10 Cheap Eats In San Francisco, California, Under USD 5

1. Wing Lee Bakery

Wing Lee has been serving their signature Chinese and Dim Sum dishes made fresh daily since 1978. Your average spend of USD13 on their food could fill the tummies of two people. USD2.00 can purchase three pieces of Dim Sum like the famous Shark Fin Gow, Shrimp Gow, Taro Cake, Pork Sew Mai, and others. Steam buns cost USD1.10 each while the Bake Buns range from USD0.60 to USD2.70. The bakery has a long list of these Chinese delicacies which are fun to eat. Order them for dine-in or as take-out and eat them on the go.

Wing Lee Bakery

Address: 503 Clement St. San Francisco, CA 94118

Opening / Closing Hours: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Website: Wing Lee Bakery

2. Tommy's Joynt

Looking for quick eats in the middle of the night? Or do you need food for an impromptu party? Tommy’s Joynt solves these problems for they are open until the wee hours of the morning. This no-frills restaurant provides the original counter service on a first come, first served basis serving sandwiches and dinner platters ranging from USD12.40 to USD3.31. Have the pasta of the day with real Italian meat sauce or a bowl of the daily soup or Clam Chowder for USD5 and less. Their Swiss Cheese and Old-Style German Sausage Sandwiches cost USD3.90 and a variety of salads offered for USD3.31.

Tommy's Joynt

Address: 1101 Geary Blvd. San Francisco, CA 94109-6815

Opening / Closing hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00 AM – 2:00 AM

Website: Tommy’s Joynt

3. Hot Sauce and Panko

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Hot Sauce and Panko is known for their delicious chicken wings and home-made hot sauces made fresh in small batches. The chicken wings are coated only when ordered. Have a special meal of wings and waffle combo for USD10.99. The wings come in different flavors with prices ranging from USD6.89 to USD8.49. Get their Tempura Wedge Fries for USD2.99 and their various sauces for USD0.25 each. The tiny restaurant has two standing tables built for take-out only with valet parking services. They close once their supplies run out and you’ll have to pay for your water.

Hot Sauce and Panko

Address: 1468 Hyde Street, San Francisco, CA

Opening / Closing hours: Monday and Tuesday: CLOSED/ Wednesday to Saturday: 11:30 AM to 7:00 PM/ Sunday: 11:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Website: Hot Sauce and Panko

4. Saigon Sandwich

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This hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop on Larkin St. doesn’t need a sign to attract customers. It’s well-visited for its Banh Mi or Vietnamese sandwiches which is basically pulled pork or chicken meat with lots of colorful and aromatic vegetables in between slices of baguette. For USD3.75 you can have a taste of delicious Banh Mi Ga containing Roast Chicken, Bahn Mi Thit which has Roast Pork, Banh Mi Xiu Mai with Meat Ball Pork, Banh Mi Cha Lua Fanci Pork, and Banh Mi Pate. Grab their Special Combo Sandwich for USD4. It’s a tiny establishment so just place your order, get your food in five to ten minutes, and you’re good to go.

Saigon Sandwich

Address: 560 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Opening / Closing hours: Monday to Sunday 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM

Website: Saigon Sandwich

5. Basa Seafood Express

This restaurant on 24th street has an extensive all seafood menu which you can order on-site and online. Start your meal with side orders below USD5 like Cole Slaw (USD2.99), French Fries (USD3.99), Garlic fries and Seaweed (USD4.99), or a 12 oz bowl of Clam Chowder (USD4.75). Add a few more dollars and enjoy their salads, sandwiches, Fish & Chips, Ceviche, and Rice Bowls. Their dishes are made from fresh seafood and other ingredients creating a taste that is easy on the palette that even kids would love.

Basa Seafood Express

Address: 3064 24th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

Opening / Closing hours: Monday to Saturday 12noon – 7:00 PM / Sunday 12noon – 5:00 PM

Website: Basa Seafood Express

6. Rooster & Rice

Thai food, among the world’s top ten cuisines, is here on Filbert St. Rooster & Rice offers their specialty Thai Chicken Rice dish called Khao Mun Gai. The delicious poached organic chicken is placed over fragrant steamed rice decorated with cilantro and cucumber served with chicken broth and a sauce mix of soybean sauce, garlic, ginger, and fresh chili. The dish has four different variants and sold within the USD9.95 to 11.95 price range. Order extras below USD5 like chicken for USD3, rice, broth, eggs, and their famous sauce for USD1 to USD2.

