15 local lunch spots where you can get a meal under $15 in Charlotte
These days, it seems like we’re all in a money crunch. Many people can no longer afford to eat out as much as they used to, which along with rising costs, has resulted in many small businesses in Charlotte being forced to close their doors.
But even if you can’t eat out at the frequency or price point you used to, Charlotte does still have affordable lunch options. And dining at these restaurants isn’t just a great way to support local businesses; it also guarantees you a tasty lunch.
Whether you’re in the mood for pizza, halal, sushi or something else, you can count on these 15 Charlotte restaurants for an affordable yet delicious lunch.
Benny’s Pizza
Location: 340 W Tremont Ave Suite 120, Charlotte, NC 28203
Location: 2909 N Davidson St STE 100, Charlotte, NC 28205
Location: 30 Church St S, Concord, NC 28025
Pizza is a long time affordable lunch option for many, but Benny’s is providing one of the biggest pizza bangs for your buck – literally. Benny’s giant slices come from massive 28” pizzas to ensure you’ll be full after lunch.
At Benny’s a giant cheese slice is $5.50, and a giant slice with toppings (such as pepperoni, sausage or the rotating specialty slice) is $6.50. Add chips for $2 and your favorite drink, and you’ll have a complete meal for around $10. You’ll find Benny Pennello’s in NoDa, Benny Ferrovia’s in South End and Benny DaCorsa’s in Concord.
Calle Sol Latin Café & Cevicheria
Location: 1205 Thomas Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Location: 3100 Apex Dr, Charlotte, NC 28211
Calle Sol’s two locations are serving up some of the best lunch deals in Charlotte. At the Plaza Midwood location, from 11 a.m to 2 p.m on weekdays, Calle Sol runs its Cafetería menu. For just $10, you can select one entrée and two sides from the hot bar. There are a selection of entrées like chicken chaufa (chicken fried rice) and lechon (slow roasted pork) that are available every day, and one special entrée that rotates daily. Side selections are plentiful.
At Calle Sol’s new SouthPark location there is no Cafetería menu, but there are lunch specials available for $9 on weekdays. Enjoy options such as Miami Cubano sandwiches, chaufa and picadillo for less than $10.
Capishe: Real Italian Kitchen
Location: 500 E Morehead St # 100, Charlotte, NC 28202
Almost everything on Capishe’s regular menu is under $15, making it a great place to grab an affordable Italian lunch any day of the week. If you’re in the mood for pizza, try the 10” margherita for $10 or the 10” la neve with mozzarella, ricotta, basil and olive oil for $12.
Pasta options on the menu are all $12 or less and include rigatoni with chicken, broccolini with sausage and more. And for those searching for something a bit lighter, the Italian salad is just $5, while the seared chicken salad comes in at $12 on the menu.
Good Wurst Company
Location: 1222 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Location: 3001 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
At The Good Wurst Company’s two Charlotte locations, meals are available for less than $10. All of the restaurant’s bratwurst and frankfurter options come with your choice of potato salad, cucumber salad or coleslaw, and you can add up to five additional toppings for free.
Choose among the house frankfurter ($6), the chili cheese dog ($7), house made chorizo bratwurst ($8.95) and more options for a satisfying lunch. Add in a chocolate chip cookie for $1.99 if you like to end your meals with something sweet.
Halal Street Food
Location: 4044 Connection Point Blvd B, Charlotte, NC 28212
Location: 701 Keswick Ave #101, Charlotte, NC 28206
Halal Street Food serves Charlotte delicious and affordable halal cuisine. All of the platters on the menu – including chicken over rice, lamb over rice, falafel over rice, a combo platter and a veggie platter – come in at $12.99 or less. A chicken gyro costs just $9.99 for a filling lunch, and shawarma wraps and doner kebabs all cost $11.99 or less. Needless to say, the affordable options on the menu at Halal Street Food are plentiful.
JackBeagle’s
Location: 3213 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Location: 1404 W Morehead St, Charlotte, NC 28208
The menu at Jack Beagle’s includes all your favorite bar bites at a great price point. Enjoy loaded waffle fries, such as the steak fries with grilled ribeye, caramelized onion, bell pepper and beer wiz for $11.95. Or, opt for any of the three deluxe rippers on the menu – these are ¼ pound, all-beef hot dogs that cost just $5.95 each.
Wing lovers can get six jumbo wings with their choice of over 10 different sauces, and the eight mac and cheese options on the menu all cost $5.95 each. Plus, each restaurant runs daily specials so you can take advantage of unique food and drink deals depending on the day you dine.
Johnny Burrito
Location: 301 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28282
Located under the Two Wells Fargo Atrium, Johnny Burrito has been a long time lunch go-to for uptown employees. This is likely due to the delicious food and because the business boasts the “fastest lunch line in Charlotte” on its website. When it’s your turn on the Johnny Burrito line, you’ll construct your dish in a Chipotle-esque fashion by picking your meat, beans, veggies and toppings to create your ultimate burrito.
