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Restaurant food is luxury, but it doesn’t have to be staggeringly expensive to be good.

Cheap eats

Brands/Shutterstock

When choosing a protein, chicken is usually the cheapest option but that’s ok!

It will easily take on the flavor of whatever sauce you combine it with.

If you’re lucky, this meal may even come with potatoes or home fries.

eggs and toast on a plate with a knife and fork

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Toss on some Tabasco and you’ve got one great dish.

Pancakes

Another breakfast meal that’ll fill your stomach (without emptying your wallet) is pancakes.

Go for buttermilk or jazz things up with some blueberries or better yet, chocolate chips.

ihop short pancakes

IHOP

A side of bacon makes this a complete breakfast.

When made correctly, a juicy medium rare cheeseburger is heaven.

And even if it’s overdone, well, it’s still pretty damn good.

five guys cheeseburger, fries, and mayo

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Try it with bleu cheese or even with a fried egg on top to feel fancy.

Now just double-check your buddies don’t want to split the bill evenly!

If you see this dish on a menu, don’t hesitate to place your order.

olive garden Chicken Parmigiana

Olive Garden

And if not, order it the next time you go out.

Quesadilla

When you want something cheesy and cheap, a quesadilla is hard to beat.

Add some sour cream and salsa and you’ve got a fiesta that’s fiscally sound.

taco bell quesadilla chicken

Taco Bell

Bonus points if they’ll add beans or jalapenos.

Now you’ve got a full stomach that will make you feel like a python slowly digesting a deer.

And yes, guac is extra, but so worth it!

carnitas burrito chipotle

Chipotle / Facebook

Pro tip: skip the extras to save.

Cobb Salad

Contrary to popular belief,big saladsdon’t always come with a big price tag.

Enjoy it in the winter when you better warm up or lean into the spice in summertime.

pei wei pad thai

Pei Wei/Facebook

Bonus points for a lunch special that comes with garlic naan.

Pizza

The ultimate cheap-o meal that everyone loves is…pizza!

Have you heard the joke what’s the difference between an actor and a pizza?

cobb salad eggs chicken blue cheese

Shutterstock

A pizza can feed a family of four.

Pizza can be ordered so many different ways meat lovers, veggie, white.

you might even add specialty ingredients and still have a meal that’s potentially cheaper than eating at home.

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Pair it with a pitcher of beer or the house wine and that’s amore on a budget!

Little caesars classic pepperoni

Little Caesars