There are many reasons to love the Cleveland food scene but the fact you can score great eats at any price point is one of the better ones. Here are some of our favorites when you’re looking for affordable meals, something that’ll cost you $15 or less, because budget-eating doesn’t have to mean drive-thrus and fast food wrappers. 

Au Jus 5875 Broadview Rd Unit B, Parma Wedged between a Marco’s Pizza and a nail salon in a dinky Parma strip, Au Jus flies through 100 to 150 pounds of slow-roasted top round beef per day and about 12 gallons of au jus, which is made from the drippings. The small, mainly carry-out shop has quickly become Cleveland’s favorite source for Chicago-style Italian beef sandwiches. Credit: Doug Trattner
Banter 3441 Tuttle Rd., Shaker Heights Banter is the antidote to serious food in somber settings. It’s county fair food with a bowtie, where fries, sausages, and hotdogs are spruced up for a clever crowd. You won’t find a better corndog to drag through the mustard, and the crispy, melty fried cheese curds will vanish quicker than the Statue of Liberty at David Copperfield’s abracadabra. Most folks come for the poutine, and who can blame them. But if you’re looking for the best meal under $15, the Polish Boy is one of the best in town. Credit: Scene Archives
Ferris Shwarma 13507 Lakewood Heights Blvd., Lakewood Their website says they have “the most awesome shawarma in Cleveland.” Who are we to argue? This menu is very straightforward with only a few options but when you do something so well, no need to mess with what is working. Credit: Scene Archives
Corner 11 2391 West 11th St., Cleveland and 17100 Royalton Rd., Strongsville The first poke bowl spot made its way to town a few years ago with the opening of Corner 11. Customizing your own bowl (small $11.99, medium $14.99) has never been more fun than at this Tremont spot, where you choose what type of raw, sushi-grade fish you want in addition to seaweed salads, sauces, veggies and much more. They recently opened a second location in Strongsville in early 2023. Credit: Emanuel Wallace
Half Moon Bakery 3460 West 25th St., Cleveland After more than three years of pop-ups and catering, Half Moon Bakery opened its brick-and-mortar bakery in the Clark-Fulton neighborhood in 2020, located across the street from MetroHealth. The carry-out empanada shop features the signature half-moon-shaped pastries, stuffed with flavor-packed combinations such as shredded chicken with garlic tomato sauce, tofu with seasoned veggies, and pepperoni, mozzarella and tomato sauce and they’re all $3 and under. Credit: Scene Archives
Dagu Rice Noodle 3710 Payne Ave., Cleveland “I lived in Shanghai for a long time, and I was super excited for this place to open! I went there for lunch once it opened, and it was amazing. The rice noodles are perfect, and so is the broth. If you’re looking to try this place, don’t hesitate!” Cindy L. on Yelp Photo via Scene Archives Credit: Doug Trattner
Green Rooster Farms 2033 East 14th St., Cleveland Even people who work around the corner might not know this place exists but you’re missing out. The Driftwood Group’s Green Rooster Farms is a cute cafe in the Playhouse Square district that offers healthy, fresh and organic ingredients in their salads, soups, wraps and sandwiches. Their breakfast burrito ($8.99) and their buffalo chicken salad ($10.49) are two of our favorites. Credit: Scene Archives
Best Sub Shop: Herb’n Twine 4309 Lorain Ave., Cleveland People lose their minds over the sandwiches at Herb’n Twine, a -year-old gourmet sandwich emporium in Ohio City. They opened in 2015 and have quickly established themselves as the premier sandwich shop in Northeast Ohio. The smoked turkey club is a crowd favorite but the porchetta, Italian and shaved prime rib aren’t far behind. Photo by Tim Harrison Credit: Scene archives
Good Company 60 S. Maple St., Akron The southern outpost of Good Company opened its doors in March, taking over the spot that once housed Spotted Owl. Launched by chef Brett Sawyer in 2019, it was folded into Will Hollingsworth’s Buildings & Food Hospitality Group in 2022. The Akron-based Good Company will offer the same chef-driven American food as the original. Diners can expect world-class wings, amazing sandwiches, burgers and patty melts, and enough starters, sides, and salads to please everyone in the group. An excellent beverage program includes beer, wine, cocktails and boozy milkshakes. Credit: Doug Trattner
The Cleveland Bagel Co. 4201 Detroit Ave. and 7501 Carnegie Ave., Cleveland Despite opening less than five years ago, The Cleveland Bagel Co. has already established itself as one of the most iconic food spots in town. Their homemade, creative bagels make for an awesome breakfast, especially when you add their homemade schmears and try their lox or bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. Photo via Scene Archives Credit: Scene Archives
