DineSpin

Best Cheap Eats in Houston

Find the best cheap eats restaurants in Houston, TX. Scored on what actually matters.

By DineSpin Team·Updated February 2026·10 spots

Houston's cheap eats scene is built on food trucks and hole-in-the-wall spots where $1.50 buys you something worth eating three times a week. The tradeoff is simple: you get authenticity and portion size, sometimes consistency, almost never ambiance. Most of these places won't seat you comfortably for two hours, and a few have operational quirks that separate the regulars from the one-timers.

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Best Cheap Eats in Houston

1.

Chantilly Ja (Food Truck)

95/100

Chantilly Ja is a highly-regarded food truck in Houston celebrated for its authentic and remarkably flavorful Jamaican cuisine, particularly its jerk chicken and oxtails. Well-regarded for the generous portions, excellent value, and friendly customer service, making it a standout option for Jamaican food.

Pro tip: The food at this food truck is amazing! Customer service was on point. 11/10 recommend.

🍽️Food98

The food is well-regarded for its authentic, flavorful, and well-seasoned Jamaican dishes, with many diners highlighting the jerk chicken and oxtails as outstanding.

The food at this food truck is amazing

👋Service95

Customer service is frequently described as first-rate, with staff being kind, accommodating, and attentive, often going the extra mile for diners.

Customer service was on point

Vibe75

The food truck atmosphere is generally positive, with mentions of music and a friendly owner, but it is a food truck with limited ambiance.

Music was jumping

💰Value95

Diners consistently find the portions generous and the prices very reasonable, offering top-notch value for the quality and quantity of food.

Pricing is unbeatable

📍 9200 S Main St, Houston, TX 77025, United States
5$$HoustonCaribbean
Ideal for
Jamaican food enthusiastsDiners seeking authentic flavorsValue-conscious customers
2.

Naan and Kabob Halal

92/100

Naan and Kabob Halal is a food truck known for its authentic and delicious Afghani cuisine, particularly its kabobs and flavorful kidney beans. Customers consistently highlight the excellent value, fresh ingredients, and outstanding, friendly service provided by the owner and staff.

Pro tip: Delicious food, I loved the beans and they have amazing customer service as well

🍽️Food95

The food is well-regarded for its authentic Afghani flavors, fresh ingredients, and delicious taste, with particular highlights being the kabobs and kidney beans.

Everything was fresh and full of flavor

👋Service90

Service is frequently described as outstanding, friendly, and helpful, with staff going above and beyond for customers.

The service here is outstanding!

Vibe75

The atmosphere is that of a typical food truck, with no strong comments on decor or ambiance.

💰Value95

Customers consistently find the food to be reasonably priced, with generous portions making it a great value.

Prices are even lower than Whataburger

📍 14631 Beechnut St, Houston, TX 77083, United States
4.6$HoustonMiddle Eastern
Ideal for
Afghani food enthusiastsDiners seeking valueQuick, flavorful meals
3.

Tacos Guanajuato

92/100

Tacos Guanajuato is a highly-regarded food trailer in Houston known for its remarkably authentic and delicious tacos at very fair prices. Long-term patrons celebrate its consistent quality and quick service, making it a local favorite despite its humble setup.

Pro tip: Authentic flavor like in GTO, super fair prices, and consistently delicious tacos.

🍽️Food95

The tacos are well-regarded for their authentic flavor and delicious seasoning, with specific highlights including cabeza, birria, and pastor varieties. Quesadillas also receive strong commendation.

Authentic flavor like in GTO

👋Service85

Service is generally described as quick and friendly, with staff noted for being efficient in preparing orders.

Quick on making the tacos

Vibe70

The atmosphere is very casual, described as an unassuming trailer in a gravel lot, which contributes to a no-frills dining experience.

Unassuming gravel lot

💰Value95

Prices are remarkably fair, with tacos and quesadillas noted as very affordable, making it a great value proposition.

Super, super fair prices

📍 10009-10011, 10011 Airline Dr, Houston, TX 77037, United States
4.9$10011 Airline DrMexican
Ideal for
Authentic Mexican taco loversDiners seeking great valueQuick, casual meals
4.

