Arris' Pizza Palace
Pizza for Two
A Jefferson City landmark since 1961, when Greek immigrant Arris Pardalos introduced his thin-crust pizza across from the Capitol. Pizza, gyros, Greek salads, and sandwiches; share a pizza and a Greek salad and two land around $20, or hit the weekday lunch buffet.
Central Dairy
Ice Cream for Two
A beloved cheap ice cream parlor on Madison Street with dozens of flavors scooped generously and inexpensively — locals will tell you it's the best ice cream in Missouri. Two people indulge in cones or sundaes for well under $20.
Prison Brews
Brewpub for Two
A jail-themed brewpub in a historic dairy building near the old Missouri State Penitentiary, with house beers, pizza, sandwiches, and loaded tots, plus bocce in back. Share a pizza or two sandwiches for around $20.
Sweet Smoke BBQ
Barbecue for Two
A top-rated local barbecue spot (downtown and west side) doing pulled pork, brisket, and burnt ends. A shared Pick 2 plate or two sandwiches puts two around $20.
Oscar's Classic Diner
Diner Breakfast for Two
A classic American diner dressed in 1960s nostalgia, serving eggs, hash browns, burgers, and meatloaf with warm, no-frills service. Two eat a full breakfast or plate lunch for around $20.
Madison's Cafe
Lunch Specials for Two — ~$20
A longtime Jefferson City Italian-American cafe known for its house salad with creamy Italian dressing, pastas, and sandwiches. Lunch portions or a shared plate keep two around $20.
Towne Grill
Cheap Eats for Two
A no-frills, budget-friendly downtown grill doing American plates and sandwiches at state-worker prices. Two eat for well under $20.
El Poblano Grill & Cantina
Tacos for Two
A modern Mexican cantina with a big menu of tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, and combo plates served with rice and beans. Two share combo plates for around $20 (fajitas and margaritas run higher).
Eating cheap in Jefferson City: the best of it clusters downtown along High Street, walkable from the Capitol — Arris', Sweet Smoke, and Towne Grill are all close together, with Central Dairy a few blocks north on Madison. Most spots here are sit-down with a value lean: weekday lunch buffets, plate lunches, and shareable pizzas stretch a twenty furthest. Save room for Central Dairy on the way out.
Dairy Queen
$7 Meal Deal
Cheap combos and soft-serve: the $7 Meal Deal pairs a burger or chicken strips with fries, a drink, and a sundae. Two full meal deals come to around $14, well under the cap. Locations around Jefferson City.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Pick 6 — Meal for Two from $19.99
2 entrees + 2 sides + 2 fountain drinks starting at $19.99. Entrees include 10 boneless wings, the All-American cheeseburger, or crispy chicken dippers; sides are fries, tots, or wedges. Dine-in or order via the BWW app. Pricing runs higher in a handful of states.
Sonic Drive-In
2 Combo Meals — about $16 for two
Combo meals — a burger or chicken sandwich with tots and a drink — run about $8 to $10 each, so two eat for roughly $16 to $18. The $1.99 value menu and half-price drinks from 2 to 4 PM stretch it further.
Domino's
Meals for Two — $19.99
The Mix & Match deal lets you pick two or more items — medium two-topping pizzas, pasta, sandwiches, or wings — from $6.99 each. Two items feed two for around $14. Carryout or delivery across Jefferson City.
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