The 25 Best Cincinnati Restaurants When You Have $10 or Less

Ollie’s Trolley

1607 Central Ave., Over-the-Rhine/West End
Located in a bright yellow and red trolley car, Ollie’s Trolley is a soul food staple in the Cincinnati area. Ollie's serves a variety of smoked pork, including ribs, rib tips and pulled pork, plus plenty of sides, like collard greens, buttered corn and potato salad. Chow down on a variety of burgers and metts, chicken, turkey, fish and a selection of barbecue all for under $10.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Quatman Cafe

2434 Quatman Ave., Norwood; 224 W. Main St., Mason
This no-frills burger joint has locations in Mason and Norwood. Everything on the menu is under $10, including burgers and fish, chicken and deli sandwiches. On Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, enjoy a cheeseburger, fries and a drink for just $8.
Photo: Quatman Cafe’s Facebook

Unataza Coffee

620 Sixth Ave., Dayton, Kentucky
With a mission to bring Honduran coffee and food to the Cincinnati area, Unataza Coffee in Dayton, Kentucky serves a piece of culture to every customer. Order a wrap, soup, salad or bowl for under $10 — some even come with plantain chips.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Sebastian’s

5209 Glenway Ave., Cheviot
The longtime West Side joint is just as delicious as you remember it. A meat-lover’s heaven, the menu offers numerous Greek items and what many consider to be the best gyro in Cincinnati. Most of the menu is priced under $10, with the exception of a couple dinners.
Photo: Facebook.com/SebastiansGyros

Camp Washington Chili

3005 Colerain Ave., Camp Washington
This James Beard Award-winning local chili parlor is known for its Cincinnati-style chili. Everything on the menu is $10 or under, including coneys; 3-, 4- and 5-ways; double-deckers; melts; burgers; breakfasts; and more — with the exception of the quarts to-go.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Carl’s Deli

2836 Observatory Ave., #A, Hyde Park
A Greater Cincinnati deli staple, Carl’s has a wide variety of sandwich options, all under $10, like the hot crab and artichoke on a toasted croissant for $8.95 or the Carl's Reuben, with hot corned beef and Swiss on rye with coleslaw or sauerkraut and 1000 Island dressing for $7.95. Or enjoy a cup of soup and a half sammy for $8.50.
Photo: Facebook.com/CarlsDeliCincinnati

CityBird

Multiple locations including 1344 Vine St., Over the Rhine; 7893 Beechmont Ave., Anderson Township; 2887 Dixie Highway, Crestview Hills
From the team behind popular Over-the-Rhine eatery The Eagle, the Thunderdome Restaurant Group created CityBird, a restaurant that specializes in chicken tenders and sandwiches. Order the snack pack of three-to-five tenders and fries, or the medium pack of six-to-seven tenders and fries for under $10.
Photo: Facebook.com/CityBirdCincy

Cincy Steak and Lemonade

2607 Vine St., Corryville
Craving a Philly cheesesteak? How about a chocolate milkshake? Then Cincy Steak and Lemonade is the place for you, with well over 20 different sandwiches, eight special combos and a dozen different flavors of slushie lemonades.
Photo: Facebook.com/Cincys

The Whole Bowl

364 Ludlow Ave., Clifton
“Guilt free” is how The Whole Bowl likes to describe their three different sized bowl creations. Each bowl, whether it is a 12 oz., 16 oz., or 32 oz., is under $10 and packed with gluten-free and natural ingredients such as brown rice, black and red beans, avocado, cilantro, black olives, Tillamook cheddar, sour cream, salsa and secret-recipe Tali Sauce.
Photo: The Whole Bowl’s Facebook

La Mexicana Restaurant

642 Monmouth St., Newport
This Newport-based Mexican eatery lands itself on CityBeat’s Best of Cincinnati list year after year for its mouthwatering tacos. The menu ranges from Mexican-style entrees like pollo con mole or flag enchiladas to a la carte choices like tacos, burritos and tortas with your choice of meat. Tacos are less than $3 each and are delightfully filling. You can also order a torta, burrito or quesadilla for less than $10.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Chicago Gyros & Dogs

201 W McMillan St., Clifton
For about 35 years, Chicago Gyros & Dogs has been cooking with passion every single day. At this Clifton restaurant, you’ll find gyros, hot dogs, various sandwiches, burgers and more for $3.50-$9.
Photo: Facebook.com/ChicagoGyrosandDogsCincinnati

