Yats
Cajun Etouffee & Gumbo for Two — ~$13
Beloved local Cajun chain born at 54th & College in 2001 — described by Indianapolis Monthly as "essentially Louisiana" and by regulars as the best outside New Orleans. Chili-cheese crawfish etouffee runs ~$6.25, gumbo the same. Two people eating their fill of Bayou comfort food with a bread add-on land well under $15. Menu written on a green chalkboard. String lights. Trombone on the wall. Multiple Indy locations.
Kountry Kitchen Soul Food Place
Two-Meat & Two-Side Combo — Since 1988
Indianapolis soul food legend started by Ms. Jessie as a six-seat countertop diner in 1988. Famous fried chicken wings, savory pork chops, catfish and grits, meatloaf, collard greens, mac & cheese, Nell's Secret Lemonade. The two-meat/two-sides combo runs ~$11.99 — one order is hearty enough to split. Two people eating a full spread with cornbread and lemonade land right at $20. The gold standard for soul food in the Midwest.
Shapiro's Delicatessen
Jewish Deli Sandwiches Since 1905 — Downtown
Indianapolis's most iconic restaurant — four generations of the Shapiro family serving slow-cooked corned beef, pastrami, and brisket since 1905. Pro move: order "The Rebecca" — half the meat at half the price, still enormous. Two Rebecca sandwiches with a shared side of matzo ball soup or mac & cheese land comfortably under $20. Food Network featured. Cafeteria-style line, grab your tray, don't skip the cheesecake on the way out.
Indy's Historic Steer-In Restaurant
Indiana Breaded Pork Tenderloin — Since 1960
Classic east-side drive-in institution since 1960 serving Indiana's most iconic food — the massive breaded pork tenderloin sandwich. Pounded thin, fried golden, hanging several inches beyond the bun on all sides. The Twin Steer (double beef patties with signature sauce) runs $10. Two people ordering tenderloins with crinkle-cut fries and drinks come in right at $20. A mandatory Indy experience for any first-time visitor.
Los Comales Latin Market Taqueria
$1.75 Carne Asada Tacos & Tortas
Taqueria inside Indianapolis's largest Latin market — past the stocked aisles, the grill never stops searing carne asada, chicken, and pork carnitas. Tacos at $1.75 each, best torta in town (try the Milanese steak version), ceviche tostadas, and fruity aguas frescas. Indianapolis Monthly's exact deal: 3 tacos + ceviche tostada + loaded torta + chips/guac + 2 aguas frescas = $15 for two. Near Southside community market.
Mann's Grille
Westside Comfort Food — Gargantuan Portions
Westside Indianapolis institution where former Pacers star Rik Smits has his own booth. All the hallmarks of a true hole-in-the-wall: hard to find the main door, laminated menu scrawled with a marker, booths crammed close together. Gargantuan portions of comfort food — the breaded tenderloin comes pre-cut into two massive discs, sides arrive on their own plates. Turkey Manhattan, breaded tenderloin, crinkle fries, and pie for two = right at $20. Indianapolis Monthly certified.
The Garage Food Hall
Multi-Cuisine Food Hall — Something for Everyone
Indy's go-to food hall with a wide variety of vendors under one roof. Skewers and loaded fries from Gaucho's Fire around $10, dumplings from Lil Dumplings, diverse options across cuisines. Perfect for when two people want different things. Yelp's top pick for affordable group dining in Indianapolis. Lively atmosphere, easy to find a good meal for two well under $20.
Julieta Taco Shop
Authentic Eastside Mexican — Birria & Street Tacos
Authentic Mexican taqueria on East New York Street with a vibrant atmosphere and tacos across multiple proteins. The Combo Tapatio with birria tacos, a drink, and street corn runs $20 for one — order single tacos for two and you land under budget. One of the top Yelp cheap eats picks in Indy for good reason. Yelp reviewers call the asada and al pastor "the best tacos in Detroit" — they mean Indianapolis. That excited.
The Tamale Place
Handmade Mexican Tamales — $5.35 Each
Indianapolis institution serving handmade tamales with pork, chicken, or vegetarian fillings for $5.35 each. Two people ordering 2 tamales each with a side of beans and rice land comfortably under $20. Simple, authentic, and as honest as it gets. Located on Rockville Road on the west side. One of WISH-TV's picks for best affordable dining in the city. The kind of place you tell people about after your first visit.
Rock-Cola Café
1950s Retro Diner on the East Side
Classic '50s-themed diner on Brookville Road operating in a building that opened in 1961. Six booths, counter stools, cook visible from your seat timing burgers to brown as onion rings come out of the fryer. The Hawg Dog topped with pulled pork and coleslaw ($6.99), burgers, breaded tenderloin, and lemon shakes. Two people with a burger or dog each, fries, and a shake = right at $20. Pure old-school Indy.
Lil Dumplings Noodle Bar
Asian Dumplings & Noodle Soups for Two
Beloved Indy Asian noodle bar with dumplings, noodle soups, and bao at very approachable prices. An Yelp top affordable pick in Indianapolis. Two people ordering dumplings and a noodle bowl each land well under $20. One of the more unique dining options in a city that skews toward comfort food — a breath of fresh air for anyone craving something different. Multiple locations including The Garage Food Hall.
💡 Indianapolis Pro Tip: Indy's best cheap eats are spread across quadrants — plan around the city rather than one neighborhood. Shapiro's and The Garage are downtown, Steer-In and Rock-Cola are east, Kountry Kitchen and Yats are near-northside (close together — do both in one afternoon), Mann's Grille and The Tamale Place are west side, Los Comales is south. The Rebecca sandwich at Shapiro's is the insider move — ask for it specifically. And the breaded pork tenderloin is non-negotiable if it's your first time in Indiana.
These chain deals work anywhere in the country, including Indianapolis.
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.
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