Top 5: Budget Food Cities in the United States

Cities like New York and San Francisco have legendary food scenes, but it costs a pretty penny just to sample at even the most humble of restaurants. When planning a culinary road trip across America, here are the five best cities for foodies on a budget.

Portland, Oregon

A home of hip food trends, Portland caters to the working professional sharing an apartment with five other people by offering food- and drink-based happy hours at most restaurants. Patrons can stop in during specific hours and find not only decent drink prices but also easy-to-digest food prices, and menus that offer more than just chips and guac.

Cincinnati, Ohio

Cincinnati serves its chili three ways: on top of noodles, with onions and/or beans or five-way, which includes chili, cheese, onions and beans, all on a bed of noodles.

Orlando, Florida

While most people think of Disney World when they think of Orlando, the city’s international city extends way beyond Epcot. Dive into the Cuban culture at Black Bean Deli, which serves Cuban sandwiches and coffee, or venture into Orlando’s Vietnamese scene in the Mills 50 neighborhood which boasts a handful of pho restaurants.

Houston, Texas

Houston is a big city but often overlooked, a fact that also applies to its food scene. With more than just barbecue, Houston is also known for its Caribbean and Creole cuisines, as well as a strong Asian influence by way of Korea and Vietnam.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

New Mexico is where roadside diners and Tex-Mex thrive, both of which are affordable and plentiful in this near-the-border state.