brewpub
Fries & Torta for Two
A Bloomington institution since 1989 pairing gourmet pizza with Bloomington Brewing Co. beers on Kirkwood. A basket of fries ($8.25) plus the spinach & artichoke torta ($9.50) = $17.75 to share.
Malibu Grill
Wood-Fired Pizza for Two
Long-running locally owned grill on the courthouse square known for steaks, seafood, and comfort classics. A classic wood-fired pizza ($14.00) plus a focaccia basket ($3.00) = $17.00 for two.
My Thai Downtown
Dumplings for Two
Cozy authentic Thai spot on 4th Street's international restaurant row, popular for curries and noodles. Two vegetable fried-dumpling orders at $6.99 each = $13.98.
Orbit Room
Destiny Dogs for Two
Retro space-themed downtown hangout mixing food, live music, pinball, and cocktails. Two 'Choose Your Own Destiny' dogs at $6.50 each = $13.00.
Osteria Rago
Focaccia & Soup for Two
Authentic Italian osteria in a converted 1880s carriage house on Kirkwood — house-made daily pasta and Napoletana pizza. Focaccia ($7.99) plus the soup of the day ($8.99) = $16.98 to share.
Pizza X
Pizza & Breadstix for Two
The iconic IU late-night delivery staple since 1982, famous for Breadstix with X-tra sauce — five locations around town. A small pizza ($10.15) plus Breadstix ($4.75) = $14.90.
Sakura 15
Soup & Salad Starters for Two
Japanese restaurant near College Mall serving sushi, sashimi, ramen, and hibachi. Miso soup ($2.75) and a house green salad ($3.00) run $5.75 a head — both starters for both people is still just $11.50.
Samira Restaurant
Afghan Soups & Salads for Two
Bloomington's beloved Afghan restaurant since 1998, cooking from-scratch vegetarian and meat dishes downtown. Two field-greens salads ($4.95 each) = $9.90, or two red lentil soups = $11.90.
SmokeWorks
BBQ Samplers for Two
Downtown hickory-smoked barbecue with a deep bourbon and moonshine list. Two SmokeWorks Samplers at $9 each = $18 — each loaded with ribs, brisket, pulled pork, wings, sausage, three sides, and cornbread.
Social Cantina
$3 Taco Tuesday for Two
Lively downtown tacos-and-tequila cantina with late-night hours. On Tuesdays tacos drop to $3 apiece — six tacos between two people is still just $18.
Southern Stone Restaurant
Salads for Two
Southern comfort-food kitchen and bar on the west side with weekend brunch. Two small salads at $6 each = $12, leaving room for a side to split.
The Runcible Spoon
Breakfast for Two
The quirky near-campus breakfast institution since 1976 — and one of Indiana's oldest coffee roasters. Two French toast orders at $4.95 each = $9.90, or pair a pan pancake with French toast for the same.
The Tap
Grilled Cheese & BLT for Two
Downtown craft beer bar pouring 200+ beers including its own Indiana-brewed originals. The Tap grilled cheese ($8) plus the classic BLT ($10) = $18 — the soup & salad combo plus sliders matches it.
Upland Brewing Company
Brewpub Snacks & Tacos for Two
Upland's original 1998 brewpub and headquarters, with a locally sourced menu, weekend brunch, and a dog-friendly patio. Chicharrónes ($7.50) plus spicy tofu tacos ($8.95) = $16.45 to share.
Uptown Cafe
Black Bean Soup for Two
The longtime Kirkwood favorite serving Cajun/Creole-influenced 'Uptown classics' from breakfast through dinner. Two cups of Cuban black bean soup at $6.90 each = $13.80.
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.
🍽️ National Chains in Bloomington
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.
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