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A top-down view of an array of food like french fries spilling onto the table, a falafel sandwich, condiments, and a drink
Goldie.
Michael Persico

Philly’s Best-Value Restaurants, Mapped

Great deals on pho, falafel, fried chicken, roast pork sandwiches, tomato pie, and more

by Eater Staff Updated
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Goldie.
| Michael Persico
by Eater Staff Updated

With one of the strongest sandwich games around and a diverse array of casual neighborhood spots, Philly is an eating destination even — and sometimes especially — for diners on a budget. It would be impossible to name all of the most affordable dishes that keep this city running, but to start, here are some of Philly’s best bets for cheesesteaks, pho, falafel, burgers, banh mi, jerk chicken, and much more.

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Jamaican D's Caribbean & American Restaurant

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If you love leftovers, future you will thank past you for ordering a platter of jerk or curry chicken from Jamaican D’s on Chelten Avenue for lunch or dinner. Here, a large platter comes with two sides — the plantains and the collards are a must — and for under $20, you’ll have enough food to last you through at least two meals.

1265 E Chelten Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19138
(215) 927-7415
(215) 927-7415

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Dalessandro's Steaks

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One of the best things about Philly is that you can get a cheesesteak pretty much anywhere and it’ll never break the bank. One of the worst? Spending $10 on a cheesesteak that doesn’t hit the spot. At Dalessandro’s in Roxborough, you’re unlikely to have that problem. Enormous, juicy steak sandwiches with onions, mushrooms, and Whiz go for under $15.

600 Wendover St, Philadelphia, PA 19128
(215) 482-5407
(215) 482-5407

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Love & Honey Fried Chicken

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After getting Questlove’s seal of approval, Love & Honey was an instant Philly hit. For $10, enjoy 7 buttermilk-fried chicken tenders, or for $12.50, get a crispy Nashville hot chicken sandwich with slaw and sweet pickles. Sides include Nashville tater tots and Southern-style potato salad. The shop at the border of Northern Liberties and Fishtown only does takeout.

1100 N Front St #103, Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 789-7878
(215) 789-7878

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Johnny's Hots

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Open only for breakfast and lunch, Johnny's is a quintessential Fishtown stand for breakfast sandwiches, hot dogs, and even cheesesteaks. Only a truly hefty meal here will break the $10 mark. The hot sausage is always a good move, and for a Philly original, grab a combo — that's a hot dog and a fish cake on the same bun — and make sure to add some pepper hash.

1234 N Delaware Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 423-2280
(215) 423-2280

Siddiq's Real Fruit Water Ice

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A Philly classic, water ice may not fill you up like a falafel or a banh mi, but Siddiq’s Real Fruit Water Ice in Cobbs Creek will make you forget you had lunch plans. Flavors like mango lemonade, white grape, and cantaloupe are all made with real fruit and a large goes for only $5. Add on a funnel cake for an additional six bucks because why not?

264 S 60th St, Philadelphia, PA 19139
(215) 410-6513
(215) 410-6513

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Kilimandjaro/youma

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West Philly is a treasure trove of excellent eats, including flavorful fare from Ethiopia and parts of West Africa. Kilimandjaro, a Senegalese favorite in University City that has moved from Chestnut Street to join forces with Youma on Baltimore Avenue, serves whole grilled fish, rotisserie chicken, lamb chops, and more in portions that are much bigger than you’d expect for the cost.

4519 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143
(215) 387-1970
(215) 387-1970

Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House

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Come for the hand-pulled and -shaved noodles, served in soups or stir-fried dishes, in a number of combinations that should satisfy almost any taste — and then keep coming back to eat through the rest of the menu. Portions are bountiful and prices are affordable across the board, making Nan Zhou one of Chinatown's many must-tries.

1022 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 923-1550
(215) 923-1550

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Saad's Halal Restaurant

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It’s easy to see why Saad’s Halal Restaurant is a West Philly favorite, between its Middle Eastern halal dishes and student-friendly prices. The vegetarian side of the menu trends toward $9, while other items like hearty sandwiches (shawarma, kebabs, falafel, and more) mostly come in just above $10. Beyond falafel and kebabs, Saad's also makes a good cheesesteak.

