Street food$
Logan Street Market in Shelby Park Louisville runs 8+ food stalls under one roof, the public market food hall with bowls, tacos and Asian street food.
Try: Rotating food vendor stalls
Tip: Closed Mondays. Mix and match dishes from multiple stalls for a budget feast.
Hot chicken$Tue 11:30-14:00, Tue 17:00-21:00, Wed 11:30-14:00, Wed 17:00-21:00, Thu 11:30-14:00, Thu 17:00-21:00, Fri 11:30-14:00, Fri 17:00-22:00, Sat 11:30-22:00
Royals Hot Chicken in Louisville's NuLu fries Nashville-style hot chicken sandwiches for under $15, the city's spice-level counter open to lunch and dinner.
Try: Hot chicken sandwich with side
Tip: Counter-service. Medium heat sandwich with a side keeps lunch under $15.
Brunch$
Wagner's Pharmacy in Louisville cooks the city's cheapest country ham breakfast across from Churchill Downs, the 1922-built diner with breakfast plates.
Try: Country ham breakfast plate
Tip: Walk-in counter. Breakfast until 10:30 weekdays, all day Sunday. Closed Mondays.
American BBQ$Mon-Thu 11:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-00:00, Sun 11:00-22:00
Feast BBQ in NuLu Louisville smokes pulled pork and brisket sandwiches with sides for under $16, the counter-service pit on East Market that keeps lunch.
Try: Pulled pork sandwich with side
Tip: Get in before 14:00 on weekends. Pulled pork sandwich is the cheapest filling option.
Pizzeria$
Wick's Pizza on Baxter Avenue in Louisville sells personal pizzas and stromboli for under $16, the Highlands pub keeping student lunches affordable.
Try: Personal pizza or stromboli
Tip: Walk-in only on weekends. Order at the bar. Lunch specials Mon to Fri.
Hot chicken$
Joella's Hot Chicken on Frankfort Avenue in Louisville fries Nashville-style hot chicken tenders for under $15 with a side, the family-friendly Crescent Hill.
Try: Hot chicken tenders with side
Tip: Counter-service. Tender plate with pimento mac and tea stays under $15.