From tacos to dumplings to noodles, here are 14 of the best inexpensive dining destinations in the Boston area — filling, delicious meals that won’t put too much of a dent into one’s wallet.
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14 of Boston’s Best Affordable Meals
Save money while eating well

Porter Exchange
A fantastic mostly Japanese food hall (there’s a bit of Korean food, too) is hiding inside of a Lesley University building right in the heart of Porter Square, and it’s full of inexpensive dining options, from ramen to sushi to udon. The restaurants are small, but most offer full-service dining. Some only accept cash; there’s an ATM onsite. Top picks include the spicy miso ramen at Sapporo Ramen, the Tokyo hamburg set at Cafe Mami, and the niku udon at Yume Ga Arukara.
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P & K Delicatessen
Sub shops are a reliably affordable option; each neighborhood tends to have its own favorites. If you find yourself in Somerville, check out one of the best around, P & K Delicatessen. Venture into this old convenience store on Beacon Street and head right to the back for large, wonderful subs, full of sliced-to-order deli meats and more. (Don’t miss the meatball sub.)
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Charlie's Kitchen
Home of the double cheeseburger, this Harvard Square staple is the place for late-night pub grub, plus karaoke, trivia, and other events. There’s also a beer garden.
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Cactus Grill
Located in East Boston’s Maverick Square, this popular Mexican and Salvadoran restaurant serves gigantic burritos stuffed with a choice of steak, chicken, beef tongue, and more. Also on the menu: chimichangas, flautas, tacos, and plenty of other options.
Twin Donuts
You’ve seen the retro signage at this classic Allston spot; now eat the doughnuts. Flavors include chocolate butternut, powdered, honey dip, Boston cream, and lots more. There’s also a full breakfast menu of omelets, pancakes, and such.
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Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe
Gene’s gained a cult following out at its original location in Chelmsford (now closed) before expanding here to Boston proper, becoming a downtown mainstay. It has since expanded to Woburn and Westford as well. It’s one of a fairly small number of places that serve Xi’an-style Chinese cuisine in the Boston area, highlighting hand-pulled noodles that are garlicky, chewy, and so filling. Add a lamb skewer and/or tea egg to boost the (already ample) portion.
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Super 88 Market
This longtime Allston market is a treasure trove of counter-service, inexpensive meals spanning several Asian cuisines. Roam from stall to stall and fill up on dry-fried noodles, bubble tea, mochi doughnuts, ramen, and lots more.
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Lofts Avana Building Food Court
Just to the left of the Lofts Avana door on Beach Street, there’s signage for Friendship BBQ: Go in there to find not only Friendship BBQ (Chinese barbecue skewers) but a whole magical food court, albeit it a tiny one, that also serves inexpensive sushi (Avana Sushi, which also has a larger location at 58 Franklin St.), dumplings and buns (Dumpling King), and simple egg puffs (a cart called Egg Puffs). Plus, there’s a kiosk that sells cell phones, so this little food court covers all the bases. (Note that Friendship BBQ is on the basement level.)
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Anna's Taqueria
Now over 25 years old, beloved local burrito chain Anna’s Taqueria has six locations in and around Boston. It’s still one of the best places in town for a fast, inexpensive meal. Best bet: a super burrito with choice of filling.
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Tasty Burger
Local chain Tasty Burger is always a reliable pick for a not-too-expensive hamburger that is, well, tasty. The “starvin’ student” is a useful deal: hamburger or cheeseburger, fries, and a beer for $12.
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Sullivan's
Open since 1951, Sullivan’s is the classic South Boston spot for burgers, hot dogs, and fried seafood, eaten alfresco at picnic tables among Castle Island’s seagulls. Don’t fear: The line gets long but moves quickly. The seasonal spot operates from the last weekend of February through the last weekend of November.
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Pikalo
Giant empanadas. There are pizza, Buffalo chicken, eggplant parm, and lots of other empanadas available. The JP shop — which also has locations in East Boston, Lowell, and Lawrence — also serves sandwiches, smoothies, and more.
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Singh's Roti Shop
Get a hearty taste of Trinidad with roti stuffed full of meats and sides, and don’t miss the hot sauce. Also a must: the doubles, pictured here. Singh’s also carries a variety of Caribbean soft drinks and juices, from soursop to sea moss to peanut punch, as well as desserts, such as tamarind balls and coconut rolls.
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Bánh Mì Ba Le
One of Boston’s most iconic dishes can be found at Bánh Mì Ba Le, one of Dorchester’s excellent options for Vietnamese food. Ba Le’s banh mi includes a baguette stuffed with spiced pork and shredded pork skin, pickled carrots, daikon, cucumber, cilantro, a choice of hot peppers, and special sauce.
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