{"id":833645,"date":"2026-05-31T02:51:25","date_gmt":"2026-05-31T02:51:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/833645\/"},"modified":"2026-05-31T02:51:25","modified_gmt":"2026-05-31T02:51:25","slug":"want-cheap-eats-8-places-local-foodies-go-for-an-affordable-meal-in-fort-worth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/833645\/","title":{"rendered":"Want cheap eats? 8 places local foodies go for an affordable meal in Fort Worth"},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u2019m always trying to find where to eat on a budget<\/a>.<\/p>\n

So when I saw Connie Bally of the Fort Worth Foodies Facebook Group<\/a> post about cheap eats, I knew I had to spread the word.<\/p>\n

Foodie members left more than 130 comments with their suggestions. Bally asked for meals under $12, huge portions, happy hours, taco specials and lunch deals.<\/p>\n

I rounded up a few of the recommendations with options for southern Texas-style comfort food, barbecue, breakfast, Tex-Mex and Asian. I left out any Italian suggestions because I just shared a list of eight Fort Worth Italian restaurants that locals love<\/a>.<\/p>\n

So, here is where to find cheap eats in Fort Worth, according to Fort Worth Foodie locals.<\/p>\n

Favorite local spots for a cheap eat in Fort Worth\"The<\/p>\n

The \u201cComeback\u201d is a brisket-cheddar sandwich with a tabasco-ketchup-mayo sauce.<\/p>\n

Bearded Lady<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Where is it?<\/strong> 300 S. Main St., Fort Worth<\/p>\n

What is it?<\/strong> Known for its L.U.S.T. burger, which was voted the No. 3 best burger in Texas by Texas Monthly in 2016. Bud Kennedy describes<\/a> the South Main restaurant as \u201ca cavernous gastropub with a convivial patio.\u201d<\/p>\n

Recommended by:<\/strong> Kathryn Davitt recommends their all day-Wednesday deal with a $5 smash burger and fries. Aimee Burns suggests the Happy Hour, which is Monday to Friday from 3 to 6 p.m featuring $4 well liquors and beer, $5 select cocktails and $5 small bites.<\/p>\n

Sunny\u2019s Cafe<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Where is it?<\/strong> 3000 Southeast Loop 820, Fort Worth<\/p>\n

What is it?<\/strong> Classic American breakfast, lunch and dinner. Daily specials include chicken fried steak or chicken Parmesan for $11.99, steak for $12.99 and $2.99 daily pie.<\/p>\n

Recommended by:<\/strong> Scott Hubbard, who says, \u201cThey have a huge menu and their prices are far below the \u2018new standard.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A grilled chicken special with pico, collards and pintos at Luby\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Luby\u2019s<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Where is it?<\/strong> 3312 S.E. Loop 820 Forest Hill, Fort Worth<\/p>\n

What is it?<\/strong> A Texas classic. Southern comfort food in a cafeteria-style setting. Dinner with vegetables, cornbread, \u201csquare fish,\u201d fried chicken, chopped steak, fried catfish and chicken-fried steak starting at $7.99. The Senior LuAnn Special is an entree, two sides and bread for $8.49.<\/p>\n

Recommended by:<\/strong> Jim Lecroy says Luby\u2019s has \u201cbig portions of fresh, hot food.\u201d Bud Kennedy suggests: \u201cFried \u2018square fish\u2019 fillets are much better for the family than cheeseburgers. For an upgrade, try the grilled or blackened tilapia.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cotton Patch Cafe<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Where is it?<\/strong> 3940 NW Loop 820, Lake Worth<\/p>\n

What is it?<\/strong> Texas and southern comfort food made from scratch. Daily specials include chicken fried steak, meatloaf and a blackened tilapia, to name a few.<\/p>\n

Recommended by:<\/strong> Mary J Nickel suggests the $9.99 nightly special. \u201cThey are regular size servings. Yum!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"For<\/p>\n

