Everything’s expensive. Here’s where to score lunch for $15 or less

From gas to groceries, everyone is watching their bottom lines. And when it comes to the mid-day meal, it’s tempting to save bucks by packing lunch from home or hitting the closest drive-thru.

But if you’re growing weary of brown bagging the same tired sammie and bag-of-chips or ordering fast-food fare off the value menu, there are tastier and healthier alternatives that won’t break the bank. 

From DIY combos to menus that cater to every craving, find budget-friendly lunch specials at these 10 Phoenix-area establishments for $15 or less. All but one are available for takeout as well as dine-in orders, leaving you free to enjoy your meal at the office, home or – if you yearn for a change of scenery –  the restaurant. 

Night Owl Pizza & Drinks

1645 N. Hayden Road Scottsdale
2700 Mill Ave., Tempe
Get a mid-day break with Night Owl Pizza & Drinks’ two lunch combos served daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For $12, the funky, retro owl and skateboard-themed restaurants in Scottsdale and Tempe offer a drink and two items from a list that includes a slice of pizza, four wings, the house salad, fries and four garlic knots. For $10, get two pepperoni or cheese slices and a drink. 

Cafe Lalibela

849 W. University Drive, Tempe
Longtime beacon of Ethiopian cuisine Cafe Lalibela serves lunch specials for $12.95, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The three options include: a bowl of lentil soup and a garden salad, a spicy wrap filled with two items plus lentil soup or garden salad, and a sampler of three items served with injera, rice or a half-serving of each. The options span beef, chicken and vegan selections ranging from mild to spicy. 

Doughbird 

5600 N. Seventh St., #100
Doughbird’s $11 lunch special includes a cheese slice of their thick Detroit-style pizza and Caesar salad. Toss on extra toppings like Italian sausage, caramelized onions, pepperoni, jalapeño or arugula for $1 each. Served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, this deal is available at the Seventh Street location only and applies to dine-in orders. 

Federal Pizza

5210 N. Central Ave. 
12636 N. Tatum Blvd.
Head to Federal Pizza from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. any day of the week for The Double Down daily lunch deal that features salad and a half-pizza for $15. Salad choices include Caesar, Tuscan panzanella or heirloom caprese. On the pizza side, decide among basics like cheese or pepperoni, as well as fancier versions like the At Last with roasted garlic oil, cheese blend, broccolini, fire-roasted corn, Calabrian chiles, goat cheese, basil and lemon oil. 

Campo Italian Bistro & Bar

8260 N. Hayden Road, Suite A102, Scottsdale
Two lunch specials at Campo Italian Bistro & Bar  are served 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. For $12, get a half-Caesar salad or half-Campo greens with apples, pomegranate and goat cheese in a pomegranate-balsamic vinaigrette, and a choice of a small pepperoni or margherita pizza. For $14, there’s chicken Caesar salad or a grilled chicken sandwich with fontina cheese, arugula and Calabrian chile jam on a pub bun that’s served with cottage fries. Both specials come with a soft drink. 

Fellow Osteria & Pizzeria

1455 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 100, Scottsdale
Fellow Osteria & Pizzeria’s Lunch Love special features a half pizza and half salad for $15. Served 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, the meal includes salad options of beets with mixed greens or the Milanese with a crispy chicken cutlet over greens. Sausage and peppers, chicken pesto and salami with Calabrian chiles and honey chili oil are among the pizza selections. 

Picazzo’s Healthy Italian Kitchen

Multiple locations 
Picazzo’s Healthy Italian Kitchen’s pizza lunch combos include a slice, choice of salad or soup and a beverage ranging. The meals range from  $13.50 to $13.95. Pizzas can be ordered on a regular or gluten-free crust and include cheese, pepperoni, puttanesca, the Slice of the Week, and cheese with a choice of two toppings. There are Caesar and Zo’s Chopped salads, and soups like tomato-basil, and Italian white bean and kale. There are also vegan options, and the specials are served daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  

Lakeside Bar & Grill

9980 W. Happy Valley Pkwy., #1101, Peoria
Lakeside Bar & Grill offers deals at $12.50 each, served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Selections include Buffalo chicken salad and chicken Caesar salad, both of which can also be made into wraps and served with fries, as well as rice bowls.

Revel Surf Bar & Grill 

4503 S. Power Rd #101, Mesa
A variety of $12 lunch combos can be found at Revel Surf Bar & Grill, from noon to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Start with a shishito Caesar salad or creamy tomato-basil soup. From there, choose from mains like the Classic Revel Sliders, breaded or grilled mahi mahi fish tacos or a half-Italian beef sandwich paired with au jus for dipping. 

Copper & Sage

1975 N. Globe Drive, #103, Goodyear
At Copper & Sage, 13 items ranging from $10 to $15 grace the lunch menu, served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Decide among dishes like a Cajun Caesar salad, jasmine rice bowls topped with ahi or blackened shrimp, bao stuffed with Korean fried chicken or Nashville hot chicken, and the catfish po-boy that comes with local Frites Street fries.