The 20 best Detroit restaurants when you’re broke AF

By Metro Times editorial staff on Sat, Nov 2, 2019 at 7:56 am

Great food doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. Here are a few of our favorite Detroit restaurants where you can get a lot for very little.

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Checker Bar Detroit

124 Cadillac Sq., Detroit; 313-961-9249; checkerbar.com
You can’t miss the checker-patterned building in the middle of Downtown. Opened in 1954, Checker Bar has served burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, and more for over 50 years.

Photo via Google Maps

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Asian Corned Beef

13660 Wyoming Ave., Detroit; 313-834-1819, 14820 W. Seven Mile Rd., Detroit; 313-469-9121, 13240 Gratiot Ave., Detroit; 313-264-1173, 21559 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-246-6396, 21639 E. Eight Mile Rd., Detroit; 313-766-5409, 19102 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-826-1788, 2847 E. Seven Mile Rd., Detroit; 313-893-1650; asiancornbeef.com
With many new Detroit locations, this family-owned restaurant serves Asian cuisine with an American twist. The corned beef egg roll is one can’t-miss menu item.

Photo via Google Maps

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Detroit Taco Bar

16241 W. McNichols, Detroit; 313-808-7005
This new carry-out Tex-Mex joint allows customers to fully customize every taco. Mayor Mike Duggan is a fan — he visited during Detroit Taco Bar's grand opening in May.

Photo via Google Maps

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Grandy’s Coney Island

1200 Holbrook Ave., Detroit; 313-875-3000, 3570 Mt. Elliott St., Detroit; 313-921-0022, 4004 E. Outer Dr., Detroit; 313-368-8180, 13331 14th St., Detroit; 313-868-3020, 220001 Fenkell Ave., Detroit; 313-794-7301
With locations all over Detroit, customers can grab anything from an appetizer to a full meal. All locations are open 24 hours and most have drive-thrus, making this the perfect choice for night owls.

Photos via Google Maps

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Harmony Garden Cafe

4704 Anthony Wayne Dr., Detroit; 313-638-2345; harmonygardencafe.com
Located on the Wayne State campus, Harmony Garden Cafe serves Middle Eastern food with a twist. They have shawarmas, bowls, burgers, smoothies, shakes, and more. Almost everything on the menu is under $10, a great deal for anyone hoping to save some money.

Photo via Google Maps

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Johnny Noodle King

2601 W. Fort St., Detroit; 313-309-7646; johnnynoodleking.com
This Japanese-inspired restaurant brings international flavor. While Johnny Noodle King focuses on noodles, broth, and seafood, they also specialize in Southwest-style food, vegan dishes, and sandwiches.

Photo via Google Maps

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Nicky D’s Coney Island

16953 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-864-1000, 15447 W. Seven Mile Rd., Detroit; 313-838-2550, 3357 W. Davison St., Detroit; 313-865-4500, 20001 Eight Mile Rd., Detroit; 313-533-5443, 22365 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-538-3100
Known for their chili-cheese fries, the Nicky D’s Pita, and Nicky D’s Turkey Slinger Sandwich, this coney island has something for everyone.

Photo via Google Maps

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Taqueria El Rey

4730 Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-357-3094; taqueria-elrey.com
With tacos starting at $1.50, drinks starting at $1, and dinner specials for under $10, customers can satisfy cravings on a budget at this Southwest restaurant.

Photo via Google Maps

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Honest John’s

488 Selden St., Detroit; 313-832-5646; honestjohns.com
With all-day breakfast, brunch, dinner, and a bar, Honest John’s can fill you up with a meal for under $20. They are known for their delicious breakfast and brunch dishes, like their Fruity Pebble French Toast and Loaded Brat.

Photo via Honest John’s / Facebook

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Pie-Sci

5163 Trumbull St., Detroit; 313-818-0290; piescipizza.com
Perfect for college students on a budget, Pie-Sci has a large variety of pizzas. They offer meaty pizzas, vegan pizzas, breakfast pizzas, white pizza, and more. You can add as many or as few toppings as you desire.

Photo via Google Maps

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Duly’s Place Coney Island

5458 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-554-3076
This historic 24-hour diner serves affordable, high-quality food. Esteemed food critic Anthony Bourdain once ate here, grabbing a classic hot dog with chili, onion, and mustard.

Photo via Duly’s Place / Facebook

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Green Dot Stables

2200 W. Lafayette Blvd, Detroit; 313-962-5588; greendotstables.com
Sliders, sliders, and more sliders. This classic Detroit restaurant has been serving messy and filling mini-burgers since 2012. All sliders and drinks are affordable, ranging from $2 to $4.

Photo via Green Dot Stables / Facebook

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El Rey de las Arepas

7701 Mcgraw Ave., Detroit; 313-307-2210
This Mexican restaurant can feed the whole family at an affordable price. They specialize in arepas, but they also serve many kinds of Mexican dishes.

Photo via El Rey de las Arepas / Facebook

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Bucharest Grill

436 W. Columbia St., Detroit, 2684 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit, 19492 Livernois Ave., Detroit, 1623 Michigan Ave., Detroit, 110 Piquette Ave., Detroit; 313-965-3111; bucharestgrill.com
Most people know Bucharest for their giant shawarmas, but this late-night grill also serves kabobs, sides, salads, burgers, and desserts.

Photo via Bucharest Grill / Facebook

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Pho Lucky

3111 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-338-3895, pholucky.net
Have you ever eaten an enormous bowl of pho? At Pho Lucky, customers can take the pho challenge by trying to finish a giant bowl. For those who can’t handle that much pho, they also offer small and large bowls for under $15.

Photo via Pho Lucky of Detroit / Facebook

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UFO Factory

2110 Trumbull St., Detroit; ufofactory.com
Laika Dog was named after the Soviet dog Laika, one of the first animals in space. The restaurant is located inside of the UFO Factory, and they serve their signature Laika Dogs, as well as other options including grilled cheese, salads, and brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.

Photo via UFO Factory / Facebook

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Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken

4101 3rd Ave., Detroit; 313-818-0324; gusfriedchicken.com
At Gus's Fried Chicken, you can order any type of chicken with as many sides as you want for under $20. For large groups, chicken and sides can be ordered in bulk.

Photo via Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken Detroit, Michigan / Facebook

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Hot Taco

2233 Park Ave., Detroit; 313-202-8460; hottacodetroit.com
Located in the heart of downtown Detroit, customers can watch their tacos being made by hand. Hot Taco offers three hot chicken tacos for $6, along with a variety of meat and vegan tacos.

Photo via Hot Taco Detroit / Facebook

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Motor City Soul Food

12700 W. Seven Mile Rd., Detroit; 313-863-7685; officialmotorcitysoulfood.com
A Detroit mainstay, Motor City Soul Food serves homemade soul food in both large and small portions. Customers can purchase mini-meals, full meals, sides, and desserts.

Photo via Official Motor City Soul Food / Facebook

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Eastern Market Seafood Company

2456 Market St., Detroit,; 313-567-8359; detroiteasternmarket.com
Patrons can try one of their Old World Sandwiches, which are pita pockets filled with your choice of protein, along with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion. For the hungry eater, it's a steal.

Photo via GoogleMaps

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