If you just moved to the Orlando area for college, a new location, or a job opportunity, welcome! We appreciate your presence in this fine city.
This blog is intended for ppl eating on the cheap, so this might be more young-adult-college-driven than expected.
Nevertheless, Orlando has some great deals for $10 and under, and I want to show you where they are!
❗️THESE ARE IN NOT PARTICULAR ORDER❗️
If anything, my favorites are scattered throughout 😉
#1 Lazy Moon - University Blvd
A massive slice of pizza is ~$5, dress that sucker up with free oregano, chili flakes, parm if you’re into that, and honey (on the crust or the whole thing).
You can request your slice to be cut in half, saving one for now, the other for later.
I order the Treehugger ($7.25). It comes with Vegan Cheese and 2 toppings, I’d usually go with Roma Tomatoes, and basil or spinach.
For drink dealz, pitchers of PBR (Pabst-Blue Ribbon Beer) are $5.
It’s a GREAT way to make friends. Invite your classmates, co-workers, split the cost if you need to, have a good time.
#2 Chicken Fire - East Colonial Dr
Their hot box is only $10 and you get 2 BREASTS THEY CLAIM TO BE TENDERS, plus fries, slaw, pickles, and their signature sauce on the side.
I like my spice and I order the MILD here.
It's just the right amount of heat to keep going all the way through. When I order the medium, I have to take some spicy food breaks 🥵
If you want to ball even more on a budget, their Kid Box comes with everything in the Hot Box minus 1 tender, for $6. I can guarantee you'll still be satisfied after that!
#3 Taipei 101 - Alafaya Tr, Oviedo
For $10 there are 2 options I recommend: Dan Dan Noodles ($9.95) OR their Meal Box ($9.95-$10.50).
You get more variety with the meal box, but the portion provided with the Dan Dan Noodles is BIG. I went here for breakfast and continued to eat my leftovers for lunch AND dinner.
The Meal Box is served with minced pork over steamed rice, noodles, braised egg, and seasoned vegetables.
I order my box with Salt & Pepper chicken because I'm slightly obsessed with this style of 'popcorn' chicken. I'm pretty sure these leftovers lasted me 2-3 days.
They have a whiteboard with hand-written specials, if I could recommend anything else, is possibly ordering at least one item off the whiteboard (that's where I found the Dan Dan Noodles!).
I will say, I wanted the Dan Dan Noodles to be spicier, but I'm sure they wouldn't have a problem spicing it up if you ask.
#4 Da Sun Ramen - West Colonial Dr
I have yet to find a cheaper ramen shop that pushes out REALLY TASTY Ramen. Every bowl of ramen is $10 to start (if you wanna add additional toppings, that may be extra).
This shop was formally Sapporo Ramen, the owners have retired now but the place is up & running again with new owners and to be honest, I can't taste the difference!
Some say they do, I'll have you be the judge.
Pictured is the Tonkatsu Ramen, but I typically order the Spicy Miso Ramen Bowl.
#5 Beefy King - Bumby Ave
The regular meal deal at Beefy King is $7.75.
It comes with your sandwich of choice, spuds (tater tots) & a small drink.
This always satisfies my hanger (hungry induced anger).
I order a classic, beef, cheese, onion with a 1/2 swt 1/2 unswt tea. With spicy BBQ & horsey sauce of course 😍
If you aren't looking for sides, you can always order 3 Junior sandwiches with your choice of meat and still be around the $10 mark!
(If you wanna know more about Beefy King, I wrote a separate blog on the whole thing, here 🤫)
#6 Gringos Locos Tacos - Robinson St
Best known for their Double D’s tacos (similar to Taco Bell’s Gordito Crunch).
They have Happy Hour 4-8 PM. $6 for burritos, $2.50 for Tacos
I get my double d's tacos with no shredded cheese and chicken. And lots and lot of their Limon hot sauce! All for $6.29.
Sometimes I'll get some chips and guac if I'm feeling fancy.
You can load up on chips as well, you can ask for more to go with your salsa, guac, and queso. Or whatever dropped out of your taco 😂
#7 Tortas El Rey - S Orange Blossom Tr
Yes, more tacos. What was previously a Checkers, is now a Mexican fare shop with tortas and tacos and agua frescas, it's wonderful!
Their lunch special is a great deal for $8.50 (after researching I learned it use to be $5?! 😭what a time).
Their Lunch Special comes with 4 tacos and a drink. Their tacos come with onions, cilantro, meat, and hot sauce. It may sound simple, but their flavors are amazing and the really pack these tacos full.
I've always gotten my lunch special with a Tamarindo agua fresca, and I don't see myself changing that anytime soon. It's a great not-too-sweet drink that gives my Nestea vibes, it really helps cancel the spice intensity when you need it.
Please order the Carne Asada taco. I'm not a huge steak fan, but they changed me on this. Another great selection would be the Al Pastor.
Everything is serve already wrapped for to-go, so you can park (complicatedly) and eat at the tables, or travel to an empty lot and eat on the hood of your car. Or get yourself a steering wheel food tray and go on that!
#8 Paris Banh Mi - East Colonial Dr
For around $5-$6 you can have a long baguette Vietnamese sandwich with pickled veggies and cilantro.
These are so easy to eat, barely messy at all!
They have tons of varieties (well, sometimes) I usually order the special combo banh mi ($5.50).
They also have #vegan options too! We had a 'covid-friendly pot luck' pool day, and we ordered a ton of banh mi's. Since it was pre-wrapped, we felt very food safe ordering them.
If sandwiches aren't your think they also have many baked goods you can order as well as boba drinks!
#9 Dang Boba & Musubi House - Alafaya Tr
I can't write about cheap eatz and NOT mention spam musubi. When I went to Hawaii after graduation, these were at every gas station you could find for like $2.
However, in Orlando spam musubis seem to be a hot commodity ranging from $3-$4 each. I won't complain though! At least we have places we can get them here!
Dang Boba & Musubi House is one of the firsts to have different styles of musubis and I LOVE their garlic soy chicken musubi ($5) and their classic spam musubi ($3).
What I recommend is if you're looking for a heftier musubi, ask for extra rice. This is no extra charge, plus you get a plumper musubi!
There are also #vegan options utilizing avocado and tofu. If you don't want more than one musubi, you can always order a boba and musubi for under $10. If you're out and about needing a hefty snack, this is the spot!
#10 Hot Dog Heaven - East Colonial Dr
The Italian Chicken Sausage here is incredible plus their fresh Chicago-style ingredients make it even better.
One Italian Chicken Sausage dog ($3.95) and a side of fries ($2.09) is a simple, satisfying lunch for $6.02. If you're down to spend "bigger" add another dog to the list!
Fries are the only item Ketchup is allowed on here, in case you weren't aware. It's the best way to do it!
(For a deeper dive into Hot Dog Heaven, feel free to read my Hot Dog Heaven blog!)
I hope that these recommendations help you get acquainted with the new area and that you learn to love your Central Florida surroundings! (Apart from the traffic, we can’t get around that.)
If you wind up trying out any of these food spots please let me know! You can tag me @allysoneatz and #allysoneatz so I can see what you got! 👌
- Allyson