If you don’t follow us on Instagram – first of all, you’re totally missing out – you might not recognize the hashtag above.
For the past six months, we’ve been taking your suggestions on where to find lunch for ~$5 in Greenville and trying them out for ourselves in a video series on social media. Now it’s time to round up all the places we visited… with plenty of food gifs + a map to boot.
Here’s the video that started it all, filmed at La Esperanza Super Panaderia by our growth manager, Logan. He recommends doubling up on their verde + red hot salsas.
Click here to see our interactive map, and keep scrolling for allllll the food recommendations.
ASADA
📍903 Wade Hampton Blvd. | ⏰ Closed Sun. + Mon. // 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Wed. + Thurs. // 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. Thurs. – Sat.
What we ate: Veggie taco with rice, black beans, pico de gallo + guac.
Why we loved it: Hearty enough to be filling (they pack so much into each taco that they double up on tortillas to hold it all), and their pico is *super* fresh and flavorful.
Price: $5.50 (their chicken + carnitas tacos are the same price)
Bacon Bros. Public House
📍3620 Pelham Rd. | ⏰ Closed Sun. // 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. + 5 – 10 p.m. Mon. – Thurs. // same hours but open until 11 p.m. on Fri. // 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Sat.
What we ate: Their rotating weekday sandwich special is offered between 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. (dine-in only), and the day we went the sandwich was buffalo chicken.
Why we loved it: Bacon Bros. obviously knows how to do meat, and this was some of the tastiest chicken we’ve had + a full sandwich was definitely filling enough for lunch.
Price: $5 (not counting the fried pickles we ordered… we couldn’t resist)
Barley’s Taproom & Pizzeria
📍25 W Washington St. | ⏰ 11:30 a.m. – until on Mon. – Sat. // 12 p.m. – until on Sunday
What we ate: 2 slices of classic cheese pizza.
Why we loved it: These slices are literally bigger than our face, and Barley’s has some of the cheesiest, most delicious pizza around as far as we’re concerned.
Price: $2.50/slice
Carolina Drive-In
📍105 Rutherford St. | ⏰ Closed Sun. // 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Mon. – Sat.
What we ate: A classic cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato + mayo.
Why we loved it: You can’t go wrong with a tasty cheeseburger, especially from a drive-in, and this one really hit the spot.
Price: $6.40 (but if you don’t spring for the fries like we did, the burger is $3.95)
Caviar & Bananas
📍1 N Laurens St. | ⏰ 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sun. – Thurs. // 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Fri. + Sat.
What we ate: A thick slice of deep-dish margherita pizza.
Why we loved it: Just the right amount of bread, tasty red sauce, and lots of mozzarella make this plenty filling and one of the cheapest options on our list.
Price: $3
Duke Sandwich Company
📍1001 Poinsett Hwy. (there’s also a Congaree Rd. location) | ⏰ Closed Sun. // 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mon. – Fri. // 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sat.
What we ate: A PB&J and a lemonade.
Why we loved it: Sometimes you just want to go back to elementary school… and this sandwich is the perfect thing to remind us of being a kid. Not to mention, it’s delicious.
Price: $4
Foundation Grill 311
📍 301 N Main St. (inside the Landmark Building) | ⏰ Closed Sat. + Sun. // 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mon. – Fri.
What we ate: A patty melt on toast.
Why we loved it: A hearty-sized sandwich with tons of flavor and lots of perfectly melty American cheese. Perfection.
Price: $5
Greenfield’s Bagels and Deli
📍 101 Verdae Blvd. | ⏰ 6 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mon. – Fri. // 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sat. // 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sun.
What we ate: An egg + cheese sandwich on a sundried tomato bagel.
Why we loved it: Greenfield’s makes some incredibly satisfying toasted bagels, and they have tons of bagel and sandwich options for every taste (and gluten-free options).
Price: $5
Kanpai of Tokyo
📍 533 Haywood Rd. | ⏰ 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 4:30 – 9 p.m. Mon. – Thurs. // Same hours but open until 9:30 Fri. + Sat. // 12 – 2 p.m. and 4:30 – 9 p.m. Sun.
What we ate: A Clemson roll with crab, avocado, cream cheese + tempura flakes during sushi happy hour (11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.).
Why we loved it: The sushi bar is the perfect place to escape during lunch, and there are tons of rolls for almost half price during sushi happy hour. We’re suckers for a crispy cooked roll, but there are raw + veggie roll options, too.
Price: $3.50
Las Meras Tortas
📍 6119 White Horse Rd. | ⏰ 10 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Sun. – Thurs. // 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Fri. + Sat.
What we ate: A vegetarian burrito with lots of cheese.
Why we loved it: Hands down the biggest burrito we’ve ever eaten, y’all. The rice holds it all together, the veggies provide flavor, and that delicious oaxaca white cheese makes it super filling. We actually split it between our team.
Price: $4.75
Maple Street Biscuit Company
📍 18 E North St. (also a Five Forks location) | ⏰ Closed Sun. // 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. Mon. – Fri. // 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sat.
What we ate: “Iron Goat” – goat cheese and spinach sandwiched between a biscuit.
Why we loved it: It’s the perfect midday pick-me-up, with enough goat cheese to keep things comforting but enough spinach to add some nutrition. And that biscuit is obviously amazing.
Price: $5
Neo Burrito
📍 1268 Pendleton St. | ⏰ Closed Sun. // 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Mon. – Sat.
What we ate: A “quesadomelette,” which comes with eggs, cheese, and a choice of two veggies (we went for corn + spinach), topped with chipotle salsa.
