Do textbooks or gem show indulgences have your budget hurting?
Here are five fabulous picks for affordable eats for $8 or less. Prices are subject to change.
The B Line
621 N. Fourth Ave.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRWpZulBAMo/
First off, The B Line’s entire breakfast menu is under $8. So if you show up before 11 a.m. on weekdays or before noon Saturday and Sunday, you’re golden.
For lunch & dinner, options are still affordable. The Tuna Sandwich ($6.95) features tuna salad with horseradish, raisins, celery, and slivered almonds. It’s served with mesclun greens and pickles.
The bowl of Tortilla Soup ($6.95) features a blend of chicken broth, tomato, lime, avocado, tortilla chips, and cheese. Alternatively, do half of the tuna sandwich with a cup of tortilla soup for $7.95.
A couple burrito options are also available. The Bean & Cheese Burrito ($5.95) is filled with pinto beans, achiote rice, pico, cheese. Order it enchilada-style for $7.45. The Veggie Burrito ($7.95) features the same fillings, but with sautéed vegetables instead of cheese.
For more information, visit thebline.xyz.
Caravan Grill
2825 N. Country Club Rd.
https://www.facebook.com/caravangrilltucson/photos/a.319110291927000/340755106429185/?type=3&theater
While several entrées break the $8 mark, check out the savory pastry case. Spiced Zatar Bread ($2.49), meat flatbread Lahme B Ajeen ($2.99), Spinach Pie ($1.49), and several other a la carte options are superb mixed and matched.
Keep up with Caravan Grill on Facebook.
El Chivo de Oro
457 W. Irvington Rd.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQN9bx3gUYJ/
Yes, tacos are cheap, but the Cabeza Tacos here on house-made corn tortillas are only $1 each. The salsas are fantastic, too. Try beating this value.
Visit El Chivo de Oro on Facebook.
Fresco Pizzeria & Pastaria
3011 E. Speedway Blvd.

You could make an easy meal out of Fresco’s appetizers (I’ve done it more than I’m willing to admit). For a carby delight, order the Superstix ($6), mini breadsticks tossed in olive oil, garlic, parsley, and Pecorino Romano. Another satisfying guilty pleasure is eating a full loaf of Garlic Bread ($5) by yourself.
If you want to keep it light, the Caprese Salad ($6) keeps it classic with mozzarella slices, Roma tomatoes, extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and black pepper.
Their six-inch Parmesan Style Oven-Baked Subs range from $6.50 to $7.
For more information, visit frescopizzeria.com.
Serial Grillers
5737 E. Speedway Blvd. • 1970 W. River Rd • 7585 S. Houghton Rd.

Serial Grillers offers conventional cheesesteaks, but you can save almost a buck by ordering chicken or veggies instead.
The Dexter ($7.75) eats like a pizza with its combination of marinara, pepperoni, provolone, grilled onions, and chicken. The Jason Vegetarian ($7.75) features grilled onions, hot cherry peppers, sweet peppers, avocado, lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, and pepper jack cheese.
Slices of specialty pizzas ring in at $6.50. Get the signature Bone Collector with mozzarella, provolone, cheddar, boneless wings, scallions, ranch, and buffalo sauce.
For more information, visit serialgrillersaz.com.
To see additional affordable eating options, read 5 Fabulous Cheap Eats Under $8 in Tucson, Volume 1 and 5 Fabulous Cheap Eats Under $8 in Tucson, Volume 2.
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Article written by:

Jackie Tran
More about JackieJackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is 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.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.















