17 meals under $15 in the Birmingham Metro Area

Reading time: 6 minutes

BBQ
Saw’s BBQ never lets us down. (Matthew Niblett / Bham Now)

1. Ahki’s

ahki's downtown
AHKI’s is now open at 121 20th St N! (JeVonte Shropshire / Bham Now)

Ahki’s is Birmingham’s newest New York-style street food restaurant–and it’s a hit! Stop by for gyros, rice bowls and more for under $15

2. The Garage

garage sandwich
Sandwich from The Garage(Julia-Rae Hanson / Bham Now)

The Garage is Birmingham’s original beer garden. Enjoy a half sandwich and chips in their courtyard for $6.24 or $11.44 for a full sandwich and chips – you can even add a drink and stay below $15 for your meal.

Tip: No credit card payments are accepted. Bring cash to avoid an ATM fee

Hours: Wednesday-Thurs 11AM-11PM | Friday-Saturday 11AM-2AM | Sunday 11AM-10PM | Closed Monday-Tuesday

Location: 2304 10th Terrace S, Birmingham, AL 35205

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3. Blueroot

blueroot
A go-to lunch spot for the Bham Now crew. (Tira Davis / Bham Now)

In the mood for a healthy lunch? Head to Blueroot at Pepper Place for a salad, bowl, protein box, smoothie, snack or dessert–all for under $15!

Hours: Monday–Friday 11AM–3PM | Saturday 7 AM–1PM | Closed Sunday

Location: 2829 2nd Avenue S, Birmingham, AL 35233

Instagram | Website

4. Fat Charles BBQ

best things we ate in March, fat Charles bbq
Fat Charles BBQ is known for its brisket tacos. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Fat Charles BBQ is a food truck that’s been serving up barbecue tacos, quesadillas and more since 2018. Follow them on social media for location updates.

Hours: vary by location

Location: check social media below for location updates

Facebook | Instagram | Website

5. Jack Brown’s

jack browns
It’s hard to beat a burger from Jack Brown’s. (Madison Croxson / Bham Now)

Jack Brown’s serves wagyu beef burgers–and they have a special burger for each day of the week.

Hours: Sunday–Wednesday 11AM–12AM | Thursday–Saturday 11AM–2AM

Location: 2811 7th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233

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6. T-Bone’s Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks

tbones cheesesteaks
Get Philly-style cheesesteak in Birmingham. (Matthew Niblett / Bham Now)

Located in Five Points South, T–Bone’s serves cheesesteaks, hoagies, burgers, salads and more at a great price–every entree on the menu is under $15.

Hours: Monday–Thursday 11 AM –10PM | Friday–Saturday 11AM–until | closed Sunday

Location: 1017 20th St S, Birmingham, AL 35205

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7. Gordos

Gordos in Homewood
Gordos Sidewalk Patio. (Cheyenne Trujillo/Bham Now)

In the mood for Mexican food in Homewood? Stop by Gordos for a variety of dishes for under $15.

Hours: Monday-Sunday 8AM–9PM

Location: 433 Valley Ave, Birmingham, AL, 35209

Facebook | Website

8. Maya Mexican Restaurant

Maya restaurant
El Jaguar Burrito from Maya Mexican Restaurant. (Carmen Waldrop / Bham Now)

Another Homewood staple for Mexican cuisine, Maya is known for having some of the best food deals in the Magic City. All of their specialties are under $15 and the lunch menu is even more affordable.

Hours: Sunday–Thursday 11 AM–2 PM, 5–9:30 PM | Friday–Saturday 11AM–10:30PM

Location: 308 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood, AL 35209

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9. Ranelli’s Deli and Cafe

Ranelli's Deli Cafe
The famous Richman Po’Boy at Ranelli’s. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

Ranelli’s Deli and Cafe has been serving Italian food in Birmingham since 1971. Famous for their Po’Boys, this restaurant is a Five Points South must.

Pro Tip: Stop by for lunch on Thursdays, where you can get two helpings of lasgna, salad and bredsticks for about $8.

