Don’t leave the confines of your budget while eating out in Nashville by picking out a restaurant from this list. Every establishment mentioned will keep you from spending too much without taking away any of the flavor that comes with going out in Music City.
Cheap Charlie’s Taco Shop
4.6 ★
Usually, stopping at a gas station for food means having to pick from a selection of roller food and maybe the occasional chicken salad sandwich. With Cheap Charlie’s Taco Shop on Woodland St, there’s no sacrificing a good ml when you’re short on time. Although, you might want to visit Cheap Charlie’s even if you aren’t pressed for time. Pick up a taco, burrito, crunchwrap, the list goes on for what less than 20$ can get when you visit Cheap Charlie’s Taco Shop from 11 am – 10 Monday through Saturday. The variety alone will make more than one visit an absolute necessity, the authentic taste of this Mexican cuisine will have your party fully hooked. When you drive down Woodland St, keep an eye out for the dancing bears mural located across the street. This food truck might appear small at first glance but the food that comes out of it is truly mighty, all while not breaking even the tightest of budgets. This hidden slice of paradise in the 5 points area is one of the area’s favorite secret gold mines.
I Dream of Weenie
4.8 ★
There’s something about a classic VW van, the same ones you see in all the old movies and shows that brings on a wave of nostalgia and I Dream of Weenie is all about the flashbacks. Serving hot dogs out of a restored Volkswagen van, complete with a small porch, the I Dream of Weenie food establishment is as adorable as it is affordable. All you need is 5$ to start your meal off with a Dill Weenie, Flamin Frank, Pimento Cheese Weenie, or the Rebel Yelp with *Chow Chow relish. Get a real treat by stopping by the old van on 11th St for the special Sunday Brunch menu, the French Toast Weenie is a fun spin on breakfast that you won’t find in any brick and mortar restaurant in the area. Spend a little more than 5$ during brunch for the Breakfast Buffet in a Bun, or the hot dog that has a little bit of everything you’d want out of an early meal. I Dream of Weenie is unlike any of the restaurants or food trucks in Nashville so try them out from 11 am – 3 pm every day except Monday. The opportunity for a great social media post is always available at this tiny spot so don’t forget to follow them on Facebook or Instagram.
Mas Tacos Por Favor
4.6 ★
Don’t blink while you’re driving down Mcferrin Ave or you might miss Mas Tacos Por Favor tucked away. Order your food and drinks then sit down outside with some Chicken Tortilla Soup. Everyone raves over the incredible amount of flavor they manage to pack into each bowl. Speaking of flavor, each and every menu item will have you drooling for another bite. Try out some tacos or street corn and see why this cheap little slice of heaven has stuck around for so many years. The staff is quick to get your order out but is always as friendly as can be no matter how big of a crowd they get. Tuesday through Saturday, you can fill up on a vast selection of Mexican street food for very little in the way of money from 11 am – 9 pm. Ask for an order of fried avocado or plantains, no need for a boring order of fries at Mas Tacos Por Favor. Find out what keeps this quaint little eatery so popular with locals, visitors, and people just stopping through.
Brown’s Diner
4.5 ★
“Proudly serving Nashville’s Best Cheeseburger” for nearly a century, Brown’s Diner has maintained their spot on Blair Blvd with none of the over-the-top flounce and fluff that most new restaurants seem to drown in. There’s no need to put more than twenty dollars into each adult plate, even the higher priced meals cap out at around fifteen dollars. When you visit, at least one person in the group is bound to want a burger and someone has to try the “famous” Brown’s Burger complete with Duke’s Mayonnaise. Seafood lovers will want to test out the Southern Fried Cornmeal Catfish Sandwich or the fried catfish platter. From 11 am – 9 pm (opening at 12 pm on the weekends) every day and night, Brown’s Diner keeps taking care of business like they have since 1927. Coming from the most humble beginnings in a trolley car powered by mule, Brown’s Diner has been one of the only consistently running restaurants since all those years ago. Find out why all of Nashville tries to make sure they can stop in to Brown’s Diner at least once during any trip, or once a week for those who live in the area.
Baja Burrito
4.7 ★
Locally owned and independently operated since their opening, Baja Burrito is one of those quick stop restaurants that might surprise you. While the building is small, don’t be shocked to see a full crowd of folks at all of the tables on their patio. Though they might appear packed at any given moment, that should not deter you. These fierce employees are known for their ability to get orders out almost faster than anyone is able to place them. As far as price is concerned, you can get a basket of three tacos for less than nine dollars. Chicken, steak, rice & beans, Baja Burrito keeps enough options to suit most dietary restrictions. Take a taste of their home-made dressings like chipotle honey mustard or tomatillo vinaigrette to amp your meal up in a flavorful way. Find Baja Burrito by driving down Thompson Ln and keep an eye out for the painted Volkswagen parked out front. Open Monday through Saturday, you can sit down to some affordable burritos or tacos from 11 am – 9 pm.
