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5 Cheap Eats Under $8 in Tucson, Volume 6

5 Cheap Eats Under $8 in Tucson, Volume 6

Nov 5, 20192 min read

Even though holiday shopping is around the corner, you still deserve to eat well.

Here are 5 cheap eats for $8 or less. Prices are subject to change.

4th Avenue Delicatessen

425 N. Fourth Ave.
Cali.L.T. at 4th Avenue Delicatessen (Credit: Melissa Stihl)
Cali.L.T. at 4th Avenue Delicatessen (Credit: Melissa Stihl)

One of the more affordable restaurants on Fourth Avenue, 4th Ave Deli features hot dogs from $3 – $4.25, BLTs from $5 – $6.50, and sandwiches starting at $7.50.

The Cali.L.T. is a favorite for our resident BLT aficionado, Melissa Stihl.

For more information, visit 4thavedeli.com.

Los Olivos Pizzeria en Menlo Park

937 W. Congress St.
Salad at Los Olivos Pizzeria (Credit: Taylor Noel Photography)
Salad at Los Olivos Pizzeria (Credit: Taylor Noel Photography)

You won’t leave Los Olivos with a whole pizza for under $8, but you can get a Calzone ($6.99), Stromboli ($7.49), Meatball Sandwich ($6.95), Panino Al Italiano ($6.95), or Southwest Chicken Salad ($7.95).

Honorable mention for the $12.95 Seafood Cioppino.

Read our January 2018 article Los Olivos Pizzeria is a charming hidden gem on Tucson’s west side.

Keep up with Los Olivos Pizzeria en Menlo Park on Facebook.

Luke’s Italian Beef

1615 S. Alvernon Way • 6741 N. Thornydale Rd., #157
Chicago Dog at Luke's Italian Beef (Credit: Adilene Ibarra)
Chicago Dog at Luke’s Italian Beef (Credit: Adilene Ibarra)

For a classic Italian Beef Sandwich, Chicago Dog and Fries, or countless other Chicago sandwiches, check out Luke’s. Most items will be under $8, but the price might go over if you add cheese and giardiniera.

Keep up with Luke’s Italian Beef on Facebook.

St. Mary’s Mexican Food

1030 W. St. Marys Rd.
Burrito at St. Mary's Mexican Food (Credit: Brielle Farmer)
Burrito at St. Mary’s Mexican Food (Credit: Brielle Farmer)

A Tucson institution, St. Mary’s Mexican Food has kept their exceptional scratch-made food at inexplicably affordable prices for decades. Their carne seca plate is the only thing for one person that costs more than $8… and it’s $9.

Read our March 2019 article article St. Mary’s Mexican Food: Fresh Tortillas, Tamales To Go & Legendary Red Chile Burros.

For more information, visit stmarysmexicanfood.com.

Broadway Pizza Cafe

4558 E. Broadway Blvd.
(Credit: Broadway Pizza Cafe)
(Credit: Broadway Pizza Cafe)

From 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., order a humongous slice of cheese pizza for $4.50. Add $2 for a topping and a soft drink.

For more information, visit broadwaypizzacafe.com.

To see additional affordable eating options, read:

Article written by:

Jackie Tran

Jackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer and photographer. Best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.

Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting other people's pets.

If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.

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@Sisterstucson occupies a historic space on Country Club Road, once home to the Benedictine Monastery and its iconic “Pink Rose of the Desert” chapel. 

Built in 1939 by architect Roy Place, the property spent nearly 80 years as a monastery before being transformed into a neighborhood gathering place. Today, the former chapel is home to @Larosatucson, while Sisters Restaurant & Bar sits next door where the citrus orchard once stood.

Chef Christian “Chris” Bidegain’s (@Chrisbidegain) menu brings together carefully crafted pizzas, fresh focaccia, meatballs, mezze, cocktails, and boozy soft-serve. The pizza dough is cold-fermented for 24 hours before being balled and fermented a second time, resulting in a thin, crispy, chewy crust.

The Sonoran Rajas Pie features roasted poblano cream, corn, rajas, chile crema, and queso fresco, while the rotating Slice of the Week offers something new to try.

With colorful interiors, live music next door, and a focus on bringing different generations of Tucson together, Sisters is continuing the property’s long history as a place for community.

