Red Arrow Diner
Iconic 24-Hour Diner Since 1922
About ten booths, open since 1922, and a Manchester rite of passage. Breakfast is served all day, the coffee never stops, and every four years it turns into the most photographed diner in America as presidential candidates squeeze in for eggs and a photo op. Cheap, cheerful and pure New Hampshire. Two eat for around $18.
Puritan Backroom
Famous Chicken Tenders & Duck Sauce
Ask anyone in New Hampshire where the chicken tender comes from and they'll point you here. The Puritan Backroom's lightly breaded, slightly sweet tenders — paired with a signature duck sauce that's somehow sweet and savory at once — are the stuff of statewide legend. Generous portions and a fair price; split an order of tenders with fries. Two eat for around $18.
The Gyro Spot
Authentic Greek on Elm Street
Manchester's Greek roots run deep — Greeks made up nearly a tenth of the old Amoskeag mill workforce — and this little Elm Street counter keeps the tradition alive with authentic, generously stuffed gyros and Mediterranean plates. Highly rated, quick and cheap. Two eat for around $16.
Consuelo's Taqueria
Authentic Mexican Street Food
Chef Martin Delgadillo grew up one of a dozen kids in Mexico City and named this whimsically decorated taqueria after his mother, Consuelo. NHPR called it some of the best meat tacos in the state — and the burritos, quesadillas and agua de Jamaica back that up. Cheap, authentic and a local treasure. Two eat for around $16.
El Rincon Zacatecano Taqueria
Zacatecas-Style Mexican
One of the highest-rated cheap eats in town, this family taqueria brings the hearty flavors of Zacatecas to Lake Avenue — tacos, tortas and big, satisfying plates at gentle prices. Two eat for around $16.
Mr. Mac's
Macaroni & Cheese Specialist
An entire restaurant built around made-to-order mac and cheese, from the classic to inventive limited-time specials like shepherd's-pie mac. Order a generous bowl and a side, split it two ways, and you've got pure comfort for cheap. Two eat for around $20.
KC's Rib Shack
Barbecue & Ribs
A friendly, family-favorite smokehouse on Second Street where the ribs come tender and the sides come heaping. Split a combo with cornbread and a couple of sides and two of you eat like royalty for the price. Two eat for around $20.
Hooked Seafood
New England Seafood
A casual downtown seafood spot on Hanover Street for the New England essentials — creamy chowder, fried clams and a proper lobster roll. Share a roll and a cup of chowder to keep it under budget, or split a fried platter. Two eat for around $20.
900 Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria
Wood-Fired Pizza
Proper wood-fired Neapolitan pies — blistered crust, simple toppings, out of the oven in minutes. One pie split between two is an easy, satisfying meal that stays well under budget. Two eat for around $18.
Murphy's Taproom
Pub Food & 24 Taps
A lively Elm Street pub and sports bar with 24 beers on tap and a menu of stick-to-your-ribs favorites — burgers, shepherd's pie and shareable apps. Grab a couple of plates and a pint and settle in. Two eat for around $20.
Beirut Shawarma
Lebanese Lunch Counter
Tucked inside the Spice Center halal grocery, this lunch counter turns out excellent Lebanese and Middle Eastern staples — falafel, shawarma and rice plates — at counter prices. A cheap, delicious detour off the usual list. Two eat for around $14.
The Common Man Airport Diner
NH Diner Classic
A retro, chrome-and-vinyl New Hampshire diner near the airport, part of the beloved Common Man family. All-day breakfast and honest comfort plates at diner prices make it an easy, filling two-person stop. Two eat for around $18.
💡 Pro tip: All deals are community-verified, and we've linked each spot's official menu where one exists. At the Puritan Backroom and the seafood and BBQ spots, the two-under-$20 move is to split an order of tenders, a lobster roll, or a rib combo with sides. Hours and prices change, so check before a special trip. If something's expired, flag it on our main directory so we can update it.
These chain deals work anywhere in the country, including Manchester.
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.
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