37 lunches for $10 or less in Columbia
Some days, when that stomach rumble hits between 11 a.m. and noon, you just know your homemade sandwich isn't going to cut it. And neither is a fast-food run.
Thankfully, Columbia restaurants present a number of lunch offerings that promise satisfaction without stressing your wallet.
We've collected just a fraction of those options, meals priced under $10 before tax and tip or drink (ice water always refreshes the palate and bank account). And many of these menus feature more than one dish at that price point; this is a sampling.
A heads-up: Prices are always subject to change, and these listings are based on menus accessible online. Confirm current prices and availability with the restaurant.
1. 44 Canteen: Chorizo street tacos
Dish: Two corn tortillas come filled with chicken chorizo, queso fresco, cilantro and choice of salsa
Price: $6.50
Address and website: 21 N. Ninth St.; https://www.44canteen.com/
2. Agave: Lunch #7
Dish: One chicken tamale with rice and beans
Price: $6.99
Address and website: 901 Safari Dr.; https://www.agavemo.com/
3. B&B Bagel Company: Columbian
Dish: Turkey, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, scallion cream cheese on an everything bagel
Price: $6.35
Address and website: 124 E. Nifong Blvd.; https://www.bbbagelco.com/
4. Big Daddy's BBQ: Slaw dog
Dish: A sizable, Southern-style hot dog covered in cole slaw; comes with one side
Price: $8
Address and website: 1802 N. Paris Road; https://bigdaddysbbqcomo.com/
5. Billiards: Famous Billiards Burger
Dish: One of the best hamburgers in Columbia with traditional trimmings; add your choice from 7 cheeses for another $1
Price: $6.50
Address and website: 514 E. Broadway; https://www.billiardsonbroadway.com/
6. Broadway Diner: Grilled cheese
Dish: A lunchtime classic, served with potato chips
Price: $6
Address and website: 22 S. Fourth St.; https://www.broadwaydinercomo.com/
7. Cajun Crab House: Fried catfish
Dish: Two pieces of catfish with fries
Price: $7.99
Address and website: 904 I-70 Drive SW; https://www.thecajuncrabhouse.com/
8. Carlito's Cabo: Three soft tacos
Dish: Carlito's famous tacos, made with your choice of grilled carnitas, shredded chicken or pork
Price: $7.85
Address and website: 12 A Business Loop 70 E; https://comocarlitos.com/
9. Casa Maria's Mexican Cantina: Tinga tostada
Dish: Tinga chicken, black beans, cabbage, queso fresco and avocado top this flat, crispy corn tortilla; served with Mexican rice
Price: $8.99
Address and website: 1305 Grindstone Parkway; https://www.casamariamexican.com/
10. China Chef: Roast pork fried rice
Dish: A pint of pork and rice
Price: $6.45
Address and website: 27 Conley Road; https://www.chinachefcolumbia.com/
11. China Kitchen: Chicken or pork chop suey
Dish: Your choice of meat with vegetables and sauce over rice; comes with soup
Price: $7.95
Address and website: 503 E. Nifong Blvd., #L; https://www.chinakitchenmo.com/
12. China Star: Vegetable Lo mein
Dish: A pint of vegetables and traditional soft noodles
Price: $6.25
Address and website: 3301 Broadway Business Park Court; https://www.chinastarcolumbiamo.com/
13. Chinese-Wok Express: Kung Pao shrimp
Dish: Spicy shrimp over white or fried rice with choice of two crab rangoon or an egg roll
Price: $7.19
Address: 422 E. Broadway
14. Delia's Mexican Grill: Chile relleno
Dish: A pepper stuffed with beef or cheese, served with rice and black beans
Price: $8.99
Address and website: 201 N. Tenth St.; https://www.deliascolumbia.com/
15. El Maguey: Huevos rancheros
Dish: Two eggs topped with sauce, pico de gallo and served with rice, beans and tortillas
Price: $7.50
Address and website: 901 E Nifong Blvd., Suite B; https://www.elmagueyrestaurant.com/
16. El Oso: Taco salad
Dish: A taco bowl filled with beef or chicken, cheese sauce, lettuce, tomato, sour cream and guacamole
Price: $7.99
Address and website: 522 E. Broadway; https://osoceloso13.wixsite.com/menu
17. Ernie's: Veggie Sub
Dish: Tomato, onion, green pepper, olives, mushrooms and two cheeses on a hoagie roll
Price: $8.99
Address and website: 1005 E. Walnut St.; https://erniescolumbia.com/
18. G&D Pizzaria: Pizza by the slice
Dish: Choice of cheese, pepperoni, ground beef or sausage
Price: $3.50 per slice
