One of the good things about living in a more affordable big city is the plethora of good dining options for a reasonable price. Yes, there are a ton of high end steakhouses and seafood joints where you can spend an arm and a leg, but there are also a ton of choices for a great meal where you don’t have to dig deep into your bank account to pay for. These are our favorite affordable meals in town, from Chinese soup dumplings and pho to brunch, sandwiches, shawarma and gyros and more. 

Otani Noodle 11472 and 234 Euclid Ave., Cleveland Otani Noodle, from the same owners of long-standing Mayfield Heights hibachi restaurant Otani, recently took over this Euclid space. If you haven’t been yet, you’re missing out. The tonkatsu broth used for their ramen is delectable. Credit: Scene Archives
Rincón Criollo 6504 Detroit Ave., and 7403 Denison Ave., Cleveland 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). The hot-pressed sandwiches are all under $15 and very tasty, especially the jamon y queso. Credit: Rincón Criollo/Facebook
Pizza 216 401 Euclid Ave., Cleveland This locally-sourced pizza place has some of the freshest ingredients around and makes for a perfect lunch pie. All of their signature pies are between $10 and $12. Credit: Scene Archives
Cleveland Biscuit Heads 3615 Superior Ave., Cleveland and Roaming Locations Just trust us when we tell you that you have to try one of these biscuit sandwiches from this pop-up breakfast outfit. They change up locations so be sure to check their website for where you can find one of their awesome breakfast sandwiches. The biscuits themselves are worth getting these and they’re all under $10. Credit: Scene archives
Al’s Deli 1717 East Ninth St., Cleveland This Middle Eastern deli serves everything from lean corned beef to rolled chicken shawarma and is the perfect spot for whatever lunch fixing you’re looking for in the middle of downtown Cleveland. They also do daily lunch specials, like their beef bean burrito for $8.99. Credit: Photo via Al’s Deli/Facebook
Good Company 1200 West 76th St., Cleveland “Good Company for a gourmet wing with house made sauces (delicious, but none overwhelmingly spicy),” TinoTeas Credit: Scene Archives
Dave’s Cosmic Subs Multiple Locations Whatever side of town you’re on, you’re likely to be close to a Dave’s Cosmic Subs. All regular subs are between $5 and $8 and larges are under $15. The meatball is out of this world. Credit: @DavesCosmicSubs/Instagram
On The Rise 3471 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights and 3407 Tuttle Rd., Shaker Heights Known mostly for their artisan breads and mouth-watering pastries, we had to include this spot because we love their baguette sandwiches. They may be simple, but the freshly baked bread they come on takes them to another level. The prosciutto sandwich with honey butter and arugula and the banh mi are our favorites but you really can’t go wrong. 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 and the chicharron are satisfying, filling and delicious. Credit: Scene Archives
Happy Dog 5801 Detroit Rd., Cleveland Happy Dog is the perfect Cleveland bar – the food is reasonable and good and most weekend nights there’s live music and shows are usually free or cost just five bucks to get in. And their hot dogs, that come with basically any topping you want, are a Cleveland staple. Credit: Scene Archives
Ferris Shwarma 13507 Lakewood Heights Blvd., Lakewood Their website says they have “the most awesome shwarma 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
Big Al’s Diner 12600 Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland If you miss Mom’s cooking, this is the place to get your fix and has been since 1994. Big Al’s has all the comforting favorites, like thick, steaming soups, homemade mashed potatoes with gravy, open-faced roast beef sandwiches and chocolate cake for dessert. Breakfast is served until the diner’s late-afternoon closing time. The corned beef hash is the star of the show – it was featured on the Food Network’s Best Thing I Ever Ate by Michael Symon. But don’t sleep on the soul-satisfying sausage gravy-covered biscuits with over-easy eggs and home fries. As with most items at Big Al’s, the portion is such that finishing the entire plate is an aspirational endeavor. The omelets here are overstuffed, the pancakes flop over the edge of the plate and the pecan waffles are the size of wagon wheels. Credit: @JamesBXXL/Instagram
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