Why we loved it: Their breakfast menu is a huge steal ($1 breakfast tacos, folks), plus they scramble their eggs fresh and don’t skimp on veggies.
Price: $4
Papi’s Tacos
📍 300 River St. | ⏰ 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Mon. – Fri. // 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Fri. + Sat. // 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sun.
What we ate: “Travelin’ Taco” – shredded chicken, lettuce, pico de gallo + crema, all in a bag of Fritos.
Why we loved it: This is truly a one-of-a-kind menu item. Get your Frito fix while also treating yourself to a taco, and eat it while strolling the river or people-watching outside.
Price: $4
The Pickwick Soda Fountain and Pharmacy
📍 3219 Augusta Rd. | ⏰ Closed Sun. // 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Mon. – Fri. // 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sat.
What we ate: A toasted Duke’s pimento cheese sandwich on wheat + potato salad, with a bottle of Cheerwine.
Why we loved it: There’s nothing like the cozy nostalgia of the Pickwick, and their toasted pimento cheese sandwich is the ultimate version of a grilled cheese. Add some classic potato salad, and you’re full all afternoon.
Price: $5.50
Snack Works
📍 612 S Main St. | ⏰ Closed Sun. // 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Mon. – Fri. // 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sat.
What we ate: A bowl with white rice, black beans, spinach, broccoli + onion.
Why we loved it: An affordable option for a healthy lunch that won’t leave your stomach growling, and the sauce that comes with the bowl gives it the perfect amount of tang.
Price: $5
Sully’s Steamers
📍6 E Washington St. | ⏰ 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Mon. – Thurs. // 7 a.m. – 3 a.m. Fri. + Sat. // 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sun.
What we ate: “The Poet” on a multigrain bagel, with hummus, cheddar cheese, cucumbers + bean sprouts.
Why we loved it: This is just one of plenty amazing bagel sandwiches at Sully’s. They’re deliciously soft and they don’t hold back on the cheese, and there’s no better feeling than unwrapping that tin foil and digging in.
Price: $5.50
Table 301 Catering and Kitchen
📍 22 E Court St. | ⏰ Closed Sun. // 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Mon. – Fri. // 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sat.
What we ate: “The Yoga Bod” – egg whites, spinach, marinated tomato, mozzarella +kale pesto on ciabatta.
Why we loved it: Okay, this one technically counts as breakfast. Maybe you typically eat lunch earlier than all your coworkers – these affordable breakfast sandwiches hit the spot, and the Yoga Bod is pretty healthy as far as breakfast options go.
Price: $4
Taco Casa
📍1002 N Pleasantburg Dr. | ⏰ Closed Sun. // 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Mon. – Fri. // 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sat.
What we ate: A taco burger, with seasoned ground beef, cheddar cheese, lettuce + tomato.
Why we loved it: Taco Casa has been a classic for decades for a reason. They offer unconventional + affordable lunch options like chili salad and a soft taco/burrito hybrid, and for the price, it’s a solid option.
Price: $3
Tanner’s Big Orange
📍322 S Pleasantburg Dr. | ⏰ Closed Sun. // 7 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Mon. – Fri. // 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sat.
What we ate: A chili hot dog with fries + a lemonade.
Why we loved it: When you want something classic and comforting, a well-done hot dog and thick-cut fries will hit the spot every time.
Price: $6
Tato’s Pizzeria
📍109 Miller Rd., Mauldin | ⏰ Closed Mon. // 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Tues. – Thurs. // 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Fri. + Sat. // 12 – 5 p.m. Sun.
What we ate: A spinach + artichoke pizza, with olive oil, diced tomatoes, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese.
Why we loved it: The level of melty cheese on this pizza was incredible, the crust was perfectly crispy, and the toppings were mega flavorful. Overall, this pizza was a home run, and our entire office loved it.
Price: $7 (but it’s for a whole pizza, so we’re considering it a deal)
Tommy’s Country Ham House
📍214 Rutherford St. | ⏰ 5 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sun. – Fri. // 5 a.m. – 12 p.m. Sat.
What we ate: An egg + chicken sausage biscuit sandwich.
Why we loved it: Tommy’s is known for their perfectly buttery, flaky biscuits, and the sausage can’t be beat. If you’re a breakfast lover like us, this is perfect at lunchtime.
Price: $4
Tropical Grille
📍21 S Main St. (also Woodruff Rd., Pelham Rd., Greer + Easley locations) | ⏰ 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Mon. – Sun.
What we ate: A Classic Wrap, with chopped chicken, lettuce, tomatoes + one of their signature sauces in a pita.
Why we loved it: The chicken tastes fresh + flavorful, and wrapping it in a pita covered in sauce (we *love* their sweet mustard curry sauce) is the perfect way to mix up the usual lunch sandwich.
Price: $5.75
Vic’s Pizza
📍12 E Coffee St. | ⏰ Closed Sun. + Mon. // 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and 4 – 9 p.m. Tues. – Fri. // 12 – 9 p.m. Sat.
What we ate: Their 2 cheese slices + a drink special.
Why we loved it: If lunchtime hits and you’re starving, head to Vic’s to take advantage of this major deal. Their NY-style pizza is enormous enough that we needed two hands to eat a slice, and there’s no doubt that Vic’s makes an amazing pie.
Price: $6
Shout out to our former interns Jaron + Karlee and our current intern Melissa for helping us film this series – we ate a ton of amazing food, and it was worth every bite to share with y’all. Tell us what kind of challenge we should take on next… affordable cocktails? Best places to play mini golf? Go-to spots for holiday gift shopping?
Bonus round: our editor, Jordan, even filmed a $5 Friday for us during her trip to Bali. Travel goals.
– Kendall
