10-Under-$10 Menu Items: Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland, Ohio, a city brimming with industrial heritage, a thriving arts scene, and a proud sense of community, also boasts an incredibly rich and diverse culinary landscape. Beyond the stadium food and upscale dining, the C-town is teeming with iconic local eateries serving up fantastic, budget-friendly bites that tell a unique story. We've explored cherished institutions and neighborhood gems, along with glowing customer reviews, to bring you a curated list of 10 must-try dishes, all for under $10, that will satisfy your cravings and introduce you to the authentic, hearty flavors of Cleveland.

1. Pierogi from Pierogi Palace (West Side Market)

Restaurant: Pierogi Palace (West Side Market)
Description: A small order of authentic Polish dumplings, featuring classic fillings like potato and cheese, or more unique flavors, often served with sautéed onions.
Why It’s a Must-Try: Located inside Cleveland's historic West Side Market, Pierogi Palace is a beloved institution for authentic Polish pierogi. Local guides and Yelp reviewers consistently praise them as offering "the best pierogi at the West Side Market" and highlight their "many unique flavors" that are "perfectly cooked." It's an essential, delicious, and incredibly affordable taste of Cleveland's rich Eastern European heritage.
Price: ~$7-$9 (for a small order)
Location: 1979 W 25th St, Cleveland, OH 44113 (inside West Side Market)

2. Polish Boy from Banter

Restaurant: Banter
Description: Cleveland's iconic sausage sandwich – a grilled kielbasa sausage on a bun, topped with a pile of fresh-cut fries, barbecue sauce, and coleslaw.
Why It’s a Must-Try: Banter is a popular spot in the Van Aken District known for its elevated takes on comfort food, and their Polish Boy is legendary. Clevescene.com's "The 30 Best Cleveland Restaurants When You Have $10 or Less" highlights it as "arguably the best in town." Yelp reviewers praise it as "county fair food with a bowtie, so good!" It's a quintessential, messy, and incredibly flavorful taste of Cleveland's unique culinary scene.
Price: ~$9-$10
Location: 7320 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102

3. Taco (Al Pastor or Carnitas) from La Plaza Supermarket

Restaurant: La Plaza Supermarket
Description: Authentic street-style tacos, featuring flavorful meats like al pastor or carnitas, cooked on a griddle and served simply with onions and cilantro on a warm corn tortilla.
Why It’s a Must-Try: To get your hands on what many deem the best tacos in Cleveland, you just need to venture to the back corner of La Plaza Supermarket. This small hot food station is a true hidden gem. Clevescene.com raves about their "barbacoa, carnitas, chorizo and al pastor tacos" which are cooked right in front of you. Yelp reviewers consistently call them "authentic and delicious," making them an incredibly affordable and satisfying find.
Price: ~$2.50-$3.50 per taco
Location: 13609 Lakewood Heights Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44107 (inside La Plaza Supermarket)

4. Beef Bean Burrito from Al's Deli

Restaurant: Al's Deli
Description: A hearty burrito filled with seasoned beef and beans, offering a satisfying and flavorful meal.
Why It’s a Must-Try: Al's Deli is a bustling Middle Eastern deli located in downtown Cleveland, known for its quick service and diverse menu that offers everything from corned beef to shawarma. Clevescene.com highlights their daily lunch specials, specifically mentioning their "beef bean burrito for $8.99." Yelp reviewers praise it as the "perfect spot for whatever lunch fixing you're looking for." It's a reliable and incredibly affordable option for a filling downtown lunch.
Price: $8.99 (for daily lunch special)
Location: 1717 E 9th St, Cleveland, OH 44114

5. Plain Bagel with Schmear from The Cleveland Bagel Co.

Restaurant: The Cleveland Bagel Co.
Description: A freshly baked, homemade bagel with a slightly chewy interior and crispy crust, served with your choice of their signature schmears (cream cheese spreads).
Why It’s a Must-Try: Despite being relatively new, The Cleveland Bagel Co. has quickly established itself as a beloved local icon, known for bringing authentic, high-quality bagels to the city. Yelp reviewers consistently praise their "homemade, creative bagels" and the "awesome breakfast" they provide. It's a perfect, affordable start to your day or a satisfying snack that truly represents Cleveland's growing artisan food scene.
Price: ~$4-$6 (depending on schmear)
Location: Multiple locations in Cleveland (e.g., 4201 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113)

6. Drip Coffee from Phoenix Coffee Co.

Restaurant: Phoenix Coffee Co.
Description: A freshly brewed cup of high-quality, locally roasted drip coffee, known for its consistent flavor and ethical sourcing.
Why It’s a Must-Try: Phoenix Coffee Co. is a long-standing and highly respected local coffee roaster in Cleveland, with multiple neighborhood cafes. They are known for their commitment to sustainability and consistently excellent coffee. Yelp reviewers praise it as a "great local coffee shop" and commend its "consistently good drip coffee." It's the perfect spot for an affordable and top-notch caffeine fix that supports a pioneering local business.
Price: ~$3.50-$4.50
Location: Multiple locations in Cleveland (e.g., 3000 Bridge Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113)

