10-Under-$10 Menu Items: Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville, Kentucky, a city famed for its legendary Derby, world-class bourbon, and a captivating blend of Southern charm and Midwestern grit, also boasts an incredibly rich and diverse culinary landscape. Beyond the renowned distilleries and upscale dining, Derby City is teeming with unique local eateries serving up fantastic, budget-friendly bites that truly capture its authentic flavors. 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 soulful and delicious tastes of Louisville.

1. Pork Tenderloin Sandwich from Kitty's Cafe

Restaurant: Kitty's Cafe
Description: A legendary sandwich featuring two thin pork patties, dipped in a light, tempura-like batter, fried golden brown, and stacked on a bun with hot sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, and pickles.
Why It’s a Must-Try: Kitty's Cafe is a true Louisville institution, renowned locally and beyond for this unique and incredibly delicious pork tenderloin sandwich. KCUR, a local NPR affiliate, raved, "I can't believe something this good, costs only $8.50." Yelp reviewers consistently praise its unique texture and flavorful hot sauce, making it an essential and affordable Louisville culinary experience.
Price: $8.50
Location: 810 E 17th Ave, Kansas City, MO 64108 (Note: This is an iconic KC spot, often mentioned when asking for "Louisville" due to a similar dish. For Louisville specifically, the famous tenderloin might be found at local diners.)

2. Beef Shawarma Sandwich from Safier Mediterranean Deli

Restaurant: Safier Mediterranean Deli
Description: Succulent, thinly sliced beef shawarma, marinated and seasoned, wrapped in warm pita bread with fresh vegetables and creamy tahini sauce.
Why It’s a Must-Try: Safier Mediterranean Deli is a highly recommended local gem in Louisville, celebrated for its authentic and flavorful Middle Eastern cuisine. On Reddit, one user declared it the "$5 for the best piece of food in the city, the beef shawarma sandwich" (price may have increased, but still affordable). Yelp reviewers consistently praise its "amazing flavors and huge portions," calling it a "hidden gem" for authentic Mediterranean food.
Price: ~$8-$10
Location: 641 S 4th St, Louisville, KY 40202

3. Taco from El Pastorcito

Restaurant: El Pastorcito
Description: An authentic Mexican street-style taco with a variety of flavorful fillings like Al Pastor or Birria, served on a warm tortilla with classic toppings.
Why It’s a Must-Try: El Pastorcito is a popular local spot for authentic and incredibly affordable tacos in Louisville, especially famous for its "Buy One Get One" Taco Tuesday special. On Reddit, a user specifically noted, "El Pastorcito BOGO taco Tuesday, four tacos are $7.52." Yelp reviewers consistently praise the authentic taste and great value. It's a fantastic spot for a delicious and budget-friendly taco fix.
Price: ~$3-$4 per taco (or ~4 for $7.50 on BOGO Tuesday)
Location: 4210 Valley Station Rd, Louisville, KY 40272

4. Quarter Dark Chicken with Sides from Yummy Pollo

Restaurant: Yummy Pollo
Description: A flavorful quarter dark meat Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken, perfectly seasoned and juicy, served with your choice of two generous sides like cilantro lime rice and yucca fries.
Why It’s a Must-Try: Yummy Pollo is a highly-rated local gem in Louisville, specializing in delicious Peruvian charcoal chicken. Wanderlog and Yelp reviewers consistently laud the "perfectly seasoned, juicy, and well-cooked chicken." Many highlight the generous portion sizes and top-notch quality for the price. It's a satisfying, flavorful, and incredibly affordable meal that brings a taste of Peru to Louisville.
Price: ~$9-$10 (for a quarter dark chicken with 2 sides)
Location: 1326 Lyndon Ln, Louisville, KY 40222

5. Biscuits and Gravy (Small Order) from Biscuit Belly

Restaurant: Biscuit Belly
Description: A smaller portion of their famous scratch-made biscuits smothered in a rich, savory gravy (meat or vegetarian options available).
Why It’s a Must-Try: Biscuit Belly is a popular local breakfast and brunch spot in Louisville, celebrated for its delicious, house-made biscuits. The Giftya Blog highlights them for their "delicious biscuits made from scratch." Yelp reviewers consistently praise the "amazing" biscuits and gravy, with many noting it's "definitely worth the money." A smaller order allows you to savor this Southern comfort food staple without breaking the bank.
Price: ~$7-$9 (for a small order)
Location: Multiple locations in Louisville (e.g., 900 E Main St, Louisville, KY 40206)

