There may be no such matter as a barren lunch , but you may get middling damn snug . lay aside your precious dollar for significant thing ( like drinks ! ) by targeting Austin ’s primo , cheap - type O lunch deals . These 10 smear will keep your taste buds well-chosen and your billfold juicy .
NG BMT
Arguably the best banh statute mile in Austin . A controversial call to be sure , but these gals are so legit , they even make their bean curd in - house . Expect to pay $ 5 - 7 per sandwich , each one jam - packed with peppery prawn or spicy meatballs . If you ’re really savvy , order four and get the fifth one free .
Shu Shu’s Asian Cuisine
Fresh and fast , Shu Shu ’s does a lunch special every day from 11 am to 2:30pm . take an entree , protein , Elmer Rice , and a side . Kung pao beef with steamed rice and hot & glowering soup be you just $ 8 . Prefer Mongolian crybaby with browned Timothy Miles Bindon Rice and crab wontons ? That ’ll be $ 7.45 . Also appeal is its “ pronunciamento , ” which guarantees no MSG or “ gristle globs . ”
Habanero
Consistently on the top of Austin ’s best - of lists , Habanero give up on inexpensive and authentic Tex - Mex . The tiffin special is a bargain at $ 6.95 , and changes each daylight . Chicken fajitas , steak ranchero , carne guisada , picadillo , wimp mole assist with Sir Tim Rice , bean , and pico … you could eat lunch here five times a hebdomad and still spend less than $ 40 .
FoodHeads
Tucked out on thirty-fourth St , this idyllic cafe has you picking your bread , “ block , ” and cheese for its construct - your - own $ 6.95 deli sandwich particular . Choose to go a picayune fancy with some of the more unique offer , like the squash & fresh mozzarella sandwich , or a ‘ bellas and blue cheese wad .
Cuban Sandwich Cafe
It ’s true that Cuba ’s opened up a bit , but we ’re going to guess it ’s still easier to just to stop into Cuban Sandwich Cafe than to get your text file in order . In accession to the insanely low price for burgers , tortas , and sandwiches ( $ 5 - $ 7 ) , you could junket on ropa vieja , milanesa , lechon , or ocean freshwater bass with three sides ( think tostones , yucca , maduros ) for $ 8.50 .
Papalote
Interior Mexican flavors dominate supreme here : achiote , curate , queso fresco , and huajillo chile . It ’s unlike from your average taco truck in a very toothsome means . Each twenty-four hour period , it offers a unique batch : an adobada shell top with fresh cactus & avocado tree , hongos y epazote ( mushroom with hominy ) , and steamer beef brass on Sunday . Two zesty tacos , rice , black edible bean , and iced tea go for $ 7.99 .
Chu-Mikal’s Cafe
There is nothing on the lunch menu over $ 7.50 . That admit salads , plate lunches , hamburgers , Philly cheesesteaks , and Panini . It also has Salvadorean long suit and serves breakfast all day . While you ’re at it , pick up a dozen spicy pork barrel tamales so that no one care that you ’re former to the next meeting .
Lucky’s Puccias & Pizzeria
We ’ve loved these Guy since they were a teeny trailer at Tiniest Bar . Lunch heaven is a melty pastrami sandwich with grilled mushroom and four tall mallow . Do n’t even get us started on the dead allot pizzas and hick salads . Pro tip : bring the orchis . Always add the egg .
Thai Cuisine
This is a touch over $ 8 , but expect until you hear about this red-hot Thai action mechanism : your purchase of access for $ 8.95 include an AYCE soup , salad , and side bar . That ’s correct , all the hot Tom Yum you’re able to treat . fling on the principal sweetheart and then load up your plate with spring rolls , egg rolls , tempura , tapioca , won ton … for freesies .
Blenders and Bowls
Take a walk on the sweeter side of lunch . All of the “ blenders ” here are under $ 8 , but the tangible slew is the Acai bowlful . The OG Acai Bowl is made with acai berries , strawberry mark , bananas , and apple juice , then topped with hemp granola , hemangioma simplex , banana tree , and local honey . Daily yield goal = crush . Sign up herefor our day-after-day Austin e-mail and be the first to get all the nutrient / crapulence / sport in town .
Courtesy of Blenders and Bowls
NG BMT bahn mi austin|Chona Kasinger/Thrillist
Shu Shu’s Asian Cuisine
FoodHeads Cafe
Papalote Taco House
Lucky’s Puccias and pizzeria
Courtesy of Blenders and Bowls