Regular burritos cost between $8.08 and $9.47, while big burritos cost between $9.47 and $10.85 depending on your protein choice. The restaurant also offers nacho salads ($9.4 -$12.47, pre tax), chips ($1.39), guacamole ($1.85), beverages and desserts. If you pay in cash, you’ll get a 50 cent discount.
Keep in mind, Johnny Burrito is only open from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on weekdays.
Kid Cashew
Location: 1608 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
On weekdays from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Kid Cashew, diners score a “pick two” lunch deal for $11.95. The lunch special features a special selection of menu options that you’re able to mix and match to create your perfect lunch.
Options available include the cast iron mac and cheese, Mac Daddy burger, grilled asparagus, grilled sausage and beans, meatball trio, half chicken avocado sandwich, a ¼ rotisserie chicken, grilled beets and a quinoa stuffed avocado. Although it’s hard to choose, select your favorite two for a tasty lunch.
Lupie’s Cafe
Location: 2718 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28205
Get your fill of comfort food for lunch at Charlotte staple Lupie’s Cafe. You can choose among four types of chili – Texas, Cincinnati, Vegetarian and Southern – for a hearty meal at a price point of $7.75. If chili isn’t your thing, indulge in their rotating daily special. Meals such as meatloaf, spaghetti and chicken and dumplings are on the menu. Each daily special comes with two sides and a piece of bread for $8.75.
The Mad Greek
Location: 5011 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28217
Family owned and operated in Charlotte since 1991, this South Boulevard hidden gem serves authentic and affordable Greek cuisine to Charlotte. At The Mad Greek, pita sandwiches such as the gyro pita, chicken pita, pork souvlaki pita and more, are all served with fries for $12.95. If pitas aren’t your thing, enjoy a Greek salad for $11 or a Mediterranean bowl with greens, rice, tomato, cucumber, olives and your choice of two dips for $12.95.
Miguel’s
Location: 4252 Business Center Dr, Charlotte, NC 28214
Miguel’s specializes in Mexican and American cuisine while touting affordable prices — and it makes good on its promise. Every day (including weekends), Miguel’s runs a $6.95 lunch special that is available from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Offerings change per day, but expect delicious Mexican dishes including burritos, tacos, rice, beans, enchiladas and fajitas. Keep in mind, if you order for takeout, Miguel’s will add 50 cents to the lunch price.
Park Road Soda Shoppe
Location: 4121 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209
Park Road Soda Shoppe is a hidden gem in plain sight. Nestled in the Park Road shopping center, this retro diner serves 1950’s style American food and beverages. Those looking for an affordable lunch should stop by the restaurant — a hot dog costs $3.99, a cheeseburger $6.99 and a grilled chicken club $8.79.
If you want a lunch reminiscent of your childhood, Park Road Soda Shoppe has you covered there, too. Get a peanut butter and banana sandwich for $4.89, a fried bologna and cheese sandwich for $5.89 or a classic ham and cheese sandwich for $6.89.
Pisces Sushi
Location: 1100 E Metropolitan Ave Suite 120, Charlotte, NC 28204
Location: 591 River Hwy A, Mooresville, NC 28117
Sushi might typically be thought of as an expensive lunch or dinner, but at Pisces Sushi Midtown, you can get your fix for a great price. On Tuesday through Saturday until 3 p.m., customers can choose any two sushi rolls from an extensive lunch menu for $12.95. The lunch special is served with miso soup and salad, and roll options include salmon avocado, tempura shrimp, spicy tuna and more.
The same special runs at the Lake Norman location of Pisces Sushi, but the hours are 11:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. (dine-in only), and the price is $14 for two rolls and a miso soup.
Sandwich Max
Location: 933 Louise Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204
Sometimes a sandwich just hits the spot. Next time you get a craving for one, head to Sandwich Max for an affordable and delicious option.
Classics such as ham and cheese or turkey, ham and cheese cost $7.25. Or, try a hot sandwich such as a Reuben for $9.25 or an Italian meatball sub for $8.25. And no sandwich is complete with a bag of chips, which you can get at Sandwich Max for an additional $1.89.
South 21 Drive In
Location: 3101 E Independence Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28205
Serving Charlotte since 1955, South 21 Drive In has been a go-to lunch spot for decades. Get a ¼ chicken (2 pieces) plate with french fries, coleslaw and dinner bread for $8.95. Or grab something smaller, such as a grilled cheese ($2.95), hamburger ($4.75), chicken salad sandwich ($4.95) or BLT with french fries ($7.95).
Don’t forget to order dessert, with delicious options such as Boston cream pie, pecan pie and apple pie available for $3.25 a slice.