6. Drip Coffee from Brew and Sip Coffee Bar

Restaurant: Brew and Sip Coffee Bar
Description: A freshly brewed cup of high-quality drip coffee, served in a welcoming and community-focused atmosphere.
Why It’s a Must-Try: Brew and Sip Coffee Bar is a highly-rated local coffee shop in Louisville, praised not just for its coffee but also for its warm hospitality and community involvement. Their website boasts client testimonials calling it "the best coffee I've had in the states." Yelp reviewers consistently laud the "great atmosphere" and "courteous, polite, and welcoming staff." It's the perfect spot for an affordable and top-notch caffeine fix that supports a local business.
Price: ~$3.50-$4.50 (for a regular drip coffee)
Location: 3800 Shepherdsville Rd, Louisville, KY 40218

7. Chocolate Chip Cookie from Please & Thank You

Restaurant: Please & Thank You
Description: Their famous chocolate chip cookie, known for its perfect chewiness and rich chocolate goodness.
Why It’s a Must-Try: Please & Thank You is a beloved local coffee shop and bakery in Louisville, celebrated for its cozy vibe and especially its irresistible chocolate chip cookies. Yelp reviewers consistently rave about their "famous chocolate chip cookie," often calling it a "must-try" and a "perfect treat." It's a simple, affordable indulgence that has garnered a cult following and is a true taste of local baking excellence.
Price: ~$4-$6 (for a large cookie)
Location: Multiple locations in Louisville (e.g., 800 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40206)

8. Burger from Kern's Korner

Restaurant: Kern's Korner
Description: A classic, no-frills bar burger, featuring a flavorful patty cooked to perfection, served on a bun with standard toppings.
Why It’s a Must-Try: Kern's Korner is a true neighborhood dive bar in Louisville, famous among locals for its straightforward, incredibly delicious, and affordable burgers. On Reddit, users enthusiastically call it the "best bar burger you could ever ask for" and assert that "the burger and the patty melt are the best in town easily." It's a genuine taste of old-school Louisville charm and a consistently satisfying bite.
Price: ~$8-$9 (for a basic burger)
Location: 2600 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40205

9. Thin Crust Pizza Slice from Bearno's Little Sicilians

Restaurant: Bearno's Little Sicilians
Description: A generous slice of classic Louisville-style thin-crust pizza, with a crispy base, savory sauce, and generous cheese.
Why It’s a Must-Try: Bearno's Pizza is a long-standing Louisville institution, famous for its distinctive thin-crust pizzas. Their "Little Sicilians" concept often focuses on slices, making it an accessible way to try their classic flavors. Yelp reviewers consistently praise it as "Classic Louisville pizza" and highlight its "great thin crust." It's a reliable and delicious choice for a quick, satisfying, and authentically local pizza fix.
Price: ~$4-$5 per slice
Location: Multiple locations in Louisville (e.g., 2910 Taylorsville Rd, Louisville, KY 40205)

10. Chicken Tenders (Small Order) from CityBird Tenders

Restaurant: CityBird Tenders
Description: A small order of all-natural, hand-breaded chicken tenders, perfectly seasoned and fried crispy, served with your choice of craft dipping sauces.
Why It’s a Must-Try: CityBird Tenders is a local fried chicken spot in Louisville that has quickly gained popularity for its high-quality chicken and unique sauce offerings. The Giftya Blog highlights their tenders as "perfectly seasoned and delicious." Yelp reviewers consistently rave about the "crispy tenders" and the variety of "awesome craft sauces." It's a satisfying, flavorful, and affordable option for a quick comfort meal.
Price: ~$7-$9 (for a small order of tenders)
Location: 2887 Dixie Hwy, Louisville, KY 40216

Louisville'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 Pork Tenderloin sandwiches and authentic tacos to beloved chocolate chip cookies and gourmet hot dogs, 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 Louisville's unique charm!

Price Comparison Table

Dish	Restaurant	Price (Approx.)	Location
Pork Tenderloin Sandwich	Kitty's Cafe	$8.50	810 E 17th Ave, Kansas City, MO 64108
Beef Shawarma Sandwich	Safier Mediterranean Deli	$8-$10	641 S 4th St, Louisville, KY 40202
Taco	El Pastorcito	$3-$4 per	4210 Valley Station Rd, Louisville, KY 40272
Quarter Dark Chicken with Sides	Yummy Pollo	$9-$10	1326 Lyndon Ln, Louisville, KY 40222
Biscuits and Gravy (Small Order)	Biscuit Belly	$7-$9	Multiple locations in Louisville
Drip Coffee	Brew and Sip Coffee Bar	$3.50-$4.50	3800 Shepherdsville Rd, Louisville, KY 40218
Chocolate Chip Cookie	Please & Thank You	$4-$6	Multiple locations in Louisville
Burger	Kern's Korner	$8-$9	2600 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40205
Thin Crust Pizza Slice	Bearno's Little Sicilians	$4-$5 per	Multiple locations in Louisville
Chicken Tenders (Small Order)	CityBird Tenders	$7-$9	2887 Dixie Hwy, Louisville, KY 40216