Best Bets: $10 lunches | Metromix Tampa Bay
Best Bets: $10 lunches
(Credit: GNS)

It's easy to find fast food restaurants that serve lunch for under $10, but how about dining in style with typically $12-$18 lunches for $5-$10 instead?  You have to know where to look, and when to arrive.

My challenge this week was to bring you a cross-section of restaurants serving varied cuisine, that offer lunches or lunch specials (Generally weekdays from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.) for under $10 total.  With a few exceptions (i.e. Panchero's, Trang Viet and Babalu's), most are diner, cafe' and bistro settings.

Cancun Mexican-Cuban Grill offers $6.95 specials that include soup, beans, rice and plantains with your meal.  Mr. Bones New Orleans cuisine has $7.95 spare rib platters (complete with two sides).  Thai Wasabe offers $7.95 lunches with soup and egg roll side.  Mamma Onesti's serves huge $5.95 specials that include pasta and a house salad. The Garden of Eden features $5.29 on Lebanese platters, and who can beat Nicki O's $5.99 spaghetti and meatball lunches?  Feeling like Schnitzel?  Cafe' Berlin serves German dishes at everyday low prices.

Below are twenty places to get the most for your money...

 

Cancun Mexican-Cuban Grill

Cancun Mexican-Cuban Grill

5120 Manatee Ave. W. - Bradenton
941-747-2552

Cancun Mexican-Cuban Grill offers authentic cuisine in a casual environment. Family owned and operated, the Grill serves fajitas, enchilladas, cuban sandwiches and more. Daily early bird specials start at $6.95 and include soup or salad and a free beverage. Their happy hour also features 2 for 1 drafts and .99 cent margaritas with dinner. Available for dine in or take out.

Mr. Bones BBQ

Mr. Bones BBQ

3007 Gulf Dr. - Holmes Beach
941-778-6614

Mr. Bones is a one-of-a-kind barbeque joint, located in beautiful Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island. Guests are greeted by a cheeky skeleton in a Mr. Bones t-shirt and chef's hat, plus a coffin full of domestic and specialty beer. The interior is voodoo-inspired, dimly lit and decorated masks and skulls hang on the straw-covered walls. A sign hangs above the doorway that reads "No salt, pepper, ketchup, etc in dining room. Don't even ask. Our food is expertly made by New Orleans trained chefs. No improvement is needed." Some may say that it's all hype, but Mr. Bones' succulent ribs, barbeque sandwiches, chicken and various vegetarian and Indian dishes do not need anything extra.

Thai Wasabi

Thai Wasabi

5250 East SR 64 - Bradenton
941-896-7803

A combination of Japanese and Thai cuisine, Thai Wasabi serves fantastic food at modest prices. Lunch specials range from $7.95-$10 and include soup and an egg roll. Dinner specialties include red and green curry, lomain, tempura dishes and assorted makimono rolls and sushi by-the-piece. The ambience is warm and cozy, and service friendly. Perfect for a quick lunch or relaxed dinner.

Mamma Onesti's

Mamma Onesti's

8453 Cooper Creek Blvd. - University Park
941-351-9595

From Chicken Zingara to Snapper Mare Chiaro, Mamma Onesti's offers some harder-to-find Italian dishes, in a quiet bistro that feels a bit like coming home after a long day. Lunch specials range from $5.95-$10.95, and include a house salad and side of pasta. Dinner ranges from $11.95-$18.95 and a choice of soup or salad and pasta. Quiet and welcoming, the subdued colors provide a place to relax and have a home cooked meal while still feeling as if you're enjoying a night out an upscale restaurant (without the high prices).

Mamma Onesti's Italian Restaurant

Mamma Onesti's Italian Restaurant

4625 Cortez Road - Bradenton
941-798-3067

Styled with murals of old Italy and its countryside on the walls, Mamma Onesti's is a classic trattoria, serving up portions of Italian favorites. Made with quality ingredients, offerings include pasta, personal pizzas, steak and seafood. A carnivore's dream may be the brasciola, sausage-stuffed steak with cheese with tomato and red wine sauce, complimented by onions. Escargot may be thought of as a French thing, but it's on Mamma Onesti's appetizer menu. Others include the appetizing Mozzarella Caprese and roasted red peppers in garlic and lemon in a balsamic glaze. Takeout is also available.

