Watch CBS News

Affordable Dining In The Twin Cities

By Nicole Crosbie

Going out to dinner doesn't have to be for special occasions. If you know the right places with the right prices, you can afford to go to dinner when you're just not in the mood to cook. Here are some choices for restaurants in the Twin Cities that are as affordable as the delicious.

10/17 - 2 broke girls - cheap diners - Matt's Bar via Matt's Bar
Photo Credit: Matt's Bar

Matt's Bar

3500 Cedar Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 722-7072
www.mattsbar.com

Home to the original Juicy Lucy, a hamburger with cheese inside the patty instead of on top, Matt's Bar is a small diner with one of the most talked about burgers in the Twin Cities. Menu items are all under $5.00 and include the Juicy Lucy, chicken and ham and cheese sandwiches ($4.95 each), cheeseburgers and grilled cheese sandwiches ($3.50 each) and of course, French fries.

10/17 - 2 broke girls - cheap diners - Pizza Luce via Pizza Luce
Photo Credit: Pizza Luce

Pizza Luce

1183 Selvy Ave
St. Paul, MN 55104
(651) 288-0186
Hours: Mon to Thurs 11am-2:30am; Fri 11am-3:30am; Sat 10am-3:30am; Sun 10am-2:30am
Website & Reviews

If you're looking for something other than traditional cheese or pepperoni pizza, try a specialty selection from any one of Pizza Lucé's locations. Popular varieties include the baked potato pizza with mashed potatoes, broccoli, tomatoes, cheese and bacon, or "the bear" for meat lovers with Italian sausage, pepperoni, chicken, ground beef, bacon and cheese. All pizzas are $24 or under.

10/17 - 2 broke girls - cheap diners - Anchor Fish & Chips via Anchor Fish & Chips
Photo Credit: Anchor Fish & Chips

The Anchor Fish and Chips

302 13th Avenue NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 676-1300
Hours: Tues to Fri 4pm-1am; Sat to Sun 10am-1am
Website & Reviews

This restaurant has an upscale feel without upscale prices. Created by three friends, Anchor Fish and Chips meals (and beer!) are Irish influenced. Popular dishes include the wild Alaskan cod with hand-cut chips for $8.75 and comfort food like shepherd's pie for $8.95.

10/17 - 2 broke girls - cheap diners - True Thai via True Thai
Photo Credit: True Thai

True Thai Restaurant

2627 East Franklin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 375-9942
Hours: Mon to Thurs 11am-10pm; Fri to Sat 11am-11pm; 12pm-9pm
Website & Reviews

Decorated with traditional Thai statues and artwork, True Thai Restaurant is known for its calm, soothing atmosphere and for serving some of the best Asian food in the Twin Cities. The ultimate Pad Thai (served with your choice of tofu, mock duck, chicken, beef, pork, shrimp or calamari) and the chili-tamarind stir fry (served with your choice of tofu, mock duck, chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, calamari or scallops) are two popular dishes. Most menu items are $7.95-$10.95 with the most expensive items at $14.95.

10/17 - 2 broke girls - cheap diners - fat lorenzos - thinkstock
Photo Credit: Thinkstock

Fat Lorenzo's

311 West 84th Street
Bloomington, MN 55420
(952) 888-3283
Website & Reviews

If you love Italian food, Fat Lorenzo's has prices for any budget. Salads range from $5.00-$7.00, hoagies are in the $8.00 range. The spicy Italian sausage with marinara and mozzarella is a popular one, weighing in at $8.29. If you don't like salads or hoagies, try Lorenzo's lasagna for $9.79. Be sure to save room for gelato for dessert!

Nicole Crosbie loves fashion and shopping, she has lived in Minnesota her whole life and loves finding new places to shop, eat and explore in the Twin Cities. She has degrees in public relations and psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

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.