Looking for a tasty, local lunch spot that doesn’t break the bank? We’re here for you, Asheville. Check out this list of 20+ places where a lunch for one costs $10 or less.
We know proximity is key when it comes to a midday meal, so we’ve broken these spots up into their respective sides of town: Downtown, West Asheville, South Asheville, East Asheville, and North Asheville.
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Downtown
Soda Fountain at Woolworth Walk, 25 Haywood St. | Miraculously, nearly every item at this old-school eatery is under $10, including classic sandwiches like the BLT, reuben, chicken salad, black bean burger, and “Big Ass Fried Bologna.”
Mamacita’s Taqueria, 77 Biltmore Ave., Ste. 101 | Two words: Taco Tuesday. Get two for $7 on this special day of the week, with the choice of chicken, pork, ground beef, or rice and bean fillings and three additional toppings. Plus, most burritos are under $10 every day of the week.
Baba Nahm, 1 Page Ave., Ste. 139 | This chic Middle Eastern eatery serves street food classics like falafel, Tabrizi meatballs, a hummus bowl, and a Lebanese platter of turmeric rice, lentil salad, hummus, pita, dolma, tomato, cucumber, and sumac onions — all for under $10 apiece.
The S&W Market, 56 Patton Ave. | There are several vendors you can visit for a less-than-$10 lunch — hit up Buxton Chicken Palace for tenders or “The Basic” sandwich, Farm Dogs for a juicy hot dog or brat, or Mikasa Criola for empanadas.
Loretta’s Café, 114 N. Lexington Ave. | The #2 combo of half a cold sandwich and a fountain drink will set you back $9, so take your pick from options like chicken salad, pimento cheese, or NY-style pastrami and cheese.
Well-Bred Bakery & Cafe, various locations | Most lunch sandwiches are available in half sizes for $9, but you can also opt for all-day breakfast, with options like an egg and cheese croissant, chorizo and black bean burritos, and quiches all for $8 or less.
Aloha Cafe, 28 Battery Park Ave. | Three fresh spring rolls, a warm bowl of veggie pho, and all of the bahn mi sandwiches on the cafe’s menu come in under $10 each.
Barley’s Taproom & Pizzeria, 42 Biltmore Ave. | Grab slices of cheese pizza for $4 each, or opt for a half order of the meatball, chicken parm, or red pepper/mushroom sandwiches, which come with homemade potato chips.
Burgerworx, 1 Page Ave., Ste. 132 | All sandwiches (besides the triple Smashburger) clock in at $10 or less — dress up your pick with free toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion, jalapenos, DJ’s pickles, and a variety of sauces.
West Asheville
Pupuseria Patty, 1563 Patton Ave. | It’s all about the pupusas here, baby. For $3, you can get nearly any kind of pupusa — from pollo con queso to pupusa de Camaron. Trust us, you won’t need many to fill your stomach for hours.
Silverball Subs, 347 New Leicester Hwy. | Build your own half-sub for $8.45, or choose from options like the Italian, Cuban-style “Privateer,” or vegetarian “Earl Half” with hummus, provolone, olives, and assorted veggies.
Taco Billy, various locations | Several hearty tacos on the menu cost less than $5, meaning you can enjoy two while staying within your $10 budget — we love the Billy Holiday and the Lunch Lady.
Taqueria Munoz, 1438 Patton Ave. + 400 Hendersonville Rd. | Get three Mexican-style tacos, garnished simply with cilantro and minced onion, for $6.75. Not feeling tacos? You’ve still got plenty of options, including the $7 torta, $6.50 quesadilla, and $6 burrito.
Taste of El Salvador, 1565 Patton Ave., Ste. D | Chicken and pork tamales are $2.25 each, and pupusas go for $3 and under at this unfussy El Salvadorian spot.
Tiger Bay Cafe, 373 Haywood Rd. | The vegan burrito, which comes with rice, beans, diced onion, tomato, jalapeños, and sliced avocado, is $10. You can also get a hearty bowl of vegan chili with tortilla chips for $9.
Doc Brown’s BBQ, 1320 Smokey Park Hwy., Candler | Sandwiches — with everything from pulled pork to smoked chicken salad to BBQ tempeh — are all less than $10.
The West End, 757 Haywood Rd. | Get yourself a grab + go sandwich, like egg salad or caprese, for less than $10, or try the adult grilled cheese sandwich or a full-size salad.
North Asheville, Woodfin, and beyond
Montford Deli, 1461 Merrimon Ave. | Get a bangin’ BLT for $8.50, or grab a patty melt, hamburger, or croissant club for under $10.
