Still recoiling from holiday shopping?
Here are five fabulous picks for local cheap eats that are $8 or less. Prices are subject to change.
Aqui Con El Nene
4415 N. Flowing Wells Rd.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlEHJ71A-as/
Only two items on El Nene’s menu are over $8.
The Papancha ($7) is a potato stuffed with cheese, bacon, mushrooms, and your choice of meat.
Meat choices include carne asada, pollo, adobada, or a mix of the meats. Go for the carne asada; it’s the strongest meat option there.
For more information, visit elnenetacos.com.
D’s Island Grill
3156 E. Fort Lowell Rd.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn2Y_AuDCTg/
From 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday – Friday, D’s offers their $5 lunch special with your choice of curry, jerk, or brown stew chicken.
Additional affordable items include the Jerk Burger Combo ($7.99), Jerk Chicken Tacos ($5), and Jerk Beef Quesadillas ($5.50).
For more information, visit dsislandgrill.com.
Red Desert BBQ & Catering
918 W. Prince Rd.
For a heaping meal, order the Pulled Pork Loaded Tots/Fries ($7.50). The crispy potatoes are topped with pulled pork, smoked Gouda cheese sauce, barbecue sauce, sour cream, scallions, and raw jalapeño.
That cheese sauce though.
For more information, visit rdbbq.com.
Time Market
444 E. University Blvd.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BXvsYZoB9ca/
Pizza slices are around $4, depending on the toppings. The slice size is also generous and the wood-fired crust is magnifique.
If you jump up to the $8 mark, order the exceptional Caprese Sandwich on a baguette with arugula pesto, tomato, house-made mozzarella, extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic, and basil, or the Hummus Plate with house-made flatbread, dolmades, hummus, quinoa tabbouleh, tomatoes, and cucumber.
For more information, call visit timemarket.xyz.
Urban Pita
345 E. Congress St. Ste. 135
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVX5i_rjg5m/
The Chicken Shawarma at Urban Pita is one of the best aromas on East Congress Street downtown. Trust your nose and get the Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce Sandwich ($7.75 for the regular size).
Falafel ($6) fragrance isn’t unleashed until you split them open but is also worth an order.
On the lighter side, get the Tabuli ($7.50) — a combination of Italian parsley, onions, tomato, bulgur, lemon juice, and olive oil.
For more information, visit urbanpitaaz.com.
To see additional affordable eating options, read 5 Fabulous Cheap Eats Under $8 in Tucson, Volume 1.
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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.
