Here’s your ultimate Tri-Cities cheap eats guide. Five places with meals under $10

Karlee Van De Venter
·6 min read

It seems like all anyone can talk about anymore is the economy, from supply costs, to inflation and the rising cost of living — and rightfully so. These impact every aspect of our daily lives, including basic necessities like food. At the start of 2020, the federal interest rate cuts brought the rate range between 0% and 0.25. It’s now above 5%.


source: tradingeconomics.com

The rising cost of everything also means many people are focused on saving money and where they can cut down on any extra costs. But Tri-Cities has options for eating out besides national fast food chains that won’t break the bank.

The Herald has compiled this list of eight options across Tri-Cities to enjoy a meal for $10, from sandwiches to soup to tamales.

▪ Brady’s Brats and Burgers at Summer’s Hub - 6481 W. Skagit Ave. - 509-940-1333

The food truck hub on Skagit Ave. features a large, diverse array of food truck cuisine. There are just too many Tri-Cities food trucks to include on this list, but if you’re not sure what kind of food you’re hankering for, chances are you’ll figure it out at Summer’s Hub. Only one restaurant is located inside the Hub’s main building, Brady’s Brats and Burgers.

Brady’s Brats and Burgers, located inside Summer’s Hub. Courtesy: Summer's Hub
Brady’s Brats and Burgers, located inside Summer’s Hub. Courtesy: Summer's Hub

The rotating brat selection ranges between $11 and $14, omitting them from this list. All brats and burgers come with free toppings.

Burgers

All burger options at Brady’s also come in a baby version, which is a smaller portion but larger than a kids meal. They also have Beyond Burger meatless options.

  • Baby Brady Cheeseburger: $9

  • Baby Brady Bacon Burger: $10

  • Baby Brady Beyond Hamburger: $9

  • Baby Brady Beyond Cheeseburger: $10

Fries and Tots

Fries and tots come in regular or Cajun style, your choice. Each size comes with a specific amount of sauce, any extras have to be bought.

  • Baby fries or tots: $3.75 (One sauce)

  • Regular fries or tots: $4.75 (Two sauces)

  • Large fries or tots: $5.75 (Three sauces)

▪ Great Harvest Bread Company - 6705 Chapel Hill Blvd., 509-537-1177 and 8378 W. Grandridge Blvd., 509-737-7437 and 3335 Innovation Blvd., 509-371-6080

Great Harvest has locations in Kennewick, Richland and Pasco. Bread is made fresh daily, and all loaves except the Gluten-X are under $10. But it also has a cafe menu with cold sandwiches, paninis and salads. Cold sandwiches are available in a half or whole, and you can make anything a combo for $2.95, which adds a drink and your choice of chips or a cookie.

Sandwiches and paninis

Each of these options is under $10 regardless of size. All half-size options are under $8.

  • Pilgrim: Sliced turkey, cranberry sauce, cream cheese, lettuce, tomato. Half: $7.55 Whole: $9.95

  • Veggie Pecan: Avocado, roasted peppers and onions, garlic spread, feta cheese, spiced pecans, cucumbers, lettuce, tomato. Half: $7.55 Whole: $9.95

  • Classic: Choice of meat and cheese, lettuce tomato. Half: $7.55 Whole: $9.95

  • Paige’s PB&J: Peanut butter and grape jelly. $5.25

  • Apple Bacon Grilled Cheese: Cheddar, provolone, bacon, apple slices, pepper jelly, choice of bread. $9.75

  • Grilled Cheese: Cheddar, provolone, garlic herb spread, choice of bread. $8.50

Salads

Salads come with a roll and each cost $9.75.

  • Yard Bird Salad: Mixed greens, chicken, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts, cranberries, raisins, parmesan cheese, cucumber, balsamic vinaigrette

  • Apple Feta Salad: Mixed greens, quinoa, apples, feta cheese, sunflower seeds, almonds, balsamic vinaigrette

  • Sesame Chicken Salad: Mixed greens, chicken, quinoa, sesame seeds, peanuts, carrots, miso vinaigrette

▪ Hot Tamales - 2521 W. Kennewick Ave. - 509-551-1110

Hot Tamales on Kennewick Ave. Courtesy: Hot Tamales
Hot Tamales on Kennewick Ave. Courtesy: Hot Tamales

Enjoy fresh, authentic tamales, whether you’re stopping by the Kennewick Ave. building, spot the Hot Tamales food truck or get delivery. Sides of refried beans and Mexican rice come in small, medium and large, with large costing just over $10. But what’s most important is the tamales, which you can get two of for just $7.25.

