Best Cheap Eats: 20 Great Meals Under $10

Ahhh, that quiet time between the mania that was Lexington Burger Week, and the upcoming weekend of culinary debauchery that is CRAVE Lexington. A time to eat a nice salad, attend a yoga session or two, maybe undergo a juice cleanse ...

Nope. 

We’ve compiled 20 of Lexington’s favorite places to get big noms for little dollars. And if the inexpensive grub is not only delicious but also interesting, and maybe even outside your previous dining experience, all the better. Keep an eye out in an upcoming issue for our CHEAP EATS PART 2, where we’ll highlight Latino fare, pub food, favorite sweet treats, Lexington originals and more!

Americana

Gumbo Ya Ya

Maque Choux Small: $5.75-$7.25

The “Mock Shoe” is a cheesy prosciutto cream sauce with bell peppers and corn. Best served over pasta, it’s a hearty and delicious meal.

Red State BBQ

Beer Cheese Brisket Sandwich: $8.99

You know there’s great BBQ to be had when there’s a line out of the door. It’s best to get there early. Seriously. If you want a real taste

of central Kentucky… put beer cheese on brisket. If you really want to get funky, you can add a pretzel bun for $.49. Add their South Carolina Mustard Sauce and some fickles (fried pickles) and beer cheese grits, and you’ll drive home very happy, and very full.

Puccini’s Smiling Teeth

Lunch Special: $7.65

Great pizza and a great salad made with homemade dressing. You have a choice of the day’s

pizza slices (always a meat topping, always a veggie), and you get a large slice of pizza, a fresh

garden salad a large soft drink.

Blue Door Smokehouse

Beef Brisket Sandwich: $5.50

The early bird gets the worm. Remember this. This place usually has a line out of the door by

noon. Once you get to the register, order the brisket sandwich and pony up the few extra bucks for a side of potato salad and collard greens. That is all. I can be tipped with bags of carry-out.

Goodfella’s Pizzeria

Lunch Special: $6

A large (I mean LARGE) breadstick, a slice of pizza and soda for $6. That’s hard to beat. The slice comes from a giant 22-inch New York-style pizza, and they have several to choose from. Be sure to ask for alfredo sauce, as well as marinara, for dipping.

Dad’s Favorites Deli

Asiago Pot Roast Sandwich: $6

If you think Dad’s just sells great beer cheese, you are plain wrong. The Asiago Pot Roast sandwich is simply one of the best sandwiches you didn’t know you were missing. The pot roast is served on a French roll and topped with asiago cheese spread and a red pepper sauce. It comes with chips, but be sure to try one of Dad’s soups as well.

Bourbon n’ Toulouse

The Jambro (off menu):  $7.50

The Jambro, as some call it, is B&T’s jambalaya topped with delicious gumbo. Top it with onions, hot sauce and some sour cream, and you’ve got not only a culinary masterpiece on the cheap but maybe the only meal you need to eat that day.

Stella’s Kentucky Deli

Hot Brown: $9.95

This one is tough because Stella’s offers so many great locally sourced options to choose from. Weighing in at $9.95, the hot brown is the most expensive meal on the lunch menu. That being said, it’s a real bargain. If you don’t know what a hot brown is, you’re likely reading the wrong publication. While you’re there, get some homemade pie for dessert.

Burgers

Sidebar Grill

Burger: $5.95

Sidebar is a small, laid-back bar that serves great food. In particular, their burger is excellent. It comes with homemade chips, but go ahead and order the house-made sweet potato fries. They are a thing of beauty. They also do a well-regarded black bean burger. (But I’m just going to have to take their word on it.)

Tolly-Ho (aka “The Ho”)

Tolly Ho: $3.09

If you went to UK and are still a “Ho-Virgin,” you did college wrong. Twenty-four hours-a-day, the campus stalwart kicks out fantastic grease-burgers. And tater tots! I, personally, go for the “Super Ho” with fries and cheez sauce (same thing I ate in college).

