Best Cheap Eats in Tampa / St. Pete Two People, Under $20
🌴 Tampa Bay, FL · 6 verified deals · Updated 2026
Tampa Bay punches above its weight for value dining. Between Taco Bus's 24-hour authentic Mexican, St. Pete's Cuban street food scene, a 60-year-old burger joint with nothing over $10, and a Buddhist temple that feeds the whole city on Sunday mornings — this is one of the most interesting cheap eats markets in the South.
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Taco Bus
Tacos & Burritos for Two
Tampa's most iconic food spot — a converted school bus turned restaurant that's been serving authentic Mexican street food since 1996. Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Tacos run $3–$5, giant burritos around $9. Two people eat a legendary Tampa meal well under $20. Open 24 hours at multiple locations.
Downtown St. Pete's go-to for Cuban and Latin American street food — $10–$12 authentic sandwiches (the Frita is a must), $12.50–$13.50 pork, chicken and tofu plates with coconut rice, black beans, and sweet plantains. Two people eat for well under $25 with drinks.
St. Pete institution since 1964 — the menu has barely changed and neither have the prices. Not a single item over $10. Burgers, fries, sandwiches, beer. Two people eat a proper old-school St. Pete meal for under $20. Cash only. The kind of place that only exists because it's been around forever.
Classic Florida diner near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge — look for the rooster and motorcycle out front. Omelettes under $8, $5.95 patty melts, $6.75 reubens, $3.50 hotdogs. Two people eat a full Southern breakfast or lunch for under $20.
Voted Best of the Bay four years running. Corn tortillas made in-house, all meats slow-braised. Tacos, bowls, burritos, and more — all made fresh. Multiple St. Pete locations. Two people build a stellar taco feast well under $20.
Tampa's most unique cheap eat — a Buddhist temple on Palm River Rd where volunteers serve pho, pad thai, curry, and spring rolls from 9am–1pm every Sunday. Lines form early and the food runs out. Two people eat exceptional Thai temple food for well under $15. Arrive before 10am.
📍 Tampa, FL (Palm River Rd) · ⏳ Sundays 9am–1pm only
💡 Pro tip: The Thai Temple (Wat Mongkolratanaram) is Tampa's most talked-about cheap eat but it's Sundays only, 9am–1pm, and the food genuinely runs out. Get there before 10am. El Cap and Skyway Jack's are cash only — bring bills. Flag anything outdated on our main directory.
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Buffalo Wild Wings
Bottomless Apps — $9.99
Endless rounds of two appetizers at a time from a five-item lineup: fried pickles, mozzarella sticks, onion rings, chips & salsa, or hatch queso. $9.99 covers up to four people; +$2.99 each additional diner. Upgrade to cheddar cheese curds or chips & guacamole for +$3. Dine-in only, no leftovers. Higher pricing in AK, CA, HI, NY, OR, WA.