The Inn On Coventry 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights The Inn has been serving breakfast and lunch to Heights locals since 1981. Comfort food at its finest is the game here. You’d be hard-pressed to find better pancakes ($5.99) in town but you really can’t go wrong with this throwback diner. The portabella benedict ($8.99) is also a real standout. Credit: Scene Archives
Best Vegetarian Restaurant: Johnny Mango World Cafe 3120 Bridge Ave., Cleveland You’ve got to love a place that makes Ohio City feel like a beach shack in Cozumel, and Johnny Mango — a “world café” and juice bar — does just that, with a blend of Asian, Mexican, and Caribbean flavors, and items that range from burritos to pad Thai to Jamaican jerk chicken. Service is speedy, portions are hearty, and there are plenty of choices for vegetarians. Photo via @Johnny_Mango_World_Cafe/Instagram Credit: Scene Archives
Johnny’s Little Bar 614 Frankfort Ave., Cleveland Right around the corner from the popular Warehouse district white tablecloth Italian joint Johnny’s, you’ll find Johnny’s Little Bar, an iconic Cleveland spot, and much more affordable than their parent restaurant. The bar boasts a “world famous” burger for just $8.75, giving the traditional Italian menu at the main restaurant a run for its money. Credit: Scene archives
El Señor’s at La Mexicana Grocery 170 East Washington St., Painesville We promise your trip to be Painesville will be well worth the drive when you get your hands on El Señor’s tacos. A small restaurant attached to a supermarket, seating here is limited but flavor is plentiful. Choose from pork, beef, beef tongue and pork stomach. For a little refreshment, cool down with a Jarritos. Credit: Scene Archives
Juneberry 3900 Lorain Ave., Cleveland Karen Small’a bustling cafe serves breakfast-all-day and lunch items until the early afternoon. Small, who is also in the process of a new concept at the recently closed Flying Fig (2523 Market Ave.,) in the same neighborhood was motivated to grab the space because of what she believes is a gap in the marketplace. Juneberry features an all-day breakfast and lunch menu largely inspired by the chef’s decade spent living outside of Athens, Ohio. All of their entrees like their gravy and biscuits and their vegetable muffuletta are under $15 which makes it a steal for arguably the best breakfast in town. Credit: Doug Trattner
La Plaza Supermarket 13609 Lakewood Heights Blvd., Lakewood All it takes to get your hands on what many deem the best tacos in Cleveland is venturing to the far back corner of a supermarket. This small hot food station cooks up barbacoa, carnitas, chorizo and al pastor tacos in front of your eyes. They’re served up as-is, but load up on diced onion, cilantro, guac and salsas to your heart’s desire. Tip: You can pre-pay for your tacos at the front counter, but keep it simple and just carry cash. Credit: Scene Archives
Best Vietnamese Restaurant: Saigon 2061 East Fourth St., Cleveland Nestled into a relatively small storefront on downtown’s bustling East Fourth Street, the room is cozy, comfy, and contemporary. The best bets here are the meal-sized phos — fragrant beef-broth soups featuring rice noodles and several different styles of beef. On the side, an array of condiments — Asian basil, fresh lime wedges and bean sprouts, sliced jalapeños, earthy hoisin sauce, and peppery sriracha — allows diners to customize the dish to their preference. Credit: Scene Archives
LJ Shanghai 3142 Superior Ave., Cleveland LJ Shanghai made a splash in Asia Town last year when they opened as the first true dumpling restaurant in Cleveland. While they’re known for their dumplings, or Xao Long Bao ($7), don’t sleep on their soup dishes like their spicy beef noodle soup ($10). They’re spicy, they’re tasty, they’re affordable and they’re perfect for a cold winter day. Credit: Doug Trattner
Lox, Stock and Brisket 3441 Tuttle Rd., Shaker Heights After 12 years of working for celebrity chef Tom Coliccho, including recently being the “top chef” at the $10 million dollar Vegas restaurant Heritage Steak, chef Anthony Zappola quietly returned home to open a Jewish deli in a strip mall. Lox, Stock and Brisket is modeled after the great Jewish delicatessens that once thrived in this area but it’s geared to today’s fast-paced lifestyle, with ordering sandwiches at the counter, a few other items like Matzo ball soup, and not much else except delicious food. Photo by Emanuel Wallace Credit: Scene Archives
Maha’s Falafil 1929 East 61st St., and 2700 Carroll Ave., Cleveland Since opening in the West Side Market in 1986, Maha’s has been a mainstay in the Middle Eastern food scene in Cleveland. While they recently closed their West Side Market stand, they still serve their delicious falafel, gyros, shawarma and more at Dave’s Supermarket in Ohio City and Midtown. Credit: Scene Archives
