The best restaurants to grab cheap dinner around Charlotte for $15 or less

Mari Pressley
·8 min read

Dinner’s ready somewhere in Charlotte. If you find yourself going on a first date or skipping a night of preparing a meal for the family, this city has quite a number of low-cost options to consider.

No matter the mood you’re in — whether that’s nostalgic Southern comfort, flavorful Korean barbecue or something plant-based — there are a wide variety of places to go to dinner without exceeding your budget.

So if you’re looking for a budget-friendly plate of supper to treat yourself for under $15 after a long day, dig into this list of some of Charlotte’s cheapest — but still quality — evening meals.

Bulgogi Box

Location: 1750 Camden Rd Ste G, Charlotte, NC 28203

This Korean restaurant has a variety of proportional meals that you can choose from. Bulgogi Box’s menu items include Korean-style barbecue, beef bulgogi, spicy pork bibimbap and Korean wings.

Cheap meal option: Experience Bulgogi Box’s boneless Korean fried chicken wings, served with Asian coleslaw. You can choose honey butter, spicy Korean red or dry rub for $13.50.

Caribbean Hut

Location: 9609 N Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28262

Location: 200 W. Woodlawn Rd. Charlotte, NC 28217

Caribbean Hut, founded by Trevor Lewis, distinguishes itself with its “balance of smoky, sweet and spicy” foods, which include barbecue chicken, curry chicken, jerk shrimp, stir fry shrimp, curry goat roti and my personal favorite, oxtails. Along with these items, Caribbean hut also offers vegetarian options like curry tofu and a veggie platter.

Cheap meal option: For $9, you can eat up Caribbean Hut’s jerk chicken, served with rice, a vegetable and fried plantains.

Carolina Family Restaurant

Location: 4600 Wilkinson Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28208

Carolina Family Restaurant, located on Wilkinson Boulevard, has Philly cheesesteaks, cheeseburgers, gyros and veggie burgers, along with healthy plates made with your choice of vegetables, tuna, chicken or egg salad.

Cheap meal option: Try the baked Virginia ham with your choice of two sides for $6.95.

The dining areas at Carolina Family Restaurant.
The dining areas at Carolina Family Restaurant.

Derita Dairy Bar & Grill

Location: 2737 W Sugar Creek Rd, Charlotte, NC 28262

This burger spot co-owned by Devin McDaniel has varying menu options like a fried chicken sandwich, chicken tenders, hot dogs, burgers, veggie burgers and grilled cheese.

Cheap meal option: Order the DOUBLE-IT served with two quarter-pound patties and DBG’s toppings for $10.

A double burger at Derita Dairy Bar.
A double burger at Derita Dairy Bar.

Dish

Location: 1220 Thomas Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205

This Southern comfort food spot in Plaza Midwood will have you feeling like you’re in “your grandma’s kitchen.” From fried green tomatoes and meatloaf to Parmesan poppers and deviled eggs, you have a wide assortment of classic options to choose from.

Cheap meal option: If you’re looking for a late night snack, grab Dish’s Szechuan Chicken and Dumplings, made with garlic, ginger and scallions for $12.

Dish’s $12 Szechuan Chicken and Dumplings are made with garlic, ginger and scallion.
Dish’s $12 Szechuan Chicken and Dumplings are made with garlic, ginger and scallion.

Floyd’s Soul Food

Location: 4122 N Graham St, Charlotte, NC 28206

Floyd’s, which has been around for has been around since 1986. Its plates are “filled with hearty portions” and “made with love.” Whether you like a good pork chop sandwich or beef stew and rice, this place is sure to feed your soul.

Cheap meal option: Have the beef barbecue ribs served with two vegetables and a roll or cornbread for $11.70.

Inizio Pizza Napoletana

Location: 10620 Providence Road Suite A, Charlotte, NC

Location: 2230 Park Road Suite 101, Charlotte, NC

Location: 16627 Birkdale Commons Parkway, Suite E 1, Huntersville, NC

Location: 816 Brayden Parkway Suite 101, Fort Mill, SC

As you can find this Neapolitan pizza spot all over Charlotte and surrounding areas, its handcrafted pizzas are a result of “intensive research, and passion (the most important ingredient),” the restaurant’s website states.

