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Montreal Cheap Eats: The 13 Best Foods You Can Find for $5 or Less

Posted on by Neons

With inflation and the rising cost of living, it's hard to find cheap eats in Montreal. But believe it or not, there are still local restaurants where you can find delicious, filling, and affordable meals for $5 or less.

Whether you're looking for delicious meals or snacks that won't blow your entire paycheck, we've got you covered with a list of the best options. Some of them are well-known among Montreal foodies, while others are hidden gems – either way, they'll make your stomach as happy as your wallet.

Please note that all prices are pre-tax unless otherwise stated.

Gnocchi from Drogheria Fine

Price: $5

Cuisine: Italian

Address: Drogheria Fine, 68, av. Fairmount O.

Why you should go: The gnocchi at this tiny family-run pasta table in the heart of Mile End is Montreal's cheap eats — and for good reason. A Chinese takeout container of pillowy gnocchi smothered in nonna's homemade tomato sauce for just five bucks? What could be a tastier deal than this?

If you want to splurge, you can add extra Pecorino Romano for $1…and don't forget to ask for chili flakes if you like a little spice (they come free).

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Special from Vilensky's “Light Lunch”.

Price: $4.57

Cuisine: Jewish deli

Address: Vilensky Ave., 34, Ave. Fairmount O.

Why you should go: Named one of the best sandwiches in the world by Travel and Leisure magazine, the Wilensky Special proves that the best isn't always the most expensive. Created by restaurant founder Mo Wilensky in 1932, the sandwich is a simple but perfectly satisfying combination of grilled salami, bologna and mustard.

Although this sandwich is a priceless icon of Montreal, it is offered everywhere Pupil of Duddy Kravitz To Anthony Bourdain Parts unknown — will cost you less than $5 to try ($5.01 if you add cheese). Be careful when ordering: Owners have a history of charging customers an extra 40 cents if they don't ask for mustard. And this sandwich should not be under any circumstances always divide it in half. Sorry, I don't make the rules.

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$2 Chez Mein noodles

Price: $2 (cash only)

Food: Chinese noodles

Address: Chez Main, 3671, Blvd. Saint Laurent

Why you should go: A late-night visit to Chez Mein — $2 chow or $2 noodles — is basically a right of passage in Montreal and one of the cheapest meals you'll find in the city. That is, if you consider chow mein noodles mixed with peanut butter sauce to be a meal. No, the portions are not huge. We're not sure we can seriously recommend this dish (many Montrealers have dared to eat it between 2am and 4am). But it's cheaper than a large McDonald's coffee and always seems to have a seat. Plus, you can even add spring rolls and still come in under $5.

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Onigiri from the Onigiri Shop

Price: $3.99 each

Cuisine: Japanese

Address: Onigiri store, 5600, av. Monkland

Why you should go: Specializing in onigiri (mostly) sushi—triangular rice balls filled with fish or meat and other additional ingredients—has seen packs out the door since opening in Notre Dame. de Grace a few months ago. It mainly depends on the quality of the food. Montrealers are used to the mass-produced onigiri of Japanese grocery stores; and for you, making it on the spot takes freshness and flavor to new heights. But it's hard to believe that wallet-friendly prices aren't part of the place's popularity. In other words, it's a win.

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2 Taco Tuesdays from NextDoor Pub

Cost: $5 with alcohol purchase ($2.50 per taco).

Cuisine: Tacos are distinctly Mexican. But the rest of the menu is mostly pub food.

Address: NextDoor Pub & Grill, 5175-A Sherbrooke Ave.

Why you should go: Dinner at NextDoor on Tuesday nights feels like dinner at your next-door neighbor's house because it doesn't cost you a thing. With the purchase of an alcoholic beverage (they're usually very affordable here), you can get two decent-sized tacos for a total of $5.

You can choose between beef, pork, or vegetables, all for $2.50 a pop, so if you want to stretch your budget a little, you can choose one of each.

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Empanadas at La Chilenita, La Casa de las Empanadas

Price: $4.95 each, plus tax ($4.50 if you buy more than 6; $4 if you buy more than 12)

Food: Chili

Address: La Chilenita, 130, Rue Roy E.

Why go: This hidden gem is known for having some of the best empanadas in town. With so many different types to choose from, it's a good thing they're under $5 each, because you'll definitely want to come back for more (and more and more). Filled with ingredients such as beef, chicken, sausage and vegetables, they are also quite filling.

“I've had their chile empanada, which includes meat and a hard-boiled egg. I've also tried their chorizo ​​empanada. Both were delicious and very addictive. Best of all, they're cheap. A must-try for any foodie,” wrote Google. columnist Victor Lee. .

Victor Lee is right. Listen to Victor Lee.

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BLT from Patati Patata

Price: $5

Dishes: Friterie Deluxe

Address: Patati Patata, 4177, blvd. Saint Laurent and 170 rue Jean-Talon.