Panini Pizza Cafe'

Panini Pizza Cafe'

8348 US 301N - Parrish
941-723-1111

Panini Pizza Cafe' offers friendly contemporary dining, Southern Italian entrees, and even 2 for 1 drafts and daily lunch specials. Choose from gourmet pizza, sandwiches, soups, salads and traditional Sicillian pasta dishes. Beer and wine served, and specials include lunches from $6-$10, like manicotti and chicken cordon bleu with a side of pasta salad and fresh bread, or 1/2 a panini sandwich with a cup of sausage lentil soup. Located in the Allris Plaza, East of I-75, where 301 and Erie Rd. meet.

Casa Del Sol

Casa Del Sol

4832 Cortez Rd. - Bradenton
(941) 798-6900

With its ashler arched doorways and folk art decor, stepping into Casa del Sol, is like a journey into the heart of colonial Mexico. The best place to go for authentic Shrimp Ceviche, spanish rice and Chile Relleno, Casa del Sol is also a local favorite with it's 2 for $10.95 lunch specials and after work margaritas. Close to Oakmont Cinemas and all major beaches on Anna Maria Island. Buen Provecho!

Babalu Restaurant and Bar

Babalu Restaurant and Bar

9246 4th Street North - Saint Petersburg
(727)576-7414

Babalu Restaurant and Bar is located in an unassuming, broken down building on the West side of Fourth street down by Gandy Boulevard. The parking lot is always full, and that's because Babalu's has been an area staple for grouper sandwiches and seafood for years. Inside, a mixture of memorabilia fills the walls and the bar is always packed with regulars. Weekly and Daily specials fill a massive chalk board to the right. Babalu's has charm, good food and great prices, and it's the perfect place to reward yourself or to bring a visitor.

Big Stein's Deli

Big Stein's Deli

9001 4th St. N. - St. Petersburg
727-578-0548

Big Stein's Delicatessen specializes in exercising your jaw muscles. Their subs and wraps are so packed full of meat, cheese, and all of the other sandwich fixings that they're often difficult to wrap your mouth around. The Monster Triple Deckers aren't for the faint of heart or stomach; built thick, New York Style, they're loaded with fresh vegetables, thinly sliced deli meats, your choice of condiments, and placed atop fresh baked rye, marble swirl or wheat bread. The best thing about going to Stein's is that you can stuff your face without feeling guilty you've ruined your diet. Most of their menu items are Atkins friendly.

Press 2315

Press 2315

2315 Central Ave - Saint Petersburg
727.327.5544

Being one of the only panini specialty cafes in the bay area has brought Press 2315 to the forefront for those who have fallen for the delicious stylings of the pressed sandwich (just a sampling of what they offer: The Weekender - asparagus, goat cheese and lemon mayo on ciabatta - and the Grown Up Grilled Cheese - ham, brie, mustard and roasted red peppers on ciabatta -). As far as appetizers go, these guys are no slouches either, with Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts and Basil Pesto with Foccaccia Crostinis. Feel free to take part of their large beer & wine selection as well and sit back and relax on the cozy decor.

Globe Coffee Lounge

Globe Coffee Lounge

532 1st Ave. N. - St. Petersburg
727-898-5282

Artists, musicians, writers, lovers, philosophers, activists, peace keepers, spiritualists, students, and anyone with a soul will find respite at the Globe. Here is a spot where like minds gather for contemplation, conversation, and sometimes, henna tattoos. The food is real, and not just for vegetarians. Choose from BBQ chicken, whitefish, grilled turkey, roast beast (sic!) sandwiches, portobello wraps and tomato, basil and mozzerella on pesto-ed foccacia bread. There are nachos, lasagna, eggplant parmesan...oh, and they serve java, too. The Globe engages tarot readers, poets and essayists for late night readings, and a harpsichord player, or two, just might show up here. Local artists may consign their work, or just display it for a special exhibit. There is always something happening at the Globe — it has the scene for any late night aficionado.

