There are plenty of reasons why you might be chasing a cheap eat in Brisbane. Whether it's the paycheck that goes towards your HECS debt or the relentless budget that keeps you from splurging on the firvolous joys of life, sometimes we just need an arsenal of cheap—but great—dinner options to get us through the working week and to the safety of the weekend.
Below are some of our favourite Brisbane cheap eats for wallet-friendly dinners that don't skimp on the flavour.
Gerard's Bar
Fortitude Valley
Kicking off the week is Gerard's Bar's $12 beer and burger meal deal. Like us, Gerard's Bar know that Mondays require a little... enhancement in the enjoyment department, and we think that chowing down on a juicy burger and frosty beer pretty much nails that brief. And then some.
The Fox
South Brisbane
The world is full of Mondays, and we are always looking for opportunities to make them better. Our recommendation? 1kg of chicken wings for $10 every Monday at The Fox! Things are guaranteed to get a little messy, but it’s worth it for a good feed.
Hope & Anchor
Paddington
Add a little spice to that mediocre Monday you're having at Hope & Anchor in Paddington. Nailig the whol chep eats vibe with their 'Brick Lane Curry Night', you can get your hands on a homemade curry for just $14! We're sold.
Brewski
Petrie Terrace
Sometimes the weekend can be a little tough on the bank account. If you’ve spent the last few days indulging in degustation dinners paired with fine wines, then head over to Brewski for 2-for-1 Mondays. How about pan friend calamari for your pal and the mac & cheese burger for yourself?
Heya Bar
Fortitude Valley
Growing up “cheap Tuesday” meant 2-for-1 DVD’s at the video store, and whilst that was always pretty exciting these days it’s all about the cheap eats, and Heya Bar are taking it to extremes with half price eats all night! Be tempted by pork belly bao, prawn gyoza, bbq pork fried noodles, and cheeseburger spring rolls.
Comuna Cantina
Brisbane CBD
You’ve made it through Monday and Tuesday and now you deserve a treat. How about hitting up Comuna Cantina for $5 tacos and chasing them down with $10 margaritas? There’s plenty to choose from but at that price you can try them all! Midweek treat anyone?
Communal Bar & Eat House
Brisbane CBD
Hump-day is a glorious day. You’re over halfway through the week, payday is just around the corner, and it’s a good night to meet up with a friend for dinner. At Communal Bar & Eat House two tenners will get you a whole pizza and pot of beer: the ultimate hump-day treat.
Statler & Waldorf
Petrie Terrace
We're beginning to think that Wednesday is the new Thursday arond the traps of Brisbane, and with Statler & Waldorf's infamous $10 pasta Wednesdays still proving very popular, you'd be an idiot to miss out. An entire bowl of delicious carbs for just $10? Yes pelae and thank you.
Yard Bird Ale House
Paddington
Yard Bird has their own $20 meal deal, with 12 wings and a schooner available for just two tenners! Choose from honey bbq, garlic and parmesan, chipotle bbq, and more. And with a beer on the side, you’d be forgiven for fantasising about this one all day.
The Milk Factory
South Brisbane
Thursday’s are a good day for many reasons, namely, because the weekend is just around the corner. The Milk Factory really knows how to get you through the last stretch of the workweek, with $10 parmies all night (your choice of chicken or eggplant!) and live music to top it off.
Humpybong Distillery
Stafford
Humpybong might already be a weekend fave, but did you know they also serve up a hella good feed during the week? Make Thursday your date night and take you significant other to Humpybong for $25 tacos for two with a jug of beer or sangria on the side. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Collective Kitchen & Bar
Brisbane CBD
Friday isn’t really a popular night for cheap eats but we refuse to compromise our hard-earned pay check on a single meal… Get fancy on Friday at Collective Kitchen and Bar with $2 oysters and scallops. Not a bad start to the weekend.
Manhattan Line
South Bank
Manhattan Line is another venue that is serving up delicious eats for minimal bank, with every single one of their hotdogs coming in at $12 or less. I recommend you try the Atlanta, with beef frank, apple slaw, cheese and bbq sauce. They also have a pretty killer drinks list if you’re really keen to turn-up.
For even more things to do on the cheap in Brisbane, here's 50 things you can do with 50c (no, not joking).
Image credit: Daniel Maddock