Ten Best Inexpensive Restaurants in Broward County

Eating out tends to have negative effects on the size of your wallet. And while cooking at home tends to have positive impacts on your cash flow -- and waistline -- it can eat away at your free time.

If you're broke and too busy, lazy, or culinarily challenged to cook at home, we have a list of the ten best inexpensive restaurants in Broward County.

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10. Gran Forno Bakery

The key to putting together a great sandwich is superior ingredients. So it should come as no surprise that one of the best bakeries in Broward County would be responsible for putting together a damned good sandwich. For $8.75, Gran Forno Bakery offers an array of generously sized sandwiches like turkey and Swiss; Italian cold cut with salami, ham, and mozzarella; eggplant; prosciutto; chicken pesto; and caprese. Way better than Subway. The shop is open every day at 7:30 and closes at 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 3 p.m. on Sundays. Buyer beware: Get there early -- these babies go quickly.

9. Mama's Latin Cafe

Located in the rundown shopping center that houses Winn-Dixie on State Road 84, Mama's Latin Cafe serves some amazing Cuban food at prices that cannot be beat. A Cuban sandwich will set you back $4.95. A huge plate of lechon asado (Cuban-style roast pork with rice, beans, and plantains) goes for a mere $7.95. We doubt you could find those sorts of prices at any Miami Cuban restaurants. The spot is open Monday through Saturday for breakfast and lunch.

8. Pho Hoa

Eating on a budget can mean lots of carbs and fat -- pizza, burgers, fast food -- but West Broward has some great options for leaner, cheaper options. Pho Hoa in Tamarac offers steaming-hot, delicious pho starting at just $8.25. Combination phos go for $8.95. Bun, the Vietnamese vermicelli dishes, start around the same price. Depending on where you live, it might be a trek, but it's a heck of an improvement on your local Chinese takeout joint. The spot is open from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. Sunday, 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

7. El Jefe Luchador

It's not easy to find cheap eats in a fun environment, but El Jefe Luchador manages to pull it off flawlessly. Located in a strip mall in Deerfield Beach, this brightly colored, Mexican wrestler-inspired spot dishes out a huge lineup of traditional -- starting at $2.75 a piece -- and fusion tacos and other Mexican street food items. Fusion tacos like the Southern "OG" Recipe Fried Chicken with pickled onion, salsa fresca, and queso Americano start at $3.50. Quesadillas like the namesake El Jefe Luchador with al-pastor-style pork, grilled pineapple, fried sweet potato, queso blanco, and salsa verde also begin at $3.50. And there's booze. Chances are you're not going to have to be rolled out you spend more than ten bucks on food.

6. 100 Montaditos

As part of a huge Spanish chain, the two Broward locations offer residents a huge selection of montaditos -- little Spanish sandwiches. With these small delicacies starting at a buck, you can sink your teeth into one. Even better: The spot offers specials on Sundays and Wednesdays. Wednesday, all montaditos and soft drinks are just $1. On Sunday, the spot offers two-for-one platters. And it offers different Spanish beer specials. Both locations are open for lunch and dinner, as well as late night on Fridays and Saturdays. Small sandwiches for an even smaller wallet.

5. Sasaya Japanese Market

Sushi is not exactly considered a cheap meal option. Yeah, you can get a roll or even two for under ten bucks, but your stomach will most likely be growling for more. Not the case at Sasaya Japanese Market. In addition to the anime, teapots, sake, and prepackaged food items, you'll find some of the best sushi around for just a fragment of the usual cost. Huge portions of spicy tuna rolls will set you back a meager five dollars. A giant volcano roll with scallop, crab, masago, tamago, scallions, and Japanese mayo on top of a California roll goes for $8.50. The market is open for eat-in -- with two communal bartops -- and takeout Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. With those prices, you'll never go back to the supermarket premade stuff.

4. Tropical Tacos

While there are a plethora of reasons to love food trucks, the best thing is the price. Lower overheads generally mean great deals for customers. Unfortunately, sometimes you need to hunt them down. Not Tropical Tacos: The food truck is permanently parked next to the American Legion on Fort Lauderdale's State Road 84. Plus, the place is a bargain. For $2.25, you can take your pick of chicken, carne asada, beef tongue, al pastor, carnitas, or chorizo tacos. Fish and shrimp go for $3.25. A well-portioned basic burrito will set you back $4.75. So long, Taco Bell.

3. The Whole Enchilada

Coming in as one of the healthier options for inexpensive meals is the Whole Enchilada. With two locations, one in Fort Lauderdale and another in Oakland Park, this locally owned fresh-Mex joint offers a wide array of healthy options under ten bucks. Salads run $7.19 to $7.99. Tacos are $7.39 and below. And burritos can be found for as little as $4.79. Plus, there is a multitude of healthier options and add-ons. Looking to save money and slim down your waistline? This place has got you covered. Both locations are open daily for lunch and dinner.

2. Jerk Machine

You wouldn't expect to find anything you'd want to eat right around downtown Fort Lauderdale's main bus station. Let's be honest: It's not the most visually pleasing area in town. But this little spot has some seriously tasty deals. A "small portion" of dark meat jerk chicken with two sides -- large enough to accommodate more than one meal -- starts at just $7.99. A large will take you up an extra dollar. Only the large portions of the curry goat or oxtail will bring you over ten bucks. Jerk Machine also runs even more price-conscious specials: $5.99 for lunch specials. And on Wacky Wednesdays, small meals are offered for $2.99 after 3 p.m. With two locations -- another in Lauderhill -- the spot serves jerk-loving customers breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

1. Charm City Burger

Hailed as having one of the best burgers in all of South Florida, this Deerfield Beach spot packs a punch for value and quality. Although there are options on the menu that could set you back way over ten bucks, you could easily score a great meal for under the $10 mark. A simple Good Ole burger with or without cheese goes for a mere $5.25. Add bacon, mushrooms, and onions, it'll bring you up to $6.75. A side of hand-cut fries rings in at $3.25. For prices just over what you'd expect to see at a Wendy's, you're getting a damned good deal. Charm City is open for lunch and dinner.