Garden of Eden : Mediterranean Restaurant

7015 Division Ave - Hudson
727-869-4949

Mediterranean Restaurant serving home cooked Italian food, Lebanese Food and Boar's Head Deli. Check out the specials of the day, great food and low prices. Friday Night includes Buffet and Belly Dancer starting at 8:30 p.m.

Café Berlin

124 107th Ave. - Treasure Island
727-367-2495

This cozy, busy German restaurant serves up the best of Deutcheland. This isn't tourist fare -- many claim that the restaurant only serves up the most authentic of German food. That means meat-rich dishes; vegetarians probably won't find much on the menu that they'll gravitate to. However, those that adore German cuisine and a good schnitzel or sausage might find themselves coming back, again and again.

Kissin' Cuzzins

Kissin' Cuzzins

951 34th Street North - Saint Petersburg
727-323-3915

Kissin' Cuzzins has been a Tampa Bay staple for almost 50 years. The restaurant is open daily and serves both breakfast and lunch. Kissin' Cuzzins is known for their amazing pancakes, delectable waffles, and amazing combination breakfast platters but they also serve a wide variety of entrees including fish, pasta, chicken dishes, and steak. Located just north of Central Avenue on 34th Street North, Kissin' Cuzzins has been a favorite since 1961

Panchero's Mexican Grill

Panchero's Mexican Grill

3700 Ulmerton Rd Suite A101 - Clearwater
727-571-3111

Panchero's is one of the latest fast-casual Mexican chain restaurants to come to the Tampa Bay area. Featuring tacos, burritos, salads and quesadillas, Panchero's offers an assembly-line ordering system so that each customer can customize their meal while watching the employee prepare it. The prices are fair, and there is a small selection of beers to enjoy with your dinner. The decor is clean chrome with sleek furniture, and the music is contemporary radio.

Crawfish Corner

2921 W Waters Ave - Tampa
813-930-5046

Now serving crawfish, crabs, poboys, gumbo, oysters, jambalaya, and many other cajun dishes!

Nina O's

Nina O's

4502 S. Dale Mabry Hwy. - Tampa
813-831-8626

A fabulous menu filled with American favortites like roasted turkey and Southern style chicken, and Italian classics like lasagna and sausage, Nina O's offers a lot of variety. There's all-you-can-eat $9.99 dinner specials, early bird entrees for $5.99 and daily Happy Hour, feathuring 2 for 1 on well, drafts and house wines. You can also enjoy weekend brunches starting at $4.99. A grill AND bar, it's also the place to go for NFL viewing.

Rouen Thai

pick Rouen Thai

3324 Gandy Blvd. - Tampa
813-837-9100

This traditional Thai restaurant is a surprising find in what could be a generic asian eatery. The authentic ambiance is created with rich textures, statues, and golden art pieces throughout the restaurant. The menu is full of favorites Asian cuisine lovers have come to expect along with an extensive range of seafood, noodle and vegetarian dishes. Rouen Thai is perfect lunch or date night spot. The lunch specials include an appetizer, soup of the day, and steamed rice. On a hot day, try the Thai Sweet Iced Tea with cream. For an even more authentic feel, a low/sunken seating area is also available.

Smokin a's bbq

3643 W Waters Ave - Tampa
813-933-7665

Located on Waters and N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Smokin A's is known for its grade "A" meats, as well as its large portions. Catering Available.

Trang Viet

Trang Viet

1524 E. Fowler Ave. - Tampa
813-979-1464

Don't let the minimalist décor fool you. It's plain for a reason -- all the attention should be on the food. Trang Viet is known first and foremost for its extensive selection of vegetarian dishes. Plenty of tofu, noodle and rice dishes can be had, but there's also something else on the menu that is a rarity at an Asian restaurant, much less anywhere: fake meat. But don't worry, meat-eaters, all is not lost! Get your dose of protein with wings stuffed with shrimp and pork, opt for beef pho, or one of the traditional Vietnamese dishes.

What other people are saying...

1 comment | Add Your Own
No-pic-chick

AngelOnEarth from Pasco county - March 25, 2009 at 12:44 PM

some of these places sound very interesting however the money I would spend in gas would negate any potential savings for the lunch.

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