Dino’s Bar & Grill
4.6 ★
Nashville has always been the kind of place where you will have no trouble finding a dive bar to spend some time at and Dino’s Bar & Grill is one of the oldest in the area. Along with a vibe that makes all strangers feel like instant family, Dino’s keeps a food menu that is available from 5 pm until 3 am, or from 12 pm on the weekends. Order a burger with all your preferred toppings and add a touch of Velveeta to experience the Dino’s Bar & Grill specialty in all of its glory. Add ons like bacon, grilled onion, and avocado make the Velveeta taste even better for some reason. Even vegetarians will be thrilled to have the option of a Beyond burger instead of the normal beef patty. Along with burgers, the Dino’s Bar & Grill menu has a chicken sandwich or even a breakfast themed one with bacon and eggs. At Dino’s Bar & Grill on Gallatin Ave, they know that good bar food is one of the most important additions to a night out in Nashville. If you are not convinced that Dino’s Bar & Grill should be on your list of places to eat, let us remind you once more that you can order a burger topped with Velveeta cheese. That should be enough to have you racing over to Gallatin Ave to try it out.
Fat Mo’s
4.7 ★
At Fat Mo’s, don’t let the drive-thru only sign fool you into thinking that these burgers are anything but fresh cooked, 100% ground beef made. Both of Nashville’s Fat Mo’s locations are fast, affordable, and tasty little burger joints that get right to the point of giving you great food. Drive through the Gallatin Pike location or take a step back in time by visiting the Fat Mo’s on 8th St, that one is an original location for the business. Pick from a selection of sandwiches within the 10$ realm (or go crazy with a deluxe meal for just under 20$) and take your order to-go. Fat Mo’s is a wonderful option for anyone who is looking for refreshments to take on a picnic or to eat at home. Over the years, this restaurant has been the recipient of many awards and stays consistently high rated on Yelp. Find out what all the fuss is about at either Nashville location and keep an eye out for more restaurants throughout Tennessee. This small business seems to pop up in all sorts of places and is always there when you need a high quality burger for what seems like an unfairly low price. No matter where you are, one thing never changes. Fat Mo’s makes your burgers fresh right as you order them, no microwaves or heat lamps involved.
Daddy’s Dogs
4.5 ★
Would you believe that Nashville’s most romantic spot to have a date is at a hot dog restaurant? Seriously, Daddy’s Dogs was officially named as the most romantic dinner for three years in a row. Affordable and absolutely a fun time, the folks at Daddy’s Dogs believe that size matters where your food is concerned. While you are going to have to move closer to the $10 range, maybe a little more, there is more than your money’s worth in sausage size and colossal amounts of toppings. Along with dogs like the New York and the Chicago, Daddy’s dogs seems to specialize in chili cheese tater tots. Seriously, theirs are just superior to most (if not all) chili cheese tots you are able to find in Nashville. Centennial Blvd and Printer’s Alley both hold space for Daddy’s Dogs and they are both open seven days a week. Extra bonus points go to anyone who posts a picture of their meal on social media with the hashtag #DaddysDogs to throw off those who have not heard of the restaurant. What good is going to a restaurant with an awesome name like Daddy’s Dogs if you don’t get to brag about it?
Varallo’s
4.7 ★
Bragging about being the oldest restaurant in all of Tennessee is what Varallo’s is claiming for fame, and that’s really all they need. For over 100 years now, the Varallo’s name has been widely respected as generations of families have sat down to their table. Who knows if Frank Varallo knew when he started selling chili off of a cart in Nashville that he was actually creating a legacy that would keep going long into the 2000’s. On top of being an affordable restaurant to eat in, Varallo’s is reputed to have a chili recipe that will knock your socks off. Breakfast and lunch are served at Varallo’s from 6 am – 1 pm Monday through Friday every week and chili always makes a great side even with scrambled eggs. Look for the little red roof at Varallo’s on 4th Ave and come inside to taste a piece of Nashville’s History. With every year that passed, Varallo’s remains a cheap and comfortable dining option for all who enter.
Conclusion
We hope you have managed to find a few ways to save while going out to eat in Nashville. Sometimes, the amount of restaurants and venues we have here in Music City can become overwhelming, especially to those who haven’t visited with us before. Visit NashvilleBarBike.com and click the articles tab next time you have any questions about where to spend your money in Nashville. There is likely already an article answering every inquiry you might have.