Hours: Monday–Friday 9AM–5PM | closed Saturday and Sunday

Location: 1225 20th St S, Birmingham, AL 35205

Facebook | Website

10. Yo’ Mama’s

Birmingham
Storefront at Yo’ Mama’s on 2nd Avenue in Birmingham. (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

Did you know you can get the best waffles in Alabama for less than $15 in Birmingham? You can, along with several other options at Yo’ Mama’s.

Hours: Monday-Friday, 10:30AM-2:30PM; Brunch every second and last Saturday of each month, 9AM-1PM

Location:  2328 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203

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11. Saw’s Soul Kitchen

Birmingham, Saw's, barbecue, food
Saw’s wings. Photo by (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

Saw’s BBQ is famous for its award-winning dishes like fried chicken, sliders and (of course) barbecue. Are you ready to dig in?

Hours: Monday–Thursday 11AM–8PM | Friday–Saturday 11AM–9PM | Sunday 11AM–3PM

Location: 215 41st St S, Birmingham, AL 35222

Facebook | Instagram | Website

12. Niki’s West

Niki’s West is a meat–and–three style restaurant that’s been open in Birmingham since 1957. Grab an entree and three sides for less than $15!

Hours: Monday–Friday 10:30AM–5PM | closed Saturday–Sunday

Location:  233 Finley Ave W, Birmingham, AL 35204

Facebook | Instagram | Website

13. Munchies on 5th

Munchies Bar and Grill
Munchies on 5th. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Munchies on 5th is a popular new bar and grill in Avondale. Cheeseburgers, salads, wraps, wings and fish meals are all available for under $15.

Hours: Monday–Thursday 4PM–11PM | Friday–Saturday 11AM–2AM | Sunday Noon–7Pm

Location: 4100 5th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35222

Instagram | Website

14. Gus’s Hot Dogs

Gus's hot dogs
Customers at Gus’s Hot Dogs in downtown Birmingham, (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

The oldest restaurant on this list, Gus’s hot dogs has been in operation in Birmingham since 1947. Grab a standard, turkey, beef or polish sausage hot dog. Delish!

Hours: Monday–Friday 8AM–5PM | Saturday 10AM–4PM | Closed Sunday

Location:  1915 4th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203

Facebook | Instagram | Website

15. Makarios Kabobs & Grill

middle-eastern food
(Makarios Kabob and Grill / Facebook)

Makarios Kabobs & Grill is Five Points South’s Meditteranean food restaurant. Salads, sandwiches, gyros and more are made with Halal–friendly ingredients for under $15.

Hours: Sunday–Thursday 10 AM–10PM | Friday–Saturday 10AM–11PM

Location: 940 20th St S, Birmingham, AL 35205

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16. Green Acres Cafe

Green Acres
Green Acres on Historic 4th Avenue. (Pat Byington/Bham Now)

Green Acres Cafe serves burgers, wings, fish plates, and more. We recommend the manager’s special: 5 wings, fries, and fried green tomatoes for $8.95–$9.85.

Ensley location:

Location: 913 20th Street Ensley, Ensley, AL 35218

Hours: Monday–Saturday 9AM–7:45PM | closed Sunday

Location: 913 20th Street Ensley, Ensley, AL 35218

Downtown location:

Location: 1705 4th Avenue North

Hours: Monday–Wednesday 9AM–9:45PM | Thursday–Saturay 9AM–10:45PM

Facebook | Website

17. Eagles Restaurant

Eagle's
Meatloaf, mac and cheese, fried corn and cornbread from Eagle’s Restaurant. (Pat Byington/Bham Now)

Eagles Restaurant has been a family–owned Birmingham soul food staple since 1951. Daily specials are available for less than $15.

Hours: Tuesday-Friday; Saturday 10:30AM–3:30PM; Closed Saturday and Monday

Location: 2610 16th St N, #1204, Birmingham, AL 35204

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What’s your favorite Birmingham restaurant? Let us know on our social media @bhamnow!

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Carter Matthews
Carter Matthews
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