7. Empanada from Half Moon Bakery

Restaurant: Half Moon Bakery
Description: A signature half-moon-shaped pastry, generously stuffed with flavorful combinations such as shredded chicken with garlic tomato sauce, or pepperoni, mozzarella, and tomato sauce.
Why It’s a Must-Try: Half Moon Bakery is a unique local gem in Cleveland's Clark-Fulton neighborhood, having evolved from popular pop-ups to a dedicated brick-and-mortar shop. Clevescene.com highlights their "signature half-moon-shaped pastries, stuffed with flavor-packed combinations," noting that "they're all $3 and under." Yelp reviewers celebrate the "delicious fillings" and "perfectly baked crust." It's a truly affordable and flavorful bite.
Price: ~$3 per empanada
Location: 3460 W 25th St, Cleveland, OH 44109

8. Quarter-Pound Hot Dog (with basic toppings) from Happy Dog

Restaurant: Happy Dog
Description: A quarter-pound hot dog, served on a bun with your choice of basic toppings like mustard, relish, or onions.
Why It’s a Must-Try: Happy Dog, located in the Gordon Square district, is a vibrant and quirky bar known for its extensive list of creative hot dog toppings and lively atmosphere. While they offer dozens of toppings, a basic hot dog with a few simple additions falls well within budget. Yelp and Wanderlog reviewers praise the "quarter-pound hot dogs with an array of creative toppings" and call it a "unique and fun experience." It's a great way to enjoy a classic hot dog with a Portland flair.
Price: ~$8 (for hot dog with a few basic toppings)
Location: 5801 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102

9. Small Pho Noodle Soup from Superior Ph?

Restaurant: Superior Ph?
Description: A comforting small bowl of traditional Vietnamese pho noodle soup, featuring fragrant, clear meat broth, rice noodles, and tender cuts of beef or chicken, with fresh herbs.
Why It’s a Must-Try: Superior Ph? is a low-key, highly-rated local Vietnamese spot in Cleveland, celebrated for its authentic and deeply flavorful pho. Wanderlog highlights its "fragrant, clear soup made with freshly prepared meat broth." Yelp reviewers consistently praise the "flavorful and delicious" pho, calling it an "amazing hole in the wall type restaurant with the most amazing cure-all broth." A small bowl offers a deeply satisfying and authentic meal for under $10.
Price: ~$9-$10 (for a small bowl)
Location: 3030 Superior Ave E #105, Cleveland, OH 44114

10. Thin Crust Pizza Slice from City Slice Pizzeria

Restaurant: City Slice Pizzeria
Description: A massive, classic New York-style pizza slice with a thin, crispy crust, topped with savory tomato sauce and gooey mozzarella cheese.
Why It’s a Must-Try: City Slice Pizzeria on Cleveland's west side has quickly gained a reputation for its enormous and delicious New York-style slices. A TikTok video from "Cleveland Foodie" highlights their "biggest pizza slices we've ever seen" and praises their "New York style pizza!" Yelp reviewers often comment on the sheer size and great taste. It's a reliable, satisfying, and very affordable choice for a quick and authentic pizza fix.
Price: ~$4-$5 per slice
Location: 7400 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102

Cleveland's dynamic food scene proves that incredible flavors don't have to come with a hefty price tag, especially when you explore its amazing local establishments. From iconic Pierogi and the unique Polish Boy sandwich to authentic tacos and comforting pho, these ten dishes under $10 offer a fantastic way to explore the city's diverse and locally-driven culinary landscape. So, whether you're a long-time resident or just passing through, make sure to savor these delicious and affordable bites that showcase Cleveland's unique charm!

Price Comparison Table

Dish	Restaurant	Price (Approx.)	Location
Pierogi	Pierogi Palace (West Side Market)	$7-$9	1979 W 25th St, Cleveland, OH 44113
Polish Boy	Banter	$9-$10	7320 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102
Taco	La Plaza Supermarket	$2.50-$3.50 per	13609 Lakewood Heights Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44107
Beef Bean Burrito	Al's Deli	$8.99	1717 E 9th St, Cleveland, OH 44114
Plain Bagel with Schmear	The Cleveland Bagel Co.	$4-$6	Multiple locations in Cleveland
Drip Coffee	Phoenix Coffee Co.	$3.50-$4.50	Multiple locations in Cleveland
Empanada	Half Moon Bakery	$3 per	3460 W 25th St, Cleveland, OH 44109
Quarter-Pound Hot Dog (basic toppings)	Happy Dog	$8	5801 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102
Small Pho Noodle Soup	Superior Ph?	$9-$10	3030 Superior Ave E #105, Cleveland, OH 44114
Thin Crust Pizza Slice	City Slice Pizzeria	$4-$5 per	7400 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102