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 $15.
American BBQ$
Mark's Feed Store on Shelbyville Road has hickory-smoked Kentucky BBQ since 1988, the Saint Matthews counter where pulled pork plate with sides comes.
Try: Pulled pork plate with two sides
Tip: Walk-in counter. Order pulled pork, brisket or chicken with two sides for the cheapest sit-down meal.
Bakery$
Nord's Bakery on South Preston in Louisville fries Germantown donuts and pours coffee from a sticky-counter favorite for the city's best maple bacon donut.
Try: Donut and coffee breakfast
Tip: Walk-in only. Get there by 11:00 on weekends or the maple bacon sells out.
Taqueria$
Con Huevos on Frankfort Avenue in Louisville cooks fresh Mexican breakfasts with chilaquiles, breakfast tacos and tortas for under $14, the Clifton brunch.
Try: Chilaquiles or breakfast tacos
Tip: Walk-in only. Weekday mornings run cheaper and quieter than weekends.
Street food$
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.