Eat With Sam KLooking for the best cheap eats in Nashville? You don't have to spend a fortune to enjoy incredible food in Music City. Whether you're craving burgers, tacos, pizza, BBQ, hot chicken, or breakfast, this guide highlights some of the best budget-friendly restaurants in Nashville.
Great food doesn't always come with a high price tag. Some of Nashville's best meals cost less than $20, making it easy to enjoy amazing local restaurants without breaking the bank.
At Eat With Sam K, every meal is purchased with my own money. I don't accept free food or paid reviews, so every recommendation is based on my honest experience and research.
Tip: hover over any $ price tag below to see what it means.
⭐ Red's Hot Chicken
Neighborhood: Midtown (near Centennial Park)
Sam Score: 8.7/10
Best For: Hot Chicken Sandwiches Under $20
Price: $$
Red's delivers big flavor at a reasonable price, making it one of the better budget lunch options around Nashville. The Hot Chicken Mac & Cheese Crunch Wrap is a standout. Read Sam's full review →
💬 Sam Says: "Big, creative flavor for a counter-service price, one of the best budget lunches in Midtown."
⭐ Personally Reviewed by Eat With Sam K · Read my full Red's Hot Chicken review →
⭐ Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint
Neighborhood: Germantown
Sam Score: 8.6/10
Best For: Creative Burgers Under $20
Price: $
Jack Brown's is a casual burger-and-beer spot in Germantown with a covered patio, proving you don't need a big budget for a great burger. Read Sam's full review →
💬 Sam Says: "A covered patio, a long beer list, and a burger menu that punches well above its price point."
⭐ Personally Reviewed by Eat With Sam K · Read my full Jack Brown's review →
⭐ Hugh-Baby's
Neighborhood: Charlotte Avenue (The Nations)
Sam Score: 8.5/10
Best For: Burgers, BBQ & Milkshakes
Price: $$
Hugh-Baby's has quietly become one of Nashville's favorite casual restaurants. Between the burgers, pulled pork, and shakes, it's one of the best food values in town. Read Sam's full review →
💬 Sam Says: "Smashed cheeseburgers, BBQ, and hand-spun shakes in one order, hard to find a better dollar-for-dollar meal."
⭐ Personally Reviewed by Eat With Sam K · Read my full Hugh-Baby's review →
More Nashville Cheap Eats Worth Knowing
I'm still working my way through Nashville's budget-friendly restaurants, so the spots below haven't all received an official Sam Score yet.
Rather than assigning rankings to places I haven't personally reviewed, I'm keeping them on my radar and will update this guide as I visit them.
🍕 Five Points Pizza
Five Points Pizza is one of Nashville's best places to grab an affordable meal. Huge New York-style slices mean you can eat well without spending much.
Best For: Pizza by the Slice
👑 Prince's Hot Chicken
If you're visiting Nashville, Prince's lets you experience the city's most famous food without an expensive bill.
Best For: Nashville's Signature Food
🍔 Fat Mo's
Fat Mo's has been serving massive burgers for years. If you're hungry, it's hard to find a better value.
Best For: Giant Burgers
🌮 Oscar's Taco Shop
Oscar's offers generous portions, fresh ingredients, and affordable prices across its menu.
Best For: Fast Mexican Food
🌯 Baja Burrito
A longtime Nashville favorite, Baja Burrito consistently delivers fresh ingredients, generous portions, and great prices.
Best For: Fresh Burritos
🌙 Dino's
Dino's has earned legendary status among locals for serving one of Nashville's best affordable burgers, especially late at night.
Best For: Late-Night Burgers
🥪 Mitchell Delicatessen
If you're craving an incredible sandwich without spending a fortune, Mitchell Delicatessen belongs on your list. Fresh ingredients and large portions make it one of East Nashville's best lunch spots.
Best For: Sandwiches
Best Cheap Eats in Nashville by Occasion
If you don't want to sort through the entire list, here's where I'd start depending on what you're looking for.
| Looking For | Try |
|---|---|
| ⭐ Highest Sam Score | Red's Hot Chicken, 8.7 |
| 🍔 Burgers Under $20 | Jack Brown's / Hugh-Baby's |
| 🔥 Hot Chicken | Red's Hot Chicken / Prince's |
| 🍕 Pizza by the Slice | Five Points Pizza |
| 🌮 Mexican | Oscar's Taco Shop / Baja Burrito |
| 🌙 Late-Night | Dino's |
| 🥪 Sandwiches | Mitchell Delicatessen |
What Is My Favorite Cheap Eat in Nashville?
Right now, Red's Hot Chicken is my top personally-reviewed pick, with an 8.7 Sam Score, just ahead of Jack Brown's (8.6) and Hugh-Baby's (8.5).
That doesn't mean the ranking is permanent. I'm continuing to visit budget-friendly restaurants throughout Nashville, and whenever I review another one, I'll update this guide based on my actual experience.
What Makes a Great Cheap Eat?
For a restaurant to make this list, I'm looking for more than just low prices. I consider:
- 🍽️ Food Quality, great food comes first.
- 💰 Value, is the experience worth what you pay?
- 📏 Portion Size, will you leave full?
- 👨🍳 Service, friendly and efficient service.
- 🏠 Atmosphere, a welcoming place you'll actually want to visit again.
The best cheap eats are restaurants that make you feel like you got more than you paid for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered a cheap meal in Nashville?
For this guide, a cheap meal generally means you can enjoy a satisfying meal for around $20 or less per person, excluding drinks and tips.
Where can I get the best burger without spending a lot?
Jack Brown's, Hugh-Baby's, Fat Mo's, and Dino's all offer outstanding burgers that deliver excellent value.
What's the best cheap food for tourists?
If it's your first time visiting Nashville, Prince's Hot Chicken, Five Points Pizza, and Jack Brown's all provide memorable meals without stretching your budget.
What neighborhoods have the best affordable food?
East Nashville, The Nations, Midtown, and Germantown all have excellent budget-friendly restaurants worth exploring.
Can you eat well in Nashville on a budget?
Absolutely. While Nashville has plenty of upscale restaurants, many of the city's best local favorites are also some of its most affordable.
The Sam Score
Every cheap eat that receives a Sam Score has been personally visited and reviewed by me, food quality, value, portion size, service, and atmosphere all factor in.
Restaurants cannot pay for a Sam Score or a better rating. My goal with Eat With Sam K is simple: try the food myself and tell you whether I think it's actually worth your money.
As I visit more budget-friendly restaurants around Nashville, I'll continue updating this guide with new Sam Scores and rankings.
Last Updated: August 2026
More Nashville Food Guides
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