🧀 Madison Meal Deals

Best Cheap Eats in Madison
Two People, Under $20

🧀 Madison  ·  10 verified deals  ·  Updated June 2026

Madison eats like a college town that grew up. Between State Street's by-the-slice pizza and late-night dumplings, the Library Mall food carts, and the taquerias out on Park and East Wash, two people can eat extremely well for around $15 — cheese curds optional but encouraged.

🧀 Local Madison Deals
🍕 ✓ verified

Ian's Pizza

Slices ~$3 — Two Eat for ~$16

The State Street pizza-by-the-slice institution and home of the famous mac n' cheese slice (voted Wisconsin's best by Food Network). Classic slices run $3–$3.50, specialty $4.50, tax included — two grab two huge slices each plus a drink for around $16. Open till 2:30am.

📍 Madison, WI (State Street)  ·  ⏳ Daily; late-night Thu–Sat
🗺️ Map🌐 Site
🥟 ✓ verified

Paul's Pel'meni

Russian Dumplings — Two for ~$15

A beloved late-night dumpling shop near the Kohl Center serving exactly one thing: pel'meni (Russian dumplings), beef or potato, loaded with butter, curry, cilantro and sour cream. A full order runs about $7–8, half ~$5 — two eat for around $15, and reviewers say one plate nearly feeds two.

📍 Madison, WI (Gilman St)  ·  ⏳ Daily; late-night Thu–Sat
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Taquería Guadalajara

Burritos & Tacos from $4.99

A no-frills, family-owned Park Street taqueria many locals call the most authentic in town. The Burrito Mexicano and Platillo Guadalajara run $4.99, gorditas $7, and taco plates come with rice and beans — two eat for around $12–15. Taco Tuesday, weekend menudo, closed Mondays.

📍 Madison, WI (Park St)  ·  ⏳ Tue–Sun (closed Mon)
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🌯 ✓ verified

Mi Barrio

Tacos $3.75–$4.25 — Two for ~$16

A family-run East Johnson Street spot (5 stars) praised for big portions and homemade salsas. Tacos are $3.75–$4.25, a three-taco dinner with rice and beans is $11.25, and a two-tamale combo is $12 — two eat for around $16. Don't miss the grilled-veg taco.

📍 Madison, WI (E Johnson St)  ·  ⏳ Daily 11a–close
🗺️ Map🌐 Site
🌶️ ✓ verified

Tacos el Capi

Street Tacos $4.25 — Birria's the Move

An East Side community staple known for some of the best birria in town. À la carte street tacos are $4.25 — two get two each for around $17 — or split the nachos, which one review swears are big enough for two ($15). Quesabirria and birria ramen are the specialties. Closed Sundays.

📍 Madison, WI (E Washington Ave)  ·  ⏳ Mon–Sat 11a–9p
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🍛 ✓ verified

Bombay Fast Cafe

Indian Street Food ~$8–10

A family-run, all-vegetarian Indian street-food cart on the UW Library Mall (4.9 stars). Vada pav, pav bhaji, misal pav and Bombay falafel each come as a full plate with rice pilaf for roughly $8–10 — two eat for under $20. Cash, card, or Venmo; Thursday–Saturday in the warm months.

📍 Madison, WI (Library Mall)  ·  ⏳ Mon–Fri, daytime (seasonal cart)
🗺️ Map🌐 Site
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Saigon Sandwich

Banh Mi — Two for ~$12–14

A campus banh mi cart at Charter and Johnson making one thing well: huge made-to-order Vietnamese subs (chicken, pork, tofu) on soft, fluffy bread for around $5–7 each. Two eat for $12–14. Quick lunch on the go, Monday–Friday.

📍 Madison, WI (UW campus)  ·  ⏳ Mon–Fri 10:30a–2:30p
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Taiwan Little Eats

Night-Market Snacks $7–8

A family-run State Street counter serving southern-Taiwan night-market fare. Salty popcorn chicken is $7 and spicy fried noodles about $8, while rice-and-curry combos ($11.50–$13.50) come with a free milk tea — two graze for around $16. Closed Tuesdays.

📍 Madison, WI (State Street)  ·  ⏳ Closed Tue
🗺️ Map🌐 Site
🥞 ✓ verified

Mickies Dairy Bar

Scrambler $13 (Feeds Two)

A 1946 diner across from Camp Randall and a Badger game-day tradition. The signature Scrambler — yanks, eggs, meat, cheese and gravy — is $13 and famously huge, the griddle cakes are the size of a magazine, and breakfast sandwiches are $7. Two split a scrambler and a sandwich for around $20. Cash only; closed Mon–Tue.

📍 Madison, WI (Monroe St)  ·  ⏳ Wed–Sun breakfast; cash only
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State Street Brats

$1 Tenders + Wisconsin Brats

The State Street brat institution since the 1950s — red and white bratwurst on a German sausage bun and squeaky deep-fried Wisconsin cheese curds, steps from campus. The all-day $1 chicken-tenders special (orders of 3 or 6) plus a brat keeps two well under $20. Patio, big screens, open late.

📍 Madison, WI (State Street)  ·  ⏳ Daily 11a–2a
🗺️ Map🌐 Site

💡 Pro tip: All deals are community-verified but prices and availability change. Always check the restaurant's website or app before making a special trip — and if something's expired, flag it on our main directory so we can update it.

🇺🇸 Also Valid Nationwide

These chain deals work anywhere in the country, including Madison.

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Buffalo Wild Wings

Pick 6 — Meal for Two from $19.99

The Pick 6 lets two people build a shared meal — choose six items across wings, tenders, and sides — starting around $19.99. A reliable two-for-$20 play at any BWW. Dine-in or takeout; pricing varies slightly by market.

📍 Nationwide  ·  ⏳ Ongoing
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🌶️ ✓ verified

Chili's

3 for Me — about $10.99/person

Each person picks a starter, full entrée, and non-alcoholic drink. Roughly $10.99/person — one of the best per-head values in casual dining.

📍 Nationwide  ·  ⏳ Ongoing
🗺️ Map🌐 Site

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