Rooster & Rice

Address: 2211 Filbert St, San Francisco, CA 94123 / 303 2nd St, San Francisco, CA 94107/ 125 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA 94108/ 3120 Santa Rita Rd, Pleasanton, CA 94566

Opening / Closing hours: Monday to Saturday 11:00 Am – 6:00 PM / Sunday: CLOSED

Website: Rooster & Rice

7. Tselogs

Tselogs is a restaurant that serves delicious Filipino dishes and provides well-compensated jobs for a better appreciation of their culture. Filipino food is very diverse and flavorful. For USD3.99 you have Lumpiang Shanghai or Filipino Style Eggrolls as an appetizer. Try their Silogs which is basically garlic rice and two eggs with a viand. Pay USD4.99 and you can have Spam or Hotdog Silog. Add another dollar or two for their other Silog flavors. They also have a wide list of Filipino specialty dishes like Arroz Caldo, Chicken Mami, and others.

Tselogs

Address: 6192 Mission Street, Daly City, CA

Opening / Closing hours: starting January 2019 Teusday to Friday 6:00PM -12:00AM / Saturday 4:00PM - 12:00AM / Sunday & Monday: Closed

Website: Tselogs

8. Popsons

Popsons artisan burgers are made from the finest beef supplied by Five Dot Ranch and freshest buns from Petits Pains. They have a wide selection of specialty burgers which comes with a single or double patty within the USD6.45 to USD11.20 price range. For USD5 you can try their hotdogs made from 100% beef and for USD3.25 to USD4.75 you can buy freshly fried fries in different flavors. The Chili salad made of 100% ground beef, cheese, and onion sells for USD4.65. They do catering and operate as a take-out restaurant.

Popsons

Address: 998 Market, SF

Opening / Closing hours: Everyday 11:00AM -9:00pm

Website: Popsons

9. Muracci's Japanese Curry & Grill

Run by a Japanese couple who migrated from Osaka in the year 2000, with over 60 years of combined culinary experience, the restaurant is named after their son whose image is on their logo. Their famous homemade curry sauce and soup stock takes hours to prepare. Their authentic Japanese food is made with the freshest and finest ingredients and could be picked up from their resto or as take-out delivery. Their curry dishes are quite pricey but worth every penny. For dishes below USD5, try the California Roll (USD3.75), Cucumber Roll (USD3.00), Avocado Roll (USD3.25), Inari Sushi (USD3.95), and their Green or Potato Salad both at USD3.75.

Muracci's Japanese Curry & Grill

Address: 307 Kearny Street, San Francisco, CA 94108

Opening / Closing hours: Sunday: Closed / Monday to Thursday: 11am – 7pm / Friday: 11am – 6pm / Saturday: 11am – 4pm

Website: Muracci’s Japanese Curry & Grill

10. HRD Coffee Shop

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Traditional American breakfast fare was served in the first HRD Coffee Shop in 1953 until the mid-2009. The location was the former Social Security Administration’s Human Resources Department where it got its name as HRD. Chef David Young took over the kitchen in 2009 and, inspired by the diversity of San Francisco, created the Global Fusion menu. To taste their multi-cultural cuisine for less than USD5, you can try their famous Fries with Kimchee Aioli for USD4.25. For the same price, you can order a salad with Kiwi vinaigrette. Add a few more dollars and you can sample their burritos, banh mi wraps, curry platters, rice bowls, curry platers, fresh salads, wraps, and HRD specials.

HRD Coffee Shop

Address: 521A 3rd street, San Francisco, CA 94107

Opening / Closing Hours: Monday to Friday 10:00AM – 4:00PM & 5:00PM – 8:30PM / Saturday 11:00AM – 4:00PM / Sunday: Closed

Website: HRD Coffee Shop

Eat for cheap in Wine Country

Aside from producing a wide selection of premium wines, San Francisco is a food destination for the diversity of their culinary offerings. Here, you can enjoy tasting various cuisines without breaking the bank. The restaurants listed above are the best choices for cheap eats when you visit San Francisco.