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 up these spots 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. | 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. | This chic Middle Eastern eatery serves street food classics like falafel, Tabrizi meatballs, the hummus bowl, and a Lebanese platter of turmeric rice, lentil salad, hummus, pita, dolma, tomato-cucumber, and sumac onions, all for under $10 apiece.
Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ , 135 Coxe Ave. | Get yourself a sandwich with your choice of meat, served on a potato roll for $10. Our wallet thanks you, Bear’s.
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 N. 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.
Tastee Diner , 575 Haywood Rd. | Prices have increased since this iconic diner changed hands and remodeled last year, but you can still find all-day breakfast sandwiches with protein options like brisket, bologna, and livermush for $10.
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. | Chicken and pork tamales are $1.50 each, and pupusas go for ~$2.25 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.
Italian sub from Montford Deli | Photo by AVLtoday
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.-3 p.m., you can get the vegetable tempura or tofu teriyaki lunch boxes with miso soup, green salad, rice, and 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 falentil 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. + 60 Biltmore Ave. | Enjoy refreshing sandwiches such as the cranberry almond chicken salad, “Avogoddess,” and pastrami reuben for under $10.
5 Points Restaurant , 258 Broadway St. | There’s 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 types of cheeseburgers.
Pho | Photo courtesy of Wild Ginger
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. | There’s a full $10 menu between 10 a.m-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. | 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. | 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.
Find this sweet deli inside Fairview’s Kounty Line Shell Station.
Photo by Appalachian Chick
East Asheville, Fairview, and Black Mountain
Mr. Kabab Grill , 801 Fairview Rd. | Get a steak, lamb, chicken, shrimp, or kofta kaba — 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. | 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. | 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 garlic lime chicken sandwich, pressed on Cuban bread.
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.