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Readers Vote: 20 of Minneapolis's Best Cheap Eats

by Claire Stanford
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by Claire Stanford

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Tax day approacheth. But even if you're feeling the pinch, at least you can still eat well. Last week, we asked for readers' favorite cheap eats in the Twin Cities. The suggestions included lots (and lots) of tacos, but also spanned a wide variety of cuisines and even hit some spots that might not immediately spring to mind when we say the word "cheap."

Here now are 20 of Minneapolis's Best Cheap Eats, presented in roughly geographic order. Are we missing your favorite inexpensive nosh? Let us know in the comments.


· What Are Minneapolis's Best Cheap Eats? [Eater MPLS]
· All Previous Open Threads [Eater MPLS]

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Las Teresitas

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5744 34th Ave S
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55417
(612) 727-1783
(612) 727-1783
Visit Website
The fish tacos at Las Teresitas are only $4.85 for two (and regular tacos are an incredible $1.65 each).

2. Lucia's Wine Bar

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1432 W 31st St
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 825-1572
(612) 825-1572
Visit Website
"The $11 snack board at Lucia's Wine Bar is top notch charcuterie that can feed two."

3. Muddy Waters Bar & Eatery

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2933 Lyndale Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 872-2232
(612) 872-2232
Visit Website
More (relatively) cheap fish tacos can be found at Uptown's Muddy Waters. At $8 for two, they're pricier than some of the others, but they also come fried as lager tempura and served with slaw, red onions, and crema.

4. Nightingale

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2551 Lyndale Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55405
(612) 354-7060
(612) 354-7060
Visit Website
"Check out Nightingale. Beautiful space, especially the bar, and they have KILLER bruschettas at 6-7 bucks a pop. And a bunch of "snacks" as well. Cocktails are really reasonable as well considering the quality."

5. Quang Restaurant

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2719 Nicollet Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 870-4739
(612) 870-4739
Visit Website
The very first commenter on our cheap eats thread says, "Other than mock duck and tofu noodle salad at QR? What's the point?" Indeed, Commenter #1. Indeed. ($7.95)

6. Christos

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2632 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 871-2111
(612) 871-2111
Visit Website
A tipster emails that Christos' lunch special comes with a cloth napkin (fancy!) and often includes a soup or small salad along with an entree or wrap, all for under $10.

7. Lu's Sandwiches

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2624 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 870-0350
(612) 870-0350
Visit Website
This unassuming storefront on Eat Street sells banh mi and banh mi only. On their own, the sandwiches range from $3.45 - #3.95. Add fries and a soda for $4.95.

8. Safari Express

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920 E Lake St # 134
Minneapolis, MN 55407-4162
(612) 874-0756
(612) 874-0756
Visit Website
"The samosa at Safari runs $4 a pop and is great for a snack."

9. The Left Handed Cook

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920 E. Lake St.
Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 208-0428
(612) 208-0428
"I always head to Left Handed Cook for the poutine. $7.01 after tax."

10. Sonora Grill

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920 E Lake St.
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 871-1900
(612) 871-1900
"Beef tongue caramelos at Sonora Grill, two run me $9 after tip. "

11. Taqueria Los Ocampo

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920 East Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 872-8562
(612) 872-8562
Visit Website
"If you can't find something on that menu that pleases you and your light wallet you're doing it wrong!"

12. United Noodles and UniDeli

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2015 E 24th St
Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612) 721-6677
(612) 721-6677
Visit Website
Tucked into Seward's United Noodles, UniDeli serves up a variety of ramen, most for under $10. At lunch, choose up to three items from the buffet table for less than $8.

13. Himalayan Restaurant

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2401 E Franklin Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 332-0880
(612) 332-0880
Visit Website
"Lunch buffet, $8.95, includes several items for vegans and vegetarians, all you can eat."

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14. The Wienery

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414 Cedar Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55454
(612) 333-5798
(612) 333-5798
Visit Website
"The Wienery on the West Bank is awesome! You can get a great burger or hot dog, fries and a drink and be out of there for under $10!"

15. Green Spoon

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2600 University Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612) 208-0529
(612) 208-0529
Visit Website
This Korean-fusion spot near the U of M dishes up college-budget-friendly prices for non-dining-hall palates. Try the Korean fusion tacos ($2.50 each), the french fries with kimchi and cheese ($4.99), or the Green Spoon Salad with bulgogi ($6.99).

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16. Masu Sushi & Robata NE

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330 E Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612) 332-6278
(612) 332-6278
Visit Website
"Amazing tonkatsu curried ramen on the lunch menu at Masu." ($12.50)

17. Maya

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1840 Central Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 789-0775
(612) 789-0775
At Maya Cuisine in Northeast, you can get a platter of three tacos/tamales with rice and beans for under $8.

18. El Taco Riendo

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2416 Central Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 781-3000
(612) 781-3000
Visit Website
Almost nothing on the menu at this Northeast Mexican spot is over $10 (only the shrimp fajitas, which are $11). A commenter suggests the standby tacos, the cheapest menu option at $2.20 each.

19. Dong Yang Oriental Foods

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735 45th ave NE
Minneapolis, MN 55421
(763) 571-2009
(763) 571-2009
In the back of an Asian food store which is, itself, in the back of a strip mall, Dong Yang is a cheap eats spot for those truly in the know. It serves huge portions of great Korean food, along with the traditional banchan (side dishes), with many options for under $10.

