🌽 Local Lincoln Deals
Runza
Two Original Runzas — Starting Around $6 Each (Lincoln-Born Since 1949)
Founded right here in Lincoln in 1949, the Runza sandwich — a yeast-dough pocket stuffed with seasoned beef, cabbage, and onions — is the most identifiably Nebraska food on the planet. Sandwiches start around $6 (Original is the cheapest, with Cheese, Cheeseburger, Southwest, BBQ Bacon, and Spicy Jack stepping up from there). Two Originals plus a side of Frings or fries to share keeps two well under $20 — exact pricing varies by location. The legendary January Temperature Tuesdays drop the price of a Runza to whatever the temperature reads at 6am — single-digit mornings have meant 9-cent sandwiches. Multiple Lincoln locations including 13th & E, 27th & Pine Lake, 48th & O, and the original on N 27th.
The Tastee Trailer
Two Tastee Singles + Onion Chips — $11.79 (Loose-Meat Legacy Since 1948)
After the original Tastee Inn drive-thru on N 48th closed, the family kept the recipe alive on two state-of-the-art mobile trailers serving Lincoln since 1948. A Tastee is a loose-meat sandwich — like a Maid-Rite, but with onion-y flavored hamburger meat on a soft bun, dressed with pickles and mustard. Honest 2-for-20 math: Meal #1 (two Tastee Singles, onion chips & dip) is $11.79 — feeds two for under $12 with their famous house-made onion dip on the side. Or pick up Meal #2 (one Double-Wide with onion chips & dip) also for $11.79. À la carte: Tastee Single $3.99, Double-Wide $7.49. Two singles plus a basket of their batter-fried onion petals and the legendary dip is the Lincoln rite of passage. Locations rotate — check Facebook for the day's stops, with one trailer parked at 926 L St downtown.
Hi-Way Diner
Two Earlybird Breakfasts — $9.78 (Triple D + Food Network Top 50)
Classic 24-hour Lincoln roadside diner on Highway 2, featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and one of Food Network's Top 50. The cheapest 2-for-20 play in town: 2 Eggs with Hash Browns and "Magic Toast" runs $4.89 — two breakfasts come to $9.78 with cash to spare. The third egg is always free, and the magic toast (your choice of pancake, white, wheat, etc.) is a long-running inside joke meant to make you ask. Other deals: 8oz NY Strip with 2 eggs and toast $8.99, Big Dinner $8.29, full chicken-fried steak with 2 eggs $6.89. Order at the counter, seat yourself anywhere. Bring cash for the tip. Located at 2105 Hwy 2.
Tina's Cafe
Two Breakfasts + Share a Cinnamon Roll — Under $20
Family-run hometown cafe just west of Irvingdale, open since 1990 and named for owner Sue Green's mom, Tina. NASCAR memorabilia covers the walls and bleeds onto the menu (Thunder Road tenderloin, Track Champ hot beef). The signature item is a plate-sized homemade cinnamon roll baked early each morning — they sell out fast, so get there at open or call ahead to reserve one. Two breakfasts comfortably under $20: 3-egg omelet $6.99, hashbrowns $2.49, coffee $1.59 — full plate roughly $11. Daily lunch specials like the BBQ pork sandwich with potato salad or coleslaw run $6.99. Hashbrowns are sliced fresh in-house every morning. Open Tue–Fri 6:30am–2pm, Sat 7–11am. Mondays and Sundays closed. 616 South St.
Banhwich Cafe
Two Banh Mi for Two — $10–15 (Saigon Plaza, Near UNL)
Family-owned Vietnamese sandwich shop tucked into Saigon Plaza next to Pho Factory, three blocks west of Peter Pan Park and just minutes from UNL's City and East campuses. The 2-for-20 math is killer: 17+ banh mi varieties from $4.75–$7.75 each — two sandwiches for $10–$15 leaves room for bubble tea and a pandan or ube waffle. Standout sandwiches: Korean BBQ, Lemongrass Grilled Pork, the Ultimate (pork belly with pâté and fried eggs) at $7.75, Vietnamese Pork Meatball, and Buttered Masala Curry. Choose from baguette, croissant, or lettuce wraps — stick with baguette. UNL students have eaten here on $10 a meal for over a decade. 940 N 26th St #201.
