Alright, guys. We’ve made it halfway through the summer! If any of you are like me, my mood changes as the temperature starts to rise. Thoughts of dinner on patio, afternoons spent poolside, and sippin’ on fruity cocktails begin to dance around in my head. And most of the time, my daydreams come true! There’s nothing better than getting off a little early on a Friday afternoon and hitting up happy hour with friends to celebrate the start of another summer weekend. The only part of me that doesn’t particularly appreciate this time of year is my credit card bill. Summer adds up. Fast.

Because I don’t want the summer fun to stop..like, ever.. but I do want to take it a little easier on my wallet, I’ve put together a list of 15 places to enjoy meals out on the town in Columbus, Ohio. I hope you get a chance to try a few while the weather is so pleasant (or save a few for winter, too!) and be sure to tag me @crave_columbus in your posts. Enjoy!

Breakfast

Is a friend visiting from out of town and you need somewhere to wow them for a budget breakfast? Here’s a few of my ideas!

#1: Cherbourg Bakery

Whenever possible, I’m always down for showing some love to the local businesses in the 614. Geri Peacock is the owner of Cherbourg Bakery in Bexley, and this woman knows her baked goods—let me tell you that! Whether you’re craving something sweet or rather a savory bite, Cherbourg has a little for everyone. And I mean All of their products are baked free of gluten, nuts, and dyes. I can’t tell you how much I love taking friends here who can have gluten and not telling them the muffins are GF until after they’ve tried it. You’d never know! Even better, any seasonal muffin + coffee won’t put you over $7. What a deal!

#2: Fox in the Snow Café

While we’re on the café train, I’ll keep going with baked delights. If you’re even a little familiar with the 614 area, you’ve most likely heard of Fox in the Snow Café (or at least scrolled past a shot of their ulta-instagrammable storefront). Although some fancier coffee orders can raise your total real quick, a regular coffee and massive cinnamon roll is only $7. And yes, you WILL be full.

#3: DK Diner

Spent all your dollars at the bars the night before? Hangover food, coming right up. DK Diner is tucked in the heart of Grandview. So tucked, in fact, that many Columbus natives don’t even know about it! The little breakfast and lunch eatery hits you with a whiff of fresh baked donuts as soon as you open the front door, and that’s just the beginning. Omelettes, creative egg sandwiches, and breakfast scrambles are just a few more of their gut-pleasing options. And many of the dishes are under $7! For just six bucks, I ordered Dana’s Deluxe B.S., which is a breakfast-style twist on a classic BLT and it cured my hangover just like that!

#4: Brueggar’s Bagels

Lox of love to this classic bagel sammie right here. No matter where you’re at, there’s most likely a Brueggar’s a quick drive (or even walk!) away. I couldn’t be happier that smoked salmon and cream cheese on bagels are a trendy breakfast—it’s my fave! $7.29 for this massive meal.

Tacos

Okay, so breakfast is supposed to be inexpensive anyway. Not impressed yet? Let’s move on to these wallet-friendly lunch and dinner options! First up are a few of my favorite tacos. Cheap, tasty, and a marg is always an add-on option for just a little more.

#5: Local Cantina

Attention: $2 TACO TUESDAYS. All day. Every Tuesday. Any taco. That means 3 tacos of your choice for only $6, and the best part—free chips and salsa.Shout out to Local cantina for being one of the few taco joints left in the area that know the true Mexican restaurant motto, free chips for all. Get creative and get there early, LC fills up fast on taco Tuesdays!

#6: Los Guachos Tacqueria

If you’re thinking it can’t get better than $2 tacos, you’re wrong. Let me introduce you to another Columbus, Ohio secret—Los Guachos Tacqueria. Tucked away in a little strip mall off of Bethel road, these guys were officially dubbed the best tacos Al Pastor in the city. (Who dubbed them that? I don’t know. But it doesn’t matter because I most definitely don’t object!) Most of the tacos on their menu are just $1.50. Looking for an even better deal? On Mondays, Al Pastor tacos are two for one. Yeah, you read that right. 75 CENT TACOS. Mike drop.

#7: Condado

Alright, alright. I’m sure you all know this one, but I wanted to give a little shout out. When Condado opened in the Short North just over two years ago, the taco chain took the city by storm and is now just short of opening their fourth store. Happy hour (4-7pm) any week day at Condado means $2 to build your own taco and half off margs. Looks like seven bucks will get you two stuffed tacos and any house made margarita flavor of your choice. Cheers!

Sushi

If you’re looking in the right places, sushi can be decently priced. If you’re looking in the wrong (or fancy) places, sushi can cost you an arm and a leg for just one roll. I’ve scoured the city for my favorite and most reasonably priced sushi rolls. Let’s go!