Chela's Tacos

92/100

Chela's Tacos is a highly-regarded lunch trailer in Houston known for its excellent, authentic Mexican food, particularly birria tacos and burritos. Well-regarded for the delicious flavors, fresh ingredients, and friendly service, all at a very affordable price point.

Pro tip: Best birria tacos and very affordable recommend to all my fellow truckers

🍽️Food95

The food is well-regarded for its authentic flavors, high quality, and delicious taste, with birria tacos and burritos frequently highlighted.

Best birria tacos and very affordable

👋Service90

Service is described as friendly, sweet, and courteous, contributing to a positive overall experience.

Staff is courtesy

Vibe75

The atmosphere is that of a casual lunch trailer, with no specific comments on decor or ambiance.

💰Value95

The restaurant is considered very affordable, offering outstanding value for the quality and portion sizes.

Very affordable

📍 510 McCarty St, Houston, TX 77029, United States
5$HoustonMexican
Ideal for
Truckers seeking authentic mealsDiners prioritizing valueTaco enthusiasts
5.

Taqueria El Ranero (Food Truck)

92/100

Taqueria El Ranero is a highly-regarded food truck in Houston known for its excellent quality, authentic Mexican flavors, and incredible value. Well-regarded for the delicious food, friendly service, and quick preparation, making it a reliable favorite.

Pro tip: Amazing quality and insane bargain! Such rich, authentic flavor.

🍽️Food95

The food is well-regarded for its authentic, rich, and delicious flavors, with specific call-outs for barbacoa, burritos, and breakfast tacos.

Amazing quality and insane bargain!

👋Service85

Service is generally described as friendly, welcoming, and understanding, with staff noted for their helpfulness and good communication.

Great service and great tacos.

Vibe75

As a food truck, the vibe is casual and functional, focused on quick service and good food rather than atmosphere.

Well established local food truck

💰Value95

The restaurant is lauded for its outstanding value, offering high-quality, authentic food at very affordable prices.

Insane bargain! Such rich, authentic flavor.

📍 2134 Bingle Rd, Houston, TX 77055, United States
4.6$HoustonMexican
Ideal for
Quick and authentic Mexican mealsBudget-conscious dinersTaco enthusiasts
6.

Taqueria Argelia

92/100

Taqueria Argelia is a highly-regarded food truck in Houston known for its remarkably fresh, flavorful, and well-prepared Mexican fare, particularly its tacos and tortas. Well-regarded for the friendly service, great value, and handmade tortillas, making it a standout option for authentic Mexican street food.

Pro tip: Best agua de jamaica I’ve ever had

🍽️Food95

The food is well-regarded for its delicious flavors, fresh ingredients, and well-prepared components, particularly the handmade tortillas and flavorful meats.

Food is fresh

👋Service90

Customer service is frequently highlighted as friendly, fast, and attentive, even during busy periods.

Great customer service!

Vibe60

As a food truck, the establishment offers no discernible atmosphere or ambiance.

No atmosphere

💰Value95

The restaurant is consistently lauded for its excellent prices, generous portions, and high-quality food, offering significant value.

Well priced tacos

📍 16630 Clay Rd, Houston, TX 77084, United States
4.7$HoustonMexican
Ideal for
Quick and delicious lunchAuthentic Mexican street foodValue-conscious diners
7.

Taqueria el Viejon

92/100

Taqueria el Viejon is a well-regarded food truck celebrated for its excellent birria tacos and ramen, offering large, flavorful portions at great prices. Well-regarded for the quality and value, with service generally described as friendly and efficient.

Pro tip: The BEST birria tacos!! They are loaded & so flavorful.

🍽️Food95

The birria tacos and ramen are well-regarded for their outstanding flavor, generous portions, and high quality.

The BEST birria tacos!!

👋Service85

Service is generally described as friendly, nice, and pleasant, with some noting speed.

Great food and great service

Vibe75

The atmosphere is not a primary focus, with many reviews being brief or textless, and one noting it's a food truck.

Don't let the location fool.

💰Value95

The restaurant is highly regarded for its first-rate value, offering large portions at reasonable prices.

