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Where To Grab A Filling Meal For Under $20 In SF

By: Kyrie Sismaet By: Kyrie Sismaet | March 17, 2023 | Food & Drink People Lifestyle Restaurants City Life Culture Travel Community List - Restaurants

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While San Francisco does boast inumerable upscale high-end Michelin Star restuarants, the city definitely caters to those craving a more affordable price range as well. For under $20, San Francisco is home to a wide range of cheap eats where you can truly stretch your money for a full meal, drink, and even dessert, and all in generously portioned and culturally authentic cuisines.

If you're looking for a fast, reliable, and cost-effective eatery when out exploring in the city, here is an inclusively diverse list of options all under $20, many of which are from cherished mom-and-pop landmarks.

See also: 20 Best Dive Bars In San Francisco

Saigon Sandwich

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560 Larkin St / Website

Cuisine: Classic Vietnamese Bahn Mis.

Menu Highlights:

  • $6.50 Combination Bánh Mì
  • $5 Roast Chicken Bánh Mì
  • $5 Vietnamese Coffee

Perfect For: A quick, generously filling, and quality portable meal when out exploring near City Hall

Good Mong Kok Bakery

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1039 Stockton St / (415) 397-2688 / Website

Cuisine: Traditional Chinese dim sum.

Menu Highlights:

  • $3.20 Chicken Shui Mai (4)
  • $1.70 Baked BBQ Pork Bun
  • $1.50 Egg Custard Tart

Perfect For: Piling up a towering platter to sample all of the best Chinese dim sum their menu has to offer when in Chinatown.

Mosto

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741 Valencia St / (415) 649-6077 / Website

Cuisine: Al Pastor tacos and a wide selection of mezcal.

Menu Highlights:

  • $2 Al Pastor Tacos (Taco Tuesdays), $5.25 regularly
  • $9.50 Margaritas, $15.50 regularly
  • $13.25 Hamburguesa

Perfect For: A cheap Taco Tuesday within a chic and snug hideaway with trendy music and decor along the fabulous Valencia Street.

The Bird

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406 Hayes St / (415) 940-2770 / Website

Cuisine: Southern-style fried chicken.

Menu Highlights:

  • $10.25 Fried Chicken Sandwich
  • $7.75 Bird Salad
  • $4.75 Fully Loaded Fries

Perfect For: Hefty servings of sumptuously crispy and fresh fried chicken within a relaxed and sunny cove when deciding on lunch or dinner in Hayes Valley.

Senor Sisig

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Ferry Building, 1, #41 / (855) 747-4455 / Website

Cuisine: Modern Filipino fusion.

Menu Highlights:

  • $13.50 Senor Sisig Burrito
  • $5.00 Vegan Sisig Taco
  • $9.00 Ube Macapuno Churros

Perfect For: A fast and high-quality taste of the Philippine islands with delectably innovative upgrades in the Ferry Building that's perfect for enjoying by the waterside. Senor Sisig can also be found at Spark Social and at their Valencia Street flagship.

See also: Señor Sisig Debuts New Restaurant In Ferry Building

La Taqueria

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2889 Mission St / (415) 285-7117 / Website

Cuisine: No-frills Mexican fare.

Menu Highlights:

  • $4.95 Regular Taco with Meat
  • $14.00 Super Burrito with Meat
  • $6.75 Large Strawberry Agua Fresca

Perfect For: An authentic taste of the Mission District which you can take to enjoy atop the scenic Dolores Park for a true immersive feel of the historic Latinx neighborhood.

Molinari Delicatessen

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373 Columbus Ave / (415) 421-2337 / Website

Cuisine: Classic Italian deli sandwiches.

Menu Highlights:

  • $15.25 Sausage Sandwich
  • $15.50 North Beach Special Sandwich
  • $15.50 Eggplant Parmigiano

Perfect For: A sunny stop when exploring North Beach where you can leisurely dine out outside of their historic market while also being able to shop after.

Kusina Ni Tess

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237 Ellis St / (415) 351-1169 / Website

Cuisine: Homestyle Filipino comfort food popular for breakfast plates and a la carte party trays.

Menu Highlights:

  • $8.00 Chicken Adobo
  • $12.00 Tapsilog
  • $10.00 Large Leche Flan

Perfect For: A hassle-free and nourishing Filipino breakfast option with a cozy and inviting interior.

Panchita's Pupusería & Restaurant

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3091 16th St / (415) 431-4232 / Website

Cuisine: Traditional pupusas and Mexican cuisine.

Menu Highlights:

  • $14.15 for 3 Pupusas ($4.75 for one)
  • $13.75 Combo with 2 Pupusas, rice, and refried beans.
  • $12.00 Huevos Rancheros

Perfect For: A hot and toasty pupusa that's portable, cheesy, and stuffedto perfection with tender meat and rich fillings just off of the 16th Street Mission Bart station.

Stonemill Matcha

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561 Valencia St / (415)-796-3876 / Website

Cuisine: Traditional Japanese matcha and sandwiches.

Menu Highlights:

  • $5.75 Hojicha Latte
  • $12 Tamago Sando
  • $12 Gomadare Tofu Salad

Perfect For: A calm and serene morning with precisely handmade matcha in an ambient space that's peaceful, minimalist, and radiant with kind and swift service.

No matter where you are in the city, these helpful and heartwarming restaurants will certainly make your stomach and wallet happy!

See also: Best SF Spots To Celebrate Your 21st Birthday At



Tags: san francisco food and drink restaurants culture people chinese american tourism family web-og small business dessert italian cuisine sf restaurant italian food chinese food mexican cuisine trends chinese cuisine beer kyrie-sismaet Apple News mexican food

Photography by: Courtesy of StevieS/Getty Images