Zen Sushi, 640 Merrimon Ave. | From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., you can get the vegetable tempura or tofu teriyaki lunch boxes with miso soup, green salad, rice, and a California roll for $10.
HomeGrown, 371 Merrimon Ave. | There are several sandwiches for $10 or less, including the iconic buttermilk fried chicken sandwich and vegetarian-friendly chickpea salad wrap.
Siam Thai, 100 Stone Ridge Blvd. | This Thai spot dishes out an amazing lunch special with generous servings of chicken, tofu, or vegetable stir fry or fried rice — all for $10. Bonus: It comes with a spring roll.
City Bakery, 88 Charlotte St. | Enjoy refreshing sandwiches, such as the cranberry almond chicken salad, “Avogoddess,” and pastrami reuben, for under $10.
5 Points Restaurant, 258 Broadway St. | There are plenty of beautifully (and speedily) executed meals to be had at this iconic diner, including an $8.25 lamb gyro sandwich, an $8.75 chicken gyro sandwich, and an array of sandwiches, melts, and cheeseburgers.
South Asheville
Papas & Beer, 1000 Brevard Rd. | Nearly everything on this Mexican restaurant’s lunch menu is under $10. We recommend the enchiladas.
La Rumba Restaurant Latino, 105 River Hills Rd., Ste. C | There’s a full $10 menu between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. — plus, an order of complimentary elote to kick off the meal.
Fahrenheit Pizza & Brew, 17 Lee St. | Get two slices of nationally renowned pizza, plus a drink, for $8.
Celebrity’s Hot Dog, 1409 Brevard Rd. | Possibly the best lunch deal in Asheville. Get a hot dog, chips, and a 12 oz. drink for $4.
Mosaic Cafe, 1 Town Square Blvd., Ste. 150 | The tuna melt, hummus wrap, chicken salad, and quesadilla bean burger are a few of the lunch options that cost under $10.
Thai Chili Asian Bistro, 1550 Hendersonville Rd., Ste. 100 | This Thai restaurant will leave you absolutely spoiled for choice with 20 different lunch specials under $10, including everything from massaman curry and lo mein to pad ka-pow.
Sweet Plantain Grill, 2317 Hendersonville Rd., Arden | Sink your teeth into the Hamoncito, with warm ham and melty cheese on buttery, toasted Cuban bread or order the grilled cheese for a meatless option — for $8 and $7 respectively.
Cantina Louie, 2 Gerber Rd., Ste. c101 | The Mexican street food spot offers a weekday lunch special of any two tacos, rice and beans, and your choice of soda or tea for $9.99.
Pacific Pagoda Sushi & Grill, 1863 Hendersonville Rd., Ste. 124 | Most wok lunch entrees are $9.95, including the sesame chicken, served with miso soup or salad and your choice of rice.
Old School Subs and Deli, 55 Sweeten Creek Rd., Ste. 131 | Most of the sandwiches on this menu (even the housemade beef and steak sandwiches) are less than $10, and each come with your choice of side.
Little Pigs BBQ, 384 McDowell St. | Grab a barbecue sandwich for $6.50; a tray with barbecue, slaw, and three hushpuppies for $7.50; or a regular barbecue plate with chopped pork barbecue, three hushpuppies, and your choice of two sides for $9.50.
East Asheville, Fairview, and Black Mountain
Mr. Kabab Grill, 801 Fairview Rd., #4 | Get a steak, lamb, chicken, shrimp, or kofta kabab — served with rice, veggies, and salad — for under $10. Nearly every sandwich is $7 or less, including falafel, beef shawarma, and chicken shawarma.
The Local Joint, 1185B Charlotte Hwy., Fairview | Barbecue pork sliders, the caprese sandwich, and the black bean salad all come in around the $10 mark at this laid-back Fairview gem.
Cousins Cuban Cafe, 108 Broadway Ave., Black Mountain | Nosh on a Havana Wrap, which comes with black beans, white rice, plantains, avocado mash, and cilantro aioli, for $9. Also under $10: the Santiago Bowl or the garlic lime chicken sandwich, pressed on Cuban bread.
The Trailhead Restaurant, 207 W. State St., Black Mountain | From fish tacos to portabello burgers to fried chicken sandwiches, there are plenty of hearty options for less than $10.
Now... what did we miss?
We know, we know — we couldn’t possibly include them all. Did we miss your favorite lunch special? Shoot us a note, and we’ll add to our list to keep this guide updated regularly.
