The Absolute Best New Orleans Meals Under $10

You honestly can't go wrong here — in the mood for a simple three-cheese pupusa? Or one with a bit of loroca flower mixed with mozzarella? What about La Mixta with beans, cheese, tomato sauce, and pancetta? Each one is a mere $3, which means you can mix and match to your heart's (and stomach's) content.

Dos tacos at this cantina are just $5. They include two soft corn tortillas loaded up with your choice of filling (everything from grilled chicken to chorizo, al pastor, carnitas, shrimp, and grilled veggies) as well as cilantro, onion, and guacamolillo sauce. There's also a hefty foot-long burrito ($6) and giant tortilla bowl taco salad ($7) on the menu. Seriously, you might want to hit up this French Quarter spot a few times during your trip.

When you're in desperate need of a super-filling lunch, opt for one of these bahn mi sandwiches ($6) packed with grilled beef, chicken, pork, or tofu. Or choose from steaming bowls of belly-warming (and possibly hangover-curing) pho which run about $8 and hearty noodle dishes like vermicelli bún bowls that go for $9. 

You can get not one but TWO of these babies for $6. Loaded with spinach and feta, pepperoni, broccoli, or cauliflower, these hand-rolled sandwiches are more than enough to sustain a day of sight-seating or night of boozing on Bourbon Street. Of course, you can always order a slice the size of your face (Margherita, Hawaiian, stuffed artichoke) for somewhere between $2 and $3. 

Any dog at this causal joint—with unlimited free toppings!—will only set you back 8 bucks. That's honestly a steal when the filler options include pork, duck, alligator, crawfish, and even vegan sausage. Wash it all down with one of the local craft brews, which run about $5, or just soak in the sun from the patio while you hydrate with a pitcher of water. 

Whether you're into gruyere layered with caramelized onions or mozzarella studded with salami and basil pesto, you can't go wrong with a grilled cheese at St. James. Most of these super cheesy sandwiches are slated at $9, but there's always the cheesemonger's mac and cheese, which is only $8 for a large crock. 

Meaty pressed sandwiches that could nearly serve as two meals for under $10? We couldn't possibly pass that up. At El Libre, cubanos ($9.25) are packed with ham and slow-roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles and a healthy dose of mustard. But there's also a turkey version and a vegetarian edition ($7.25) with avocado and black beans.

Between the addictive jerk spice mix and perfect grill char, this chicken could very well be the best you eat in the entire city. Plus, your plate gets loaded with Jamaican rice with peas and plenty of steamed vegetables. It will set you back $11, but we had to make an exception for the sheer amount of top-notch food you get for your buck.