Inizio Pizza Napoletana uses 00 flour, fresh yeast and Italian imported water for its dough, as well as a wood-fired oven.

Cheap meal option: For just $11, you can treat yourself to a 12-inch Inizio’s Marinara pizza.

Inizio Pizza’s Neapolitan pizza is baked in a wood fired oven.
Inizio Pizza’s Neapolitan pizza is baked in a wood fired oven.

Lang Van

Location: 3019 Shamrock Dr, Charlotte, NC 28215

This Vietnamese restaurant, known for its pho, spring rolls and vermicelli noodles, is a Charlotte food staple. At Lang Van, you can also expect to be tempted by its fried tofu, yellow pancakes and pineapple fried rice.

Cheap meal option: Grab the Cary Tom, Ga, Dau Hu curry with tofu for $11.95.

Lupie’s Cafe

Location: 2718 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28205

Aside from its yummy chili options and “bountiful burgers,” Lupie’s also has BLTs, barbecue, sandwiches, hot dogs, wings and nachos. But don’t miss one of its daily specials under $10, where it serves up meals like meatloaf on Mondays and quiche on Saturdays.

Cheap meal option: Go for Lupie’s Cincinnati-style chili served over spaghetti with a piece of cornbread for just $7.75.

Lupie’s Cafe has been serving comfort food in Charlotte for 34 years. Shown here is its Cincinnati-style chili served over spaghetti noodles with cheese, onions and cornbread.
Lupie’s Cafe has been serving comfort food in Charlotte for 34 years. Shown here is its Cincinnati-style chili served over spaghetti noodles with cheese, onions and cornbread.

Letty’s on Shamrock

Location: 2121 Shamrock Dr, Charlotte, NC 28205

Letty’s, located in Plaza-Shamrock, offers a range of menu items, including creole shrimp, rotisserie chicken salad sandwiches, BLTs and more. There are also vegan and vegetarian options, including its sweet potato veggie burgers, vegetarian “neatloaf,” and vegetarian chef salad.

Cheap meal option: This meal is an exception on our list as it’s just a nudge over $15, but it’s worth it. Try the honey pecan chicken with choices of two sides for $15.95.

Charlotteans can dine-in on Letty’s back patio or pick up curbside to go to help dogs and cats in need on Sept. 15.
Charlotteans can dine-in on Letty’s back patio or pick up curbside to go to help dogs and cats in need on Sept. 15.

Mert’s Heart and Soul

Location: 214 N College St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Mert’s, owned by James and Renee’ Bazzelle, has been serving Lowcountry and Gullah-inspired cuisine in the Charlotte area since 1998. Some of its menu items include chicken wings, fried green tomatoes burgers, shrimp and grits, Southern fried chicken, meatloaf and salmon cakes.

Cheap meal option: Order the three-veggie plate served with cornbread. You’ll have the option to choose three items like yams, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, grits or seasoned rice for $10.50. And you can add more items for $4.50 each.

Mert’s Heart and Soul has been feeding hungry locals and visitors to uptown Charlotte since 1998.
Mert’s Heart and Soul has been feeding hungry locals and visitors to uptown Charlotte since 1998.

Oh My Soul

Location: 3046 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205

Oh My Soul, NoDa’s first vegan cafe from South African owners Tallulah and Richard Duffin, is the perfect spot for those who follow plant-based diets. Menu items you can expect to see include chili bites, nachos, salads, waffles, smoothies, shakes and vurgers (a South African vegan burger). It also has menu items for dogs, including ice cream and biscuits.

Cheap meal option: Try Oh My Soul’s Grilled Vicken & Friendly Bacon Ranch Wrap. For $14.99, you’ll get lemon & herb marinated grilled seitan “Vicken,” “Vacon,” salad leaves, ranch dressing and crunchy veggies in a toasted tortilla wrap.