📍 800 N. Country Club Rd.

Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com
Photos by @sea_lyon@Sisterstucson occupies a historic space on Country Club Road, once home to the Benedictine Monastery and its iconic “Pink Rose of the Desert” chapel. Built in 1939 by architect Roy Place, the property spent nearly 80 years as a monastery before being transformed into a neighborhood gathering place. Today, the former chapel is home to @Larosatucson, while Sisters Restaurant & Bar sits next door where the citrus orchard once stood. Chef Christian “Chris” Bidegain’s (@Chrisbidegain) menu brings together carefully crafted pizzas, fresh focaccia, meatballs, mezze, cocktails, and boozy soft-serve. The pizza dough is cold-fermented for 24 hours before being balled and fermented a second time, resulting in a thin, crispy, chewy crust. The Sonoran Rajas Pie features roasted poblano cream, corn, rajas, chile crema, and queso fresco, while the rotating Slice of the Week offers something new to try. With colorful interiors, live music next door, and a focus on bringing different generations of Tucson together, Sisters is continuing the property’s long history as a place for community. 📍 800 N. Country Club Rd. Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com Photos by @sea_lyon
Sneak pEAk👀🌄

@Sawmillrun has introduced a new fall menu across its cocktail list, lunch offerings, and dinner entrées. The seasonal menu leans into autumn flavors like apple, maple, pumpkin, and pear.

The new cocktail lineup includes classics like the Mount Lemmon Mule and Aspen Glow Old Fashioned, plus fall seasonals with a little more theatrics. The Forest Fire arrives under campfire smoke, the Changing Leaves pours tableside with a color-changing effect, and the Campfire Coffee is topped with brûléed marshmallow cold foam.

On the food side, new fall additions include the Autumn Burger with cheddar, apple butter, applewood bacon, and Dijon aioli, plus Prickly Pear Elote, Sawmill Poutine with duck fat gravy and cheese curds, and seasonal desserts like apple pie, pumpkin pie, and peach strudel.

Dinner brings Arizona-raised ingredients to dishes like the 12 oz @veraearlpremiumbeef Ribeye, Mesquite Half Chicken, Orchard Salad with Honeycrisp apple and Point Reyes blue cheese, and a rotating Chef’s Seasonal Feature highlighting local farms and ranches.

🍂Have you checked out Sawmill Run’s fall menu yet?

Read @addiewankenobi’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com 
Photos by @addiewankenobiSneak pEAk👀🌄 @Sawmillrun has introduced a new fall menu across its cocktail list, lunch offerings, and dinner entrées. The seasonal menu leans into autumn flavors like apple, maple, pumpkin, and pear. The new cocktail lineup includes classics like the Mount Lemmon Mule and Aspen Glow Old Fashioned, plus fall seasonals with a little more theatrics. The Forest Fire arrives under campfire smoke, the Changing Leaves pours tableside with a color-changing effect, and the Campfire Coffee is topped with brûléed marshmallow cold foam. On the food side, new fall additions include the Autumn Burger with cheddar, apple butter, applewood bacon, and Dijon aioli, plus Prickly Pear Elote, Sawmill Poutine with duck fat gravy and cheese curds, and seasonal desserts like apple pie, pumpkin pie, and peach strudel. Dinner brings Arizona-raised ingredients to dishes like the 12 oz @veraearlpremiumbeef Ribeye, Mesquite Half Chicken, Orchard Salad with Honeycrisp apple and Point Reyes blue cheese, and a rotating Chef’s Seasonal Feature highlighting local farms and ranches. 🍂Have you checked out Sawmill Run’s fall menu yet? Read @addiewankenobi’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com Photos by @addiewankenobi
Where to eat & drink at the Mercado District in 2026✨

@Mercadodistricttucson sits at the westernmost stop of the Sun Link streetcar, about a mile from downtown. The district now spans four properties: the Spanish colonial-style Mercado San Agustín, the shipping container-based MSA Annex, The Monier, and The Bautista, a mixed-use development under construction at 165 S. Linda Ave. The Bautista will add a public plaza, underground parking, and additional commercial space along the Santa Cruz River.

Both courtyards allow dogs on leash and operate as open-air spaces with shared seating throughout. A leisurely visit easily spans multiple stops.