20. Taqueria Los Paisanos

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825 7th St E
St Paul, MN 55106
(651) 778-8062
(651) 778-8062
"Los Paisanos taco house in Dayton's Bluff. The tacos are great. But I go for the tortas. A large french roll with beans, mayo, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and choice of meat for $6.50. A meal in itself. My favorite is called buche, which is marinated pig stomach. They have plenty of other choices for the less adventurous."

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1. Las Teresitas

5744 34th Ave S, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55417
The fish tacos at Las Teresitas are only $4.85 for two (and regular tacos are an incredible $1.65 each).
5744 34th Ave S
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55417
(612) 727-1783
Visit Website

2. Lucia's Wine Bar

1432 W 31st St, Minneapolis, MN 55408
"The $11 snack board at Lucia's Wine Bar is top notch charcuterie that can feed two."
1432 W 31st St
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 825-1572
Visit Website

3. Muddy Waters Bar & Eatery

2933 Lyndale Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408
More (relatively) cheap fish tacos can be found at Uptown's Muddy Waters. At $8 for two, they're pricier than some of the others, but they also come fried as lager tempura and served with slaw, red onions, and crema.
2933 Lyndale Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 872-2232
Visit Website

4. Nightingale

2551 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55405
"Check out Nightingale. Beautiful space, especially the bar, and they have KILLER bruschettas at 6-7 bucks a pop. And a bunch of "snacks" as well. Cocktails are really reasonable as well considering the quality."
2551 Lyndale Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55405
(612) 354-7060
Visit Website

5. Quang Restaurant

2719 Nicollet Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408
The very first commenter on our cheap eats thread says, "Other than mock duck and tofu noodle salad at QR? What's the point?" Indeed, Commenter #1. Indeed. ($7.95)
2719 Nicollet Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 870-4739
Visit Website

6. Christos

2632 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408
A tipster emails that Christos' lunch special comes with a cloth napkin (fancy!) and often includes a soup or small salad along with an entree or wrap, all for under $10.
2632 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 871-2111
Visit Website

7. Lu's Sandwiches

2624 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408
This unassuming storefront on Eat Street sells banh mi and banh mi only. On their own, the sandwiches range from $3.45 - #3.95. Add fries and a soda for $4.95.
2624 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 870-0350
Visit Website

8. Safari Express

920 E Lake St # 134, Minneapolis, MN 55407-4162
"The samosa at Safari runs $4 a pop and is great for a snack."
920 E Lake St # 134
Minneapolis, MN 55407-4162
(612) 874-0756
Visit Website

9. The Left Handed Cook

920 E. Lake St., Minneapolis, MN 55406
"I always head to Left Handed Cook for the poutine. $7.01 after tax."
920 E. Lake St.
Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 208-0428

10. Sonora Grill

920 E Lake St., Minneapolis, MN 55407
"Beef tongue caramelos at Sonora Grill, two run me $9 after tip. "
920 E Lake St.
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 871-1900

11. Taqueria Los Ocampo

920 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55407
"If you can't find something on that menu that pleases you and your light wallet you're doing it wrong!"
920 East Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 872-8562
Visit Website

12. United Noodles and UniDeli

2015 E 24th St, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Tucked into Seward's United Noodles, UniDeli serves up a variety of ramen, most for under $10. At lunch, choose up to three items from the buffet table for less than $8.
2015 E 24th St
Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612) 721-6677
Visit Website

13. Himalayan Restaurant

2401 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406
"Lunch buffet, $8.95, includes several items for vegans and vegetarians, all you can eat."
2401 E Franklin Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 332-0880
Visit Website

14. The Wienery

414 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55454
"The Wienery on the West Bank is awesome! You can get a great burger or hot dog, fries and a drink and be out of there for under $10!"
414 Cedar Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55454
(612) 333-5798
Visit Website

15. Green Spoon

2600 University Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
This Korean-fusion spot near the U of M dishes up college-budget-friendly prices for non-dining-hall palates. Try the Korean fusion tacos ($2.50 each), the french fries with kimchi and cheese ($4.99), or the Green Spoon Salad with bulgogi ($6.99).
2600 University Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612) 208-0529
Visit Website

Related Maps

16. Masu Sushi & Robata NE

330 E Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55414
"Amazing tonkatsu curried ramen on the lunch menu at Masu." ($12.50)
330 E Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612) 332-6278
Visit Website

17. Maya

1840 Central Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55418
At Maya Cuisine in Northeast, you can get a platter of three tacos/tamales with rice and beans for under $8.
1840 Central Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 789-0775

18. El Taco Riendo

2416 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Almost nothing on the menu at this Northeast Mexican spot is over $10 (only the shrimp fajitas, which are $11). A commenter suggests the standby tacos, the cheapest menu option at $2.20 each.
2416 Central Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 781-3000
Visit Website

19. Dong Yang Oriental Foods

735 45th ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55421
In the back of an Asian food store which is, itself, in the back of a strip mall, Dong Yang is a cheap eats spot for those truly in the know. It serves huge portions of great Korean food, along with the traditional banchan (side dishes), with many options for under $10.
735 45th ave NE
Minneapolis, MN 55421
(763) 571-2009

20. Taqueria Los Paisanos

825 7th St E, St Paul, MN 55106
"Los Paisanos taco house in Dayton's Bluff. The tacos are great. But I go for the tortas. A large french roll with beans, mayo, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and choice of meat for $6.50. A meal in itself. My favorite is called buche, which is marinated pig stomach. They have plenty of other choices for the less adventurous."
825 7th St E
St Paul, MN 55106
(651) 778-8062

Related Maps