Pho Factory
Two Bowls of Pho — $19.90–$22 (Saigon Plaza UNL Spot)
Authentic Vietnamese restaurant and bar in Saigon Plaza, sharing the building with Banhwich Cafe and just minutes from UNL. Family-recipe pho, vermicelli noodle bowls, hot pot, and Vietnamese crepes. Two bowls of Chicken Pho ($10.95) come to $21.90 — just over budget. The under-$20 play: two Vermicelli Noodle Bowls ($9.95) or two Jasmine Rice Platters ($9.95) for $19.90. Add hand-rolled egg rolls ($3.95) or fresh spring rolls ($4.95) to share. Specialty seafood pho $12.95, oxtail pho $13.95. Crab rangoon (8 pieces) $6.95. 940 N 26th St #206, daily 11am–9pm.
Sultan's Kite
Split a Family Dinner — $15 for Two (Halal Mediterranean Downtown)
Founded in 2010 by an owner inspired by Mediterranean street food abroad, this halal Mediterranean spot sits three blocks from UNL's main campus. Honest 2-for-20 math: chicken shawarma or beef & lamb gyro pita sandwiches run $10.99 each, so two pitas come to ~$22 — just over budget. The cleanest under-$20 play is the Kite Family Dinner with one protein, which splits between two for around $15. Late-night option in downtown Lincoln with drive-thru, dine-in, and online ordering. Tikka korma and falafel are vegetarian options. 1309 O St, Mon–Sat 11am–8pm, Sun 11am–6pm.
El Chaparro
Cinco Tacos Plate — $12.20 (Authentic Mexican Since 2000)
Family-run unassuming Mexican restaurant just south of downtown, frying since 2000 and a regular pick on Lincoln's "best authentic Mexican" lists. The Cinco Tacos plate (5 meat-filled tacos — choice of asada, al pastor, carnitas, lengua, barbacoa, chorizo, or tripas) runs $12.20, so two people grab 10 tacos for about $24 with chips and complimentary salsa included. Also strong: chorizo plate $8.99, lengua burrito, chicken tamales, and weekend menudo. Open until 11pm Sun–Thu and 3:30am Friday and Saturday — making this one of Lincoln's best late-night spots after a Haymarket bar crawl. 4.5 stars on Yelp from 130+ reviews. 900 S 13th St.
Super Taco
Six Street Tacos + Beer for Two — Under $20 (Authentic Mexican)
Family-owned and operated authentic Mexican spot known for tacos al pastor with pineapple — small round corn tortillas, cilantro, onion, just like in Mexico. Super Taco also runs an in-house ice cream and Mexican snack neveria for sweet finishes. The math: soft tacos $3 each, hard shell $2.25 — six tacos plus chips runs roughly $18. Combo plates $8.95–$10.99 for those who want enchiladas, tamales, or burritos. They sell beer too. Open Tue–Sat 11am–9pm, Sun 11am–8pm. Closed Mondays. 5501 Holdrege St.
D'Leon's
Two Burritos Combo — $14.51 (Lincoln's 24-Hour Mexican)
Family-owned Mexican mini-chain with seven Lincoln locations, including the original West O location which was Lincoln's first 24-hour Mexican drive-thru when it opened in 2003. The literal 2-for-20 play: Combo #3 "Two Burritos" for $14.51, served with rice, beans, and a 16oz drink. Or grab #2 Two Tacos for $13.49. Other strong picks: Carne Asada Burrito $12.49, Hash Brown Burrito $11.99, Lincoln Burrito $12.84, Nebraska Burrito $12.49, all-day breakfast burritos. Late-night drive-thru lifesavers. Don't let the name confuse you — Highlands D'Leon's at 5501 NW 1st St runs as its own separate location. Original at 2140 W O St.
Don & Millie's
Two Hamburgers — $17.98 ($0.99 Margaritas)
Employee-owned Nebraska quick-service chain founded in Omaha in 1989 and a Lincoln staple known for the Double Don, the Cheese Frenchee (a King's Food Host original recipe — battered, deep-fried cheese sandwich), the footlong chili dog, and famous $0.99 margaritas (lime or strawberry) with chips, salsa, and cheese dip. Honest 2-for-20 math: hamburgers run $8.99, so two basics come to $17.98 — leaving room for a couple of margaritas. Cheese Frenchee $8.04, Single Don Combo $13.67, Beef or Chicken Taco Salad $6.59 each. Two Lincoln locations: 8150 O St (East) and 5200 S 56th St (South). Drive-thru with order-on-driver-side, pick-up-on-passenger-side at the original.
