AUC graduates of the past 20 years are familiar with the college-friendly affordability at this local breakfast and cheesesteak chain, as it has had multiple West End locations. There’s still a generously stuffed, six-inch shaved meat sandwich for here $4.99, or a footlong for $7.50. Along with the cheesesteaks, most items on the menu are under $10, including entrees like shrimp over rice, wings, burgers, tenders, fried fish, and salads.

It’s nice to visit a chicken wing stand that doesn’t charge $1 or more per wing, particularly when the wings are really good. That’s the case at this permanently parked red food trailer in Southwest Atlanta, just off I-285’s Campbellton Road exit. The fried wings, including the standard Buffalo flavor, are a perfect mix of salt, butter, pepper, and hint of citrus. A 10-piece order costs around $8 or get an order of 50 wings for just under $38. 

This Caribbean and soul food cafe opened in the former Acapulco Mexican restaurant space in Riverside in 2019. Come here for homey comfort food, friendly smiles, and platters of jerk chicken, brown stew, oxtails, or rasta pasta. Entrees come with a choice of two sides and cost between $10 and $12 per person. Check out the daily chalkboard specials, too.

K & K has been serving the Bankhead community for more than 43 years now, and for good reason. The food is just that good here. Biscuits can be filled with red sausage links, pork chops, chicken or beef sausage, country-fried steak, or fatback. However, this is where to come for meats like beef liver or chicken gizzards as well as stewed beef or fried whiting. The family-owned, counter-service restaurant with its brick-tiled floors and 3-D mural includes a few booths. Check out K&K’s vegetable plates, too.

From 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. every weekday, Don Chon offers a Mexican buffet with a glass of water for just under $10. Find marinated meats, fresh-made tortillas, vegetables, a salad station, and everything to make a custom nacho plate. Don’t skip the $3 tacos here, including the barbacoa, tripe, lengua, carne asada, and chorizo.

Located in Home Park, this family-owned and operated restaurant serves up hearty portions of hummus, falafel, and shawarma as platters, bowls, or wraps and sides of baba ghanoush, lentil soup, and tabbouleh salad. Most items on this menu are between $11 to $12, with fries and a drink adding an additional $3 to make a combo.

This downtown food gem is deceptively hidden in the mall at Peachtree Center. While more of a food court than a mall, make a beeline to this Mediterranean food stall filled with dishes served by the delightful chef Kameel. Aviva by Kameel also has a location in Midtown at the Collective at Coda.

El Progreso is one of those “in-the-know” kind of places in Atlanta. Located at the back counter of the southeast Atlanta Mexican grocery store across from the federal penitentiary, this is where to head for super good tacos in town. Regulars swear by the beef barbacoa, spicy chorizo, and the el pastor, but there’s really no wrong order here.

It’s hard to pass up this Atlanta landmark restaurant for a hearty yet super-affordable meal, especially when a meat-and-three combo costs around $10. In addition to lemon pepper, barbecue, and jerk chicken on the menu, Eats also serves turkey meatloaf and tilapia. The priciest meal here is the chicken alfredo with garlic bread offered on Thursdays and Saturdays for $12

Mama’s Cocina Latina in the Piedmont Heights neighborhood serves a mix of comfort foods and familiar Mexican dishes like tortas, tacos, burritos, and tostadas on its menu. Grab hot wings, fajitas for one, two, or three people, or a grande dinner platter with two enchiladas, a taco, rice, and beans. The platter hovers around $10. For breakfast, try the huevos rancheros or Mama’s breakfast with scrambled eggs, pancakes, and bacon for under $10. Open 24/7. Drive-thru service available.

Special slices, like the Hangover topped with bacon, tomatoes, green peppers, spinach, and jalapenos, may go for $5 at Jack’s, but a jumbo slice of cheese pizza from this endearingly divey Old Fourth Ward pizza and wing joint costs just $2.50 on Mondays. It’s also the spot for a great deal on beer-and-a-shot combos, too.

Whether dining in for breakfast or for lunch, no one ever leaves hungry after eating at this cozy Reynoldstown establishment full of Southern food and charm. Most of the menu options at Home Grown stay well within the $10 to $15 range. However, lunch offers a Blue Collar option — a “value-sized portion” with cornbread and a drink for just a couple of bucks more.

More than just a coffee shop with a great covered patio on Clairmont, Golden Drops cafe serves a selection of Latin American pastries and sandwiches on it menu throughout the day, including guava and cheese empanadas, teardrop-shaped coxinha filled with shredded chicken, and Cuban sandwiches. Most items on the menu are under $10, and beer and wine is served here, too. Can’t decide what to order? Try the Golden Drops Sampler platter, which comes with a coxinha, two empanadas, and pao de queijo (Brazilian cheese puff) for under $11.

This buzzy Oakhurst neighborhood bar includes an affordable menu filled with pub grub, like wings, baskets of chili fries and poutine, and a selection of burgers and dogs. Try the Ol’ Fashion double cheeseburger topped with sautéed onions and Thousand Island dressing for right around $10. All burgers and dogs come with a choice of French fries, coleslaw, sweet potato fries, steamed broccoli, baked beans, or a side salad.

Even when Buena Gente was a food trailer, it was consistently serving some of the best Cuban street eats in the city. Owners Manny Rodriguez and Stacie Antich took Buena Gente permanent in Decatur last year and continue offering their flaky and buttery empanadas on the menu for just $4 each. There’s also ham croquetas for$3 here and $2 beef pastelitos, too. Order a meaty Cubano sandwich on fresh-baked bread for around $10 and throw in a side of plantain chips for a couple of bucks more.

Head to Atlanta Chinatown and its food court to partake in everything from hand-pulled noodle dishes and hot pots to succulent roast duck and dumplings. Most stalls here offer generously portioned dishes for around $10 to $15 each. Grab a cup of complimentary hot tea and take a seat inside or in the garden courtyard patio.

Many Atlantans consider the bánh mì at Quoc Huong in the Asian Square complex to be the best in metro Atlanta. The fresh French bread definitely contributes to this reputation. The favorite order here is the barbecue pork. The shop is cash only, but sandwiches average around $3.50 each. Order five bánh mì, and that sixth one is free.

For over 22 years, this counter-serve, vegetarian restaurant in Decatur has been feeding its loyal regulars Indian street foods like dosas, samosas, and biryani as well as a variety of thali platters. Chat Patti offers an expansive menu and serves generous portions, with most items hovering around $10. A great place to feed a crowd and eat family-style.

This Venezuelan restaurant, owned and operated by Lis Hernandez, serves its signature menu item stuffed with everything from fried tilapia and 12-hour roasted beef to deviled ham and those filled with Venezuelan-style scrambled eggs, tomatoes, caramelized onions, and queso de ano. Arepas here average around $10 to $11. Make sure to order a side of crispy yuca fries or tostones for an extra $5 or try the cachapas (Venezuelan sweet or savory pancake) topped with proteins like roast pork or shredded chicken and assorted vegetables.