I like good food. But I don’t like to spend a lot on it. I think that’s a fairly common opinion to have.
So, for the folks who agree with me, I’ve picked five Bloomington restaurants, excluding fast food, where you can grab a meal without breaking the bank.
Döner Kebab
The food truck Döner Kebab, when you can track it down, is a great place to eat well and under budget. It’s usually parked somewhere along Kirkwood Avenue.
Try the döner kebab gyro, with either lamb or chicken and a host of toppings, or the falafel kebab for $6.99 (plus tax, as with all the prices on this list). You can also snag a lamb or chicken quesadilla for $5.99, a Greek salad for $4.99, a cheese quesadilla for $3.99 or a hummus or baba ghanoush plate with pita and veggies for $4.99.
Dats
Dats is comfort food for me, which is nice considering it’s easy on the wallet.
A half-order entrée of its Cajun and Creole food will set you back $6.50. I assure you that even a half size will be plenty. My favorites are the gumbo, chili-cheese étouffée with crawfish and voodoo chicken. Even the half orders come with Dats' delicious garlic bread, as well.
Bloomington Bagel Company
I may prefer Gables Bagels myself, but Bloomington Bagel Company is still a solid, and often more affordable, option.
A bagel and schmear ranges from $2.85 to $6.88, according to its website. Take your pick between options like everyseed, cinnamon raisin, jalapeño cheddar and pretzel, topped with schmears including scallion horseradish and honey toasted almond. You can also add veggies as toppings for a small added fee.
Also on the menu is an egg and cheese bagel sandwich, starting at $5.90. You can choose from a variety of types of bagels and cheeses and add extra toppings and meats.
Goodfellas Pizzeria
Located on Kirkwood Avenue next to Greetings and a stone’s throw from the Upstairs Pub, Goodfellas is conveniently placed.
Equally convenient is its by-the-slice pizza, which starts at $4.50. And these are big, New York-style slices, large enough to fill you up. It’s a perfect option for anyone having a late night on Kirkwood or just short on time between classes.
Taqueria Acapulco
This Mexican street food-style joint at 107 N. College Ave. — between The Inkwell Bakery & Cafe and JL Waters — has a number of options sub-$7.
Taqueria Acapulco offers single tacos, with meat choices like pastor, steak and grilled chicken, for $3.99. Other tacos, like shrimp and beef tripe, are $4.50.
The restaurant also has chalupas, 8-inch quesadillas, chicarron preparado, esquites, gorditas and tamales, which range from $3.50 to $6.99 each.
This story was originally published in the Indiana Daily Student’s spring 2026 Housing and Living Guide.