Half Moon Bakery 3460 West 25th St., Cleveland “I’ve never tried an empanada before until I came to half moon, and I will only ever eat them from Half Moon for here on out! As a vegetarian, I wasn’t sure what my options I’d be getting but there were two wildly different ones on the menu that were absolutely AMAZING. You enter Half Moon, you are greeted so kindly, you order, and like 5 bakers pop out of nowhere and start absolutely slinging empanadas at lightning speed. Never seen a phenomenon like it, it was amazing. I waited maybe 10 minutes max for them to be completely made, and they are made from scratch! There are also baked goods, salad options, and coffee options as well. Half moon will now become a staple in my quick but local diet, and for that I’m thankful,” Hope S. on Yelp. Credit: Emanuel Wallace
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. The thick-cut french fries are some of the best in town and their milkshakes, especially black cherry, is a must try. Credit: Scene Archives
Herb’n Twine 4309 Lorain Ave., Cleveland “One of my favorite sandwich shops in North America! Yeah I said it…The portions are huge, flavor combinations are complementary, and the bread is homemade/fresh. The homemade/fresh bread is such a game changer. My favorite is the Cubano…the perfect sandwich really. If there was a location in Chicago I would frequent weekly,” Daniel W. on Yelp Credit: Tim Harrison
Seti’s Polish Boys All Around Town One of the foods Cleveland can claim as its own is the Polish Boy. Rooted in our Eastern European past, the hefty kielbasa-and-fries-based fistwich is the model of economy. Rolled into one baby-size bundle are meat, veg, starch and sauce, which combine to form one of the world’s messiest and most delicious meals. They’re just $7, making them one of the best deals in town. 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 in town but you really can’t go wrong with this throwback diner. The Inn also gears a good portion of its menu to vegetarian options. 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
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 under $15. Credit: @Johnny_Mango_World_Cafe/Instagram
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. They’re spicy, they’re tasty, they’re affordable and they’re perfect for a cold winter day. 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: Steve’s Gyros/Facebook
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: 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. It’s legendary Taco Tuesday serves up varieties like green chili, chicken paprikash and mesquite chipotle pork all by a man known solely as “Grumpy,” all priced very reasonably. Credit: Scene Archives
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. Credit: Scene Archives
Maha’s Falafil Multiple Locations 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
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
La Plaza Supermarket 13609 Lakewood Heights Blvd., Lakewood “Today, I had the best Mexican food of my life at La Plaza Supermarket! La Plaza Taqueria, located in the front of La Plaza Supermarket, is amazing!!! The small restaurant was crowded with locals. The restaurant offers tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas; just to name a few items. While they have many protein choices, I chose carne asada which was absolute perfection! I also had homemade chips and guacamole which was also amazing! I definitely plan on making myself a regular here and coming back to introduce friends to the best Mexican food of my life!” Melanie N. on Yelp Credit: La Plaza Supermarket/Facebook
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. Credit: Scene Archives
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 in the form of poutine, po’ boys and more deliciousness. When they closed their original Gordon Square location in 2020, leaving their Van Aken food hall stand as their only location, it was with the intention of re-opening at some future point. Luckily, for food lovers, that time has come, with the recent announcement that Banter will open its new west side location in the former home of the recently dearly departed Minh Anh (5428 Detroit Ave.). Credit: Scene Archives
Capo Steaks 11332 Superior Ave., Cleveland “Just ordered from them tonight, the customer service was top notch. The Philly mushroom steaks were amazing, the best Philly cheese steaks by far since I lived in Philly, I definitely will be back, everything was top notch, 5 star service, I definitely recommend this place,” John J. M. on Yelp Photo via Capo Steaks/Facebook 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: The Sleepy Rooster/Facebook
Martha on The Fly 2173 Professor Ave, Cleveland This weekend-only breakfast concept 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
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: Pupuseria La Benidicion/Facebook
Larder 1455 West 29th St., Cleveland At its heart, Larder, which was recently nominated for a James Beard award, is a Jewish deli, with matzo ball soup, thick pastrami sandwiches, and flaky fruit-filled rugelach. But their weekend brunch offerings are so good that we had to include it here. Credit: Scene Archives