Bites on a Budget

The Original Corner Pub

A casual bar in Green Hills with great atmosphere, Corner Pub is a fun place to gather around brew, burgers and the big game on TV.
What to Order: Burger and chips, $$
4109 Hillsboro Road, 615-298-9698; cornerpubtn.com

El Burrito Mexicano

Located within the Nashville Farmers’ Market, El Burrito Mexicano serves up heaping portions of Mexican food made with produce straight from market farmers and merchants.
What to Order: Breakfast burrito, $$
900 Rosa L Parks Blvd., 615-880-2001

Kien Giang

Although Nashville does not have a sizeable Chinese or even Japanese population, we do have a strong Vietnamese community, which has generously dedicated their time to feeding hungry Nashvillians. And this is one of the best Vietnamese spots in town.
What to Order: Bun Bao Xao, $$
5845 Charlotte Pk., 615-353-1250

Taqueria del Sol

With its recently expanded patio, Taqueria del Sol is the ideal place to spend a summer evening over tacos and some of the best guacamole around.
What to Order: Memphis taco, $
2317 12th Ave. S., 615-499-4293; taqueriadelsol.com

Mas Tacos Por Favor

It might be housed in a little shop, but Mas Tacos is all about big flavor with interesting ingredients like quinoa, sweet potato, and plantains. Follow them on Twitter to stay up to date about daily specials.
What to Order: Fried avocado taco, $
732 b Mcferrin Ave., 615-543-6271; @mastacos

Calypso Café

For dinner, try healthy eatery, Calypso Café, which conveniently lists its nutrition facts online, making it easy to pick out a healthy, affordable meal ahead of time.
What to Order: Quarter dark meat rotisserie chicken with black beans and Martinique callaloo (mustard greens with tomatoes and onions) on the side, $$
Multiple locations; calypsocafe.com

Brown’s Diner

Their cheeseburgers are the go-to option for Belmont and Hillsboro residents who just don’t feel like cooking dinner. The restaurant smells like they haven’t changed the French fry grease in years, and regulars wouldn’t have it any other way.
What to Order: Cheeseburger, fries and a long-neck Budweiser, $$$
2102 Blair Blvd., 615-269-5509; brownsdiner.com

Rotier’s Restaurant

Often served with a side order of tongue-in-cheek surliness, a Rotier’s cheeseburger on French bread is the perfect base layer for an evening of frat party frivolity or club hopping on the Rock Block.
What to Order: Cheeseburger on French bread, $$
2413 Elliston Pl., 615-327-9892; rotiersrestaurant.com

Baja Burrito

An independent burrito shop in Berry Hill, Baja Burrito is all about good food — fast.
What to Order: Steak burrito, $$
722 Thompson Ln., 615-383-2252; bajaburrito.com

Edley's

A Nashville barbecue institution, Edley’s offers traditionally smoked meat plus homemade sides. It also has our vote for one of Nashville’s best patios.
What to Order: “Tuck x93 Special — a brisket sandwich, house made spicy pimento cheese, over easy egg, red and white sauce and pickles; mac-n-cheese and baked beans, $$$
2706 12th Ave. S., 615-953-2951; edleysbbq.com

Franklin Mercantile

The Mercantile is great at any time of day, but it’s best at breakfast, especially with its many unique coffee and tea flavors.
What to Order: Covert breakfast burrito, $$
100 4th Ave. N. Franklin, 615-790-9730; franklinmercantile.com

Arnold’s Country Kitchen

With a rotating roster of southern treats made with farm fresh ingredients, you’d be hard pressed to find a can opener in Arnold’s kitchen. They’re known for their hand-sliced roast beef on the menu every day and yeast rolls that rise above the normal mundane breadbasket to a level of sublime.
What to Order: One meat and three vegetables, $$
605 8th Ave. S., 615-256-4455; One of Nashville Lifestyles’ Top 10 Restaurants of 2013

Frothy Monkey

The popular local coffee shop has a number of hearty breakfast options, but when you’re in the mood for a lighter, healthier alternative, The Frothy Monkey has at least one protein-packed treat.
What to Order: “Julie x93 egg sandwich with farm eggs, tomato, spinach, feta cheese and fresh basil on whole wheat bread, $$
2509 12th Ave. S., 615-292-1808; frothymonkey.com

Carniceria y Taqueria Don Juan

Nolensville Road is a great corridor to explore ethnic foods in Nashville. In addition to the great taquerias, it houses numerous Kurdish, Ethiopian and Thai restaurants that are all worth exploring.
What to Order: Three tacos (one carnitas, one al pastor, one barbacoa), $
2910 Nolensville Pk., 615-833-1690

Hermitage Café

This traditional diner is one of Nashville’s treasures. At any given moment it is filled with musicians, construction workers, businessmen, and the occasional celebrity chef—always packed after the honky tonks close on Broadway. However, it consistently serves up some of the best and cheapest eats in town.
What to Order: Coffee, two eggs with bacon (served with home fries, toast, butter and jelly), $$
71 Hermitage Ave., 615-254-8871

