Seattle is an extremely expensive city, both to live in and to visit. As locals we’re feeling the pinch of extra fees and higher prices, but we still want to be able to support local businesses and treat ourselves to a meal that we didn’t have to cook.
So, we’ve been searching for some of the best deals around town to help you (and us!) save some money the next time you want to eat out. Let us know what we missed or where we should try next.
You know a place is good when they only serve one thing! This is the Khao Soi from Ginger & Scallion. (Ashley Smith / City Cast)
Under $20
- Grillbird - Chicken teriyaki plate with rice and two sides is 19 bucks and they have multiple locations
- Kin Len - Not gonna lie, I would spend way more than $17.75 for their Battered Chicken Red Curry. It’s unreal!
- Gorditos - Order yourself the baby size burrito (AKA Burrito Grande) and eat the leftovers for days. “Baby size” means human infant and it’s a legit challenge to eat the whole thing one sitting
- Ginger & Scallion - Their tofu Khao Soi and their braised beef Khao Soi are both only $15 and maybe the best thing you’ll eat all year? I’m obsessed
- Mee Sum Pastry - Fried rice, noodles, curry, congee, and so much more
- Kau Kau - Check out their lunch special, it’s only $12!
Donna’s $10 deal during happy hour also applies to some of their cocktails! (Ashley Smith / City Cast)
Under $10
- Saigon Deli - Order the banh mi, it’s only $7.95!
- AA Sushi - They offer sushi rolls, nigiri, udon, and appetizers all for less than $10! You could feast here for hours and not spend a fortune
- Spice Waala - As far as I can tell, everything on their menu falls under this category. And everyone is always raving about how good this place is
- Donna’s - During happy hour all of their pastas are $10 and the portions are huge! It’s a helluva deal and I highly recommend the cavatelli with pork belly
- Quick Pack Food Mart - Possibly the most affordable fried chicken in town and the best?
- Matador - You can get a plate of nachos bigger than your head for $7 during their happy hour
- Emerald City Fish and Chips - Choose cod, catfish, oysters, prawns, or clams (they all come with fries) and are all less than 10 bucks. I really love that this place’s phone number ends in FISH, that’s iconic
Did you know a single slice of cheese pizza from Costco has 44 grams of protein!? (Ashley Smith / City Cast)
Under $5
- Ballard Coffee Co - Trying not to gate keep my neighborhood coffee shop which is not only delicious but it has a drive thru (!!) and both breakfast and lunch options. My large iced americano with maple bar syrup and a splash of oat milk is somehow less than $5! Other great coffee options include $2 drip from Easy Street’s Cafe and $3 drip from Top Pot
- Fuji Bakery - So many delicious pastries for a great price including the ube malasada for only $4.25 and mini croissants for less than $2 each. They also offer half a dozen deals!
- Aliberto’s - I couldn’t confirm this myself (yet) but rumor has it they serve a $5 breakfast burrito
- Vindicktive Wings - Only 99 cents per wing on Wednesdays!
- Tacos Chukis - Everything on their menu is affordable, but some tacos are only $2.95!
- Marination - Get a spam musubi for $4.75 anytime and they have a great happy menu, too
- Half Shell - A lot of places offer $2 oysters during happy hour (like The Garrison and Walrus & Carpenter), but this spot serves oysters for that price all the time… at least for the month of February. And it’s right next to Pike Place Market so the view is worth the money alone
- Dick’s - Classic for a reason and the prices feel like you’ve traveled back in time
- Costco - Their food court offers a $1.50 hot dog and coke combo and a $2 slice of pizza! It’s forever the best deal in town… as long as you’re a member
- Taco Time - Several menu items are now only $2 and $3 after 8pm including my favorite: the crisp pinto bean burrito
