Watch CBS News

Best Dinners For Less Than $15 In Sacramento

(credit: Thinkstock) (credit: Thinkstock)

Sacramento restaurateurs offer haute cuisine for the finest of dining experiences, but it is also nice to have options that allow guests to leave with both their stomachs and their wallets full.

Let's Save

Eating out in Sacramento is often a treat, an occasional necessity, but almost always more expensive than dining at home. However, with a few simple tricks and a little research, the indulgence of restaurants doesn't have to be a drain on your pocketbook. You can save money without sacrificing the experience by knowing where to go (see below) and practice a few of these money-saving tips:

  • Bigger can be better: With portions being the huge sizes they are nowadays, it's easy to get filled up without clearing your plate all on your own. If on a date, keep it reasonable by splitting an appetizer and a meal to cut back on the overall tab if you know the servings are substantial. One main entree can also be stretched into two meals by simply saving your leftovers for lunch the next day; make sure you tailor your order to something that will keep and reheat well.
  • Be smart with your spirits: Make your buck stretch further by finding the BYOB (bring your own booze) restaurants in your city. This will allow for dinner and drinks on a much smaller budget. Always ask about drink specials too. Whether it's two-for-ones or just discounted house wines and wells, you can shave off a decent portion of the tab if you're willing to step away from the premiums.
  • Keep an eye on the clock: Happy hours are not just for drinks, as many places will offer food specials as well. If you are willing to dine earlier or later, you may be able to save on both your meal and your drinks.
  • Have a nose for specials: Many places will have weekly specials, some every day of the week. Whether it's the college cliché of Taco Tuesdays or half-price Mondays, get to know the schedule of the restaurants nearby and frequent them on those days.
  • Sides can steal the show: Free bread or chips and salsa? Unlimited fries? Side salad included? Keep an eye on the extras and a smaller, lower-priced meal could be plenty to fill you up.

Let's Eat

These are a few of the best local choices for tantalizing, budget-friendly meals.

Pita Kitchen Plus
2989 Arden Way
Sacramento, CA 95825
(916) 480-0560
www.pitakitchenplus.com

This popular Mediterranean dining spot does have some higher-priced entrees, but there are many delicious options to bring you in under the $15 mark for a full meal. All of the food is made from scratch in-house, and the fresh, warm pitas are a treat. An extensive menu of sandwiches cost $4 to $7 each, filled with choices like shawarma, shish kabob, baked potato and a vegan combo of falafel, hummus and eggplant. Make a meal out of several appetizers in the $2 to $5 range, such as spinach cheese pie, potato or lentil soups, kibbeh, stuffed grape leaves or special salads. Have delectable baklava for dessert for $2, sip on $3 lemonade with fresh mint or pay less than $2 for Turkish coffee, soda or tea.

Sunrise Chinese Restaurant
4689 Mack Rd.
Sacramento, CA 95823
(916) 428-8882
www.facebook.com/Sunrise-Chinese-Restaurant

This small mom-and-pop enterprise is thought by many to serve some of the best Chinese food in town. A huge helping of succulent shrimp, beef and chicken with garlic is under $10, as is the seafood combination meal with shrimp, squid, scallops, lobster and crab. The filling soup choices range from $2 to $5, and an appetizer of eight veggie or meat dumplings only adds $4.25 to the tab. Known for excellent chow mein and chop suey, even with rice, both are available for around $6 for a full quart. Spend another couple of dollars for a beverage and you are good to go.

Pork Belly Grub Shack
4261 Truxel Road, Suite A7
Sacramento, CA 95834
(916) 285-6100
www.pbgrubshack.com

Stop by PBGS for the chance to pig out for less. A salad containing grilled steak, blue cheese chunks, fried onions and other veggies is $8.75, as is the "Hot Mess." The latter is a burger with barbecue sauce, garlic aioli, caramelized onions, two cheeses and an egg cooked sunny side up. Asian-style street tacos cost below $2 each, and pulled pork or bahn mi sandwiches are $7.25 and $8 respectively. Sodas, beer and wine are priced from $2 to $6, and kids ages 12 or under can enjoy special food made just for them. "Piglet" meals only cost $5 and include an entrée, fries and juice.

Ocean Fish & Chips
2558 Cottage Way
Sacramento, CA 95825
(916) 483-3730
www.oceanfishandchips.com

Very tasty fish is served at the Ocean restaurant, and it offers options with chicken, hamburger, fresh vegetables and other types of seafood as well. Dive into a dinner that comes with fish, coleslaw or fries and a serving of oysters, scallops, prawns or clams for less than $8. If you are craving calamari, red snapper or catfish with slaw or fries, you only need to lure $9 out of your pocket. Burgers are under $6 and salads cost around $4. Get reeled in by delicious sides such as cheese sticks, hushpuppies, clam chowder or onion rings starting at only $2, and with a drink, you can easily make it out under $15. Check the website for coupons or specials that can help save you up to 50 percent off.

Lotus Fusion
1620 W. El Camino Ave., Suite 148
Sacramento, CA 95833
(916) 920-3300
www.lotusfusionsacramento.com

Although some sushi and sashimi plates go above the $15 limit, the menu of Japanese and Chinese specialties at Lotus Fusion provides many options for savory and budget-friendly meals. You cannot go wrong with dinner bento boxes for $10.95, including miso soup, salad, California roll and rice. Each box also comes with two seafood choices such as salmon teriyaki and sushi. Combination dinners for $8.50, featuring options like Kung Pao chicken, broccoli beef or sweet and sour pork, also include foil-wrapped chicken, chow mein and fried rice. Appetizers and hand-rolled maki start at $3.50, and beverages from sodas to sake are available for $1.50 to $4.95.

___________________________________________

View more great budgeting advice and Create Your Financial Plan today!


Valerie Heimerich is a freelance writer out of Sacramento. She typically covers animals and community issues. She has volunteered and worked for many organizations helping animals and people. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.