The Best Cheap Food in Pittsburgh - City Cast Pittsburgh (2024)

The City Cast Pittsburgh team loves treats, but eating out can get expensive — so we set our sights on the best bites that won’t break the bank with a $10 budget, not including tax or tip. And we’re not talking about a single slice of pizza — we’ve got breakfast biscuits, sit-down dinners, and even sushi!

📍Allegheny West

Their breakfast biscuits come in under $10, and newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco’s favorite is the Your Way Sandwich with a mushroom and oat patty. But if you prefer a simple biscuit, order one à la carte with your choice of spread.

📍Strip District

Start your day off right with a full plate of diner food for just $10. The Lil Bite sampler has an egg, one meat, potatoes, and a slice of toast — or snag a breakfast sandwich to fit all the flavors in one bite. Got a sweet tooth? Order the giant cinnamon roll for $5, and add on a scoop of vanilla ice cream for $2.50.

📍Lawrencveille, Downtown, Mt. Lebanon, Hazelwood

The pastries are the star here, but the bakery also sells sandwiches on housemade baguettes for around $7. Choose from turkey and swiss, ham and swiss, and prosciutto and cornichons. Don’t want a sandwich? Try the soup de jour, quiche, or focaccia instead.

📍North Side, Regent Square

Unfortunately, the breakfast burrito with scrambled eggs and fries tops our $10 limit, but the rice and bean, bean and cheese, and vegan chorizo burritos all fit the bill. The tacos and sides fall well under $10, too.

📍South Side

You can buy a bottle of their cilantro and garlic sauce for $9, and we wouldn’t blame you for spending most of your lunch money on sauce alone. For a meal, get an arepa or two empanadas — we love the pabellón.

📍 Dormont, Uptown, Sewickley (coming soon)

Grab shoestring fries doused in chili, cheese, and pickled jalapenos, smashburger queso, or one of their fantastic burgers, like the Moonlit Double or Veggie Single. All the sweets, salads, and sides will keep you well under budget, too.

📍South Side

A classic, buttery grilled cheese and cup of soup will run you exactly $10, or tap into your inner kid and get a PB&J with a cup of fruit. Their meatier (literally) sammies all run a little higher at $12, or come hungry and grab one of their sweet treats or deli sides fresh from the counter.

📍Lawrenceville

Most of their banh mis are exactly $10. We recommend trying the pork belly or drunken beef sandwiches, but there are great veggie options, too.

📍Strip District

This spot also serves banh mis for $9 each. Or grab some goicuon instead — spring rolls stuffed with shrimp and mint wrapped in rice paper. City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris recommends cheating the price limit and getting a bun vermicelli with charbroiled pork while you’re there!

📍Strip District

Out of this list, Salem’s probably gives you the most variety. The small hot bar meal comes with a base of white rice or salad and one entree, like curry and paneer. Or try the small cold bar combo for hummus, baba ganoush, and pita. You can also order a burger, samosa, or shawarma and still stay below $10.

📍Downtown

Thought you couldn’t get raw fish on a budget? Think again! The menu is extensive, and you can even order some of the chef’s specialty rolls for under $10. We love the Futo Maki, or consider a two-roll combo and the veggie lover’s roll.

📍Strip District

Most of us recognize their delicious baked goods like babka and biscotti, but if you look left down a little alleyway, you'll find Enrico’s Café. For under $10, order the beans and greens cooked in olive oil, garlic, and parmesan cheese. Megan recommends adding a dippy egg for a little extra oomf.

📍Beechview

It’s hard to pass up fried plantains or a cup of horchata, but if you’re minding your wallet, the best deals are the enormous soft chicken burrito and the one-quarter chicken meal combo, which comes with two sides like fries, coleslaw, rice, or beans.

📍Shadyside

All of the entrees are just a tiny bit over budget at around $13, but the $10 soups will warm you up on a cold day. My favorite is the Love Boat! Reminder: It’s cash only, but there’s an ATM in the back!