Plenty under twenty

Craving a night out without breaking the bank? Here’s part one
of Stacey Jones’ guide to the Bay’s tastiest budget bites.

WORDS Stacey Jones

Miss Gee's

In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, the thrill of finding a cheap meal for under $20 has never been greater. While supermarket prices soar – $6 for a cucumber, $20 for a block of cheese (the world has clearly gone bananas), this only heightens the joy of discovering a tasty ‘cheap eat’. 

Restaurants are able to buy in bulk, support local producers, and, best of all, save you the hassle of washing up.  

I took to the local Facebook notice boards for our locals’ top spots and
was met with hundreds of suggestions. Clearly, we’re all feeling the pinch and on the hunt for the same thing… So this month, we are diving into the best budget-friendly meals available in the Bay of Plenty for under $20.  

Let’s kick things off with a standout deal at Astrolab on Tuesdays. For just $12, you can enjoy a delicious burger paired with a beer or a soft drink. Yes, you read that right – $12! The burger is well-seasoned, the salad is fresh, and it’s a steal. Just remember, the more beers you drink, the less sweet the deal becomes. Arrive early to secure a spot, as it gets busy. For more burger deals, check out Palace on Mondays for $10 cheeseburgers, or Central Coast Takeaway with their burger, fries, and soda combo for $17. They have a small amount of seating too so you can eat in or take out. 

Miss Gee's

Next up, Hello Bahn Mi offers Vietnamese yumminess for $14.50. Choose from tofu, pork, or chicken, or indulge in their other favourites like pho and summer rolls. For Thai cuisine, Leks Go Thai in Pāpāmoa serves mains under $20, perfect for sharing. This leaves some change for a bottle of wine! Meanwhile, Hawker House in the Mount offers Asian-inspired dishes for just $15 from Monday to Friday, 12-3pm. The beef rendang roti is top of my list. 

Bobby's

Crossing the bridge to Matua, Café Istanbul tempts with Turkish flavours. A chicken or lamb iskender is just $17, offering a fresh, healthy meal. Over at Café Istanbul in the Mount, similar dishes, as well as a not very Turkish lasagna, are priced right at $20 and under. LoLo’s offers a Turkish wrap that's more stuffed than the Harbour Bridge at rush hour for $14, making it a true budget buster.

No article on Kiwi budget meals would be complete without mentioning fish and chips. Although prices have risen with the cost of fish, it remains a worthwhile option. Bobby’s in Greerton and Tauranga CBD serves a piece of fish for $6. Just watch out for the seagulls! Bay Fish Packers also promise value, along with Matua Fish and Chips. 

For a budget-friendly lunch, head to Miss Gee’s Bar & Eatery with their $15 menu featuring ramen, burgers, hawker rolls, and a green curry salad. Or visit The Barrel Room from 12-4pm for a $15 lunch with salads, burgers, bowls, and pizzas. Speaking of pizza, Basilico got a lot of local votes. The margarita squeaks in at $19.90 and is generously sized – perfect for sharing if you’re not feeling too greedy. For even tighter budgets, Pizza Library offers $10, 10-inch pizzas every Monday.

Next month, we’ll explore Japanese, fried chicken, sandwiches, Indian, and dumplings. In the meantime, visit these budget-friendly spots, support local businesses, and savour every bite.