4500 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19139
(215) 222-7223
(215) 222-7223

Manakeesh Cafe Bakery & Grill

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Manakeesh is a Lebanese bakery and cafe specializing in, of course, manakeesh. The filling flatbread (which has a few spellings in English) comes with a choice of toppings at this West Philly halal eatery, like za’atar and labneh or spiced ground beef, with prices hovering around $10. You can round out a meal here with hummus, falafel, kebabs, sweet and savory crepes, pastries, and fruit smoothies.

4420 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 921-2135
(215) 921-2135

Jezabel’s

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At Jezabel Careaga’s eponymous cafe, diners fill up on empanadas, alfajores, and more Argentine delights. Try a variety pack of four crispy empanadas filled with the likes of spicy vegan lentils or chicken with olives for $18 or the breakfast pastry box, a chef’s selection of eight delicious pastries such as croissant-like vigilantes with custard and quince for $32.

206-208 S 45th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 554-7380
(215) 554-7380

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Reading Terminal Market

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From Bassetts Ice Cream to Beiler’s Donuts to El Merkury’s pupusas and Hershel’s pastrami sandwiches, Reading Terminal Market is a giant destination for affordable eats. There’s no wrong choice between a roast pork sandwich from DiNic’s or an Amish-style soft pretzel from Miller’s Twist — the only mistake would be showing up here already full. The iconic market is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and you can check the website for an updated list of vendors.

51 N 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 922-2317
(215) 922-2317

Goldie (multiple locations)

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Goldie, the falafel spot from the team behind the award-winning Zahav, has a tight menu of sandwiches, fries, and some of the city’s coolest drinks: tehina shakes. The few flavors are delicious, dairy-free, and cost just $7. For under $20 you should be able to walk out of any of the mini chain’s four locations, including in Franklintown, Fishtown, University City, and Center City West. Another good Center City West option from the same owners is Dizengoff, where hummus is a full-on meal with meats and seasonal vegetables plus fresh-out-of-the-oven pita, Israeli pickles, and chopped salad.

1526 Sansom Street, Phiadelphia, PA 19102
(267) 239-0777
(267) 239-0777

Sarcone's Bakery

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Tomato pie is a perfect food: You can eat it at any time of the day, take it on any excursion near or far, and it will practically always fill you up. It’s pizza, simplified. At old-school Sarcone’s Bakery in South Philly, you can get a $4 slice of tomato pie alongside seeded Italian rolls and $6 pepperoni bread — cash only.

758 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 922-0445
(215) 922-0445

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Sky Cafe

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On Washington Avenue in South Philly, this popular Indonesian restaurant serves Sumatra-style house-made egg noodles, satay, pork and rice platters, and seafood soups for not much more — and sometimes less — than $10.

1122 Washington Ave B, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 271-1983
(215) 271-1983

Also featured in:

Nam Phuong

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Philly has no shortage of excellent pho and other Vietnamese specialties, but for a full-service all-around winner, South Philly’s Nam Phuong is a local’s go-to. The huge menu includes all kinds of soups, broken rice platters, noodle dishes, and much more, with tons of generous options under $15.

1100 Washington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 468-0410
(215) 468-0410

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Ba Le Bakery

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A banh mi is a beautiful thing: crusty bread with pickled veg, cilantro, and flavorful meat or tofu. It’s easy to find a great one in Philly, and Ba Le Bakery’s options are as endless as the prices are low. From steak to pork kebab to lemongrass chicken, every sandwich lands under $10, and you can preorder them on the South Philly shop’s website. Even adding a drink like boba or a smoothie shouldn’t put you over $20.

606 Washington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 389-4350
(215) 389-4350

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Fountain Porter

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A great neighborhood bar is important. A great neighborhood bar that serves an outstanding $6 burger is indispensable. And the price tag at this South Philly gem is really just icing: For fans of classic backyard-style burgers, Fountain Porter’s is arguably the best in the city.

1601 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(267) 324-3910
(267) 324-3910

Also featured in:

Stargazy

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Among the bounty of restaurants on East Passyunk Avenue sits this little British pie shop serving traditional savory pies. Keep it classic with beef and onion or try whatever filling chef-owner Sam Jacobson is making special for the day — just be sure to order a side of mashed potatoes in a parsley liquor. You can also get sausage rolls and sweets.

1838 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 309-2761
(215) 309-2761

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John's Roast Pork

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John's remains the go-to recommendation for Philly's signature sandwiches, whether it’s the namesake roast pork with sharp provolone or a great cheesesteak. This cash-only shack is out of the way if you’re not already in South Philly, but worth the trip. It’s also a fantastic option for breakfast sandwiches.