Tamale flavors

  • Bean (vegan): Pinto bean and jalapeno

  • Chicken: Red guajillo or green tomatillo

  • Jalapeno with cream cheese

  • Pork: Red guajillo salsa

  • Rajas: Jalapenos, chile poblano, mozzarella and parmesan

  • Veggie (vegan): Carrots, corn, green beans and potatoes

▪ Stone Soup Cafe - 703 The Parkway - 509-943-4542

For sandwich and salad options in half and whole sizes, Stone Soup Cafe offers a range that are under $10. There are even more classic salads and sandwiches not listed. All sandwiches can be made into combo meals with several side options.

Sandwiches

  • Country Club: Turkey, bacon, provolone, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, herb cream cheese, mayo. Half: $6.25 Whole: $9

  • SW Turkey (lite option available for less): Turkey, provolone, green chillies, red onion, tomato, lettuce, salsa mayo. Half: $6.25 Whole: $9

  • Western Roast Beef: Roast beef with barbecue sauce, bell pepper, tomato, red onion, lettuce, mayo. Half: $6.25 Whole: $9

  • California Dreamin’: Croissant with herb cream cheese, sliced smoked turkey, fresh avocado, tomato, cucumber, lettuce. Half: $6.25 Whole: $9

  • Veggie Supreme: Herb cream cheese, black olives, green chillies, bell pepper, tomato, cucumber, red onion, lettuce, mayo, provolone. Half: $6 Whole: $8

  • Smoked Turkey or Chicken Salad: Half: $6.25 Whole: $9

  • Stone Soup Club: Three toasted pieces of bread, bacon, turkey, turkey ham, tomato, lettuce, mayo. Half: $6.50 Whole: $9.75

  • New Yorker: Heated pastrami and provolone on marble rye with mayo topped with coleslaw. Half: $6.50 Whole: $9

  • Veggie Burger: Recipe veggie patty, melted cheese, choice of veggies and condiments. Half: $6.50 Whole: $9.25

  • Meatloaf Sandwich: Hot or cold with your choice of bread, veggies and condiments. Half: $6.50 Whole: $9.25

Salad

  • Cook’s Salad: Turkey, turkey ham, cheese, tomato, cucumber, bell peppers, sunflower seeds, croutons. Half: $7.25 Whole: $10

  • Caesar Grilled Chicken Salad: Cajun baked chicken breast, bacon pieces, house croutons, parmesan cheese and Cajun Caesar dressing on the side. Half: $7.25 Whole: $10

  • Tossed Salad: Freshly washed green leaf, romaine hearts, carrot, red cabbage. Half: $4.25 Whole: $6.50

  • Taco Salad: Warm chili beans (meatless), tossed salad, cheddar, olives, green onion, tomato, cucumber, Fritos. Salsa and sour cream on the side. Half: $7.25 Whole: $10

▪ Tumbleweeds - 894 Stevens Drive - 509-946-3224

Tacos are half price every Tuesday at this restaurant that prides itself in its “Mexican flair.” Food is made fresh daily at this locally-loved taco joint.

Tacos

  • Soft Taco: Beef, chicken or pork with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream. $9

  • Crisp Taco: Beef, chicken or pork with cheese, lettuce and tomatoes. $3

  • Tostado: Flat tostado shell with beans, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes. $4

  • Taco Burger: Beef, chicken or pork on a hamburger bun with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and home Thousand Island. $9

Burritos

  • Crisp: Bean, beef, chicken or steak deep fried burritos. $5

  • Soft: Bean, beef, chicken or pork with enchilada sauce and cheese in flour tortilla. $9, or $6 for beans

  • Veggie Style: Whole wheat tortilla, pinto beans, rice, cheese, sour cream, lettuce, salsa, sunflower seeds. $9