A bowl of soup from Hon’s Wun-Tun House in San Francisco — Hon’s Wun-Tun House

14 Affordable Dining Options in San Francisco

Local diners are always hungry for a good deal

by Dianne de Guzman and Paolo Bicchieri Updated Jun 3, 2024, 12:13pm PDT

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Hon’s Wun-Tun House

| Dianne de Guzman

by Dianne de Guzman and Paolo Bicchieri Updated Jun 3, 2024, 12:13pm PDT

There are those who veer toward excess for the sake of excess — the Action Bronson-esque gourmands of the world — but, in a city as expensive as San Francisco, finding cheap pho and affordable sandwiches is just plain smart. Believe it or not, San Francisco is stuffed with financially accessible restaurants, cafes, and bars. Inexpensive sandwiches and Japanese noodles in the Financial District are here to prove the point for the naysayers in the back: this city can be affordable if you just search for it. Try any of these 14 businesses to confirm the possibly shocking news for yourself.

Yo Yo's

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This Japanese noodle and takeaway sushi shop is little more than a tiny kitchen a few steps away from the heart of the Financial District. But it’s attracted a faithful following for its delicious, bargain-priced udon and soba, in particular. After nearly closing in April 2022, the shop is back on its feet. Stop by Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

318 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CA 94111

(415) 296-8273

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Hot Sauce and Panko

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This popular Russian Hill wing-slinger is a takeout- and delivery-only model, with a retail shop selling hot sauce. These are some of the most succulent, flavorful wings in town, available in a range of internationally-inspired sweet, savory, or spicy varieties — most priced around $8 for an order of five.

1468 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94109

(415) 387-1908

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Hon's Wun-Tun House

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The Kearny Street location of Hon’s is known for its satisfying, no-frills bowl of dumpling-filled soup for under $15. The signature soup goes for a little over $13, and accompanying ingredients such as barbecue pork or beef tendon can direct how expensive — or inexpensive — one wants to go. The broth is solid and filling, with bouncy noodles, and an order of dumplings holds up on its own without the broth.

648 Kearny St (Commercial), San Francisco, CA 94108

(415) 433-3966

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A bowl with dumplings and beef, from Hon’s Wun-Tun House in San Francisco.

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Kusina Ni Tess

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Perhaps the friendliest and most delicious of the city’s Filipino steam table spots, Kusina Ni Tess is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s got a daily changing menu that you should check if you’re craving something specific — say, chicken adobo (available every day except Monday). Traditional breakfast silog plates are available all day, every day, and most dishes are priced at about $11 for an average order.

237 Ellis St, San Francisco, CA 94102

(415) 351-1169

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Saigon Sandwich

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This Larkin Street go-to for Vietnamese food has an ultra-simple menu: five sandwiches, each for $5.50. Fans love this Tenderloin shop for its cheap, loaded bánh mi sandwiches, including the pork combination of grilled pork and pate.

560 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94102

(415) 474-5698

Saigon Sandwich banh mi — Saigon Sandwich Banh Mi

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Falletti Foods

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Taking a walk to get a $5 sandwich at this Lower Haight mainstay is just smart. The “Poor Boy” sandwich, stuffed with rotating meats and cheeses to accommodate the deli’s needs at any moment, goes for just $4.49. In an ever-more-expensive city, Falletti’s top-tier ingredients and low prices are a crucial option for any savvy shopper.

308 Broderick St, San Francisco, CA 94117

(415) 626-4400

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The Poor Boy Sandwich from Faletti Foods in San Francisco

Shanghai Dumpling King

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Duboce Triangle is lucky to play host to Shanghai Dumpling King and its numerous items that cost less than $10. From the tofu thread salad ($7.95) to the green onion pancake (also $7.95) to the plentiful dumpling choices (almost all just shy of $10) this is the go-to place for dumpling and deal lovers alike.

720 14th St, San Francisco, CA 94114

(415) 757-0439

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Banh Mi Crunch

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The Inner Sunset’s newest go-to for banh mi took over the former Midnite Bagel space and will give customers a bonus sandwich when they buy four. Already the store is littered with teenagers, boba in hand, looking for a relatively inexpensive sandwich and egg roll combo.

646 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122

(628) 256-3711

Kevin & Chris’s Noodle House

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It’s hard to beat a tremendous bowl of noodles and broth for just $12. Most everything on the menu at this Irving Street Vietnamese restaurant costs about $12, too, including the brisket dish chín gầu and beef ball and rice noodle combo phở bò viên.

1833 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122

(415) 664-0469

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Yamo

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At this tiny, no-frills Burmese diner, everything on the menu — from the assortment of curries to the garlicky house noodles — will run you no more than $8, cash only. It might be the best bang for your buck of any restaurant in the city.

3406 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

(415) 553-8911

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Newkirk's

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East Coast-style sandwiches aren’t ubiquitous in San Francisco for patently obvious reasons, which makes this Mission District shop all the more precious to its fans. The fried egg and cheddar sandwich goes for just $7.95, and many of its other options run just $2 more.

1002 Potrero Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110

(415) 962-7695

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Tacos del Barrio

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There are so many places to get affordable, excellent Mexican food in the Mission District. That said, Tacos del Barrio is sitting somewhere in the middle of the various price points. A barbacoa taco for $5 is nothing to scoff at, nor $5 consomé, on the weekends.

2817 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

(415) 829-3371

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George's Zoo

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This convenience store and sandwich shop is a Parkside staple, selling hearty sandwiches for just $8.50. In fact, there are 25 different sandwiches — including vegetarian options and an Italian offering with mortadella and salami — all for just $8.50. Breakfast sandwiches cost just $3.99.

2560 Sloat Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94116

(415) 664-3215

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Beep's Burgers

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This Space-Age-themed, ’60s-style drive-in in Ingleside serves one of the best inexpensive burgers in the city. Even during shelter-in-place, Beep’s remained open for its regular hours, offering its Twinkie milkshakes, curly fries, and roughly $8 burgers to the true believers.

1051 Ocean Ave, San Francisco, CA 94112

(415) 584-2650

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