Looking for lunch in Boston? What about a burrito or sandwich? Don’t compromise — or break the bank. We’ve got the best lunch deals around town (including some of our favorites) and because we know proximity is key when it comes to a midday meal, we’ve broken up these spots into their respective sides of town.
Multiple locations
Anna’s Taqueria, multiple locations | Order a regular burrito for $8.95 and choose your own adventure with a variety of proteins, including chicken, al pastor, carnitas, or veggie. Want steak? Splurge on the $10.95 regular steak burrito.
Kelly’s Roast Beef, multiple locations | Order the small roast beef sandwich for $9.95 or the large for $11.25. The meat is slow-roasted in house and served medium rare on a grilled sesame seed roll.
Mike and Patty’s, multiple locations | Breakfast for lunch? Say less. Order the Fancy for $11 featuring fried eggs, bacon, cheddar, avocado, red onions, and house mayo on toasted multigrain.
Mamaleh’s, multiple locations | The $9.50 chicken salad sandwich is the perfect grab-and-go option. It combines chicken salad and mixed greens on a homemade challah roll.
Head to Harvard Square to bite into this famous open-faced special.
Photo by @g_sees_theworld
Cambridge
Charlie’s Kitchen, 15 Elliot St. | For $12, try the open-faced Charlie’s double cheeseburger “Straight Up,” two 4-ounce patties served with fries and lettuce, tomato, a pickle on the side.
Roxy’s Grilled Cheese, 292 Massachusetts Ave. + 485 Cambridge St. | There are multiple grilled cheese options for under $12 here, but the Hot Honey Bacon grilled cheese is the best.
Saus, 1 Bow Market Way | The Big Poutine is $11 and big enough for two, or try the $12 Renny Dog, a Chicago-style dog with a pickle spear, pickled pepper, relish, tomato, celery salt, and yellow mustard.
The Bourbon Cherry Bacon Brat also has a vegetarian option.
Photo by @saus_boston
Downtown/Financial District
Gene’s Flatbread Cafe, 86 Bedford St. | The $11.95 House Noodle Soup is made with thin, hand-rolled noodles in chicken broth with pork + vegetables — and it’s even got a little spice.
Bostonia Public House, 131 State St. | The Tater Tot Poutine comes in hot at $13 or try the Fork Tender Meatballs for $15. If you’re in a rush, order online for pickup.
Beantown Pastrami, 100 Hanover St. | Find this food vendor inside Boston Public Market and select the quarter-pound build-your-own pastrami, corned beef, or roast turkey sandwich for a price point of $13 and under.
Allston/Brighton
Rhythm ‘N Wraps, 1096 Commonweath Ave. | Opt for the $5 vegetarian tacos like the Fueguito with Impossible meat chili, the Pull Up with barbecue jackfruit, or the Cosmic Tofu taco. Specials like the Beantown Burrito or Beantown Bowl are $15 or less.
Super Bien, Charles River Speedway, 525 Western Ave. | Try a mix of three Argentinean empanadas for $13.50 with fillings including chicken and broccoli cheddar.
Kimchipapi Kitchen, 81 Harvard Ave. | Try an Original Korndog for $6.50, the trendy Korean street food that consists of a beef hot dog and a mozzarella stick dipped in a homemade batter and panko, and coated with sugar. You’ll even have enough left in the lunch budget to try the $5.99 fried Oreos.
Various Locations
Ba Le Banh Mi, 1052 Dorchester Ave. | Go for the $8 Mí Chay, a vegetarian lo mein packed with veggies, or try the BBQ beef banh mi for $9.
Sullivan’s Castle Island, 2080 William J. Day Blvd. | To get the most bang for your buck, order the double cheeseburger for $8.60 — two fresh Angus Beef patties topped with American cheese and served on a toasted burger bun.
Pazza on Porter, East Boston | The Meatball Parm Panini and Spicy Tuna Panini are each $14 on the lunch menu.