Martha on The Fly 1200 W. 76th St., Cleveland This weekend-only breakfast concept from the folks at Good Company took their pop-up concept and turned it into a brick and mortar spot that opened in Tremont in April. At this micro-diner, patrons can look forward to breakfast sandwiches perfected during the pop-up run, items like the Betty, Shirley and Doris egg sandwiches, Martha on the Fly will showcase new menu items like their potato crispies as well. Credit: Scene Archives
Mofongo Latin Grill 11621 Lorain Ave., Cleveland The fast-casual craze has co-opted nearly every other cuisine, so it might as well have claimed Puerto Rican food too. That’s the scene over at the new Cleveland Mofongo Latin Grill, which opened in 2017 on the Cleveland/Lakewood border. Dishes like the roasted pork shoulder mofongo ($14) and the fried chicken mofongo ($14) are satisfying, filling and delicious. Credit: Emanuel Wallace
Ninja City Van Aken 3441 Tuttle Rd., Ste. 405, Shaker Heights Domo Yakitori and Sushi, which opened in 2020 at the Van Aken District, has closed. The shop enjoyed a roomy corner space inside the Market Hall, setting itself apart from most of the stalls thanks to its own compact dining area. Soon, that space will become home to Ninja City, which has earned plenty of name recognition since opening eight years ago in University Circle. Approximately five years ago, the Asian-influenced bar and pub relocated to Gordon Square (6706 Detroit Ave., Cleveland), where it has been happily ensconced ever since. Last summer, the owners added satellite shops at Tower City and the Global Center for Health Innovation. When it opens sometime this spring, Ninja City Van Aken District will be a counter-service driven eatery serving hits like soups, spring rolls, gyoza, wings, steamed buns, noodle salad, lettuce wraps, pho, ramen and banh mi sandwiches. Credit: Scene Archives
City Slice Pizzeria 12021 Lorain Ave., Cleveland City Slice Pizzeria might be the closest thing Cleveland has to a neighborhood slice shop in Brooklyn, Staten Island or any of the five boroughs for that matter. This sliver of a storefront is loud, bustling and filled with the unmistakable sights and sounds of an old-world pizzeria. Heck, they even have a pizzamaker named Mikey. Open since February, City Slice has attracted an enthusiastic fanbase of New York-style pizza lovers. Cleveland has no shortage of pizza places, but we’re sorely lacking in slice shops, the kind of places where a hungry shopper can be in and out in a few minutes with zero advance planning. Credit: Doug Trattner
Otani Noodle 11472 and 234 Euclid Ave., Cleveland The slim slurp shops downtown and uptown have been satisfying Cleveland noodle lovers for years and collecting best ramen awards along the way for good reason: A compact menu of reliably great bowls for between $9 and $12 that will fill you up and keep you going. Credit: Scene Archives
Tommy’s Restaurant 1824 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights Known for their vegetarian and healthy options, this Coventry Road staple has been serving up Clevelanders since 1972. While they had vegetarian and vegan options before those became popular, they have more than just healthy options. Many of their delicious toasted pita sandwiches are well under $15. The EZ, a toasted pita with falafel, veggies, sesame sauce & cheese ($9.69) can be paired with their famous french fries ($4.99) and you’ll still be under $15 total. Credit: Scene archives
Steve Gyro’s 1979 West 25th St., Cleveland When a gyro is featured on Food Network’s “Best Thing I Ever Ate”, you know it’s serious. A heaping pile of absolutely lamb is placed upon a fresh pita and served with lettuce, tomato and tzatziki sauce for the best gyro around. Credit: Scene Archives
Roaming Biscuit 3615 Superior Ave, Cleveland Since launching her popular breakfast biscuit business in 2019, owner Shawnda Moye says that she literally has been on the move. Not only has she operated solely as a pop-up venture, setting up shop at various farmers markets and cafes around town, but her bake shop has been itinerant as well. As opposed to working out of a dedicated kitchen, Moye had been utilizing restaurant kitchens during off hours. In June, Moye put down roots at the Tyler Village complex in the former home of Byte Café. The Bake Shop and Café will serve as a home base for the Roaming Biscuit, while offering weekday service during which it will sell prepared foods like biscuits, pastries, breakfast and lunch sandwiches and pimento cheese. The Roaming Biscuit will still pop up on weekends around town. Photo via Scene Archives Credit: Scene Archives
Pizza 216 401 Euclid Ave., Cleveland This is the place to get a slice downtown, especially if you’re looking for some wood-fired deliciousness. Try the pierogi pie for something fun. Photo by Emanuel Wallace Credit: Scene Archives
