Top Cheap Eats in OC (2024)
Eat out? In this economy?!
As a dad, you got to stretch that paycheck as much as you can. That doesn’t mean you have to choke down cup ramen or feed it to your child.
I know what constitutes “cheap” has unfortunately had to increase over the last few years, but there are a few spots where you can still get some decent grub for under 10 dollars. That is where we’re at, people. Cheap is under $10.
Teriyaki Chicken: Yogi’s Teriyaki
Under $10 meal: Chicken, Beef, or Chicken/Beef Bowl
One of my favorite things to eat when I’m trying to ramp up my protein intake on a budget is teriyaki chicken. There are several places where you can get an insane amount of chicken for under 10 bucks, but Yogi’s has a better wait time to quality of food ratio than say, Tikiyaki in Orange. Definitely a great volume play if you need more food for the money.
2. Taco: Taco Mesita (Taco Tuesday or Late Night Happy Hour)
Under $10 Meal: Barbacoa Taco + Pollo Mole Taco + Margarita (Taco Tuesday). Woodfire Steak Taco/Wood Roasted Pollo Taco + Al Pastor Taco + Margarita (Late Night Happy Hour)
This Taco Mesa offshoot took over an old taco shop in Tustin to revamp it with more modern flare. I enjoy coming here on Taco Tuesday or late night (9-10PM, 9-11PM Fri-Sat) if I want something a little more bougie than standard street tacos.
3. Taco: Tacqueria Los Gueros
Under $10 Meal: 3 x Street Tacos + Mulita
It’s insane that 1.80 for a street taco is considered super cheap eats, but that’s the reality of it in OC. This taco place loads on the meat, piling it atop small paper thin tortillas.
4. Banh Mi: Bahn Mi Che Cha Le
Under $10 Meal: Banh Mi (Various) + Iced Coffee
Again, one of the craziest sticker shocks of recent years is the cost of Bahn Mi. This used to be the go-to of broke college students, and most places are creeping to $10 for a single sandwich. Bahn Mi Che Cha Le is still under that mark, thankfully, and is quite a bit better than Lee’s “Cut the Roof of Your Mouth” version.
5. Halal: Naz Halal
Under $10 Meal: Chicken Gyro or Chicken Rice Plate [Update: They raised prices as of 7/23/2024 to 10.99 and 12.99]
After I visited NYC in 2014, I remember scouring So Cal for a Halal guys equivalent with very little success. Now that they have franchised and expanded across the country, that dream has come true…except for the fact that quality has dropped tremendously compared to the original location. Naz Halal is quite a bit closer to my original experience in NYC.
9764 Chapman Ave, Garden Grove, CA 92841
Update: Unfortunately, inflation has gotten to this place and raised prices 1-2 dollars. This is about the same as Halal guys. I’d still choose this place if I was closer. If you find a chicken/rice halal place that is under 10, let me know!
6. Breakfast Burrito: Nate’s Korner
Under $10 Meal: Egg + Hashbrown Burrito
This is a bit of a cheat since the $10 would only allow you to get the egg and hash brown burrito. But I had to share this place with yall because it has an impressive volume to quality ratio for a relatively cheaper price tag. The super crispy hashbrowns mixed with runny egg is a comforting response to extreme hunger after a night of drinking.
7. Chinese Food: Hong Kong Express
Under $10 Meal: 2 Item Combo
It’s Americanized Chinese silver tray heat lamp food. It’s not fancy, it’s a little greasy and salty, but honestly it’s not like my expectations are very high if I’m walking in to a place like this. Hong Kong Express is a true volume play as they pack the boxes to bursting, ensuring a pure slow/sleepy afternoon if you dare to consume the entire thing.
8. Yubu: Atoyubu
Under $10 Meal: 2 Yubus (recommend the Mentaiko)
I really love this place, perhaps because I have a newfound addiction to mentaiko (cod roe). Everything I tried here has been top notch, but I’ll admit having 2 of these for a “cheap eat” meal might barely be enough for my son’s appetite. If you aren’t that hungry, grabbing 2 of these might be a better play than a full blown meal.
9. Burger: Nexx Burger
Under $10 Meal: Double Cheeseburger, Fries and Drink
In and Out dupe. If you don’t want to wait in line for 35-45 minutes at In-N-Out and are around Orange, Nexx Burger does a pretty decent job of replicating the In-N-Out experience along with their prices. The plus is that they have onion rings and their fries are better.
10. Pizza: Terra Mia Pizzeria.
Under $10 Meal: 2 slices + soda
Yes, I know you can get a full pizza at Costco for 10 dollars, but you can only have that so much before you drive yourself insane. There are plenty more options for toppings at Terra Mia, including the buffalo ranch slice seen here. For 8 dollars, I get 2 large slices and a drink, and my taste buds can get a little break from the corporate sterile flavors of Costco.
I am always looking for new places and will update this list regularly.
[Last updated: 7/27/2024]