Honest Abe's Burgers & Freedom
Two Single Burgers — $16.50 (Tripadvisor #3 Lincoln)
Local burger spot ranked #3 of all 467 Lincoln restaurants on Tripadvisor — better-rated than Misty's and most steakhouses. The 2-for-20 play takes some discipline: a single 6oz handcrafted burger runs $8.25, so two basic singles come to $16.50 with sauces extra. Specialty rotating burgers (California Dreamin', Bounty Hunter, Tijuana Tango, Dances With Burgers) are $12.95 each — only one fits, paired with a budget single. The Greatest Burger Ever and 1809 are signature picks. Vegan handcrafted patty available. Four Lincoln locations: Meadowlane (840 N 70th St), Downtown, North 27th, and Glynoaks. Online ordering via Toast.
Bison Witches Bar & Deli
Two Half Sandwiches with Chips — ~$16 (Soup in a Bread Bowl)
Lincoln's downtown soup-and-sandwich favorite since 2000, voted best soup and sandwiches in Lincoln basically every year. Half sandwiches $7.79–$8.79 — two halves with sides for ~$16. The combo (half sandwich + soup served in a bread bowl + chips) runs $13.29–$14.29 each, putting two combos around $26–$28 (over budget). Standout sandwiches: Wildcat (roast beef, turkey, smoked gouda), Jayhawk (oven-baked chicken, provolone, honey mustard), Angel, TAC. Daily M-F 3–6pm happy hour: $1 off taps, $5 mules and house margaritas, $5 chips & salsa, $7 sampler with chips, queso & guacamole. Tuesday Tall Boys $3, Sunday Bloody Marys $5. 1320 P St #100.
LeadBelly
Two Burgers — ~$20 (Sports Illustrated Top College Town Meal)
Haymarket American gastropub opened in 2013 by co-owners Michael Martin and Tony & Wendy Young, now owned by Telesis (Lazlo's group). 16 different burger styles (chicken or portobello swap available), most in the $7.99–$10.99 range — two basics land around $16–$22. The cult item is the "Full Leaded Jacket" at $12.99 — a burger with cinnamon roll buns, chili, queso, chips, sour cream, and jalapeños — Sports Illustrated's Andy Staples ranked it #2 best college town meal in America. Other strong picks: Lil' Mike, California Dreamin' (candied bacon, guacamole, jalapeño), Giddy-up and Go (BBQ pork). Apps ~$7, including Stadium Nachos $8.99 and Carnitas $3.99. Husker game day go-to. 301 N 8th St in the Haymarket.
Yia Yia's Pizza & Beer
Two Slices + Loaded Cheese Bread — Under $20 (160+ Craft Beers)
Lincoln pizza-and-beer hangout with one of the city's largest craft bottle selections (over 160 from around the world) plus loaded baked potatoes, loaded cheese breads, and salads. Customizable pizzas come as slice, 12" medium, 16" large, or 20" extra-large with around three million topping combos. Two slices plus a cheese bread to share keeps two diners under $20 with plenty of beer money left. Specialty pizzas include Veggie Mediterranean (spinach, capers, grilled chicken, lemon juice) and the Cranberry-Pineapple-Cream Cheese International. Two locations: 1423 O St (downtown, with pool table and outdoor seating) and 2840 S 70th St (East). Open until midnight Fri–Sat — perfect post-show food.
Lazlo's Brewery & Grill
Happy Hour Apps + Beers — ~$20 (Nebraska's First Brewpub Since 1991)
Nebraska's first-ever brewpub, opened by Telesis Inc. in Lincoln's Historic Haymarket in March 1991. Won three 2023 Lincoln's Choice categories: Best Locally Owned Restaurant, Best Beer Selection, and Best Bar Food. The 2-for-20 play is happy hour: Mon–Fri 3–6pm in the bar and patio at both Haymarket and South locations. Pints of Empyrean Brewing Co. drop $2, most appetizers come down $2, and cocktails, wine, and margaritas are $1 off — two diners can split apps and grab a round for $18–22. Hickory-grilled signature burgers, the Rainbow Chicken, and wood-fired steaks carry the regular menu. First-Monday Pint Night gets you a free Empyrean glass with any craft beer order. Locations: 210 N 7th St (Haymarket) and 5900 Old Cheney Rd (South).
