c/cheap-eats-heroes

The 15-minute banh mi hunt that took 2 hours

I swear I remembered a vietnamese spot near the bus depot in Portland that had $4 sandwiches, but it closed and I wandered around for 2 hours before finding another place that charged $6.50. Has anyone else lost a go-to cheap spot and had trouble locating a replacement?

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wendy674•2d ago

That $3 taco truck in the lot by the old gas station surprised me

I stopped at a taco truck in El Paso last Tuesday because I was starving and broke. The al pastor tacos were $3 each and I figured they'd be greasy and bland. Instead the meat was juicy, the pineapple actually tasted fresh, and the salsa had a real kick. I got three tacos and a horchata for under $11, which beat any sit-down spot I've hit this month. But the chicken burrito there was dry and skimpy, so you gotta stick to the tacos. Has anyone else found a truck where one item is amazing and the rest is a gamble?

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wyatt_ross27•2d ago

Taco truck in a gas station parking lot outshines every sit-down spot

Last month I was hauling a load through Bakersfield and stopped for gas. There was a taco truck wedged between the pumps and a dumpster, and the al pastor had that crispy edge you only get from a real trompo. Three tacos cost me $7.50 and I still think about them. Anyone else found gold in a spot that looks like a health code violation waiting to happen?

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mason.paige•3d ago

How I stopped chasing taco trucks and started following the lunch crowd instead

I used to plan my cheap eats around whatever food truck had the longest line on Instagram, you know, assuming popularity meant quality. But last summer in Austin I got burned twice by hyped-up trailers charging $14 for soggy tortillas. Then I noticed the construction workers heading to this random taqueria on Menchaca at 11:30am sharp, every single day. I followed them one Tuesday and got a massive al pastor plate with rice and beans for $7.50. Now my rule is simple, if day laborers and delivery drivers eat there on the regular, it's gonna be legit and cheap. I still check apps but only to find the spots that look half empty, not half famous. Has anyone else switched up their food hunting strategy based on who's standing in line, not just the reviews? My last find was so good I felt guilty telling people about it, but that's this group's whole deal right?

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rowan_wells67•5d ago

That $4 gas station tamale was the best thing I ate in Boise

A buddy dragged me into the Shell on Fairview Avenue swearing by their hot case, and I laughed until I bit into one with the husk barely steaming. Now I drive across town every Friday for a dozen, have you folks found any other hidden gems hiding behind a counter you'd normally skip?

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rowank69•6d ago

The $3 taco truck burrito that came with a free side of chaos

Last Friday I hit up that taco truck on 5th and Main, the one with the orange awning that always has a line. I ordered their super burrito for $3.50, figured it was a steal. When I opened the foil, there was a whole plastic fork inside, like baked into the rice and beans. Not on top, not beside it, but somehow folded into the tortilla. I laughed so hard I almost dropped it on my shoes. Took a bite anyway, taste was fine, but now I always unwrap my food and check for surprises first. Have any of you found weird stuff in your cheap eats, or is this just my luck?

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quinn_nguyen•7d ago

That $4 burrito from the gas station in El Paso gave me the worst night of my life

I ate it at 9pm, woke up at 2am with my stomach trying to escape, and I'm wondering if anyone else has a cheap spot that's secretly a biohazard or if I just got the one bad batch.

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spencer_johnson22•8d ago

Found a $4 spring roll spot but they forgot my order twice

Went to Lucky Panda on 5th Ave last Tuesday for their lunch special, cheapest egg rolls in town at $4 for 3. Waited 25 minutes and they gave my order to someone else, then when they remade it the spring rolls were cold and soggy. I get that places get slammed but this is the second time in 3 weeks, anyone else deal with spots that are cheap but mess up constantly? Is there a better late lunch option near the bus depot?

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