The appearance of Zingerman’s on a cheap eats map is sure to come as a surprise to many. However, the industrial park-based creamery and coffeeshop Zingerman's Bakehouse serves a rotation of hearty soup bowls along with a piece of their famous bread and wallet-friendly prices.

In a just few short years, No Thai! has expanded to multiple locations, including one in East Lansing perhaps in the hope of fostering unity between the two rival college towns. Updated noodle dishes, curries, and fried rice are available in spice levels ranging from mild to “Death Touch”.

Meatlovers flock to this charming shop for its sausages, jerky, and bacon, all produced in-house. For lunch, grab one of Biercamp's pulled-pork sandwiches, smoked sloppy joes, or bratwursts. Beer is available to wash it down or, if work beckons, in growlers for later.

Tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and other Mexican favorites are available with several kinds of meat at this eatery inside Tienda La Libertad — a Latin-American grocery filled with hard-to-find items. It's an ideal spot to explore while that burrito gets prepared.

Burgers with smashed patties have become wildly popular in the last few years and Blimpyburger has been serving up that style since 1953. There’s a wide variety of buns and toppings from which to choose, but the Peppersteak Bullet with its three patties, grilled peppers, onions, cheese, and ranch dressing is a must-have. 

The original Joe’s Pizza is a Greenwich Village landmark whose Brooklyn-style pizza is considered one of the best in New York City. Its South University location opened in late 2019 and is its first venture outside of the Big Apple. Diners on a budget can grab two slices of their legendary pizza for under $10.

The nondescript outside belies Songbird's cozy interior filled with warm earth tones and vintage touches. This Northside cafe serves up affordable coffee, baked goods, and sandwiches, often with unique twists and the weekend brunch is one of the best in Ann Arbor.

Flavor and variety are represented well on the menu at this taqueria. The tacos and tortas come with a wide selection of meats — from the familiar grilled steak to Cochinita Pivil, a shredded pork hailing from the Yucatan Peninsula. The pozole, a spicy pork soup is a must-have.

Ginger Deli’s small downtown storefront serves sensational Vietnamese food for limited dine in or grab-and-go. Its banh mi is served on freshly-baked baguettes with flavorful herbs and vegetables and is among the best sandwiches in town. The fresh summer rolls are also a can’t-miss affordable option.