For less than $20 on Monday nights, the Cousin\u2019s BBQ locations on McCart Avenue in south Fort Worth, Texas, and in Crowley, Texas, sell two-for-one sandwiches and sides. Shown: sliced brisket and sliced boneless chicken sandwiches, with elote (center) and \u201cBootsie\u2019s cowboy beans,\u201d seen july 21, 2025.<\/p>\n

Cousins Barbecue<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Where is it?<\/strong> Two locations in Fort Worth, one in Crowley. See website for addresses.<\/p>\n

What is it?<\/strong> Old-school Texas style barbecue known for their own jalape\u00f1o cheddar sausage and hot links with brisket and smoked chicken breast.<\/p>\n

Recommended by:<\/strong> Hedy Gutmann Collins goes to Cousins for the specials. Buy one, get one free Monday to Wednesday \u2013 Monday is for barbecue sandwiches and sides. Tuesday is for baked potatoes. And Wednesday is for meat plates of two brisket, ribs, sausage or boneless chicken plates including sides. \u201cBest deal in town,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Rosa\u2019s Cafe<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Where is it?<\/strong> Multiple locations in Fort Worth and surrounding suburbs. See website for options<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What is it?<\/strong> Tex-Mex chain with mesquite grilled fajitas and house-made tortillas. Taco Tuesday specials every week.<\/p>\n

Recommended by:<\/strong> Sascha Sexton Couch said the Taco Tuesday special includes \u201cthree tacos, rice, beans, and tortillas plus the salsa bar for $6.65.\u201d And David McCollum suggested \u201cRosa\u2019s has the best taco salad #20 for $6.95, then add all kinds of extras from the condiment bar. Makes a full meal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tom\u2019s Asian Bistro<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Where is it?<\/strong> 2977 S. Precinct Line Road, Fort Worth.<\/p>\n

What is it?<\/strong> Asian fusion and Chinese restaurant with fried rice, orange chicken and noodle dishes. They also offer sushi and boba tea.<\/p>\n

Recommended by:<\/strong> Kailyn Cleere says, \u201cI usually get shrimp fried rice or shrimp lo mein, and a side of egg drop soup. I\u2019ve never been able to finish in one sitting and spend under $15.\u201d Dawn Nickel suggests the chicken fried rice.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A cheesburger and tater tots seen June 15, 2025, at the Malt Shop, an old-time drive-in nearing 70 years on U.S. 180 at the east edge of Weatherford, Texas.<\/p>\n

The Malt Shop<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Where is it?<\/strong> 2028 Fort Worth Hwy. in Weatherford and soon to be at<\/a> 8700 FM 920 in Peaster.<\/p>\n

What is it?<\/strong> One of the last few classic burger drive-ins in North Texas with affordable burger combos, breakfast and home-made malts. A burger combo with tater tots is $11.50.<\/p>\n

Recommended by:<\/strong> Allie Brewer Hutchings says, \u201cIt\u2019ll take you back in time. Pack your patience or call ahead for your order. They make everything as it is ordered and during busy times, it can take a little extra to get your food. Great ice cream!\u201d<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf7d\ufe0f\ud83c\udf77 Latest restaurant news:<\/p>\n

\u25fd\ufe0f Get our Eats Beat newsletter <\/strong><\/a>to stay in the loop!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"I\u2019m always trying to find where to eat on a budget. So when I saw Connie Bally of…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":833646,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[5138],"tags":[5229,22784,321425,192333,15650,341855,7371,7372,36485,358,70016,3187,67,586,132,5230,68,2969],"class_list":["post-833645","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-fort-worth","tag-america","tag-bud-kennedy","tag-chicken-parmesan","tag-chicken-fried-steak","tag-comfort-food","tag-connie-bally","tag-fort-worth","tag-fortworth","tag-fried-chicken","tag-texas","tag-texas-monthly","tag-tx","tag-united-states","tag-united-states-of-america","tag-unitedstates","tag-unitedstatesofamerica","tag-us","tag-usa"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/116666924396280511","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/833645","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=833645"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/833645\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/833646"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=833645"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=833645"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=833645"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}