Taqueria$east-nashvilleTue-Fri 11:00-21:00, Sat 10:00-21:00, Sun 10:00-16:00
Mas Tacos in East Nashville feeds you two tacos and a bowl of chicken tortilla soup for under $13. Closed Mondays; line builds by noon. At 732 McFerrin Ave.
Try: Two tacos and a soup
Tip: Two fried avocado tacos and a bowl of chicken tortilla soup is the canonical order.
Hot chicken$east-nashville
Bolton's on Main Street in East Nashville plates a hot chicken thigh sandwich and slaw for under $12. The cheapest serious hot chicken option in Nashville.
Try: Hot chicken sandwich
Tip: Closed Sundays and Mondays. Tiny counter; takeaway is the move.
Pizzeria$north-nashvilleMon-Thu 11:00-21:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-23:00, Sun 11:00-21:00
Slim & Husky's on Buchanan Street in North Nashville builds a personal pizza for under $13 including drink. Three Tennessee State alumni opened it in 2017.
Try: Personal pizza
Tip: Build your own beats the signature pies for cost; cinnamon rolls are the cult dessert run out by 14:00.
Brunch$east-nashvilleWed-Sun 7:00-12:00
Yeast Nashville's Woodland Street kolache counter in East Nashville builds a breakfast or lunch around savoury and sweet kolaches for under $10.
Try: Kolache and coffee
Tip: Closed at noon every day. Sausage and cheese kolache plus a cherry kolache is the lunch order for $8.
New American$downtownDaily 10:00-3:00
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.
Try: Fried bologna sandwich with chips and beer
Tip: Cash for the bar; tip the band $5 per set. The Recession Special is one of the city's most reliable cheap meals.
New American$east-nashvilleMon-Thu 11:00-16:00, Fri 11:00-17:00, Sat-Sun 10:30-17:00
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.
Try: Loaded hot dog
Tip: Combo with chips and a fountain drink under $11. Gluten-free buns the same price; ask at the window.