Lee's Chicken
Quarter Chicken + Sides for Two — ~$20 (Lincoln Tradition Since 1945)
Lincoln chicken institution operating in the same spot since 1945 — one of the oldest running restaurants in the city, featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Hand-battered Southern fried chicken, livers, gizzards, "patty cakes" (Tastee-style loose-meat sandwich now served at Lee's), and famous for Sunday brunch buffet. Reviewers consistently report family meals around $43–$45 for four with leftovers, putting two diners solidly in the 2-for-20 range with a quarter chicken plate plus mashed potatoes, gravy, and a roll. Sides to know: thick-cut onion rings, baked potatoes with Lee's house sour cream, and a tossed salad. Old-school touch — your bar tab comes with a piece of bubblegum on the way out. Closed Mon–Tue. Wed–Thu 4–8:30pm, Fri–Sat 11am–9pm, Sun 11am–8pm. 1940 W Van Dorn St.
Mr. Hui's
Two Lunch Specials — Under $20 (Authentic Taiwanese, Cash Discount)
Family-owned authentic Taiwanese and Southeast Chinese cuisine with two Lincoln locations. Lunch specials served 11am–3pm with smaller portions and lower prices, including fried rice, an egg roll, and two crab rangoons on the side — two specials run roughly $16–20. Standouts off the regular menu: Hui's Crazy Spicy Chicken, salted crispy shrimp, hand-pulled Taiwanese rice noodles, soup dumplings, and homemade hot mustard. Cash gets you a discount — common move for places skipping card processing fees. The Cornhusker Hwy spot is three minutes from UNL East Campus. Locations: 3255 Cornhusker Hwy and 4131 Pioneer Woods Dr (Mr. Hui's 2 at 70th & Pioneers).
Stauffer's Cafe & Pie Shoppe
Two Breakfasts + Pie to Share — Under $20
Family-run Lincoln cafe established in fall 1996 by Thad and his mom Claridy Stauffer, recently sold to local GroundUP Restaurants (cousins Erik Hustad and Gabriel Lovelace) — Stauffer family recipes stay intact. All-day breakfast, lunch, dinner, and what locals call the city's best pies — strawberry rhubarb, banana cream, peanut butter, coconut cream, and sugar-free options. Two breakfasts comfortably under $20 with a slice of pie to share. Specialty: deep-fried chicken livers, biscuits and gravy from scratch. Open Mon–Sat 6am–8pm, Sun 8am–2pm. 5600 S 48th St #105.
CheeseSteak Grille
Two Cheesesteak Combos — $17.50 (Hidden Gas Station Gem)
Family-run Philly cheesesteak shop tucked inside a south Lincoln gas station — don't let that scare you off, it's eye-openingly good according to repeat reviewers. Sandwich-only $4.45, combo with fries or chips and 20oz drink $8.75 — two combos for $17.50. Steak or chicken cheesesteak comes with sautéed green peppers and onions plus two slices of Swiss on a grilled hoagie; add mushrooms, jalapeños, mayo, or cream cheese to customize. Rice bowls also $8.75 (steak or chicken with chow mein noodles over Japanese steamed rice). Crinkle-cut fries and seasoned fries. 5640 S 16th St — head into the gas station and find the counter.
Valentino's
Share a Medium Pizza for Two — Under $20 (Lincoln-Founded 1957)
Lincoln-founded Italian institution, started by Val Gates and his wife in 1957 with a small grocery store on Holdrege Street that became the original pizzeria across from UNL's East Campus. Now 34+ Nebraska locations and 1 in South Dakota. Heads-up: lunch and dinner buffets run $13–14 each, putting two over budget — the cleanest 2-for-20 play is a shared medium pizza or carryout Express Lunch combo. The original 35th & Holdrege location is the dine-in spot; multiple carryout/delivery locations across Lincoln including Havelock (6401 Havelock Ave), 56th & 48th (5240 S 48th St), and Highlands (4451 N 26th St). Sunday brunch buffet at 35th & Holdrege adds breakfast pizza and Belgian waffles.
Pro tip: All deals are community-verified but prices and availability change. Always check the restaurant's website or app before making a special trip — and if something's expired, flag it on our main directory so we can update it.
🇺🇸 Also Valid Nationwide
These chain deals work anywhere in the country, including Lincoln.
Applebee's
2 Entrees + Appetizer — $25
Two full-size entrées plus a shareable appetizer (or two side salads) for $25. Picks include Chicken Parmesan Fettuccine, Grilled Cheese Cheeseburger, Fiesta Lime Chicken, Classic Bacon Cheeseburger, and Three Cheese Chicken Penne. Available dine-in, takeout & delivery.
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