The Chuckbox
Two Mesquite Burgers
Phoenix institution since 1972 in Tempe — mesquite-broiled burgers cooked right in front of you. The Big One (1/3 lb) runs about $5, climbing a bit with bacon or guac. Two burgers well under $20. Cash only. ASU-area classic.
Hola Cabrito
Birria Tacos for Two
South Phoenix birria institution — goat birria tacos about $3.99–$4.99 each, birria torta around $8.49. The real deal, not the trendy kind. Two people for under $15. Daytime hours.
Da Vang
Pho + Banh Mi for Two
Classic Phoenix Vietnamese on 19th Ave — banh mi $6.95, pho about $10–12. Two people eat an exceptional Vietnamese meal for under $20. Closed Wednesdays.
Happy Bao's
Dumplings & Bao for Two
Mekong Plaza Mesa cult favorite — handmade dumplings, xiao long bao, Dan Dan Noodles. 20-piece combo feeds two. Phoenix's best dumplings.
Kabob Grill N' Go
Kabob Plates for Two
Phoenix kabob institution on 16th St, featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives — generous chicken, beef, and lamb kabobs with rice and salad. Note the very limited hours, and they often sell out, so go early.
Ta'Carbon
Sonoran Asada Tacos for Two
Sonora-style mesquite-grilled carne asada with a free, unlimited salsa bar, founded by Sonoran natives. Asada tacos run $3.15 each, so two people stack a satisfying taco meal for well under $20. Order à la carte — the family meat packs are sized for bigger groups.
Backyard Taco
Tacos al Carbon for Two
An East Valley favorite for Sonoran-style tacos al carbon, plus Sonoran dogs and carne asada fries. A carne asada taco is $3.95 and a quesadilla $7.55, so two build a meal near $20 — keep it to one burrito to stay in budget. Locations in Mesa and Gilbert.
Nogales Hot Dogs
Sonoran Dogs for Two
A long-running Sonoran hot dog stand (since 2001) — bacon-wrapped dogs tucked into a bolillo with pinto beans and all the fixings, about $5 each. Two dogs run well under $20. The Indian School spot is an evening operation, so go after dark.
Reinas de las Pupusas
Salvadoran Pupusas for Two
Hand-patted Salvadoran pupusas — chicharrón, loroco, cheese — griddled to order and served with curtido. At just under $5 each, two people can share three or four plus sides and stay well under $20. Homestyle and filling.
Tortas Paquime
Torta Ahogada for Two
Specialists in Mexican tortas, including the Guadalajara-style torta ahogada — a crusty roll packed with pork and drowned in chile sauce — for around $5.99. Two people eat hefty, messy, satisfying tortas for well under $20.
Fry Bread House
Navajo Fry Bread Tacos
A James Beard "America's Classics" winner serving Tohono O'odham fry bread — a true Phoenix specialty. The bean-and-cheese Indian taco runs about $8.59 (loaded versions cost more), so two people share an Indian taco plus a powdered-sugar fry bread for around $20.
Joe's Diner
Two Breakfast Plates
An old-school breakfast diner in the Melrose district known for its buttermilk pancakes. A short stack is around $8.49 and two eggs with home fries and toast about $10.29, so two full breakfasts land right near $20. Morning hours only.
Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles
Chicken & Waffles Combo
A homegrown Phoenix soul-food name for fried chicken and waffles. The smaller "Tre Tre" — two drumsticks with a waffle — runs about $8, so two people keep a comfort-food meal near $20 by sticking to the smaller combos rather than the big 3-piece plates.
Cupbop
Korean Bowls for Two
Korean street-food rice bowls — BBQ meats, noodles, and veggies over rice with signature sauces. Smaller bowls start around $8.63, so two people can keep it near $20 by sticking to the standard sizes. Several metro locations including Mesa, Tempe, and downtown Phoenix.
King of Gyros
Greek Pitas for Two
A Tempe Greek counter doing gyros, souvlaki, and falafel. Pita sandwiches run about $7–8, so two people order a sandwich each and stay near $20 with a shared side of fries or Greek salad. Closed Sundays.
Mekong Sandwiches
Banh Mi for Two
A banh mi specialist inside Mesa's Mekong Plaza, with baguettes baked on-site. Sandwiches run about $8–9 each, so two people grab a banh mi apiece and stay well under $20. Daytime hours — call ahead to confirm.
💡 Pro tip: Prices and availability change. Always check before a special trip — and if something's expired, flag it in our directory.
These chain deals work anywhere, including Phoenix.
Chili's
3 for Me — about $10.99/person
Starter + full entrée + non-alcoholic drink per person. Best per-head value in casual dining.
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.
See all national chain deals →
See All 1,000+ Deals
Browse the full directory — 72 cities, national chains, updated June 2026.
Browse the Directory