Increasing food costs are a point of frustration for most working Americans, and Delaware is no exception. Cheap eats may seem few and far between, but before you give up and hit the drive-thru, check out some of these lunch options for $10 or less. There are plenty of spots to grab an affordable lunch—if you know where to look.
We scoured menus across Wilmington looking for the best lunch deals in town. Here are our finds.
Soups + Salads
Washington Street Ale House
Choose from a variety of soups and salads under $10 at Washington Street Ale House. Go for a hearty chili, French onion soup or crab bisque for $10 or less. The $10 Ale House Salad features baby greens, tomato, mushroom, onion, carrot and cucumber with an apple-balsamic vinaigrette. The menu also features a wedge salad for $10.
1206 Washington Street, Wilmington
Mrs. Robino’s Restaurant
At Mrs. Robino’s, pick up a bowl of Italian wedding soup for $8 or pasta fagioli for $7. You can also find a small antipasto featuring salami and provolone, peppers, celery, tomato, olives and egg for $9.95 and a variety of salads for under $10.
520 North Union Street, Wilmington
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Stitch House Brewery
Stitch House features two soup options for $9 each: a chili served with cornbread crumble and cheddar cheese and a rotating soup of the day.
829 North Market Street, Wilmington
Trolley Square Oyster House
The lunch menu features a New England clam chowder and a Caesar salad for $9 each.
1707 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington
Kid Shelleen’sÂ
A bowl of soup at Kid Shelleen’s will only cost you $7.95. Choose between chicken corn chowder, French onion gratin or house-made chili.
1801 West 14th Street, Wilmington
Plant-Based Bites
Scout Cafe
This Wilmington cafe is open until 3 p.m. and boasts a number of mouthwatering sandwiches and toasts. The $10 Veggiehead toast is a great option for a plant-based lunch featuring hummus, sprouts, tomato, red onion, cucumber and everything bagel seasoning on your choice of toasted bread. The Avo Mash toast is also $10 and topped with smashed avocado, cracked black pepper, Himalayan sea salt, sprouts and hot sauce.
2316 Baynard Boulevard, Wilmington
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Delectablez
Inside Wilmington’s DECO food court, this vegan eatery offers plant-based crispy “Chik’n Bitez” for $9. Or, if you want to go the “breakfast-for-lunch” route, grab two plant-based sausage patties and breakfast potatoes for a total of $9.10.
111 West 10th Street, Wilmington
Daily Veg
Vegan food often gets a bad rap for being on the pricy side, but Daily Veg serves up options under $10. The Daily (Beyond) Cheeseburger features American cheese, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles and a garlic herb aioli on a potato bun for $9.99. A Beyond Sausage link on a pretzel bun topped with peppers and onions and your choice of sauce is also $9.99. For even more, you can grab creamy vegan mac and cheese for $5.99, Chick’n tenders for $7.99, or Bacun cheese fries for $9.99.
5335B Limestone Road, Wilmington
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Meat + More
Big Fish Grill
Along with a wide variety of salads under $10, Big Fish Grill’s lunch menu features $9.95 flash-friend Buffalo chicken tenders served with homemade blue cheese dressing.
720 Justison Street, Wilmington
Rocco Italian Grill
It’s hard to beat weekly menu specials at Rocco! Burgers are only $7 all day on Mondays. On Wednesdays, you can get a cheesesteak for $6 and, on Thursdays, enjoy $8 spaghetti and meatballs. The everyday menu is also packed with great deals, including $10 meatball sliders, a $10 eggplant and veggie sandwich and $10 bowls of spicy crab soup.
701 North Union Street, Wilmington
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DECO Wilmington
Vendors at DECO are known for upscale lunch options, but there are also plenty of cheap eats on the menu if you know where to look. Stu & Sammy’s offers a grilled cheese with bacon for $10. Pizza by the slice is available for $7.25 or less at Pizzeria Bardea. Taqueria El Chingon features a number of menu items for $10 or less, including tacos, chalupas and rice and beans.
111 West 10th Street, Wilmington
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Capriotti’sÂ
If you order online, $9.99 “Cap’s Duos” are available for a limited time. Each duo features half a sandwich and a half salad. If you prefer to walk in and order, bowls of soup are always available for $5.99, and half sandwiches are under $9.
510 North Union Street, Wilmington
Ethnic Eats
La Morenita Mexican Restaurant
Pork, chicken or seasoned beef tacos are $3 each at this Jackson Street taco spot. Or, grab a $9 burrito stuffed with chicken, spicy pork, beef or chorizo. The Mexican hotspot also serves up sopes, gorditas and quesadillas for $10 or less.
527 South Jackson Street, Wilmington
Al Chu’s Sushi
Inside DECO, Al Chu’s offers steamed shrimp dumplings or steamed vegetable gyoza for $8 and tempura salmon for $10. You can also grab a crunch tuna roll, California roll, avocado roll or variety of three-piece sashimi orders for $10 or less.
111 West 10th Street, Wilmington
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Three Amigos Mexican Restaurant
The 2024 Best of Delaware winner for Best New Restaurant (upstate) serves up great options for an affordable lunch. The $9 Chori-Papas—a popular appetizer dish that can also make a great bite for lunch—features fries, chorizo and house-made queso dip. Grab a taco or two with protein options like fish, steak, chorizo and carnitas. Beef up your order by adding affordable sides like $4 rice and beans or $5 street corn.
1016 North Lincoln Street, Wilmington
King Garden
Roadside Chinese restaurants are a consistent option for those seeking a cheap bite that still packs a flavorful punch. King Garden is a local favorite with a convenient online ordering platform and a variety of hearty meals under $10. A special lunch menu runs Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring a list of entrees served with fried rice for $7.45.
2511 West 4th Street, Wilmington
Related: 15 Reservation-Friendly Restaurants at the Delaware Beaches