#8: Diaspora

Diaspora was my heaven in college. The little restaurant is located on the corner of High Street and Lane Avenue and has some wicked lunch specials on their (super) stuffed sushi rolls. This was where I tried my very first sushi roll! Like anybody else, I tested the sushi waters with a simple California roll ($5) without breaking the bank. I loved it then, and I love it now. Throughout the hundreds of sushi rolls I’ve had in my life (now I’m wondering how many rolls I’ve actually eaten….on second thought, maybe I don’t want to know) this place always gives me the most fish/crab/veggies out of anywhere else! Almost all of their basic rolls are under $7, as well as a few filling specialty rolls and other menu items. Check ‘em out!

#9: Royal Ginger 

Half off all sushi rolls on Mondays and Tuesdays gives you the budget freedom you need to get creative at Royal Ginger (Lane Avenue or Polaris locations). Seen below are the Scorpion King roll (half off is $6) and Rainbow roll (half off is $5). Add in their beautiful patio on a summer night and I’m a happy lady!

#10: Giant Eagle

Yes, I included a grocery store on this list. Judge me if you want, I have had some melt in your mouth meals at Market District, and you can add sushi to that list! Every Wednesday, Giant Eagle sells a certain selection of their sushi rolls for just $5 each. Pick some up on your weeknight shopping trip or make it into a dinner with the roomie at one of the tables in their bar area. Either way, it’s a dinner under $7, woop!

#11: Tensuke Express

One cannot explain Tensuke Market, one must just go to Tensuke Market and experience it for themselves. Whenever I make rolls at home, I grab my sushi-grade ahi tuna or crab meat from the market and pop over to Tensuke Express for a quick and inexpensive dinner. Seen below is the Spicy Shrimp Tempura Mini Bowl, only $4.25! When I’m not super hungry, I will order a mini bowl by itself and it’s just enough for me. If you’re looking for a little more, you can add rice, miso soup, or croquette for just an extra $1.25. Their menu also includes a vast array of other Japanese cuisine such as pho, noodle bowls, or sushi rolls. It has a little something for everyone! Check out Tensuke Express on Old Bethel Road for another hidden gem of the city.

Anything and Everything Else

Honestly, I could probably go on for a long time on the meals you can snag around Columbus for under $7. For now, I’ll share with you just four more of my favorites. Anything and everything!

#12: Ethyl and Tank Nachos

I’m going to take a guess and say there are two kinds of people reading this blog post. Those who have had Ethyl’s Tank Nachos and those who have not. For those of you who have not experienced the beauty that is this nacho platter, you may not consider this a “meal”. Oh baby, is this monstrosity a meal. I usually can’t even finish my beer because I’m so full! As I mentioned in the first post of my summer Nacho Trail, E&T sells their tank nachos for just $5 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Should you choose to split the app with a friend or two and order half off beer during their happy hour, your total will likely stay under even the five dollar mark. The trip to the Ohio State campus is worth the nacho adventure!

#13: Bodega

Have you ventured your way down into the Short North on a Monday? Are you satisfied by the simple things in life? Do not even THINK about going anywhere else except for Bodega. One dollar, yes just one dollar, will get you a grilled cheese and side of chips any Monday of the year. On my first grilled cheese Monday at Bodega, I was expecting a half-melted slice of velveeta on stale bread for just a buck. Silly me and my grilled cheese expectations. Bodega delivered! This has quite possibly got to be in the running for one of the best dollars I’ve ever spent. (Hint: Mondays don’t work for ya? Tuesdays at $3 taco night and on Sundays they serve a Big Mic Burger and a beer for just $10.)

#14: Dime a Dog Night at a Clippers Game

Okay, so I’m stretching the “$7 for a meal” title pretty thin here, but it’s a great experience (mandatory at least once in your lifetime if you’re a Columbus resident, in my opinion) and an outfield ticket + hot dogs will put you around ten bucks. After all, you can order 10 hot dogs for a buck! Although lacking in quality, are we ever expecting much from baseball game cuisine anyway? Grab a dog and a seat and enjoy the game while your wallet enjoys holding on to a few extra dollars.

#15: Bar 145 Build your own Burger Night

Last but not least, one of my favorites! Every Wednesday, Bar 145 in Grandview lets you create your own burger (veggie burger is my favorite!!) for just five dollars. Even better? All of their martinis are just $5 as well. Sounds like a cheap date night in my book J

Thanks for sticking with me to the end of my list! I hope you get the chance to try a few, or all, of these places over the span of the rest of your summer. Don’t forget to share your pics with me on Instagram at @crave_columbus, happy eating!!