Mercado San Agustín 
100 S. Avenida del Convento

@agustinkitchen 
@seiskitchen 
@prestacoffee 
@laestrella_tucson 
@dolcepastellocakes 
@zumitosjuicebar 
@santacruzriverfm 

MSA Annex
267 S. Avenida del Convento

@decibelcoffeeworks 
@kukai___ 
@bosburger__ 
@rolliestucson 

The Monier
160 South Avenida del Convento

@wholeslvcepizza 
@81barbersofficial 

Share your favorites in the comments! 

See the guide on Tucsonfoodie.comWhere to eat & drink at the Mercado District in 2026✨ @Mercadodistricttucson sits at the westernmost stop of the Sun Link streetcar, about a mile from downtown. The district now spans four properties: the Spanish colonial-style Mercado San Agustín, the shipping container-based MSA Annex, The Monier, and The Bautista, a mixed-use development under construction at 165 S. Linda Ave. The Bautista will add a public plaza, underground parking, and additional commercial space along the Santa Cruz River. Both courtyards allow dogs on leash and operate as open-air spaces with shared seating throughout. A leisurely visit easily spans multiple stops. Mercado San Agustín 100 S. Avenida del Convento @agustinkitchen @seiskitchen @prestacoffee @laestrella_tucson @dolcepastellocakes @zumitosjuicebar @santacruzriverfm MSA Annex 267 S. Avenida del Convento @decibelcoffeeworks @kukai___ @bosburger__ @rolliestucson The Monier 160 South Avenida del Convento @wholeslvcepizza @81barbersofficial Share your favorites in the comments! See the guide on Tucsonfoodie.com
An overnight escape just 45 minutes from Tucson 🌞

Spend the evening at @tubacgolfresortandspa, enjoy dinner, wake up to breakfast, and be back in Tucson by late morning, or extend your stay and make a weekend of it. The Tucson Foodie team had such a great time during our stay. Dinner and breakfast at Stables Ranch Grille were impressive and vegan-friendly, and the entire staff was incredibly warm, welcoming, and knowledgeable. Thank you for showing us around, @civilwines!

Established as a Spanish presidio in 1752, Tubac was one of the earliest European settlements in what is now Arizona and served as an important military outpost during Spanish colonization. And now, you can experience it for yourself.

GIVEAWAY 🎉

One winner receives a one-night stay at Tubac Golf Resort & Spa plus a $150 dining credit at Stables Ranch Grille.

To enter:
1. Like this post (share to your story and tag us for a bonus entry)
2. Follow @tucsonfoodie and @tubacgolfresortandspa
3. Comment who you would bring

Entries close [Monday, October 6] at 11:59 pm MST. Winner chosen at random and contacted only from this account. We will never ask you for payment or financial information.

Must be 21+ and a U.S. resident. Stay must be booked and completed by December 31, 2026, subject to availability and blackout dates. Not transferable, no cash value, no purchase necessary. This promotion is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Instagram.An overnight escape just 45 minutes from Tucson 🌞 Spend the evening at @tubacgolfresortandspa, enjoy dinner, wake up to breakfast, and be back in Tucson by late morning, or extend your stay and make a weekend of it. The Tucson Foodie team had such a great time during our stay. Dinner and breakfast at Stables Ranch Grille were impressive and vegan-friendly, and the entire staff was incredibly warm, welcoming, and knowledgeable. Thank you for showing us around, @civilwines! Established as a Spanish presidio in 1752, Tubac was one of the earliest European settlements in what is now Arizona and served as an important military outpost during Spanish colonization. And now, you can experience it for yourself. GIVEAWAY 🎉 One winner receives a one-night stay at Tubac Golf Resort & Spa plus a $150 dining credit at Stables Ranch Grille. To enter: 1. Like this post (share to your story and tag us for a bonus entry) 2. Follow @tucsonfoodie and @tubacgolfresortandspa 3. Comment who you would bring Entries close [Monday, October 6] at 11:59 pm MST. Winner chosen at random and contacted only from this account. We will never ask you for payment or financial information. Must be 21+ and a U.S. resident. Stay must be booked and completed by December 31, 2026, subject to availability and blackout dates. Not transferable, no cash value, no purchase necessary. This promotion is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Instagram.