Kalamatas

Kalamatas is a great place to enjoy healthy and fresh Mediterranean-style food on the cheap. Try going meatless with one of their samplers to cut costs by several dollars.
What to Order: Falafel pocket, $$
3764 Hillsboro Pk., 615-383-8700; eatatkalamatas.com

Loveless Café

Carol Fay Ellison, the Biscuit Lady, may have passed away in 2010, but the Loveless Café still serves one of the best breakfasts in town in her honor. Many regulars swear by the fried chicken as some of the best anywhere.
What to Order: Half fried chicken platter with biscuits and two sides, $$$
8400 Hwy 100, 615-646-9700; lovelesscafe.com

Noshville

A New York-style delicatessen where they ask you to “order with reckless abandon, x93 and indulge in some comfort food.
What to Order: Hot, open-face roast beef sandwich with fries, $$$
1918 Broadway, 615-329-6674; noshville.com

Monell's

For a small price, customers do not just fill up on Southern favorites but also on delightful conversation with strangers-turned-friends — dinner is served up family-style at 12-person tables.
What to Order: Monday’s all-you-can-eat chicken and dumplings with sides, $$$
1235 6th Ave. N., 615-248-4747; monellstn.com

Oscar's Taco Shop

What started out as one little, Southern California-inspired taco shop in Franklin now has nine different area locations.
What to Order: Two fish tacos with rice and beans, $$
530 Church St., 615-251-1507; oscarstacoshop.com

Elliston Place Soda Shop

The 1950s era décor of this spot has made it popular as the scene of the multiple photo and music video shoots over the years. As fun as it is to soak up the atmosphere, it’s the down home food that maintains its popularity.
What to Order: Country ham breakfast, $$
2111 Elliston Pl., 615-327-1090; On Facebook, SodaShopNashville

Taziki’s Café

A small chain started in Alabama, Taziki’s offers some of the tastiest Mediterranean-inspired fare you’ll find west of Athens.
What to Order: Lamb gyro with a tomato-cucumber salad, $$$
3001 West End Ave., 615-724-2276; tazikiscafe.com

Blue Coast Burrito

Serving Baja-style burritos, tacos, and salads, Blue Coast has a “family night x93 every Tuesday from 5 to 10 p.m. with great deals on “little surfer x93 meals and tons of kid-friendly activities. Plus the food is fresh, healthy and fast—a winning trifecta for busy families.
What to Order: Small burrito combo, $$
500 Church St., 615-748-3002; bluecoastburrito.com

The Local Taco

The Local Taco goes beyond your typical taco fare with its unique ingredients, including southern fried chicken, which is one of its staples.
What to Order: Korean barbecue taco basket with rice or beans for a weekday lunch, $$
4501 Murphy Rd., 615-891-3271; thelocaltaco.com

Hattie B’s

Despite limited parking options, Hattie B’s offers up a bustling Midtown patio, the perk of online ordering (bonus for big families who don’t want to wait in line), and friendly customer service.
What to Order: Small white plate (breast and wing) hot, with two sides, $$
112 19th Ave. S., 615-678-4794; hattieb.com

Miss Saigon

Authentic Vietnamese dished up in a chic, family-oriented atmosphere.
What to Order: Bun Nem Nurong, $$
5849 Charlotte Pk., 615-354-1351; misssaigontn.com

Pizza Perfect

For 30 years, Pizza Perfect has been crafting wholesome and freshly made pizzas and pastas at its two Nashville locations.
What to Order: Spinach lasagna with garlic bread, $$
1602 21st Ave. S., 615-329-2757; pizzaperfectonline.com

Yellow Porch

An intimate restaurant with colorful artwork and elegant menu offerings makes for a great lunchtime spot without the huge price tag.
What to Order: Portabella sandwich, $$
734 Thompson Ln., 615-386-0260; theyellowporch.com

Swett’s Restaurant

This meat-and-three allows customers to cut straight to the chase and just dig into delicious southern helpings with its no-frills, cafeteria-style ordering.
What to Order: Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and okra, $$$
2725 Clifton Ave., 615-329-4418; swettsrestaurant.com

The Smiling Elephant

Serving up healthy and authentic Thai, The Smiling Elephant even takes requests to prepare a dish not found on the menu.
What to Order: Chicken cashew stir-fry with satay sauce, $$$
2213 8th Ave. S., 615-891-4488; thesmilingelephant.com

Taco Mamacita

With creative fusion tacos and colorful margaritas, Taco Mamacita lures Edgehill residents looking for a fun bite and a guaranteed good time.
What to Order: Two Sloppy Jose tacos and a side, $$
1200 Villa Pl., 615-730-8552; tacomamacita.com