Jump To: Casual & Quick Bites | Mexican & Tex-Mex Delights | International Flavors | Affordable Date Night
The Houston Heights is one of the city’s most vibrant culinary hubs, but you don’t need a massive budget to enjoy it. While the neighborhood is famous for its high-end dining, there is a wealth of affordable gems tucked away in historic bungalows and modern storefronts alike.
In this guide, we have identified the 20 best cheap restaurants Heights Houston that Heights residents swear by. Whether you are looking for a $4 taco or a massive bowl of pho that provides two meals for the price of one, these spots deliver maximum flavor for minimum spend.
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Casual & Quick Cheap Restaurants Heights Houston
Cava
Cava offers customizable Mediterranean bowls that are both healthy and high-value. You can load up on proteins and toppings for a meal that feels far more expensive than its price tag.
Where: 250 W 20th St #400, Houston, TX 77008
Operating Hours: Daily 10:45 am – 10:30 pm
Cheba Hut Toasted Subs
Specializing in “toasted” subs, this spot is perfect for a massive sandwich that won’t break the bank.
Where: 2150 Edwards St, Houston, TX 77007
Operating Hours: Sunday – Monday 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 am – 12:00 am
Kolache Shoppe
A Heights staple for a very cheap breakfast. These are authentic, fluffy kolaches with both sweet and savory fillings.
Where: 1031 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77008
Operating Hours: Monday CLOSED | Tuesday – Friday 6:30 am – 12:30 pm | Saturday – Sunday 7:00 am – 1:00 pm
Local Foods
Image credit: Local Foods
While slightly higher on the “cheap” scale, their sandwich and side combos are incredibly filling and utilize premium local ingredients.
Where: 714 Yale St suite 1a, Houston, TX 77007
Operating Hours: Daily 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Rakkan Ramen
Rakkan Ramen offers a health-conscious take on Japanese soul food with its signature plant-based broths and affordable small plates, and you should try the umami-rich Amber ramen paired with a refreshing iced matcha latte.
Where: 600 N Shepherd Dr, Suite 515, Houston, TX 77007
Operating Hours: Sunday – Thursday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm | Friday – Saturday 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Mexican & Tex-Mex Delights
Goode Co. Kitchen & Cantina
Image credit: Goode Company Kitchen & Cantina – The Heights
Goode Co. Kitchen and Cantina in the Heights offers a vibrant atmosphere for families to enjoy elevated Tex-Mex staples and mesquite-grilled specialties, and the Campechana Extra seafood cocktail paired with a frozen Damn Goode Margarita comes highly recommended.
Where: 1801 Yale St, Houston, TX 77008
Operating Hours: Saturday 9:00 am – 10:00 pm | Sunday 9:00 am – 9:00 pm | Monday – Wednesday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm | Thursday – Friday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Puebla’s Mexican Kitchen
Authentic, family-run Mexican food. This is as “hidden gem” as it gets in the Heights.
Where: 6320 N Main St, Houston, TX 77009
Operating Hours: Sunday CLOSED | Monday – Friday 7:00 am – 3 pm | Saturday 8:00 am – 3 pm
Velvet Taco
Creative, globally-inspired tacos. Perfect for late-night cravings.
Where: 2001 N Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77008
Operating Hours: Sunday 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm | Monday – Thursday 11:00 am – 11:00 pm | Friday – Saturday 11:00 am – 12:00 am
Laredo Taco Company
Located inside convenience stores, don’t let the location fool you—the tortillas are made fresh by hand, and the prices are unbeatable.
Where: 1211 E Crosstimbers St, Houston, TX 77022
Operating Hours: 24/7
Boomtown Coffee
At a coffee shop, their breakfast tacos and sandwiches are some of the most affordable morning eats on 19th St.
Where: 242 W 19th St, Houston, TX 77008
Operating Hours: Daily 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
International & Specialty Flavors
Huynh Restaurant
Just on the edge of the Heights, this offers the best Vietnamese value in the area.
Where: 912 St Emanuel St, Houston, TX 77003
Operating Hours: Sunday CLOSED | Monday – Friday 11:00 am – 3:30 pm & Saturday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Kin Dee Thai Cuisine
Image credit: Kin Dee Thai Cuisine
Authentic Thai food that offers great lunch specials for those on a budget.
Where: 1533 N Shepherd Dr, Suite 160, Houston, TX 77008
Operating Hours: Saturday – Sunday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm | Monday – Friday 11:00 am – 3:00 pm & 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Asia Market Thai Restaurant
A no-frills spot that serves up massive portions of curry and noodles.
Where: 3620 N Main St, Houston, TX 77009
Operating Hours: Saturday 11:00 am – 9:30 pm | Sunday 11:00 am – 7:30 pm | Monday – Friday 11:00 am – 8:30 pm
Moon Rabbit
Moon Rabbit is a vibrant Vietnamese spot in the Heights that balances traditional flavors with modern flair, and you should try the banh xeo tostadas or the signature shaken beef with a side of garlic butter noodles.
Where: 605 W 19th St, Houston, TX 77008
Operating Hours: Saturday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm | Sunday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm | Monday – Friday 11:00 am – 3:00 pm & 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Aishel House
A hidden gem cafe offering kosher deli sandwiches and incredibly fresh salads.
Where: 1955 University Blvd, Houston, TX 77030
Operating Hours: Saturday – Sunday CLOSED | Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Affordable Date Night & Comfort Food
Rocco’s
Classic Italian-American comfort food in a cozy setting.
Where: 811 Collingsworth St, Houston, TX 77009
Operating Hours: Sunday CLOSED | Monday – Saturday 4:30 pm – 10:00 pm
La Lucha
La Lucha is a lively neighborhood hangout in the Houston Heights known for its coastal Southern comfort food and retro lounge vibe, and you should try the honey-drizzled fried chicken with a dozen of their dollar happy hour oysters.
Where: 1801 N Shepherd Dr #A, Houston, TX 77008
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday 4:30 pm – 10:00 pm | Saturday – Sunday 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Star Pizza
A Houston legend. Their deep-dish or thin-crust pizzas are perfect for sharing, making the cost per person very low.
Where: 77 Harvard St, Houston, TX 77007
Operating Hours: Monday – Wednesday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm | Thursday – Sunday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
POST Market Food Hall
Multiple vendors under one roof. This allows everyone to find something cheap and sit together.
Where: 401 Franklin St, Suite 1200, Houston, TX 77002
Operating Hours: Sunday – Wednesday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm | Thursday – Saturday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Postino Heights
Image credit: Postino (Heights)
Postino Heights is a stylish mercantile-style wine bar offering a budget-friendly escape with its famous five-dollar glasses of wine and pitchers of beer before 5 p.m., and you should definitely order the customizable bruschetta board with toppings like prosciutto di Parma and fig mascarpone.
Where: 642 Yale St, Houston, TX 77007
Operating Hours: Monday – Thursday 11:00 am – 11:00 pm | Friday 11:00 am – 12:00 am | Saturday 10:00 am – 12:00 am | Sunday 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
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