Los Guachos Taqueria
Al Pastor Tacos at $2.50 Each
Columbus's most beloved taqueria — the kind of place regulars try to keep quiet. Al pastor tacos just $2.50 each cooked on the spit, cheese quesadilla $4, chips and guac $5. The birria tacos have built a serious reputation. Two people ordering 4 tacos each with a quesadilla to share = well under $15. Counter service, no-frills, consistently authentic. Two locations on S. Hamilton Rd.
Dirty Frank's Hot Dog Palace
Creative Hot Dogs $3–$6 Downtown
Downtown Columbus hot dog institution with a loyal following since 2009. Most dogs run $3–$6 with wild creative toppings — the menu reads like a fever dream in the best possible way. Most people leave having spent under $10. Two people ordering 2–3 dogs each with sides land well under $20. Artsy decor, chill vibe, equally great for a date night or a family lunch.
German Village Coffee Shop
Old-School Diner Breakfast — Nothing Over $10
Beloved German Village diner that makes every cheap-eats list in Columbus. Not a single item on the menu exceeds $10. Two people eating a full breakfast or lunch — eggs, sandwiches, omelets, soups — come out well under $20. Old-school atmosphere, consistently delicious, open for breakfast and lunch. The kind of diner Columbus is lucky to have in one of its best neighborhoods.
Buckeye Donuts
24-Hour Donuts & Greek Gyros near OSU
Columbus institution open around the clock since 1969. 32 varieties of handmade donuts plus a full Greek diner menu — gyros, omelets, breakfast sandwiches. Two people eating donuts and a gyro each come in well under $20. The post-midnight stop for OSU students, the Sunday morning ritual for locals. Three locations including North Market downtown. Legends never close.
Hoyo's Kitchen
Somali Rice Plates for Two — Morse Road
Halal Somali family restaurant — choose your protein (goat, chicken, beef, or fish) served over fragrant rice or noodles. A complimentary side salad and banana come with the plate, common to Somali dining tradition. Two people eating full plates with tea come in under $20. Warm family hospitality, calm atmosphere, genuinely great food. Columbus's East African food scene is an underrated gem.
Si Señor
Peruvian Sandwiches for Two
Columbus's best Peruvian sandwich concept — slow-cooked meats, housemade aji amarillo sauce (bright, mildly spicy), and fresh toppings inside a soft roll that holds everything without falling apart. A flavor note you won't find anywhere else in the city. Columbus food lovers are paying serious attention. Two people eating full sandwiches with sides come in right at $20. A 2026 Columbus budget-eats standout pick.
North Market
Global Food Hall — 35+ Vendors Downtown
Columbus's historic downtown food hall with 35+ vendors under one roof. Vietnamese pho, Indian curries, pierogi, Thai, Somali samosas, Buckeye Donuts, fresh produce — you can eat globally in one building. Two people each picking a stall and meeting back at the table come in well under $20. Saturday is the peak experience. A culinary crossroads that defines Columbus's food identity.
Press Grill
$5.50 Cheeseburgers in Short North
Short North neighborhood diner with one of Columbus's best burger deals. Cheeseburgers $5.50, turkey sandwiches, grilled cheese, and Nathan's Famous hot dogs all well under $10. The entire menu is affordable. Two people eating burgers and fries with drinks come in right at $20. A Short North icon that hasn't let the neighborhood's gentrification price out its regulars.
Schmidt's Restaurant und Sausage Haus
German Sausage & Schnitzel — German Village Since 1886
Columbus German Village landmark going back to 1886 when J. Fred Schmidt started his meatpacking company. Authentic German sausage platters, schnitzel, sauerbraten, and potato dishes — hearty, classic, and priced for the neighborhood. Two people sharing a sausage plate and a side eat well under $20. One of the most historically rooted cheap eats in central Ohio.
Brown Bag Delicatessen
Inventive Deli Sandwiches — German Village
Charming German Village sandwich shop with inventive deli builds — cranberry mayo, bacon, roast veggies, seasonal ingredients. A perfect post-neighborhood-walk takeout. Known for friendly service and sensational seasonal dishes. Sandwiches well under $10 each. Two people grabbing sandwiches and a soup come in well under $20. The kind of local deli that earns deep loyalty.
Ray Ray's Hog Pit
Central Ohio's Best BBQ for Two
Central Ohio's most celebrated BBQ institution — started as a food truck, grew into something Columbus couldn't live without. Smoked meats, BBQ sandwiches, and sides that food writers consistently call the best in central Ohio. Two people splitting a BBQ sandwich plate with sides land right at $20. Multiple Columbus locations. Rick Steves travel writers mention it by name. Worth every bite and minute of wait.
Lalibela Restaurant
Ethiopian Injera Communal Plates for Two
Columbus's go-to Ethiopian restaurant, part of a vibrant East African dining scene across the northeast side of the city. Rich, aromatic stews — lentils, chicken, lamb — served on spongy injera flatbread meant for sharing. A combination plate for two comes in well under $20. The experience of eating with your hands from a shared plate is worth seeking out. Great vegetarian and vegan options too.
💡 Columbus Pro Tip: Columbus's best cheap eats are scattered across distinct neighborhoods — treat it like a food tour. German Village for Schmidt's and the Coffee Shop. Short North for Press Grill. Downtown for Dirty Frank's and North Market (best on Saturdays). The south side for Los Guachos tacos. Morse Road for Somali and East African cuisine. The city's immigrant-driven food scene on the east and northeast side is one of the most underrated in the Midwest — budget a whole afternoon for it.
These chain deals work anywhere in the country, including Columbus.
Applebee's
2 Entrees + Appetizer
One shareable appetizer + two full-size entrées. Fiesta Lime Chicken, Classic Bacon Cheeseburger, Boneless Wings & more. Available dine-in, takeout & delivery.
See all national chain deals →
See All 245+ Deals
Browse the full directory — 35 cities, national chains, updated regularly.
Browse the Directory