Taco Bus
Tacos & Burritos for Two — about $18
A Tampa cheap-eats legend that started as a converted school bus in the mid-'90s and landed on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. These days it runs as a handful of storefronts (the original bus is retired), still slinging authentic Mexican street food. Tacos are about $4.49 and burritos $9.49, so two people eat for around $18 — two burritos, or four tacos. The MLK Blvd location stays open 24 hours.
El Cap
Classic Burgers for Two
A St. Pete institution since 1964 on the 4th Street North corridor — sold to local owners in 2023 who kept it just as it was. Singles run about $5.25 and doubles $7.50, with toppings $0.50, so two people eat a proper old-school burger meal for well under $20. Dim, wood-paneled, and gloriously unchanged.
Skyway Jack's
Southern Breakfast for Two
A classic Old-Florida breakfast-and-lunch diner in south St. Pete — look for the rooster and motorcycle out front. Hearty egg plates, omelettes, patty melts, and reubens at diner prices keep a full breakfast for two right around $20. Cash-friendly, no pretense, a longtime local ritual.
Casita Taqueria
Tacos & Bowls for Two
A multiple-time Creative Loafing Best of the Bay winner with corn tortillas pressed in-house and meats slow-braised daily. Tacos run about $3.25–4.50 (happy-hour $2.50), so two people build a stellar five- or six-taco feast for around $18–20. Three St. Pete locations (Central Ave, 4th St N, 66th St N).
Wat Mongkolratanaram (Thai Temple)
Thai Temple Brunch for Two
Tampa's most unique cheap eat — a Buddhist temple on Palm River Rd where volunteers serve pho, pad thai, curry, and spring rolls from 9am–1pm every Sunday. Lines form early and the food runs out. Two people eat exceptional Thai temple food for well under $15. Arrive before 10am.
Carmine's
Two Cuban Sandwiches — about $14
An Ybor City institution since 1947, right on the historic 7th Avenue strip. The Tampa Cuban — roast pork, ham, Genoa salami (the Tampa twist), Swiss, pickle, and mustard pressed on Cuban bread — is just $6.99, so two run about $14 with room for a cafe con leche. Old-school Spanish-Cuban-Italian cooking in the heart of Ybor.
West Tampa Sandwich Shop
Two Cuban Sandwiches — about $15
A 30-plus-year West Tampa fixture and home of the original honey Cuban — the "Obama sandwich." The classic Cuban is $7.30 (a small is $6), so two run about $15. No frills, big flavor, and a neighborhood loyalty you can feel the moment you walk in.
Wright's Gourmet House
Two Cuban Sandwiches — about $17
A South Tampa deli-bakery beloved since 1963, famous for pressed sandwiches and made-from-scratch cakes. The Cuban is $8.25, so two run about $17 — and the sandwiches are big enough that two could nearly feed three. Grab a slice of cake for $3 and still clear $20.
La Segunda Bakery
Cuban Bread & Sandwiches for Two — about $16
The most famous Cuban-bread bakery in Tampa, baking since 1915 — it supplies much of the city's Cuban bread. Sit down and the six-inch Cubans and other a-la-carte sandwiches keep two around $16, or just grab fresh-baked loaves and cafe con leche for a few dollars. A true Ybor heritage stop.
Arco Iris
Cuban & Spanish Plates for Two — about $11 each
A longtime West Tampa Cuban-Spanish diner on Habana Ave, known for generous plates at gentle prices — ropa vieja, roast pork, and plantains run around $11, and the sandwiches are cheaper still. Two people eat a full Cuban lunch comfortably under $20. No-frills and deeply local.
Brocato's Sandwich Shop
Lunch Special + Deviled Crab — about $18
A Tampa tradition since 1948, double-famous for its Cuban and its award-winning deviled crab. The full $13.99 Cuban is huge, but the budget move for two is the $11.99 lunch special (entree with yellow rice, black beans, and bread) plus a deviled crab to split. Old East Tampa, worth the drive.
Michelle Faedo's Tampeño Cuisine
Two Deviled Crabs — about $16
The Faedo family has made Cuban bread and Tampa-style deviled crabs for generations. Michelle's downtown spot turns out some of the city's best "crabs" — crisp bread-crumb shells around spiced blue-crab filling — at about $8 each, so two run $16. Add a Cuban if you're hungry; the crabs alone are the reason to come.
Eddie & Sam's NY Pizza
Pizza by the Slice for Two — about $16
Downtown Tampa's go-to for authentic New York slices since 1998 — thin, foldable, made with imported ingredients and filtered-water dough. Cheese slices run about $3–4, so two people each grabbing a couple of slices with a drink eat for around $16. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Hellas
Two Gyros — about $15
A cornerstone of the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks since 1970, with a famous Greek bakery attached. Gyros are $7.75 and pork souvlaki $7.50, so two land around $15 — save room for baklava from the case. Authentic Greek on the historic waterfront, family-run for over 50 years.
Poppo's Taqueria
Tacos for Two — about $15–18
A St. Pete fast-casual taqueria on Central Ave with hand-pressed corn tortillas and a Bay Area street-taco sensibility. Classic tacos are $3.50 (carnitas $4.50), so two people each getting two tacos eat for $15–18. Fresh, fast, and a Grand Central District staple.
Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish
Two Smoked-Fish Lunches — about $18
An Old-Florida smokehouse open on this spot since 1951, smoking mullet, mackerel, and salmon over red oak. The smoked-fish luncheon platter (served until 5pm) runs about $7.95–9, so two land around $18. Open-air picnic tables, German potato salad, and a famous smoked-fish spread. Cash only.
Top Slice Pizzeria
Pizza by the Slice for Two — about $14
A downtown St. Pete slice shop trading on decades of New York pizza know-how, open late (to 3am on weekends). Slices start at $3 ($4 for a white slice), so two people each grabbing a couple plus a drink eat for around $14. A reliable late-night EDGE District stop.
Engine No. 9
Two Burgers — about $18–20
A beloved St. Pete burger institution built around an 8oz prime-Angus patty, with 1,500-plus glowing reviews. Burgers start around $7–9 and come with a side, so two of the lower-end burgers land two people around $18–20. Order off the classic end of the menu to stay in budget.
💡 Pro tip: The Thai Temple (Wat Mongkolratanaram) is Tampa's most talked-about cheap eat but it's Sundays only, 9am–1pm, cash only, and the food genuinely runs out — get there before 10am. Ted Peters is cash only too. The Tampa Cuban is a religion here: Carmine's, West Tampa Sandwich Shop, Wright's, and La Segunda are the cheapest ways in. Flag anything outdated on our main directory.
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Buffalo Wild Wings
Pick 6 — Meal for Two from $19.99
2 entrees + 2 sides + 2 fountain drinks starting at $19.99. Entrees: 10 Boneless Wings, All-American Cheeseburger, 3 Crispy Chicken Dippers, or 3 Spicy Chicken Dippers. Sides: fries, tots, or wedges. Dine-in or order online via the BWW app. Higher pricing in AK, CA, HI, NY, OR, WA.
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