Oh My Soul vegan cafe’s second location is in Charlotte. The first location is in South Africa.
Oh My Soul vegan cafe’s second location is in Charlotte. The first location is in South Africa.

Romeo’s Vegan Burgers

Location: 5518 South Blvd Charlotte, NC 28217

This vegan spot, which debuted its brick-and-mortar location in 2021, is perfect for those craving a plant-based burger. The restaurant’s menu is loaded with a wide variety of plant based products, including fries, burgers made with Beyond and Impossible “meat” and shakes made with soy ice cream.

The Where Art Thou Romeo Burger is one that can be enjoyed by all — even non-vegans.
The Where Art Thou Romeo Burger is one that can be enjoyed by all — even non-vegans.

Curry Gate

Location: 630 W 24th St, Charlotte, NC 28206

Curry Gate, co-owned by Chuda Dhimal, opened its doors in 2020. The restaurant’s menu includes options like tikka masala, samosa, korma, momo, palak, vindalu and aloo gobi.

Cheap meal option: Order Curry Gate’s traditional Nepali style spiced curry for just $14.

Sub One Hoagie

Location: 516 N Graham St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Sub One Hoagie House, known for its New Jersey Steak, is located in Charlotte’s Fourth Ward. Having been around since 1992, the family business has become a staple in the community as it offers steak hoagies inundated with onions, lettuce and tomato, or you can opt for a cold hoagie with options like crab salad, ham and cheese, roast beef, a gyro or vegetarian soy-based sandwich.

Cheap meal option: Indulge in steak, cheese, onions, tomato and Sub One Hoagie’s special sauce with the New Jersey Steak for $7.89.

The New Jersey Steak hoagie at Sub One Hoagie House has steak, cheese, onions, lettuce, tomato, oil and vinegar and special sauce.
The New Jersey Steak hoagie at Sub One Hoagie House has steak, cheese, onions, lettuce, tomato, oil and vinegar and special sauce.

French Quarter Restaurant

Location: 321 S Church St, Charlotte, NC 28202

This comfort food restaurant opened by Panos and Toula Photopoulos in 1986, is just a few blocks away from Bank of America Stadium and Truist Field. Dinner menu items include chili cheese fries, chicken fingers, cheese burgers, wings adjacent to gumbo, a veggie quesadilla, Cajun chicken pasta, a gyro sandwich and Cajun salmon.

Cheap meal option: Enjoy a cheeseburger served with melted cheddar, lettuce, coleslaw, Dijon mustard, mayonnaise pickles and side of french fries for $10.25.

Que Fresa Taqueria + Bar

Location: 1500-A W. Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28208

Location: Uptown Charlotte at College Street and East Brooklyn Village Boulevard (opening early 2024)

Que Fresa recently won CharlotteFive’s Readers’ Choice award for Best Tacos in the Charlotte area. If that’s not a good enough reason to go, then how about its affordable menu?

Cheap meal option: Its vegetarian loaded nachos are topped with whole pinto beans, pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole, pickled chiles, queso dip and Cotija cheese for $7.95. Or, go for a few tacos — clearly, the readers in Charlotte agree!

Que Fresa Taqueria + Bar’s vegetarian nachos are topped with whole pinto beans, pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole, pickled chiles, queso dip and Cotija cheese.
Que Fresa Taqueria + Bar’s vegetarian nachos are topped with whole pinto beans, pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole, pickled chiles, queso dip and Cotija cheese.

Three Amigos Mexican Grill and Cantina

Location: 2917 Central Ave A, Charlotte, NC 28205

This restaurant prides itself on being a hub in the community. Three Amigos allows you to choose from options like nachos, taco salad, fajitas and even a Dominican hamburger.

Cheap meal option: Try the Enchiladas Roja for $11.95. You’ll receive three tortillas stuffed with ingredients like chicken, lettuce, tomato, sour cream and avocado.

During the soft opening phase, Three Amigos Mexican Kitchen & Cantina at Colony Place is open for dinner service only.
During the soft opening phase, Three Amigos Mexican Kitchen & Cantina at Colony Place is open for dinner service only.