Harmony Plant Fare

1801 Race St., Findlay Market
Modeling itself as a New York-style vegan deli, Harmony Plant Fare is located in Findlay Market. Selling vegan sandwiches from scratch for around $8, you can also find a deli section of housemade vegan cheeses, seitan meats and various salads to-go.
Photo: Sami Nowlin

Sugar n’ Spice Diner

4381 Reading Road, Paddock Hills; 1203 Sycamore St., Over-the-Rhine
Looking for your classic breakfast of pancakes, eggs and bacon? Find all that and more at Sugar n’ Spice Diner — plus a funky old-school atmosphere. This colorful restaurant has two locations, one in Over-the-Rhine and the original in Paddock Hills, and serves anything from omelettes to chicken and steak. Order a stack of pancakes for $7.50, biscuits and gravy for $8.25 or a sandwich for $9.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Ché

1342 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine
Walking down the streets of OTR, you may not notice Ché at a first glance. This Argentinian restaurant is nondescript from the outside, but on the inside, it will lead you to an eclectic upbeat and colorful dining area. One of Ché’s most popular items is their $4 empanadas, which come in a variety of flavors such as the mushroom feta, buffalo chicken and Korean barbecue. Served on a large platter for your table to divvy up, each empanada is branded with its filling.
Photo: Facebook.com/CheCincinnati

Ramundo’s Pizzeria

3166 Linwood Ave., Mt. Lookout; 2210 Beechmont Ave., Mt. Washington
Found in two Greater Cincinnati neighborhoods, enjoy a New York-style slice of pizza from Ramundo’s for under $4. If pizza isn’t quite your thing, enjoy any of Ramundo’s garden fresh salads ranging from $4-$9.
Photo: Facebook.com/RamundosPizzeriaMtWashington

Covington Yard

401 Greenup St., Covington
Can’t compromise on a place to eat? Covington Yard can help! With four different restaurants serving out of shipping containers, everyone is sure to find something they’ll like. Django Western Tacos serves tacos for $4-$5; Mr. Bulgogi offers Korean bowls for $7-$8 and dumplings for $4-$5; Yard Bird is known for their $7 “Thee Chicken Sandwich” served with coleslaw; and Hangry Omar’s serves sliders for under $9.
Photo: Facebook.com/CovingtonYard

Alabama Que

2733 Short Vine St., Corryville
Alabama native Dwan Ward opened Alabama Que in 2008 on the West Side of Cincinnati. Working his way up, and adding more items to the menu, Ward was able to generate more income, later moving his restaurant to Short Vine in 2012. Today, Alabama Que has become a hot spot for local athletes and is well-known for their turkey tips. Serving all of the fixin’s to go with your barbecue — mac n’ cheese, potato salad, coleslaw, and more — order any regular-sized item of meat for $5-$9.
Photo: Facebook.com/AlabamaQueFanPage

Habanero Latin American Fare

358 Ludlow Ave., Clifton
This local restaurant has been on Ludlow Avenue since 1999, serving a wide range of Latin American fare. Enjoy one of their signature burrito bowls for as low as $8.49, a grilled chicken chimichanga for $8, or even their Baja fish taco platter served with rice and beans for $7.99.
Photo: Habanero Latin American Fare’s Facebook

Wunderbar

1132 Lee St., Covington
Coined as a “funky, neighborhood nook,” Wunderbar is a German bar located in Covington. With most meals on their menu ranging from $3-$7, you can order a homemade currywurst, a bratwurst with sauerkraut, veggie sausage with Brussels sprouts and other homemade German foods without breaking the bank.
Photo: Facebook.com/Wunderbar.Covington.3

Boombox Buns

1400 Republic St., Over-the-Rhine
Boombox Buns, an Over-the-Rhine eatery specializing in homemade Chinese-style steamed buns, opened its much-anticipated brick-and-mortar location last summer. Serving up the fluffiest steamed buns you have ever seen, Boom Box offers a variety of fillings including their pork, sweet potato bun and beef bun — all priced at $4 each. Finish the meal off with a fried sweet bun for dessert and a Thai iced tea on the side.
Photo: Boombox Buns