14 Snyder Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 463-1951
(215) 463-1951

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Jamaican D's Caribbean & American Restaurant

1265 E Chelten Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19138

If you love leftovers, future you will thank past you for ordering a platter of jerk or curry chicken from Jamaican D’s on Chelten Avenue for lunch or dinner. Here, a large platter comes with two sides — the plantains and the collards are a must — and for under $20, you’ll have enough food to last you through at least two meals.

1265 E Chelten Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19138
(215) 927-7415
(215) 927-7415

Dalessandro's Steaks

600 Wendover St, Philadelphia, PA 19128

One of the best things about Philly is that you can get a cheesesteak pretty much anywhere and it’ll never break the bank. One of the worst? Spending $10 on a cheesesteak that doesn’t hit the spot. At Dalessandro’s in Roxborough, you’re unlikely to have that problem. Enormous, juicy steak sandwiches with onions, mushrooms, and Whiz go for under $15.

600 Wendover St, Philadelphia, PA 19128
(215) 482-5407
(215) 482-5407

Love & Honey Fried Chicken

1100 N Front St #103, Philadelphia, PA 19123

After getting Questlove’s seal of approval, Love & Honey was an instant Philly hit. For $10, enjoy 7 buttermilk-fried chicken tenders, or for $12.50, get a crispy Nashville hot chicken sandwich with slaw and sweet pickles. Sides include Nashville tater tots and Southern-style potato salad. The shop at the border of Northern Liberties and Fishtown only does takeout.

1100 N Front St #103, Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 789-7878
(215) 789-7878

Johnny's Hots

1234 N Delaware Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125

Open only for breakfast and lunch, Johnny's is a quintessential Fishtown stand for breakfast sandwiches, hot dogs, and even cheesesteaks. Only a truly hefty meal here will break the $10 mark. The hot sausage is always a good move, and for a Philly original, grab a combo — that's a hot dog and a fish cake on the same bun — and make sure to add some pepper hash.

1234 N Delaware Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 423-2280
(215) 423-2280

Siddiq's Real Fruit Water Ice

264 S 60th St, Philadelphia, PA 19139

A Philly classic, water ice may not fill you up like a falafel or a banh mi, but Siddiq’s Real Fruit Water Ice in Cobbs Creek will make you forget you had lunch plans. Flavors like mango lemonade, white grape, and cantaloupe are all made with real fruit and a large goes for only $5. Add on a funnel cake for an additional six bucks because why not?

264 S 60th St, Philadelphia, PA 19139
(215) 410-6513
(215) 410-6513

Kilimandjaro/youma

4519 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143

West Philly is a treasure trove of excellent eats, including flavorful fare from Ethiopia and parts of West Africa. Kilimandjaro, a Senegalese favorite in University City that has moved from Chestnut Street to join forces with Youma on Baltimore Avenue, serves whole grilled fish, rotisserie chicken, lamb chops, and more in portions that are much bigger than you’d expect for the cost.

4519 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143
(215) 387-1970
(215) 387-1970

Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House

1022 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Come for the hand-pulled and -shaved noodles, served in soups or stir-fried dishes, in a number of combinations that should satisfy almost any taste — and then keep coming back to eat through the rest of the menu. Portions are bountiful and prices are affordable across the board, making Nan Zhou one of Chinatown's many must-tries.

1022 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 923-1550
(215) 923-1550

Saad's Halal Restaurant

4500 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19139

It’s easy to see why Saad’s Halal Restaurant is a West Philly favorite, between its Middle Eastern halal dishes and student-friendly prices. The vegetarian side of the menu trends toward $9, while other items like hearty sandwiches (shawarma, kebabs, falafel, and more) mostly come in just above $10. Beyond falafel and kebabs, Saad's also makes a good cheesesteak.

4500 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19139
(215) 222-7223
(215) 222-7223

Manakeesh Cafe Bakery & Grill

4420 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Manakeesh is a Lebanese bakery and cafe specializing in, of course, manakeesh. The filling flatbread (which has a few spellings in English) comes with a choice of toppings at this West Philly halal eatery, like za’atar and labneh or spiced ground beef, with prices hovering around $10. You can round out a meal here with hummus, falafel, kebabs, sweet and savory crepes, pastries, and fruit smoothies.

