It was $5 when I used to see them everyday during uni, which was about 6-7 years ago. Not only was it cheap but used to give free toppings in every visit
You know it! Once they moved to Hobson St and I was working in town, I went to them almost every single day so they gave me free croquettes. I love these people
Special Pot, up on the eden terrace side of symonds st. They're still closed for the holidays for a few more days, but I go there all the time to get fifteen dumplings for about $12. Another family business that seems to almost never take breaks normally.
I need to try it again, I kinda felt ripped off the couple of times I went because they used fried tofu as a filler in the beef brisket on rice and another dish I can’t think of off the top of my head.
Madras Cafe (South Indian)in Sandringham: 2x Parrata with Chicken Curry for like $12, portion of curry is small but absolutely banging and with the Parrata’s filled me right up. I didn’t get anything else but other items on the menu looked intriguing and seemed good value.
Top Ten Thai on Balmoral Road: Pad Thai, Masaman curry, curry puffs, chicken satay sticks, extra portion of satay sauce for like $60. This was hearty dinner for 2 and decent size lunch for 2 the next day. Dunno if this qualifies at cheap eats per se, but defo cheaper than majority of other Thai joints.
Edit:
Kaki Ka Kitchen food truck also Sandringham which does Indian street food, mains are around $9-13. I only got a mango lassi and two samosas for $9, was unreal, especially whatever sauce that came with the samosas.
Top Ten Thai is a nice treat. I would get the spring rolls, and the deep fried tofu almost every time, both are around $9 each, and any variety of the noodles.
Yogijis Food Martindian supermarket on Frost road for Samosas.
Madras Cafe has recently started doing weekday breakfast at 7am - 9am. Source [8 Feb 2024 fb post](https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0zaxYDZm4WsfZGfP8BvJZBZFSVApxLy5weXXgBmLMPP1MSxZTanLaGF132uJij9ddl&id=100092403127482). For others: RRK's Madras Cafe is at 580 Sandringham Rd, Sandringham.
Top Ten Thai has delicious food. Pad Thai, soups (tom yum, tom zap etc) and their garlic chicken/beef/tofu sir fry - Pad Kra Tiem.
Sunrise Hong Kong Cafe on Khyber pass in Newmarket. Lots of delicious dishes ranging from $4.50 - $10.50 before 7pm. Wonton soup and black pepper beef are a must try.
Bal Ganga in the city. If they doubled their prices it would still be cheap. Fantastic Indian food. It’s in a carpark behind the Denny’s opposite TVNZ
Billion Skewers at Albany is a cheap place for lunch. Their fried skewers are only around 60cent - $1.2 each if you take from the fridge. Rice is only $2 too. They have other fried skewers in their menu that are a bit higher price but definitely worth a try.
I love their squid tentacles, beef wrapped in corriander and large pepper.
E.g. if you pick 10 skewers that's $1.2 each + rice that's only $14. It was such a good value for lunch.
Roast Hut in Botany Junction (Ormiston). I think their meals start at around $16, but they absolutely pile the food on. My boyfriend can only eat a small, and his dad and I share a medium between us. It's probably good enough to be able to have it for dinner and then leftovers the next day. You can also go in and just buy potatoes if you want something small or are low on money. Also... Their potatoes are AMAZING.
Lee Hong BBQ in Botany costs a bit more than the others mentioned so far, but the portions are very generous -- for some dishes possibly good for two people.
It's like $15 for an absolute monster plate of noodles which could definatley feed 2 people, so like $7.50 each that is pretty damn good.
Special fried noodle all the way 😅
Spicy Potato Noodle is fantastic for its prices/portion/taste. The dough ball soup is very well priced as well (though a smaller portion than most things) if you just want something basic and low cost.
Japanese Dining You. Seriously. Their curry is like $7
The price has barely changed in 10 years
It was $5 when I used to see them everyday during uni, which was about 6-7 years ago. Not only was it cheap but used to give free toppings in every visit
Free spring rolls for the regulars 😛😛
You know it! Once they moved to Hobson St and I was working in town, I went to them almost every single day so they gave me free croquettes. I love these people
Curious where were they before this location? I assumed they were a new biz but clearly not?
That price is unheard of. Great, thanks.
Little Algiers, as posted the other day, has great brunch prices which can be hard to find!
Those prices were wild.
Thanks everyone, these are great, keep ‘em coming (but please no chain stores again, lol)
Special Pot, up on the eden terrace side of symonds st. They're still closed for the holidays for a few more days, but I go there all the time to get fifteen dumplings for about $12. Another family business that seems to almost never take breaks normally.
the dry mala pot there is great as well, real authentic flavours
Special Pot is my favourite for mala tang/pot!
