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 from 11:00.
Tip: Cash for the bar; tip the band $5 per set. The Recession Special is one of the city's most reliable cheap meals.
Address: 416 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
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; outdoor seating.
Try: Loaded hot dog
Tip: Combo with chips and a fountain drink under $11. Gluten-free buns the same price; ask at the window.
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.
Try: Meat-and-three with milkshake
Tip: Hand-dipped chocolate milkshake plus a meat-and-three plate keeps the lunch bill under $15.
Arnold's meat-and-three lunch in Nashville delivers a protein plus three vegetables and tea for under $15. James Beard America's Classics Award winner since 2009.
Try: Meat-and-three plate
Tip: Lunch only, Monday to Friday 10:30 to 14:30; cafeteria line moves fast. Cash and card.
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.
Try: Two tacos and a soup
Tip: Two fried avocado tacos and a bowl of chicken tortilla soup is the canonical order.
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.
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.
