The brisket taco at Mia's costs around $6 individually, making it an affordable way to experience Dallas's most iconic Tex-Mex taco. Two brisket tacos and a house margarita stays under $25.
Must order: Two brisket tacos; house margarita (happy hour); rice and beans
Tip: Happy hour runs daily from 4-7pm with discounted margaritas. Two tacos and a drink is the sweet spot for a budget Mia's visit.
Address: 4334 Lemmon Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
Two chef-driven tacos and a coffee comes to around $13 at Resident, making it one of the best value breakfast experiences in the city. The quality of the tortillas and fillings rivals restaurants twice the price.
Order: Two tacos (cauliflower and pork shoulder); cafe de olla coffee
Tip: Taco prices range $4.50-5.50 each. A two-taco order with coffee is a satisfying and affordable breakfast under $15. Busier on weekends; come on Tuesday or Wednesday for shortest waits.
Design District BBQ spot with brisket plates under $17 that receive consistently high praise. Less famous than Pecan Lodge, which means shorter queues and more seats.
Order: Brisket plate with two sides; jalapeño cheddar sausage; homemade peach tea
Tip: No reservations, first-come. The queue moves faster than Pecan Lodge. Thursdays and Fridays at 11am have the fastest service.
Pay-by-weight Indian vegetarian buffet at the Hare Krishna temple in East Dallas. A full plate of dal, rice, sabzi, and dessert costs around $10-12. One of the most affordable sit-down lunches in Dallas.
Order: Dal makhani; seasonal sabzi; rice; barfi dessert
Tip: Priced by weight on the plate. A full meal costs $10-12. The garden patio seating is free with your meal purchase. No meat, onion, garlic, or eggs anywhere on the menu.
Zabihah-verified halal shawarma and falafel plates in North Dallas that consistently land under $15, serving one of the best-value halal meals in the Metroplex.
Order: Chicken shawarma plate with rice; falafel wrap; garlic sauce side
Tip: A shawarma plate with rice and garlic sauce runs $12-14. The combo plate for two is genuinely sufficient for two people.
Dallas's most-relied-upon 24-hour diner, serving migas, crepes, and pancakes with unlimited coffee bar refills. A full breakfast with bottomless coffee costs under $12.
Order: Migas breakfast tacos; unlimited coffee bar; sweet crepe with Nutella
Tip: The unlimited coffee bar is included with any order. A single migas plate with coffee is typically under $10 during off-peak hours.
Oak Cliff street taco institution where five tacos rarely cost more than $10, with bistek and chorizo fillings that regulars drive across the city to eat.
Order: Bistek taco; chorizo taco; carne asada; agua fresca
Tip: Cash preferred. Weekend mornings are the busiest time. Tacos run $2.50-3 each depending on filling.