Parkette Drive-In

Poor Boy: $4.29

The Parkette’s iconic sign has been a New Circle Road landmark since 1951. The owners have been vigilant caretakers of this local treasure. They are known for their poor boy, which is served double-decker with all the fixin’s. The Parkette actually had the original “Kentucky Fried Chicken,” but that’s a story for another time. Pro-tip: Try the chicken.

Burger Shake

Burger: $1.23

Right down the road from the Parkette, you’ll find another burger landmark at Burger Shake. The emphasis here is “cheap.” The price is not a misprint. For under $6, you can eat a burger, fries and a milkshake. This place has rabid fans, but don’t expect gourmet quality.

Diners

Loudon Square Buffet

Buffet: $8 (includes drink & tax; cash only)

I think Yelp commenter “Joseph O” summed up LSB better than I ever could: “The food is greasy and heavy, it’s definitely not fine dining, and it’s not exactly in line with any gourmet, locavore or organic sensibilities. Then again, neither was my grandmother.” That being said, if you’re hungry, and like good Southern food on the cheap, you’ve found your place.

Lexington Diner

Calypso Fish Hoagie: $9.99

In every way that Loudon Square Buffet is a diner, Lexington Diner is the opposite. They source their ingredients locally, and prepare them in a casual diner style. The fish hoagie is a jerk blackened fish with local greens, roasted red peppers, pickled red onion, grilled pineapple, and chipotle mayonnaise.

Wheeler’s Pharmacy

Buddy Burger: $6.20

Straight out of a time warp, Wheeler’s Pharmacy’s fountain serves old-school diner favorites at old-school prices. A regulars’ place, you’re likely to see a UK coach or two on any given day. The Buddy Burger (named for Buddy Wheeler) is their double burger and a great meal. Be sure to get a malt while you’re there. Also a great stop for a good, cheap breakfast.

Oddities

Save-a-Lot  (Southland Drive)

Fried Chicken Dinner Plate: $6.49

Why is it weird? Well, Save-a-Lot is a grocery store, right? Why is it great? Really, really, good fried chicken cheap, and in bulk if needed. There’s no getting around it, Save-a-Lot, the store, doesn’t have a lot going for it except for cheap food at cheap prices. The deli makes up for it. Big time. For $6.49 you get two pieces of chicken, two sides (green beans, mashed potatoes, macaroni-and-cheese) and a roll or homemade buttermilk cornbread. If you need a pile of chicken for an event, no problem; they’ll do 500 pieces for you.

girlsgirlsgirls burritos

El Producto: $9

Why is it odd? Girls making delicious burritos inside a bar. Why is it great? It’s girls making and delivering delicious burritos inside Best Friend Bar … and they deliver via bike. For a measly $9, you get a huge burrito filled with Kentucky smoked pork, green salsa, Kenny’s jack cheese, avocado and pink cabbage slaw. Did I mention they deliver? They have odd (late night) hours as well, so check their website for details.

Taco Tico Lexington

Chili Burrito: $2.99

Why is it odd? Taco Tico is a beleaguered Mexican fast food franchise located in a “visibilitychallenged” location (off New Circle near Wal-Mart). Why is it great? The Lexington location has a rabid following, a friendly staff and over 18,000 local Facebook friends. Get yourself a taco burger while you’re at it. 

Keeneland Track Kitchen

Breakfast Special: $5

Why is it odd? Keeneland’s cafeteria, on the working side of the track, isn’t marketed as a place to dine while at the track. Why is it great? It has serious grub on the cheap. The breakfast special includes scrambled eggs, toast or biscuit, bacon or sausage, home fries and grits for $5. The added ambiance of dining with jockeys and owners doesn’t even cost extra.

Wilson’s Grocery & Meats

Lunch Special: varies; approx. $2-$6

Why is it odd? Wilson’s is a neighborhood grocery tucked away in the middle of Kenwick. Why is it great? Tucked away in back is one of the best butchers in town. You can also get a great lunch special like a bologna-and-cheese sandwich, bean soup with ham or a country ham salad sandwich.