Bakery$FoothillDaily 00:00-24:00
SloDoCo Donuts sells a hundred varieties for pocket change 24 hours a day, San Luis Obispo's cheapest, latest and most democratic institution.
Try: Doughnuts around the clock
Tip: The bacon maple bar is the 03:00 order; a second SLO shop runs on Higuera Street downtown.
Chinese$$DowntownMon-Wed 11:00-20:00; Thu-Fri 11:00-21:00; Sat 11:00-14:00, 16:00-21:00; Sun closed
Mee Heng Low Noodle House serves generous chop suey bowls at fair prices on Palm Street, and has been feeding San Luis Obispo cheaply since 1927.
Try: Chop suey and chow mein
Tip: The Kwong family took over in 2009, the third to run the house since 1927; the Ah Louis Store faces it across Palm Street.
Barbecue$$DowntownSun-Thu 11:00-21:00; Fri-Sat 11:00-22:00
Firestone Grill's tri-tip sandwich remains San Luis Obispo's best-value famous meal, oak-grilled beef on a garlic-butter roll for fast-food money.
Try: Tri-tip sandwich
Tip: The line moves faster than it looks; order at the counter and grab a patio table on Higuera Street.
Pizzeria$$DowntownSun-Thu 11:00-00:00; Fri-Sat 11:00-01:00
Woodstock's Pizza runs slice and pitcher deals that have kept generations of Cal Poly budgets afloat at Higuera and Osos in San Luis Obispo.
Try: Pizza by the slice and pitcher deals
Tip: It serves until midnight most nights and 01:00 on Friday and Saturday, one of the last kitchens open downtown.
Vegan$FoothillSun-Thu 11:00-20:00; Fri-Sat 11:00-21:00
Ziggy's proves plant-based fast food can undercut the drive-through in San Luis Obispo, with taquitos and house-patty burgers at counter prices.
Try: Plant-based burgers and taquitos
Tip: The vegan menu is clearly labelled; order the house Ziggy patty over the Impossible if you want the original.
Deli$Railroad DistrictDaily 11:00-17:30
High Street Market & Deli drops sandwich prices after 16:20 every day, the 1927 corner grocery that feeds San Luis Obispo students on a budget.
Try: Stacked deli sandwiches
Tip: Tuesday is student day: any High St sando for $9 with college ID, one per card.