Plate of butter chicken, rice and vindaloo from Tiffin

Cheap Eats That Won’t Break The Bank

Looking for a cheap meal under $15? Try any of these options

Tiffin India’s Fresh Kitchen

It’s love at first whiff when you step inside quick-casual Tiffin India’s Fresh Kitchen located on Jasper Avenue. There’s plenty of bustle and chatter, while the smoky aromas speak of killer Indian cooking. Our current faves? Five lentil curry, palak paneer kofta, fenugreek chicken and the garlic naan. 10404 Jasper Avenue

Let’s Smash Burgers, Gyros & Shakes

Don’t let the funny name fool you – the flavours at Let’s Smash Burgers, Gyros & Shakes are all business. Signature gyros steal the show, but you can also get a triple patty burger with double cheese for under $15. If you feel like splurging, you can always add on calamari or their fan favourite Ferrero milkshake. 10815 Jasper Avenue

Buok Fresh Korean Kitchen

Taste the crunch of the carrots and there’s no denying how fresh the bibimbap at Buok Fresh Korean Kitchen is. That’s why Downtowners in the know come back again and again to build their own customized bowl. Choose your base from white rice, barley brown rice, Buddha rice, ramen noodles and sweet potato noodles. Then start adding your toppings – there are more than nine to choose from. And finally, pick your protein (chicken, pork, beef and tofu) before adding your the sauce of your liking. Not sure what to ordered? Pick from three delicious pre-designed bowls. One trip to bite of you bibimbap bowl and you’ll understand why this is Korea’s much-loved dish. 10707 100 Avenue

Ono Poke Co.

Haven’t tried poke yet? Ono Poke Co. is the real deal. Chef Lawrence Hui travelled extensively across Hawaii learning from the state’s best chefs to come up with a dozen signature bowls, such as spicy Thai salmon and Musubi tuna. 10142 104 Street

Copper Branch

Canadian quick-casual Copper Branch will satisfy committed vegans with its approachable menu that might even fool meat eaters. But make no mistake the power bowls are 100 percent plant-based. The General Copper  is a hearty affair with broccoli, fresh avocado, organic brown rice, sesame seeds, sriracha coleslaw. Customize it how you want with your choice of base (organic brown rice, quinoa, Konjac noodles or lettuce) and a protein pick (organic tempeh, smoked tofu, shiitake teriyaki or carrot keftedes). 101316 Jasper Avenue

Cosmic Pizza

Whether you’re craving a slice of pizza at 1 am or looking to alleviate the after-effects of a night out, Cosmic Pizza has got you covered. Through thick and thin, this is the crust you should trust. 10412 102 Ave

Dagu Rice Noodle

If you’re an avid noodle soup lover, make a stop at Dagu Rice Noodle for some piping hot soul-warming soups and fresh rice noodles. They’re famous for their “Crossing the Bridge” rice noodle soups, where toppings are presented separately and you put it in the soup yourself. It’s heaven in a bowl! Even better yet, the noodles are unlimited. 10408 Jasper Avenue

Love Pizza

If you are a devoted pizza fan, Love Pizza won’t disappoint. You can order their signature specialties, such as the Holy Shitake with parmesan sauce, fior di late, caramelized onions, roasted mushroom. But what they are known for is custom pizzas. Elevate your pie with artichoke hearts, spinach, farm fresh eggs, pulled chicken, arugula and sundried tomatoes. 10196 109 Street

Ramen Misoya

Michelin-recommended Misoya Ramen offers nearly 20 takes on Ramen, from classic pork to spicy broths to chicken to vegetarian offerings. And, yes, they have Japanese soda with the fancy glass-ball stoppers. 10146 104 Street

Envie

All the dishes at Envie scream hearty, comfort food that hugs the soul. While there are some pricier dinner entrees on the menu, you can still sink your teeth into a hot, juicy Po’Boy sandwices  for under $15. 10009 107 Street

Remedy Café

It’s a coffee shop but also offers some of the best grab-and-go East Indian food in the core. Most of the dishes on the Remedy Cafe menu are Indian and Pakistani dishes with a twist of their own – Aloo kema wraps for breakfast and butter chicken for lunch. 10279 Jasper Avenue and 10104 103 Avenue, Bell Tower 

Boston Pizza

The first Boston Pizza opened in Edmonton in 1964 by Greek immigrant Gus Agioritis. Today, there are more than 400 restaurants across Canada and the US. Downtown Edmonton has two locations, with the newest situated in the Ice District. The two-storey restaurant looks vastly different from the older Boston Pizza restaurants, with a more contemporary feel, but the pizzas still do it for the money. At lunch hour, a small nooner pizza is the soundest bet for anyone looking to stick to a budget. 10111 104 Avenue and 10620 Jasper Avenue

Filistix

If you’ve never tried Filipino and southeast Asian cuisine Filistix is the place to start. Fill up for less with a bowl of pork adobo, considered to the national dish of the Philippines. It’s meat (usually chicken or pork) braised in vinegary flavourful sauce heaped on a bed of steaming rice. Other best best are the longsilog, a traditional Filipino dish consisting of a sweet spicy longanisa sausage and garlic fried rice topped with a fried egg. 10621 100 Avenue

Commodore

Time stands still at this classic diner that has been located at the same Jasper Avenue spot since 1942. The food isn’t fancy but it’s quality meals priced just right. Burgers of all sorts served with fries and salad cost under $10, and $7 breakfast dishes are served all day. Just keep in mind that they close by 4pm. Best of all, owner David Gee has the most impressive music collection on rotation all-day. 10712 Jasper Avenue