Address and website: 2101 W. Broadway; https://www.gdpizzasteak.com/
19. Goldie's Bagels: The Rachel
Dish: Pastrami or turkey, muenster, slaw and comeback sauce on a toasted bagel
Price: $8.50
Address and website: 114. S. Ninth St. #102, https://www.ordergoldies.com/
20. Jazz, a Louisiana Kitchen: Gumbo
Dish: Enjoy a bowl of the Cajun staple with Andouille sausage, seafood, dirty rice and more
Price: $7.50
Address and website: 217 N. Stadium Blvd.; https://www.jazzkitchen.com/
21. Just Jeff's: Pork tenderloin
Dish: You choose: grilled or fried, and add cheese for 60 cents
Price: $7.50
Address and website: 701 Business Loop 70 W; https://ilovejustjeffs.com/
22. Klik's Deli and Bar: Nachos
Dish: Enjoy the barroom staple with chili or beef and all the fixings
Price: $7.50
Address and website: 205 N. Tenth St.; search Klik's Deli and Bar on Facebook
23. La Siesta: Flautas Mexicanas
Dish: Deep-fried rolled tacos with your choice of chicken or beef, served with rice and beans
Price: $7.99
Address and website: 3890 Rangeline, Suite 115; https://lasiestamex.com/
24. La Terraza: Lunch especial No. 9
Dish: Two cheese and chicken enchiladas with red sauce, potatoes, rice, beans and salad
Price: $7.99
Address and website: 1412 Forum Blvd.; https://ltmexicana.com/
25. Las Margaritas: Speedy Gonzales
Dish: One taco, one enchilada and a choice of rice and beans
Price: $8.99
Address and website: 5614 E. St. Charles Road, Suite E; 220 S. Eighth St.; 10 Southampton Dr.; https://www.lasmargaritascolumbia.com/
26. Le Bao: Tofu steak steamed bun
Dish: Tofu, mushroom, zucchini and black bean aioli fill this smaller — but stuffed — option.
Price: $5
Address and website: 1009 Park Ave.; https://www.lebaoeatery.com/
27. Med Mex Cafe: Kofta wrap
Dish: At a place where you can go Mediterranean and/or Mexican, this wrap features the traditional flavors of kofta, typically a minced meat or meatball dish.
Price: $7.95
Address: 2609 E. Broadway
28. Mugs Up: Cheese zip
Dish: Enjoy the drive-in's classic zip burger, or loose meat-style burger, with cheese
Price: Check the Mugs Up board for current pricing, but a sandwich and side is almost sure to come in under $10
Address: 603 Orange St.
29. Nourish Cafe and Market: Vegan soup of the moment
Dish: Enjoy a bowl of the latest from this rotating group of soups
Price: $7
Address and website: 1201 E. Broadway, Suite B; https://nourishcafemarket.com/
30. Pizza Tree: Pizza by the slice
Dish: Check in at the Pizza Tree window to see which of their tasty, often inventive pies are by the slice that day
Price: Check at the window for current pricing
Address and website: 909 Cherry St.; http://www.pizzatreepizza.com/
31. Rio Grande: Lunch burrito
Dish: A beef burrito served with rice and beans
Price: $7.95
Address and website: 3306 W. Broadway Business Park Court; https://www.riograndemexicanrestaurant.net/
32. Seoul Taco: Quesadilla
Dish: The fusion-inspired cheese quesadilla comes with Seoul sauces
Price: $8
Address and website: 1020 E. Broadway; https://www.seoultaco.com/menu-mizzou
33. Shakespeare's Pizza: Pizza by the slice
Dish: A collegetown classic, sliced by the variety of the day
Price: Check within for current pricing
Address and website: 225 S. Ninth St.; 3304 W. Broadway; 3911 Peachtree Drive; https://shakespeares.com/
34. Taqueria Don Pancho: Tacos
Dish: Tacos with many flavors and fillings, ranging from buche (braised pork) to al pastor, pollo, discada (beef, pork, ham, bacon, sausage and chorizo) and more
Price: $1.95 per taco
Address: 3907 Peachtree Drive
35. Tellers: Black bean chipotle burger
Dish: This spicy veggie burger is served with a pickle and sweet potato chips
Price: $8
Address: 820 E. Broadway
36. Tony's Pizza Palace: Gyro
Dish: Great at pizza, Tony's also excels at this Greek staple served with tomato, onion and tzatziki
Price: $7.75
Address: 17 N. Fifth St.
37. Tortilleria El Patron: Burritos
Dish: Enjoy a burrito in a number of varieties, including al pastor, asada, chorizo and beef tongue
Price: $5.99
Address: 711 Vandiver Drive, Space J
Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at adanielsen@columbiatribune.com or by calling 573-815-1731.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: 37 lunches for around $10 in Columbia
