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Why not smash a greasy burger, crush a line of sushi or pound a massive gyro? Go ahead, treat yo’ self.
Super Rico Colombian Bistro
57 W. Central Blvd., 407-426-7007; superricocolombia.com
The “Spicy Perro” ($5) is a Nathan’s all-beef frank anointed with various “signature sauces,” topped with jalapeno relish, crumbled bacon and fried shoestring potatoes, and sprinkled with queso blanco. This dog’s got a bite.
Photo via mjstites23 on InstagramPig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa
1326 N. Mills. Ave., 407-203-0866; facebook.com/pigfloyds
The butter chicken taco ($2.95 each; one is perfectly satisfying; two would be plenty) is juicy chopped chicken and jasmine rice topped with creamy orange tikka masala sauce, pickled jalapeños, roasted pumpkin seeds and cilantro, drizzled with yogurt “crema” and served on a flour tortilla. Aaahhh.
Photo via jasinski77 on YelpOlea Mezze Grill
400 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland, 407-335-4958; oleagrill.com
It’s one of those “Chipotle-style” joints: pick your grain base (basmati rice or couscous) and top with your choice of protein, spreads (like hummus or tzatziki) and toppings, plus a dressing if you want it, for $8.29.
Photo via YelpEden’s Fresh
Multiple locations including Winter Park, downtown, Thornton Park and Longwood
Eden’s Fresh offers one of the best deals around for health-conscious lunchers – their large salad (greens plus five toppings) is just $5.78; add Boar’s Head protein for another $2.10. (You could make it a wrap for the same price, but if you’re watching calories – don’t.)
Photo via cat_ridgeway_music on InstagramThe Gnarly Barley
7431 S. Orange Ave., 407-854-4999; thegnarlybarley.com
It’s more of a beer joint than a restaurant, but Gnarly Barley’s chipotle brisket tacos with Tiger sauce ($3.50 each) give us reason to live. (What, we like it hot.) Just try to resist the vast craft brew menu if it’s a work day.
Photo via YelpJunior Colombian Burger
5389 S. Kirkman Road, 407-355-3506
One generally feels the craving for a messy Colombian-style burger late-night, post-bars, after inhibitions have loosened, but there’s no reason you can’t eat one in the middle of the day. Junior serves a double cheeseburger combo for $9.59 (because what the hell, might as well have fries too).
Photo via YelpKing Cajun Crawfish
914 N. Mills Ave., 407-704-8863
Not just a bargain-basement spot to get your crawfish on, this tiny Mills 50 joint also offers a substantial lunch special: a shrimp or oyster (or chicken, if you’re chicken) po’ boy plus fries and a drink for $8.95.
Photo via tastecooksip on InstagramBeefy King
424 N. Bumby Ave., 407-894-2241
An Orlando classic. Get a sandwich platter – any Beefy King sandwich plus Beefy Spuds (tater tots), coleslaw and a kosher dill pickle for $7.30 – and have enough of your ten left over for a small milkshake ($2.25).
Photo via YelpMark’s Caribbean Cuisine
10034 University Blvd., 407-699-8800; healthyjamaicanfood.com
A big plate of love for $7.99: aromatic brown stew chicken served with rice and cabbage and a side of plantains. Don’t stint on the Scotch bonnet hot sauce.
Photo via YelpAnh Hong
1124 E. Colonial Drive, 407-999-2656
Even within the tough competition of Mills 50, the Anh Hong special banh mí is a cut above: ham, pâté, sausage, pork, headcheese and pickled vegetables on buttered French bread for just $2.95 (if you’re squeamish about variety meats, choose the sunnyside-up egg sandwich for $3.50). Add a Vietnamese iced coffee for $2.75 and this is still the cheapest lunch of the bunch.
Photo via YelpThe Coop
610 W. Morse Blvd., Winter Park, 407-843-2667; asouthernaffair.com
Get a two-piece “plenty plate,” two pieces of fried chicken plus two “fixins” (collards, fried okra, creamed corn, mac & cheese or a dozen more choices) for $7.99, or go for the sideboard sampler – three of those Southern-fabulous sides and a slice of cornbread for $7.49.