Why you should go: Patati Patata is a favorite of both tourists and locals looking for a solid poutine or burger, especially at night (the Plateau location stays open until 2 a.m.). But did you know you can get a BLT there for $5? Bacon, lettuce, tomato – what more do you need to fill your stomach? Maybe cheese or eggs to which you can add $0.50 or $1 respectively.

Although technically a breakfast sandwich, it is lasts all day, making it the perfect snack or meal when you're craving it.

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Michigan Steamy from Chez Ma Tante

Price: $4.25

Food: hot dogs

Address: Chez Ma Tante, 3180 Fleury E Street.

Why you should go: Montreal hot dogs are a cheap treat. While a steamer from any of the city's many casse cruets is a tasty and inexpensive option, we chose Chez Ma Tante's Michigan steak because it's the best bang for your buck. Not only does Chez Ma Tante have a stellar reputation as one of Montreal's oldest restaurants, but the Michigan-style double beef hot dog with gravy and onions will leave you feeling good and full.

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2 lamb or vegetable samosas from Thali Montreal

Price: $1.75 each (vegetarian) or $2 (mutton)

Cuisine: Indian

Address: Thali Cuisine Indienne, 1409, Rue Saint-Marc

Why you should go: Samosas are the perfect cheap snack – portable, filling and delicious. At Thali, a hotspot for Concordia students, with prices ranging from $1.75 to $2 each, you can enjoy a few samosas (vegetarian or lamb) without breaking the budget.

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Excerpt from Pizza Bouquet

Price: $4.75 per vegetarian slice, plus tax

Food: pizza

Address: Pizza Bouquet, 45 Beaubien Street.

Why you should go: Sometimes you just want a big slice of 'za. If that's what you're after, Pizza Bouquet will not disappoint. As well as the classics, you'll find an interesting range of unique dishes such as potato pizza, anchovy pizza and, at certain times of the year, corn pizza, all in generous portions.

Vegetarian-only slices are $4.75, but it won't break the bank for a $5.25 meat slice. Plus, these prices include tax, giving you some extra wiggle room in terms of budget.

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6 Eggplant Pakoras or Chaat Papri or Dal Soup or Lentil Curry from Pushap

Price:

  • 6 eggplant pakoras: $5
  • Chaat Papri: $4.50
  • Dal Soup: $3
  • Lentil curry: $4 to $4.50 depending on the variety

Cuisine: Indian, vegetarian

Address: Pushap, 5195, Pare Street

Why you should go: Pushap has one of the most budget-friendly menus in town right now. In fact, while we've highlighted our top picks for the theme, there are more options than $5 and under.

Whether you're in the mood to order six eggplant pakoras, chaat papri (flour crisps topped with chickpeas, potato, yogurt and tamarind sauce), dal soup or one of four types of lentil curry, Pushap will make your interrupted food dreams come true. fulfillment.

Bring cash as they do not take cards.

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Zaatar Manakish from Al Taib

Price: $4.30 plus tax

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Address: Al Taib Boulangerie, 2125 Guy St

Why you should go: Al Taib has been serving up affordable Middle Eastern food to students and locals alike for over 20 years.

Baked goods like manakish, spinach pie and cheese pie are al-Taib's specialties — the cheapest of which are $5 or less — and you can get your veggies there, too. A salad bar is priced by weight, meaning you can fill your container with 200 grams of vegetables for $4.50.

The best part? Al Taib is open almost 24 hours a day, only closing between 5am and 8am, so you'll never go hungry.

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BBQ Pork with Coco Buns

Delicious confections in a warmer at Montreal's Cocobun's Guy-Concordia subway station.

Delicious confections in a warmer at Cocobun in Montreal.

Ilana Belfer | MTL block

Price: $3.50

Cuisine: Hong Kong-style bakery

Address: Pâtisserie Cocobun has three locations in the Montreal area, all within metro stations.

  • 1550, bul. de Maisonneuve O. S-32 (Metro Gay-Concordia)
  • 505, Rue Ste-Catherine E. #729 (Metro Berri-UQÀM)
  • 1500, av. Atwater S-04 (Metro Atwater)

Why you should go: When you're on the subway, there's nothing more convenient than grabbing a quick bite to eat at one of the restaurants inside or adjacent to a subway station. If you're looking for something inexpensive and delicious to satisfy your hunger pangs (oh, how easy it is to burst when rushing to STM), the Coco Bun is a great choice.

There are several $3.50-a-piece varieties of savory pastries, including barbecue pork, hot dog, ham and sausage buns, sausage and relish buns, chicken teriyaki and egg and cheese buns.

Saving money isn't the only fun to be had here — serving yourself using tongs and a small kitchen tray like in Asian bakeries adds to the appeal.

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These prices are confirmed at the time of publication, but are subject to change at any time. Taxes and fees may not be included.

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