Dirty Frank's Hot Dog Palace
Loaded Dogs for Two
A downtown Columbus institution slinging Vienna-beef and veggie dogs piled with wild toppings — Boston baked beans, Fritos, slaw, you name it. Dogs run about $5, so two eat with tots or fries for around $12 to $16.
Buckeye Donuts
Donuts & Gyros for Two
An Ohio State campus tradition since 1969 — “open always, closed never.” Hand-cut donuts, hot breakfast sandwiches, and made-to-order gyros around the clock. Two can load up on donuts and coffee, or split gyros, for well under $20.
Katalina's
Pancake Balls to Share
The Harrison West cafe that put Columbus pancake balls on the map (and on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives) — cornbread-fluffy spheres filled with Nutella or dulce de leche. An order runs about $16 and is big enough for two to share with bacon and coffee, under $20. Breakfast and lunch only.
Tommy's Diner
Diner Breakfast for Two
A Franklinton classic since 1989 — chrome-and-vinyl, Greek-owned, proudly old-school, with hearty omelettes, home fries, and what regulars call the best pancakes in Columbus. Prices are diner-cheap, so two eat a full breakfast for well under $20.
Los Guachos Taqueria
Tacos al Pastor for Two
A taco-truck-turned-taqueria serving what many call the city's best tacos al pastor — spit-roasted pork shaved with pineapple — plus the famous gringas. Tacos run a few dollars each, so two eat a stack for well under $20. Monday is buy-one-get-one pastor tacos.
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Ice Cream for Two
Columbus's own artisan ice cream, started by Jeni Britton Bauer at the North Market in 2002 and now beloved nationwide — buttercream-smooth scoops in inventive flavors like Brambleberry Crisp. Two scoops run about $11 to $12, well under the cap.
Massey's Pizza
Pizza to Share
Columbus pizza since 1949 — Massey's introduced the square “party cut” that now defines Columbus-style pizza, on a thin, crispy, hearth-baked crust loaded edge to edge. A medium to share lands two under $20.
Fox in the Snow Cafe
Pastry & Coffee for Two
A modern Italian Village bakery (since 2014) famous for its souffléd egg sandwich, gooey cinnamon rolls, and hand-poured coffee in a renovated garage. Two can share pastries and coffee, or split egg sandwiches, for under $20. Daytime only.
Hoyo's Kitchen
Somali Bowls for Two
Family-run Somali fast-casual at the North Market — build-your-own bowls of basmati or spicy rice with chicken, beef, or goat suqaar, plus flaky beef or veggie sambusas. Columbus has the country's second-largest Somali community, and a bowl runs about $10, so two eat for well under $20.
Eating cheap in Columbus: the North Market downtown is a one-stop value hub — Jeni's, Hoyo's, and more under one roof. Around Ohio State, Buckeye Donuts runs 24/7 and Dirty Frank's slings late-night dogs. Several spots are daytime-only (Tommy's, Fox in the Snow, and Katalina's all close by 3pm), and the famous pancake balls and Massey's pizza are big enough to split — order to share and two stay under $20.
Donatos Pizza
Pizza to Share
Founded in Columbus in 1963, Donatos serves the original Columbus-style pizza — thin and crispy with Edge to Edge toppings and a provolone finish. A medium runs about $14 to $16 and feeds two, keeping you under $20.
Wendy's
Two Biggie Bags, about $10
The first Wendy's opened in downtown Columbus in 1969 — Dave Thomas's hometown burger chain, now headquartered in suburban Dublin. Two $5 Biggie Bags (a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger or crispy chicken with nuggets, fries, and a drink each) feed two for about $10.
White Castle
Sliders for Two
America's first fast-food burger chain (1921) has been headquartered in Columbus since the 1930s. Original Sliders are about $1 each and a 10-Slider Sack runs $8.99, so two can pile up sliders, fries, and drinks for well under $20 — around the clock.
Skyline Chili
3-Way + Coneys for Two
Cincinnati-style chili ladled over spaghetti and buried in shredded cheese, plus cheese coneys — an Ohio favorite with a dozen-plus locations around Columbus. A 3-way runs around $8 and coneys about $2.50 each, so two eat for well under $20.
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