# 10 Best Cheap Eats in Tampa Bay (2026) Cuban breakfast plates, craft hot dogs, and a sub shop USA Today named the best cheap eat in America. Eating well on a budget is easy in Tampa Bay. These spots come from Tampa Magazine's Bargain Bites list, which focuses on meals that cost $15 or less at the time of publication. Prices change, so treat that as a guide. Spots are numbered for easy browsing, not as a strict ranking. Updated: October 2026. Source: Real Tampa Bay Media, https://realtampabay.com/guides/best-cheap-eats-in-tampa-bay ## Spots ### 1. Mickey's Subs USA Today's top cheap eat. - Neighborhood: Westshore Marina District - Address: 5230 Bridge St, Tampa, FL Mickey's Sub was named the top cheap eat in the U.S. by USA Today, based on Google ratings and a one-dollar-sign price tier, according to WFLA's coverage. Highlights: USA Today pick; Subs ### 2. Dang Dude Asian street food at Channelside. - Neighborhood: Channel District - Address: 615 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL Dang Dude serves Asian street food like bao buns and dumplings, plus rice and noodle bowls. It is known for a sesame noodle salad with lemongrass chili chicken. Highlights: Bao and dumplings; Noodle bowls; Channelside Bay Plaza ### 3. JoDog Craft Hot Dogs Gourmet hot dogs. - Neighborhood: Channel District - Address: 615 Channelside Dr, Space 9, Tampa, FL Every craft hot dog on JoDog's menu is a gourmet creation. The Mexico City Dog is the featured choice, often paired with seasoned waffle fries. Highlights: Craft hot dogs; Mexico City Dog; Channelside ### 4. Gordito's Loaded empanadas and shaved ice. - Neighborhood: Channel District - Address: 615 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL Gordito's serves loaded empanadas and shaved ice. Its Cuban empanada pairs with seasoned tater tots. Highlights: Loaded empanadas; Shaved ice; Channelside ### 5. Engine No. 9 Prime Angus burgers and Vienna beef dogs. - Neighborhood: Downtown St. Petersburg - Address: 56 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St N, St. Petersburg, FL Engine No. 9 specializes in prime Angus beef burgers and also serves three Vienna beef hot dog options. Highlights: Prime Angus burgers; Vienna beef hot dogs; Downtown St. Pete ### 6. Thee Burger Spot Quarter-pounders to gourmet burgers. - Neighborhood: Tampa - Address: 3917 N Tampa St, Tampa, FL Thee Burger Spot serves everything from classic quarter-pounders to gourmet burgers and sandwiches. Thee Bacon Double Cheese One is the featured burger. Highlights: Classic and gourmet burgers; Bacon Double Cheese ### 7. Mighty Fine Chicken sandwiches and a Cinci Chili Coney. - Neighborhood: Tampa Heights - Address: 1018 E Cass St, Tampa, FL Mighty Fine offers a chicken sandwich on a sesame bun and a patty melt on sourdough. The Cinci Chili Coney is the featured item. Highlights: Chicken sandwich; Patty melt; Cinci Chili Coney ### 8. Cousin Vinny's Sandwich Co. Cutlet sandwiches. - Neighborhood: Tampa - Address: 1331 W Cass St, Tampa, FL Cousin Vinny's offers six cutlet options, two wraps and a schiaccata. The Capo Del Schmeet is the featured sandwich, and the Michelin Guide lists it as Recommended. Highlights: Cutlet sandwiches; Schiaccata; Michelin Recommended ### 9. Hawkers Pan-Asian street food on Central Ave. - Neighborhood: Downtown St. Petersburg - Address: 1235 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL Hawkers serves dim sum, bao buns, rolls, fried rice and noodles, with pad Thai as the featured dish. Highlights: Dim sum and bao; Pad Thai; Central Ave ### 10. Daily Eats Breakfast bowls and burritos. - Neighborhood: South Tampa - Address: 901 S Howard Ave, Tampa, FL Daily Eats serves breakfast bowls and crispy chicken quesadillas, with lunch options too. Its B-Fast Burrito is the featured order. Highlights: Breakfast bowls; B-Fast Burrito; Quesadillas ## About this guide Picks are compiled from local publications and public sources and are not a paid ranking. Spots are numbered for browsing, not as a strict ranking. Hours and prices are intentionally omitted because they change; confirm details with each venue. All guides: https://realtampabay.com/guides Header photo: Originally uploaded by Divinek (Transferred by Gyrobo), CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Channelside_Bay_Plaza_in_Tampa,_FL.jpg).