Cheap Eats in Provo — Best Meals Under $10 (2026)

Food & Drink May 1, 2026 7 min read ✓ Updated May 1, 2026

Abigail Giordano Senior Writer, Provo.com

Provo is one of the more affordable food cities in the Mountain West, but the real deals — the spots where you eat well for under $10 — require local knowledge. This guide covers every worthwhile cheap meal in town.

Under $5

Street Tacos Don Joaquin — Authentic street tacos for ~$2-3 each. Three tacos with a drink puts you under $10 easily. The al pastor and carnitas are the best options. Cash-friendly.

Hruska's Kolaches — Czech pastries for $3-4 each. Two kolaches (one savory, one sweet) make a filling breakfast or snack for under $8. Nothing else like this in Utah.

Little Caesars — A $5.55 Hot-N-Ready pizza is still the cheapest hot meal in Provo. Is it gourmet? No. Does it feed two people for under $6? Yes.

Under $10

Guru's Café — Generous portions at student-friendly prices. Most entrées land in the $8-12 range, and the açai bowls are a meal in themselves. The bohemian atmosphere makes it feel like more than a budget meal.

Cubby's — A burger, fries, and drink for around $10-12. The Italian beef sandwich is the best value for the quality — juicy, properly seasoned, and filling.

Food trucks — Various trucks rotate through Provo, especially near BYU campus and downtown. Most meals run $7-10. Follow local food truck accounts on Instagram for daily locations.

Bombay House lunch buffet — All-you-can-eat Indian for around $12. For the volume and quality of food, this is one of the best deals in Provo. Go at lunch, not dinner.

Costa Vida / Café Rio — A burrito or bowl for $9-10 with generous portions. Student deals occasionally bring prices lower.

Best Value Strategies

Lunch over dinner. Many Provo restaurants offer the same food at lower prices during lunch. Bombay House's lunch buffet vs dinner menu is the most dramatic example, but the pattern holds elsewhere.

Student discounts. Several restaurants offer 10-15% off with a valid BYU or UVU student ID. Always ask — the discount isn't always advertised.

Meal prep. The cheapest per-meal approach is always groceries. Walmart and WinCo (if you drive to Orem) offer the lowest grocery prices. See our student meal prep guide for practical strategies.

For the full restaurant picture, see our 25 Best Restaurants in Provo.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest food in Provo?

Street Tacos Don Joaquin serves authentic tacos for around $2-3 each — the cheapest quality meal in Provo. Food trucks around BYU campus often serve meals in the $5-8 range. The lunch buffets at Bombay House and India Palace offer excellent value at $10-12 for all-you-can-eat.

Where can students eat cheap in Provo?

The best budget options for students include Guru's Café (generous portions, student pricing), BYU's Creamery on 9th, food trucks around campus, Hruska's Kolaches (cheap, filling pastries), and Little Caesars or Domino's for pizza on a budget. Meal prepping with groceries from Walmart is the cheapest option overall.

Abigail Giordano

Senior Writer

Abigail Giordano is a senior writer at Provo.com covering student life, family resources, and community events across Utah Valley. Her writing focuses on making Provo more accessible and navigable for newcomers, students, and families — the practical guides that help people feel at home faster.