Great price IMO!

📍 805 Freeport St, Houston, TX 77015
5$$HoustonMexican
Ideal for
Birria taco enthusiastsDiners seeking large portionsValue-conscious eaters
8.

Umiya Sushi

92/100

Umiya Sushi is a highly-regarded all-you-can-eat Japanese restaurant in Houston, celebrated for its remarkably fresh and delicious sushi and wide variety of dishes. Well-regarded for the friendly and attentive service, vibrant atmosphere, and outstanding value, making it a popular choice for both casual meals and celebrations.

Pro tip: Phenomenal food, great service, and fantastic value for all-you-can-eat sushi.

🍽️Food95

The all-you-can-eat sushi and Japanese dishes are well-regarded for their freshness, quality, and delicious flavors, with many diners highlighting specific items like seared salmon, Kobe beef, and various rolls.

Food was phenomenal

👋Service90

Service is overwhelmingly described as friendly, attentive, and helpful, with several staff members, including Mardi, Nely, and Lim, receiving specific commendations for their excellent hospitality.

Service was outstanding

Vibe90

The atmosphere is consistently described as pleasant, vibrant, modern, and inviting, with some diners noting unique decor elements like a "space room" ceiling.

Ambience was vibrant

💰Value95

The all-you-can-eat pricing, particularly the lunch special, is frequently cited as outstanding value, offering high-quality sushi and a wide variety of dishes at an affordable price point.

Genuinely fantastic value

📍 8408 Katy Fwy Suite 100, Houston, TX 77024
4.9$$HoustonJapanese
Ideal for
All-you-can-eat sushi enthusiastsDiners seeking high-quality Japanese foodValue-conscious diners
9.

Hot Dogs and Corn Guy (Food Truck)

92/100

Hot Dogs and Corn Guy is a highly-regarded food truck in Houston, celebrated for its remarkably flavorful hot dogs and corn, fresh ingredients, and fast, friendly service. It offers great value and consistent quality, making it a local favorite.

Pro tip: The food was fresh, and the owner is totally customer oriented.

🍽️Food95

The food, particularly the hot dogs and corn, is well-regarded for its excellent flavor and quality, with diners noting fresh ingredients and delicious preparation.

The food was fresh

👋Service90

Service is described as amazing, fast, and customer-oriented, with the owner frequently highlighted for his attentiveness and friendly demeanor.

Amazing food amazing service

Vibe75

As a food truck, the vibe is casual and focused on the food itself, with no specific ambiance details provided.

💰Value95

The food is considered a great value, with diners specifically mentioning cheap prices for loaded hot dogs and satisfying cravings.

Cheapest price in town

📍 10130 Almeda Genoa Rd, Houston, TX 77075, United States
5$HoustonMexican
Ideal for
Quick and delicious lunchSatisfying cravings for flavorful street foodDiners seeking great value
10.

Tel-Wink Grill

88/100

Tel-Wink Grill is a beloved Houston institution offering classic, homestyle diner fare with remarkably large portions at very affordable prices. It's known for its friendly, efficient service and a nostalgic, bustling atmosphere that keeps customers returning for decades.

Pro tip: Old school diner with huge portions and good prices.

🍽️Food90

The diner offers classic homestyle cooking with generous portions, well-regarded for its flavor and quality, particularly its chicken fried steak, waffles, and biscuits.

Their chicken fried chicken is my favorite

👋Service85

Service is generally friendly, attentive, and efficient, with many long-term staff members contributing to a welcoming atmosphere, though occasional lapses in attentiveness or order accuracy occur.

Great service, super even though it was extremely busy

Vibe80

The atmosphere is consistently described as a classic, old-school, 'hole-in-the-wall' diner with a homey and nostalgic feel.

Old timey diner type eatery.

💰Value95

The restaurant is well-regarded for its excellent value, offering large portions of delicious food at very affordable prices.

Best food for the best price

📍 4318 Telephone Rd, Houston, TX 77087, United States
4.6$$HoustonAmerican
Ideal for
Hearty breakfast and lunchDiners seeking valueThose who enjoy classic diner ambiance

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