$1 tacos. Cheap Chinese food. Where to get affordable eats in Fresno area
Life is expensive lately. Eating out is expensive.
So we asked readers to tell us where they dine out when they’re strapped for cash.
Of course, eating at home will save you lots of beans. But sometimes you just need a little treat — or someone else with the energy to cook the meal.
Here’s what readers recommended.
Affordable eats in Fresno, Clovis
$1 tacos at Al’s Ricos Tacos
From Mike Bird.
Two locations: Ventura Avenue, just east of Highway 41, and Marks and Ashlan avenues.
Technically, the deal at Al’s Ricos Tacos is two tacos for $2.
The downtown taco stand is Fresno classic, a tiny, no-frills place with walk-up window and a bright yellow paint job. Its tacos are considered a measure of inflation, rising from two for a dollar years ago to their current 2 for $2.
The asada tacos are the most popular, an employee said.
Wok & Grill $8.99 orange chicken with rice
From Gerald Buss.
Location: 4570 N. First St., just a few doors down from Fresno Ag.
“They have fantastic orange chicken and the portions are incredible considering the price,” said Buss on Facebook. “Def my go-to.”
Wok & Grill charges $8.99 for a small entree served with steamed rice or $10.99 for a large entree – more if you want fried rice or noodles.
The menu includes all the usual options, such as sweet-and-sour pork, broccoli-beef, chicken, fish, shrimp and veggies.
$9.99+ pizza from Press Box Sports Grill
From Tom Abshere.
Three locations: Bullard Avenue and Figarden Drive, in the Via Montana shopping center at Champlain Drive and Shepherd Avenue, and Herndon and Fowler avenues in Clovis.
You can get a $9.99 8-inch pepperoni pizza from the Clovis Press Box Sports Grills location. .
There’s also a new Boswell pizza that’s gaining popularity, said Yesenia Delgado, bartender and scheduling manager. The pizza is a combination of pepperoni, Italian sausage, black olives and mushrooms. It’s $12. 99 for an 8-inch or $17. 99 for a 14-inch pie.
“As far as big sellers in the restaurant, if it’s not appetizers, it’s definitely pizzas,” she said. “They are very good.”
Sweet Mango Mart & Deli $7.75 fried chicken with sticky rice
From Art Flores.
Location: 1244 N. First St., just north of Olive Avenue.
“Sweet Mango for chicken and rice, good food and flavor,” said Flores on Facebook.
This business sells all kinds of Lao and Thai street food at affordable prices. Its most popular are the grab-and-go-style fried chicken and sticky rice Flores mentioned, and some small pork ribs with sticky rice for $9.50.
Several other prepackaged plates – chow mein, fried rice, etc. – are available for less than $9, along with higher-priced made-to-order noodles and rice dishes.
“Affordability is the biggest word for us,” said owner Sam Phommahasay. “Don’t say ‘discount’ in dollar sign, they won’t believe you.”
$20 prime rib dinner at Table Mountain Casino
From Mark Layne.
Table Mountain Casino has a rewards program that involves, among other discounts, a $20 prime rib dinner at its Blue Oak Grille restaurant.
The 12-ounce prime rib with au jus and horseradish sauce.
“It’s a nice size prime rib and it comes with two sides,” Layne said in a phone call with The Bee. “It’s a very good discount that they give you – These days, are you kidding?”
Of course, you need to be a regular customer spending money at the casino in Friant to get this deal. The Valley Sky Club is open to anyone who signs up and there are additional benefits for customers ages 55 and over and military veterans, law enforcement officers, healthcare workers, teachers and others.
$10 “Gotta Habit” Meal Deal at Habit Burger & Grill
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From Henry Badillo and Isaiah Ortiz.
Locations: There are seven in Fresno and Clovis, more in outlying cities.
The $10 “Gotta Habit” at Habit Burger meal deal is a limited-time offer featuring half a Santa Barbara Char sandwich made with a burger patty. It also comes with a five-piece crispy chicken bites, a drink and a choice of side, including a salad, tempura green beans or french fries.
“This was so good for the $10 & I was completely satisfied,” Ortiz said on Facebook.
