How does a meal for under 10 bucks sound?

Eating out can get expensive and prices seem to keep rising, but there are restaurants in Fresno and Clovis that continue to offer affordable deals on food.

We’re not talking about the dollar menu at McDonald’s or fast food here, but local restaurants offering real meals. Some give you a huge amount of food for the price. Others are more of a light lunch or dinner.

Notably, these restaurants are like a tour of all the cuisines from around the world Fresno has to offer: Vietnamese, Mexican, Chinese, even German bierocks.

Here’s a look at who’s serving what for under $10 in the Fresno area – in no particular order.

Food under $10

Maw n’ Paw BBQ is in a little strip mall by the airport, but has some big deals on its value meal menu. The $5 “pawtatoe” is a huge dish of chopped russet potatoes, barbecue beans, cheddar cheese and your choice of meat.

There are also burritos, bowls and other dishes on the value menu ranging from $3 to $5.

Details: 2686 N. Clovis Ave., 559-348-9559.

The Berrock Shop is a quick-service restaurant selling the German dish with ground beef and cabbage wrapped in dough. Other fillings are available too, including barbecue beef, Mexican and breakfast versions. Get one with a side and a drink for between $9.25 and $9.90.

Details: 2016 W. Bullard Ave., 559-439-0402.

El Premio Mayor has two taquerias and a food truck, which has won the Taco Truck Throwdown several times. The hole-in-the-wall McKinley location sells most of its tacos for $2 each – and they don’t skimp on fillings. Its chile verde and lengua (beef tongue) tacos go for $2.25 each.

Almost everything else on the menu is under $10 too.

Details: The taquerias are at 3247 E. McKinley Ave. and 3139 N. Maroa Ave. Follow the business on Instagram to see where the food truck will be.

The Meat Market has locations in Fresno and Clovis. The Alluvial location in Fresno has a walk-up window with almost everything on it under $10. Sandwich options include barbecued chicken breast, North Carolina pork, linguica, barbecue beef, chicken kebab, pastrami, and the most popular option, tri-tip.

They’re $7.99 each, or get a combo with a drink and a side (like rice pilaf or potato salad) for $9.99.

Details: The Meat Market’s Fresno location is at 454 Alluvial Avenue, 559-436-6688. The Clovis Meat Market is at 1990 N. Fowler Ave., 559-256-1390.

The Lincoln Pub & Grub in the Tower District is a cocktail bar and restaurant known for its $5 menu. It’s changed things up a bit lately, but still has its honey-walnut shrimp for $8.50. All the appetizers – from tacos to tempura green beans – are $5 and you can put two together to make a meal. Many of the cocktails are $5 too.

Details: 609 E. Olive Ave. (559) 230-2433.

Huong Lan has three locations in Fresno. If you haven’t tried the Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches yet, this is a good place to try them. The restaurants offer 17 types of the sandwiches made on crunchy French bread with cilantro and meat, ranging from $5.50 to $9.99.

If you want to go the authentic route, get one made with head cheese (made from pieces of the ear, tongue and nose of a pig’s head). If not, opt for chicken teriyaki or vegetarian options.

Details: Huong Lan 9 is at 4965 N. Fresno St., 559-221-8000; Huong Lan 10 is at 5669 E. Kings Canyon Road, 559-251-5000; and the newest location is at 3757 W. Shaw Ave., 559-271-9998.

Bowlzeye in Clovis serves bowls of salad, rice and potatoes piled high with toppings. Most are under $8, including the Thai chicken bowl and the “nameless potato” with baked potatoes, cheddar cheese, grilled chicken, broccoli, ranch dressing and bacon bits.

Details: 75 Bullard Ave., Clovis, 559-298-3986.

Golden Dynasty Chinese Restaurant is near the Target at Shields Avenue and First Street. It has big portions and a huge menu with most of it under $10.

Its rice plates – rice with a serving of an entree like orange chicken or spare ribs – run from $7.95 to $8.95. It also takes online orders.

Details: 3201 E. Shields Ave., 559-229-3817.

Kenji’s Teriyaki Grill is a locally owned restaurant on Blackstone Avenue in front of Target. It has several options for $7.50 to $9.50. That includes its signature katsu chicken, which is white meat breaded with panko breadcrumbs and deep fried.

There are also other chicken and pork plates, and bowls for under $10.

Details: 5776 N. Blackstone Ave., 559-374-6800.

Pho Fresno is a favorite place to get pho, the Vietnamese beef soup, for many Fresnans. The nondescript little restaurant is at Maroa and Shields avenues.

It has several types of pho, including steak, seafood, and chicken, for under $10.

The restaurant is temporarily closed, but expected to reopen the second week of March.

Details: 3111 N. Maroa Ave., 559-374-9893.

Robertito’s Taco Shop is another Fresno favorite with affordable options and more than dozen locations in the area.

The 24-hour one with a drive-thru near Blackstone and Gettysburg avenues has tons of options for under $10. That includes all its burritos, tortas and tostadas.

Details: The central 24-hour location is at 4509 N. Blackstone Ave., 559-226-8205. See its website at robertitostacoshops.com for its other locations.

This story was originally published March 4, 2021 at 10:56 AM.

Bethany Clough

The Fresno Bee

(559) 441-6431

Bethany Clough covers restaurants and retail for The Fresno Bee. A reporter for more than 20 years, she now works to answer readers’ questions about business openings, closings and other business news. She has a degree in journalism from Syracuse University and her last name is pronounced Cluff.