Photo via YelpBlack Bean Deli
835 E. Colonial Drive, 407-203-0922
Their swanky new location in Mills 50 is a nice spot for a leisurely lunch (or a quick breakfast). Linger in the side room with their lunch special: a half Cuban sandwich and a cup of black beans for $6. Add a side of avocado sauce (50 cents) and a pineapple Jarritos ($1.50) and you’re still under $10.
Photo via Yelp Credit: Black Bean Deli photo courtesy YelpKappy’s
501 N. Orlando Ave., Maitland, 407-647-9099; kappyssubs.com
One of the most authentic diners in the area has amazingly low prices: Get a Philly cheese steak with sliced sirloin, provolone and onions for $5.75 and a root beer float for $2.55.
Photo via YelpMrs. Potato
4550 S. Kirkman Road, 407-290-0991; mrspotato.net
Mrs. Potato takes rösti (a Swiss dish that’s kind of like a mega-hash brown) in a Brazilian direction, stuffing the tender inside with various ingredients, from cheese and onions to chicken stroganoff. Three are priced at $9.99: baked beans, pulled chicken, and the aforementioned stroganoff. But if you’re really seeking the cheap, get the your filling of choice on a baked potato instead for $3 less.
Photo via YelpMamak Asian Street Food
1231 E. Colonial Drive, 407-270-4688
The menu of small plates makes for a great mix-and-match meal with friends, but for a quick cheap lunch, we choose the Malaysian asam kari: tamarind-infused coconut curry cooked with tomatoes, bell peppers, carrots, onions and the protein of your choice – shrimp, fish, squid, chicken beef or tofu – over jasmine rice, for just $8.50. There will be leftovers.
Photo by Rob BartlettBikkuri Sushi
1915 E. Colonial Drive, 407-894-4494
Known for some of the most reasonably priced sushi in Orlando, Bikkuri offers a lunch special that’s equally budget-conscious. From a list of about a dozen rolls, choose two for $7.99, or one roll plus two nigiri for $5.75.
Photo via YelpGringos Locos
22 E. Washington St., 407-841-5626, and 2406 E. Robinson St., 407-896-5626; gringoslocos.net
Their tasty “street tacos” (soft corn tortillas filled with your choice of chicken, beef or roasted pork, topped with onion, cilantro and lime) are two for $5.49 or three for $7.49.
Photo via YelpArtisan’s Table22 E. Pine St., 407-730-7499, artisanstableorlando.com
22 E. Pine St., 407-730-7499, artisanstableorlando.comThe Pork-belly BLT pictured here (crispy pork belly, tomato and arugula, with dill remoulade on toasted Pullman bread) is exactly $10; if you’re on a budget go for the grille gorgonzola (with tomato, bacon, and caramelized onions; $8) or the curried egg salad wrap with mango chutney ($6). Whichever sandwich you choose, though, side it with the city’s best pasta salad, a buttery-shalloty Israeli couscous that has everyone at the Weekly addicted.
Photo via YelpInfusion Tea
1600 Edgewater Drive, 407-999-5255
Nothing on the lunch menu reaches the $10 mark, so go HAM. Among the mostly vegetarian meals, we’re partial to the seasonal cauliflower-chickpea tacos ($8), served with with crispy kale slaw, cilantro guacamole and sour cream.
Photo via YelpLa Femme du Fromage
3201 Corrine Drive, 407-571-9947, lafemmedufromage.com
Tonda Corrente’s cheese stall at East End Market is capable not only of launching a killer cheese plate, but also serves up a dreamy grilled cheese sandwich – we’re talking a serious four-cheese blend on Olde Hearth bread, not some Kraft Singles-on-Wonder mess – and from 3-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, they’re just $3 for a half or $6 for a whole (which is why this year we gave it a Best of Orlando Writers’ Pick for “Best Excuse for a Late Lunch”).
Photo via Yelp