Try these 10 places in Louisville where you can get an affordable meal for $10 and up
We all know things have gotten more expensive. Like, everything. But even knowing that fact, a recent statistic I saw in a substack newsletter by a New York food critic was pretty astounding.
In the four years before the pandemic, Ryan Sutton writes, restaurant prices increased about 11%. But since February 2020, the cost of eating out (nationwide) has rocketed up 24%, which is even more than overall inflation.
That explains the sticker shock we all feel when staring at a restaurant bill, wondering how dinner for two more often than not tops $100.
Now, while I’m the first to jump to the defense of restaurateurs trying to stay afloat ― let alone make a living ― I also am a freelance writer and in case you don’t know, that is decidedly not a high-paying gig. So, like our readers, I have to balance where to allocate any discretionary funds, and often I choose to travel. But I still love to eat out! That means I’m always on the hunt for affordably priced meals.
To beef up my roster of go-tos, I did what any person in 2023 would do. I asked the internet. Here are some of my budget-friendly picks, plus recommendations from my food-loving friends. A reminder: yes, tipping adds to the cost of the meal, but please remember to take care of the people serving you.
Bento box at Dragon King's Daughter
1543 Bardstown Road; 129 W. Market St., New Albany, Indiana, dragonkingsdaughter.com
This isn’t the first time I’ve sung the praises of the beloved Dragon King's Daughter, 1543 Bardstown Road and 129 W. Market St. in New Albany. But its weekday lunchtime bento box deal has many more fans than just me. Flexible pricing lets you choose your own sushi roll adventure, with the whole meal — which includes three veggie gyoza, chips and ginger salsa, seaweed salad, and side of the day — starting as low as $10 for a decidedly non-traditional Buffaloroll of fresh mozzarella, cucumber, and avocado (the go-to for my frequent lunch date here). The happy hour menu from 3-6 p.m. (dine-in only) at both locations also has several roll options priced so nicely you can order two for less than $15.
COST: $10 and up
Egg burrito and cortado at La Pana Bakery y Cafe
1001 Logan St., inside the Logan Street Market, lapana.square.site
From our friends at Foko, we have this cheerful walk-up window at Logan Street Market, 1011 Logan St., where for just over $10, you can have a hefty little egg burrito and a sweet cup of strong coffee. Anytime I’m tempted to go to a certain large national coffee chain for a quick egg-based lunch on the go, if I’m even close to Logan Street, I head here instead for better food and coffee, and to keep even those few dollars local.
COST: $10 and up
Cocktail ceviche at La Suerte
2116 Bardstown Road, lasuerteky.com
La Suerte Louisville, 2116 Bardstown Road, is underrated, says a friend who calls its cocktail ceviche one of their favorites. Her book club group has been meeting there for a couple of years, she says, and while prices have gone up some, it's still a good value. The cocktail ceviche, priced at $11.99, features shrimp, tomato, red onions, jalapeño, cilantro, cucumbers, avocado, and cocktail sauce. There are also some good-looking tortas and quesadillas on the menu that ring in for less than $15.
COST: $11.99 and up
Sliders and sides at Oskar's Slider Bar
3799 Poplar Level Road, oskarssliderbar.com
I don’t know about you, but most of the time I’d rather have three perfect bites of a bunch of things than one huge plate of the same thing. That’s only part of the appeal of Oskar’s Slider Bar, 3799 Poplar Level Road. I love studying the Scandi-influenced menu and taking the little pencil to check the box for all the yummy things I want. Most often on my list is skagen smørrebrød, a chilled shrimp and crab salad with fresh dill and roe served open-face on a rye toast ($3); smoked halloumi ($3.65); and ranch-brined fried chicken ($3.35); oh, and the kale salad in that dreamy smoked onion vinaigrette ($3). Altogether you’re still barely at $15.
COST: varies by individual price of the slider
Burger and fries at Toasty's Tavern
1258 S. Shelby St., toastystavern.com
A cheap date option loved by another friend is the smashed Fischer Farm patty, with griddled onions, iceberg, sharp American cheese, pickles, and Toasty's Sauce at Toasty’s Tavern, 1258 S Shelby St., ringing in at just $11. Adding fries only brings you to $14. If they’re packed (as they seem to often be!) grab it to go and dig in at Trouble Bar just down the block.
COST: $11 and up
Campechano gorditas at Twig and Leaf
2122 Bardstown Road, twigandleafky.com
This one flew under the radar for me. Did you know that the iconic old-school diner Twig and Leaf, 2122 Bardstown Road, changes hands after 4 p.m., serving Mexican and Guatemalan fare in the evenings? I did not! But a friend in the know praises the Campechano Gorditas, which cost $10.50 and are enough to even make a meal for two. All that and that cool old neon sign, to boot.
COST: $10.50
Other affordable meals at Louisville restaurants
My foodie friends came through with more suggestions, so here are a few more with approximate prices (online prices may differ):
Breakfast sandwich at Full Stop Station, 1132 E St Catherine St.: $10
Gyro from Kebab House, 969 Baxter Ave.: $12
Black bean cakes from Noosh Noosh, 4816 Brownsboro Center: $11
Beef bibimbap at Sarang, 1908 Eastern Pkwy: $11
Tell Dana! Send your restaurant “Dish” to Dana McMahan at thecjdish@gmail.com and follow @elleferafera on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Cheap, affordable restaurants in Louisville: Twig and Leaf, Oskar's