Cafe Everest 14304 Puritas Ave., Cleveland Cleveland just secured another place to enjoy momos, those heavenly filled and steamed dumplings that hail from Nepal. Café Everest, a Nepalese and Indian restaurant, opened in the Bellaire-Puritas neighborhood of Cleveland on August 11. Other specialties of the house include Nepalese-style chicken and noodle soup, pan-fried chow mein noodles and sekuwa, grilled skewers of marinated chicken or goat. A great way to sample a number of dishes is to order the thali, a wide platter containing a variety of small dishes. Photo via Cafe Everest Credit: Doug Trattner
Rebol 101 West Superior Ave., Cleveland Public Square’s Rebol’s 100% non-GMO menu offers current en vogue items like bone broth and paleo smoothies in addition to their signature bowl’s or bols like their tuna poke bol and their Moroccan lamb. Credit: Scene Archives
Rincón Criollo Multiple Locations Offerings of Puerto Rican cuisine here reflect African, Indian and American influences. Fritters are popular, and Rincón’s appetizer list features two kinds: relleno de papas (potato balls) and alcapurria (banana balls). Specials include mondongo (tripe stew), chuletas fritas o en salsa (pork chops fried or in red sauce), and mofongo con chicharrones (mashed seasoned plantain ball with fried pork). Credit: Scene Archives
Sachsenheim Hall 7001 Denison Ave., Cleveland If you’re looking for a place brimming with two important qualities – lots of character and lots of tacos – you’ve met your match. The German pub has been going strong for nearly a century. Its legendary Taco Tuesday serves up varieties like green chili, chicken paprikash and mesquite chipotle pork all by a man known solely as “Grumpy.” Wash it all down with a beer-filled boot. Credit: Scene Archives
The Sleepy Rooster 5120 Chillicothe Rd., Chagrin Falls This Chagrin Falls breakfast and lunch diner just opened in 2021 but it’s made quite an impression. Biscuit fans will appreciate the fresh-baked ones served here. They land in dishes like breakfast biscuits, biscuits and gravy, and eggs Benedict. The Sleepy Rooster is one of the only Northeast Ohio restaurants to make and serve goetta, the German breakfast meat made with pork, beef, steel-cut oats, onions and spices. Some breakfast items, like a section of toasts topped with arrangements like avocado and sea salt, chorizo and goat cheese, and smoked salmon, dill cream cheese and onion, are available all day. This place is certainly elevating the breakfast game in town. Credit: Scene Archives
Capo Steaks 11332 Euclid Ave., Cleveland Most people believe that you have to travel to Philadelphia to get an authentic cheese steak. Forget Pat’s and Geno’s – Capo Steaks, in East Cleveland, has the real deal. They’re messy but don’t worry about that; the mess is definitely worth it. Credit: Scene Archives
Superior Pho 3030 Superior Ave., Cleveland Because pho is an essential (and reasonably priced) part of a balanced diet, not to mention one’s sanity, noodle shops like this one hold a very important place in our lives. Winter or summer, a bowl of pho is more than food; it’s a restorative elixir that sets us on a brighter path. Their phos are mostly $11.95 for a small, $12.95 for a large and $14.95 for an extra large. You can also get a bahn mi for 6.95 and it’s very delicious. Credit: Scene archives
Zina Greek Street Food 13898 Cedar Rd, University Heights Demetrios Atheneos, who operates the popular Chicken Ranch, has opened Zina Greek Street Food in a shop a few doors down from that University Heights restaurant. Zina offers “good, clean Greek street foods,” says the chef. A concise menu of staples like lamb sliders, gyros, chicken and pork souvlaki, spanakopita and loukoumades (Greek donuts) will be joined by daily or weekly specials like pastitsio and moussaka. Credit: Douglas Trattner
Pupuseria La Bendicion 3685 West 105th St., Cleveland Of course pupusas are the main attraction at this Salvadoran restaurant, but their beef tongue, chicken and carne tacos have also attracted their own fans. If you haven’t had a pupusa though, this is the place to try them. Credit: Scene Archives
Mars Bar 15314 Madison Ave., Lakewood “I haven’t checked prices lately, but Mars Bar Gyro and fries are a good deal.” Via Tekkitan/Reddit Credit: Scene Archives
Eugene 13368 Madison Ave., Lakewood We haven’t been able to get the Tinman burger out of our head since we first got a taste of it way back when it was being served at the Ohio City Galley. Yes, it’s been that long. Now being dished up at Eugene in Bottlehouse, it’s a standout in a town where everyone seems to have a smash burger on the menu. Chef Michael Schoen’s focused menu is rounded out with a chicken sandwich, pork hoagie and sides, and nothing tops $14. Credit: Ohio City Galley

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