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 $11. Gluten-free buns the same price; ask at the window.
Soul food$midtownMon-Sat 7:30-16:00, Sun 9:00-15:00
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 $15.
Soul food$the-gulchMon-Fri 10:30-14:45, Sat 11:00-15:00
Arnold's meat-and-three lunch in Nashville delivers a protein plus three vegetables and tea for under $15. Located in The Gulch. At 605 8th Ave S.
Try: Meat-and-three plate
Tip: Lunch only, Monday to Friday 10:30-14:30; cafeteria line moves fast. Cash and card.
Taqueria$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.