4420 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 921-2135
(215) 921-2135

Jezabel’s

206-208 S 45th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

At Jezabel Careaga’s eponymous cafe, diners fill up on empanadas, alfajores, and more Argentine delights. Try a variety pack of four crispy empanadas filled with the likes of spicy vegan lentils or chicken with olives for $18 or the breakfast pastry box, a chef’s selection of eight delicious pastries such as croissant-like vigilantes with custard and quince for $32.

206-208 S 45th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 554-7380
(215) 554-7380

Reading Terminal Market

51 N 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

From Bassetts Ice Cream to Beiler’s Donuts to El Merkury’s pupusas and Hershel’s pastrami sandwiches, Reading Terminal Market is a giant destination for affordable eats. There’s no wrong choice between a roast pork sandwich from DiNic’s or an Amish-style soft pretzel from Miller’s Twist — the only mistake would be showing up here already full. The iconic market is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and you can check the website for an updated list of vendors.

51 N 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 922-2317
(215) 922-2317

Goldie (multiple locations)

1526 Sansom Street, Phiadelphia, PA 19102

Goldie, the falafel spot from the team behind the award-winning Zahav, has a tight menu of sandwiches, fries, and some of the city’s coolest drinks: tehina shakes. The few flavors are delicious, dairy-free, and cost just $7. For under $20 you should be able to walk out of any of the mini chain’s four locations, including in Franklintown, Fishtown, University City, and Center City West. Another good Center City West option from the same owners is Dizengoff, where hummus is a full-on meal with meats and seasonal vegetables plus fresh-out-of-the-oven pita, Israeli pickles, and chopped salad.

1526 Sansom Street, Phiadelphia, PA 19102
(267) 239-0777
(267) 239-0777

Sarcone's Bakery

758 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Tomato pie is a perfect food: You can eat it at any time of the day, take it on any excursion near or far, and it will practically always fill you up. It’s pizza, simplified. At old-school Sarcone’s Bakery in South Philly, you can get a $4 slice of tomato pie alongside seeded Italian rolls and $6 pepperoni bread — cash only.

758 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 922-0445
(215) 922-0445

Sky Cafe

1122 Washington Ave B, Philadelphia, PA 19147

On Washington Avenue in South Philly, this popular Indonesian restaurant serves Sumatra-style house-made egg noodles, satay, pork and rice platters, and seafood soups for not much more — and sometimes less — than $10.

1122 Washington Ave B, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 271-1983
(215) 271-1983

Nam Phuong

1100 Washington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Philly has no shortage of excellent pho and other Vietnamese specialties, but for a full-service all-around winner, South Philly’s Nam Phuong is a local’s go-to. The huge menu includes all kinds of soups, broken rice platters, noodle dishes, and much more, with tons of generous options under $15.

1100 Washington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 468-0410
(215) 468-0410

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Ba Le Bakery

606 Washington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147

A banh mi is a beautiful thing: crusty bread with pickled veg, cilantro, and flavorful meat or tofu. It’s easy to find a great one in Philly, and Ba Le Bakery’s options are as endless as the prices are low. From steak to pork kebab to lemongrass chicken, every sandwich lands under $10, and you can preorder them on the South Philly shop’s website. Even adding a drink like boba or a smoothie shouldn’t put you over $20.

606 Washington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 389-4350
(215) 389-4350

Fountain Porter

1601 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19148

A great neighborhood bar is important. A great neighborhood bar that serves an outstanding $6 burger is indispensable. And the price tag at this South Philly gem is really just icing: For fans of classic backyard-style burgers, Fountain Porter’s is arguably the best in the city.

1601 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(267) 324-3910
(267) 324-3910

Stargazy

1838 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Among the bounty of restaurants on East Passyunk Avenue sits this little British pie shop serving traditional savory pies. Keep it classic with beef and onion or try whatever filling chef-owner Sam Jacobson is making special for the day — just be sure to order a side of mashed potatoes in a parsley liquor. You can also get sausage rolls and sweets.

1838 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 309-2761
(215) 309-2761

John's Roast Pork

14 Snyder Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148

John's remains the go-to recommendation for Philly's signature sandwiches, whether it’s the namesake roast pork with sharp provolone or a great cheesesteak. This cash-only shack is out of the way if you’re not already in South Philly, but worth the trip. It’s also a fantastic option for breakfast sandwiches.

14 Snyder Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 463-1951
(215) 463-1951

Related Maps