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Soul foodThe Gulch
Arnold's meat-and-three lunch in Nashville delivers a protein plus three vegetables and tea for under $15. Located in The Gulch. At 605 8th Ave S.
TryMeat-and-three plate
TipLunch only, Monday to Friday 10:30-14:30; cafeteria line moves fast. Cash and card.
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TaqueriaEast Nashville
Mas Tacos in East Nashville feeds you two tacos and a bowl of chicken tortilla soup for under $13. Closed Mondays; line builds by noon. At 732 McFerrin Ave.
TryTwo tacos and a soup
TipTwo fried avocado tacos and a bowl of chicken tortilla soup is the canonical order.
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Hot chickenEast Nashville
Bolton's on Main Street in East Nashville plates a hot chicken thigh sandwich and slaw for under $12. The cheapest serious hot chicken option in Nashville.
TryHot chicken sandwich
TipClosed Sundays and Mondays. Tiny counter; takeaway is the move.
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PizzeriaNorth Nashville
Slim & Husky's on Buchanan Street in North Nashville builds a personal pizza for under $13 including drink. Three Tennessee State alumni opened it in 2017.
TryPersonal pizza
TipBuild your own beats the signature pies for cost; cinnamon rolls are the cult dessert run out by 14:00.
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BrunchEast Nashville
Yeast Nashville's Woodland Street kolache counter in East Nashville builds a breakfast or lunch around savoury and sweet kolaches for under $10.
TryKolache and coffee
TipClosed at noon every day. Sausage and cheese kolache plus a cherry kolache is the lunch order for $8.
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New AmericanDowntown
The Recession Special at Robert's Western World on Lower Broadway in Nashville is fried bologna with chips and a PBR for $7, plus free live country music.
TryFried bologna sandwich with chips and beer
TipCash for the bar; tip the band $5 per set. The Recession Special is one of the city's most reliable cheap meals.
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New AmericanEast Nashville
I Dream of Weenie's school-bus hot dog counter on Woodland Street in East Nashville builds loaded dogs with house chili for under $9. Cash and card.
TryLoaded hot dog
TipCombo with chips and a fountain drink under $11. Gluten-free buns the same price; ask at the window.
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Soul foodMidtown
Elliston Place Soda Shop near Vanderbilt in Nashville plates a meat-and-three lunch for $11 and a hand-dipped milkshake for $5. Since 1939 in Nashville.
TryMeat-and-three with milkshake
TipHand-dipped chocolate milkshake plus a meat-and-three plate keeps the lunch bill under $15.