Cheap eats in Albany under $10
8 places where a full meal costs less than $10, tested and honest — pizza, tacos, banh mi, and Gus's mini dogs at 2am.
Slice of pizza on a paper plate
Slices and pizza
DeFazio's Pizzeria at the Empire State Plaza concourse: $3.50 a slice, wood-fired. The proper DeFazio's is in Troy and worth the trip. I Love NY Pizza on Central Avenue does a $4 slice with better crust than the price suggests. Bombers on Lark Street sells a slice-plus-drink for $6.
Burritos, tacos, banh mi
Bombers Burrito Bar on Lark Street: a $9 stuffed burrito that feeds two. El Loco Mexican Cafe on Madison Avenue: 3 tacos for $9. Van's Vietnamese on Madison Avenue: banh mi for $7, pho for $12 (over budget but flagged for the value).
Diners and mini dogs
Miss Albany Diner (Broadway): breakfast plate under $10 if you skip the sides. Cardona's Market on Delaware Avenue: Italian deli sandwiches $8 to $10, big enough to split. Gus's Hot Dogs in Watervliet: six mini dogs with everything, $10. Cash only.
Frequently asked questions
What people ask before they set off on this one.
Yes for lunch and casual dinner. For a proper sit-down dinner with a drink, budget $20 to $30 minimum.
Miss Albany Diner or Bros Bagels for $6 to $9. Sunday brunch at nicer places starts at $15.
Yes, especially at Empire State Plaza Wednesdays and Fridays 11am to 2pm in warm months. Prices $8 to $12.
SUNY Albany students hit Bombers, Van's Vietnamese, and Chipotle. RPI students eat in Troy at Ali Baba's and I Love NY Pizza.
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