Mix and match these affordable meal options for around or under $10 each in Columbia SC to try iconic local favorites and the latest additions to the culinary scene and see if you can meet the challenge to keep your road trip meal budget under $40 per person each day during your stay!
Comptons Kitchen: Start your day with a hearty Southern breakfast and you’ll be good to go till dinner (or at least happy hour). Breakfast specials are under $7 and include eggs, sausage, bacon, grits and a biscuit. They also have breakfast specials for kids and seniors that are under $5. For lunch, try their famous meat n’ three under $9. Breakfast and lunch.
Mack’s Cash Grocery: Welcome to Columbia SC, where a double chili cheeseburger is still $3.95 and service still comes with a smile. As the name suggests, bring some cash y’all. Breakfast and lunch.
Sandwich Depot: A chicken salad sandwich, Philly Cheese Steak or buffalo chicken wrap are just some of the classics you can enjoy for between $6 and $8 each. Breakfast sandwiches are between $5 and $6. Breakfast and lunch.
Jimmy’s Mart: If you a craving a hot dog (or chili dog, or slaw dog) for the road, don’t sleep on Jimmy’s Mart in Northeast Columbia. Some say it’s a gas station that sells food. We say it’s a café that just happens to sell gasoline. Either way, we trust the locals who say these are the best dogs in town. Breakfast and lunch.
Doc’s Barbeque and Southern Buffet: Buffets are back, baby. Delectable pulled pork, fried chicken and traditional Southern sides like collards, mac and cheese and hush puppies are yours for the eating at $10.95 ($5.95 for kids under 10). Lunch weekdays.
No Name Deli: Make sure you have cash on hand when you line up to lunch at this popular local deli with Greek flair. Try the gyro for under $6 or patty melt for under $5. Say yes to dessert with baklava for $0.99. Lunch weekdays.
Duke’s Pad Thai: Sample the street eats, such as the pork and shrimp dumplings for $6 or select a stir-fry entrée for $10-12. Lunch and dinner.
Groucho’s Deli: Melty deli sandwiches and fresh salads are on the menu at each of the locations of favorite local chain. Order like a local with the STP, Apollo Dipper or My Wife’s Salad Bowl, each under $10. Lunch at all locations, dinner at select locations.
Egg Roll Chen: As the first Taiwanese restaurant in Columbia SC, Egg Roll Chen serves hearty portions of favorites such as General Tao’s Chicken and Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup for between $7-9. Lunch and dinner.
Moctezuma’s Taqueria: With lunch specials from $3.99 and many authentic Mexican specialty menu items under $10, you’ll have a little jingle left for a margarita. Lunch and dinner.
Kingsman Restaurant: This Cayce legend serves up a daily meat n’ three lunch special for $8.99 or select from burgers, sandwiches and salads to fuel up on a budget. Lunch and dinner.
LaBrascas: A large 2-topping pizza and an iconic cheese salad (if you know, you know) will feed two heartily for about $20. Lunch and dinner.
Been there tried that? How did you dine under $40 a day in Columbia SC?