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By Alex Felsinger, Contributor

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Tablecloths and dress codes be damned--these restaurants shed all the glamour (and the cost) for a bare-bones approach to customer satisfaction. Every neighborhood has something to offer, but these seven areas in particular have a high concentration of low-price cuisine. From burritos to baba ghanoush, go here to fill your stomach without breaking the bank.
On This Page: Mission, Haight, Tenderloin, Downtown/SoMa, Sunset, Chinatown, Richmond

Mission

Burritos are still the district staple for convenient and filling food, but the area has its fair share of other cheap choices.

  1. Pancho Villa Taqueria

    | Website

    3071 16th St, San Francisco, CA
    Fresh ingredients, skillful preparation and large portions have made this the Mission's most popular taqueria.

  2. Old Jerusalem

    2976 Mission St, San Francisco, CA
    This small spot serves fresh, authentic Middle Eastern food for fair prices.

  3. Papalote Mexican Grill

    3409 24th St, San Francisco, CA
    A vegetarian-friendly menu and vibrant decor make this nontraditional taqueria a favorite for health-conscious Missionites.

  4. Osha Thai Restaurant

    | Website

    819 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA
    The spunky sibling of the Tenderloin noodle joint invades the Mission with hip design and low-priced Thai fare.

  5. Pakwan

    3182 16th St, San Francisco, CA
    A Pakistani restaurant with low prices and heart-of-the-Mission locale.

Haight

Tourists frequently fall victim to average, overpriced food in the Haight, but some spots on this legendary street offer more bang for less buck.

  1. Best of Thai Noodle

    1418 Haight St, San Francisco, CA
    Rock-and-roll memorabilia cover the walls of this otherwise standard Thai food quick stop.

  2. Ali Baba's Cave

    531 Haight St, San Francisco, CA
    Falafel is king at this casual, dirt-cheap eatery in the Lower Haight.

  3. Pork Store Cafe

    1451 Haight St, San Francisco, CA
    Breakfast is the name of the game at this funky Haight Street cafe that's popular with the carb-craving crowd.

  4. Rosamunde Sausage Grill

    545 Haight St, San Francisco, CA
    Hot dogs from all over the world grace the griddle at this no-frills Lower Haight sausage shack.

  5. Kate's Kitchen

    471 Haight St, San Francisco, CA
    Heaping helpings of home-style grub in cozy surroundings make this place a favorite stop for the hungry breakfast crowd.

Tenderloin

You might want to bring along some pepper spray for a late-night adventure to one of these budget ethnic eateries, but once you’re there, you’ll find plenty of spice.

  1. Saigon Sandwich Shop

    560 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA
    Vietnamese sandwiches headline at this Tenderloin storefront.

  2. Lahore Karahi

    612 O'Farrell St, San Francisco, CA
    Friendly Tenderloin storefront dishes up Pakistani specialties for pennies.

  3. Dottie's True Blue Cafe

    522 Jones St, San Francisco, CA
    Big portions and homemade bread at this sweet and popular breakfast spot in the Tenderloin.

  4. Chutney

    511 Jones St, San Francisco, CA
    Low prices, courteous service and a spotless setting distinguish this Tenderloin Indian restaurant.

  5. Tajine

    1338 Polk St, San Francisco, CA
    Flavorful, authentic and affordable Moroccan cuisine in neighborhood environs on Polk.

Downtown/SoMa

Bustling bistros and lunch spots please office workers and tourists alike.

  1. Split Pea Seduction

    138 Sixth St, San Francisco, CA
    From the soulful, slow-food Jersey Tomatoes catering company comes this quick, healthful lunch counter on Sixth Street.

  2. Medicine Eat Station

    161 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA
    Sleek cafe in the Crocker Galleria serves new-shojin temple cuisine to a health-conscious crowd.

  3. City View Restaurant

    662 Commercial St, San Francisco, CA
    Financial District Chinese restaurant is a local favorite, open daily for lunch only and specializing in dim sum.

  4. Little Piglet Cafe

    451 9th St, San Francisco, CA
    Starting with the "eat here" sign featuring a pig licking its lips, the Little Piglet Cafe cultivates an odd fascination.

  5. Canton Seafood & Dim Sum House

    | Website

    655 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA
    Bright, airy downtown restaurant serves large menu of Cantonese seafood dishes and dim sum at bargain prices.

Sunset

The 9th & Irving area serves up some of the best budget dining in the entire city.

  1. Tasty Curry

    1375 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA
    North and South Indian cuisine shines at this informal and affordable Inner Sunset restaurant.

  2. Yummy Yummy

    1015 Irving St, San Francisco, CA
    Authentic Vietnamese cuisine in a casual Sunset setting.

  3. Underdog

    1634 Irving St, San Francisco, CA
    Tiny, all-organic sausage joint out to revolutionize the common hot dog.

  4. Lime Tree

    450 Irving St, San Francisco, CA
    Authentic Singaporean dishes take center stage at this no-frills Southeast Asian kitchen.

  5. Gordo Taqueria

    1239 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA
    No-frills taqueria dishes up huge burritos, tacos, enchiladas and more Mexican favorites.

Chinatown

These restaurants are cheaper than a trip to China but also cheaper than almost anywhere else in the city.

  1. Chef Jia's

    925 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA
    Locals frequent this Chinatown restaurant for spicy Hunan specialties at rock-bottom prices.

  2. House of Nanking

    919 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA
    Hole-in-the wall eatery on the edge of Chinatown serves up affordable dishes to an adoring crowd.

  3. Dol Ho

    808 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CA
    A no-frills Chinatown restaurant frequented by local dim sum connoisseurs.

  4. Little Paris Coffee Shop

    939 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA
    This Vietnamese deli always attracts a line for its cheap yet delicious lunch fare.

  5. Sam Wo

    813 Washington St, San Francisco, CA
    Landmark Chinatown hangout for Beat poets, curious visitors, and anyone in search of a cheap meal.

Richmond

Parallel penny-pinching paradises, Geary Boulevard and Clement Avenue, offer a wide variety of worldly cuisine.

  1. King of Thai

    639 Clement St, San Francisco, CA
    A no-frills mini-chain serving standard Thai fare to neighborhood crowds.

  2. Spices

    294 8th Ave, San Francisco, CA
    Night-crawling Richmond residents stop by this authentic Taiwanese eatery for cheap, spicy and creative cuisine.

  3. Eats

    50 Clement St, San Francisco, CA
    All-American diner food shines at this affordable Richmond breakfast spot.

  4. Giorgio's Pizzeria

    151 Clement St, San Francisco, CA
    With its warm, festive atmosphere and traditional thin-crust pizza, this Inner Richmond eatery attracts a loyal following.

  5. Wing Lee Bakery

    503 Clement St, San Francisco, CA
    Bustling Richmond bakery sells handmade dim sum and Chinese pastries to go.

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