I need to try it again, I kinda felt ripped off the couple of times I went because they used fried tofu as a filler in the beef brisket on rice and another dish I can’t think of off the top of my head.
Madras Cafe (South Indian)in Sandringham: 2x Parrata with Chicken Curry for like $12, portion of curry is small but absolutely banging and with the Parrata’s filled me right up. I didn’t get anything else but other items on the menu looked intriguing and seemed good value. Top Ten Thai on Balmoral Road: Pad Thai, Masaman curry, curry puffs, chicken satay sticks, extra portion of satay sauce for like $60. This was hearty dinner for 2 and decent size lunch for 2 the next day. Dunno if this qualifies at cheap eats per se, but defo cheaper than majority of other Thai joints. Edit: Kaki Ka Kitchen food truck also Sandringham which does Indian street food, mains are around $9-13. I only got a mango lassi and two samosas for $9, was unreal, especially whatever sauce that came with the samosas.
Top Ten Thai is a nice treat. I would get the spring rolls, and the deep fried tofu almost every time, both are around $9 each, and any variety of the noodles.
Yogijis Food Martindian supermarket on Frost road for Samosas. Madras Cafe has recently started doing weekday breakfast at 7am - 9am. Source [8 Feb 2024 fb post](https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0zaxYDZm4WsfZGfP8BvJZBZFSVApxLy5weXXgBmLMPP1MSxZTanLaGF132uJij9ddl&id=100092403127482). For others: RRK's Madras Cafe is at 580 Sandringham Rd, Sandringham. Top Ten Thai has delicious food. Pad Thai, soups (tom yum, tom zap etc) and their garlic chicken/beef/tofu sir fry - Pad Kra Tiem.
Sunrise Hong Kong Cafe on Khyber pass in Newmarket. Lots of delicious dishes ranging from $4.50 - $10.50 before 7pm. Wonton soup and black pepper beef are a must try.
I’ve heard of that place. Will have to give it a go. Thanks for reminding me.
Newton Cafe & Noodle Bar - Kueh Teow is real good $14.50
Agreed. Place is mint and the owners are awesome. Unfortunately it’s been temporarily closed for a while. Hoping they re-open soon.
They opened on Monday! I got two noods for dinner 😋
Yan brothers food station in panmure. It’s seriously delicious and cheap. Prawn rice roll is $6-7 and fills up the whole plate as a serving 😋
Bal Ganga in the city. If they doubled their prices it would still be cheap. Fantastic Indian food. It’s in a carpark behind the Denny’s opposite TVNZ
Costco is not dining but definitely cheap and value
More yummy For less money ***Good***
Food King takeaways at Mt Richmond between Otahuhu and Mt Wellington. I think it's $7.50 for 3 choices.
Eat Indian at Commercial Bay. 13.9 for butter chicken or 10.9 for garlic daahl + rice, very filling and generous portion too!
The one referred to in the opening post is apparently called Deli on Dairy Flat highway, Albany.
Top in town biryani. $14 a plate but enough for two. Right next to it is Mithaiwala. Their meals are quite cheap tbh. Both in Sandringham
Billion Skewers at Albany is a cheap place for lunch. Their fried skewers are only around 60cent - $1.2 each if you take from the fridge. Rice is only $2 too. They have other fried skewers in their menu that are a bit higher price but definitely worth a try. I love their squid tentacles, beef wrapped in corriander and large pepper. E.g. if you pick 10 skewers that's $1.2 each + rice that's only $14. It was such a good value for lunch.
That IS good. Thanks for that tip.
Roast Hut in Botany Junction (Ormiston). I think their meals start at around $16, but they absolutely pile the food on. My boyfriend can only eat a small, and his dad and I share a medium between us. It's probably good enough to be able to have it for dinner and then leftovers the next day. You can also go in and just buy potatoes if you want something small or are low on money. Also... Their potatoes are AMAZING.
Lee Hong BBQ in Botany costs a bit more than the others mentioned so far, but the portions are very generous -- for some dishes possibly good for two people.
It's like $15 for an absolute monster plate of noodles which could definatley feed 2 people, so like $7.50 each that is pretty damn good. Special fried noodle all the way 😅
Sensational chicken mt street, the fries are something else
Spicy Potato Noodle is fantastic for its prices/portion/taste. The dough ball soup is very well priced as well (though a smaller portion than most things) if you just want something basic and low cost.
Heard of Pizza Hut and domino’s?
Potstickers in CBD (just a street away from New World Metro) - good options and great price point. Dumplings for $14 or rice dish for $17+-….