Free lunch? No such thing. $5 lunch? We have just the thing. From burgers to bratwurst, there’s a nearby eatery that keeps both your wallet and stomach full.
Stone Elephant
1. Stone Elephant
$5 » Quesadillas or chicken tenders
The vibe: Transforms from family restaurant to party place/sports bar during Karaoke or live-music evenings, or during a big game.
Why it’s a bang for your buck: The aforementioned quesadillas and tenders are but two of several specials on the $5 lunch menu. Vienna hot dogs, salads and a BLTA (bacon, lettuce, tomato and avocado) are other offerings.
For a few dollars more: Add fries, pasta salad, slaw or “Elephant Chips” for $1.95, or a drink for $2.50.
Tip: Lunch specials offered every day, even Sundays, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and the bar stays open ’til 2 a.m. daily.
Skillman & Abrams
214.342.9200
2. Taqueria Los Altos
$4.99 » Taco lunch special
The vibe: Tucked behind a billiards bar and bound by burglar bars, the clean, roomy and authentic taqueria offers friendly table service.
Why it’s a bang for your buck: The taco lunch special includes three tacos with your choice of meat plus rice and beans. Free chips with a selection of mild to hot salsas make it a steal.
For a few dollars more: Add a soda or a beer for a buck or two.
Tip: Open weekdays from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and closed at dinnertime. Weekend hours run until 4 p.m.
Abrams & Northwest Highway
214.361.6769
Monica's Aca Y Alla
3. Monica’s Aca Y Alla
$4.99 » Mexican lasagna
The vibe: This longstanding Deep Ellum restaurant is famous for its salsa music nights.
Why it’s a bang for your buck: The Mexican lasagna — layered corn tortillas, sweet corn, black beans, chicken and cheese — is one of nine dishes on the $4.99 lunch menu. Each plate comes with black beans and rice, unless you order one of the three vegetarian options, like potato enchiladas, which include rice cooked in vegetable stock.
For a few dollars more: Add any enchilada with queso for $1.50.
Tip: Monica’s has complimentary valet parking during lunch. Ask for a lunch punch card — buy five entrees over five visits, and the sixth one is free.
Main & Malcolm X
214.748.7140
Gloria's
4. Gloria’s
$4 » A pupusa and a tamal
The vibe: This hip Latin restaurant is a Dallas institution, and the Lower Greenville location received a makeover last year.
Why it’s a bang for your buck: Pupusas, thick pockets of corn masa, are stuffed with spicy pork and cheese. Handmade tamales have chicken, potatoes and bell pepper. And you’ll receive all the chips, salsa and creamy black bean dip you can eat.
For a few dollars more: A small chicken soup, $4.99, makes a good lunch on its own.
Tip: Return during Gloria’s happy hour, Sunday-Thursday all day, for $5 mango margaritas.
Greenville & Penrose
214.874.0088
Keller's
5. Keller’s
$4.95 » No. 5 double meat special with fries and a lemonade
The vibe: Old-fashioned drive-in where you might find yourself parked between a gang of middle-aged bikers and a soccer mom in a kid-filled SUV.
Why it’s a bang for your buck: Reliably good made-on-the-spot burgers since the 1960s. Plus, the place is a piece of Dallas history.
For a few dollars more: Add cheese to your fries or tots for $1.50. A six-pack of beer is $5.25.
Tip: Be sweet to your carhop. At least one of them has been there all 40-some years.
Abrams & Northwest Highway
214.368.1209
6. Eddie’s Deli
Eddie's Deli
$4.50 » Chicago hot dog
The vibe: Not much to look at and hardly any seating, but the dogs are worth standing for.
Why it’s a bang for your buck: “No frills” applies (and boy, does it) to the atmosphere only, because the Chicago hot dog is overflowing with toppings — yellow mustard, diced onions, green relish, tomato slices, kosher pickle wedge, sport peppers and celery salt, for starters.
For a few dollars more: A bag of chips and a can of soda will run you about $2.
Tip: Eddie’s is closed Sundays. Hours of operation are 11a.m.-8 p.m., officially, but the place usually takes orders until 9 p.m. Mon.-Sat.
Abrams & Northwest
214.692.5844
7. Izmir Market and Deli
$4.95 » Pita BLT and chips
The vibe: The subdued, cozier (read: tight space) version of its sister restaurant a few steps away, Café Izmir. Whether you call for delivery or stop in for a sit-down or take-out lunch, Uncle Medhi or Aunt Faye Nazari will greet you with a kind voice and meticulous customer service.
Why it’s a bang for your buck: Turns out that a BLT tastes much better on Izmir’s pita than on more carb-heavy breads or rolls. Choose either mayo or the restaurant’s hummus (arguably the best in the city) to garnish the sandwich.
For a few dollars more: Pay $2 extra to trade the chips for a Greek salad.
Tip: If you need a pick-me-up to get through the afternoon, the tiny but potent cup of Turkish coffee, $2.75, will do the trick.
Greenville & Martel
214.826.7788
8. National Sports Lounge
$4.99 » Barbecue brisket sandwich
The vibe: NSL is dedicated to televised sports. You can see a TV from anywhere, including every bathroom stall. And then there are the scantily clad waitresses.
Why it’s a bang for your buck: If you don’t like barbecue, choose from five other $4.99 lunch specials including a burger, BLT or quesadillas.
For a few dollars more: A basket of fries is $2.99 and good for sharing.
Tip: NSL is about sports and pretty girls or chilling on the huge patio (of course they have TVs outside). Watch a Rangers day game or World Cup highlights over lunch with office buddies or clients.
Greenville & McCommas
214.453.2524
- Tony’s Pizza and Pasta
9. Tony’s Pizza and Pasta
$4.95» Mozzarella, ricotta & sausage calzone
$4.75 » artichoke salad
The vibe: Italian bistro that’s usually bustling. You’re likely to see a neighbor on any given lunch hour. There’s a banquet room in back, but it’s not always open. Service is swift and friendly. Once you’ve been in a time or two, you’ll know the staff, and they’ll know you.
Why it’s a bang for your buck: The artichoke salad — with mounds of mozzarella, Canadian bacon and artichoke hearts — easily feeds two.
For a few dollars more: Start with an order of fried calamari for $3.95.
Tip: Feel free to bring your own bottle of wine, if you have the afternoon off, that is.
Northwest & Ferndale
214.503.0388
10. Taqueria Pinocho
$4.05 » Three tacos
The vibe: Cafeteria-style Mexican food hole-in-the-wall.
Why it’s a bang for your buck: There are less expensive tacos in Dallas, but few are better for the price. Taqueria Pinocho usually offers about a dozen tacos, $1.10 to $1.35 each, including beef, chicken, barbacoa and egg.
For a few dollars more: Wash it down with a cane sugar Mexican cola for $1.50.
Tip: The line grows long at lunchtime, but it moves quickly. Not everyone who works there speaks English. Just point to what you want, si no habla español. Remember: maiz means corn and harina means flour.
Carroll & Columbia
214.823.4272
