The Village by the Grange vendor branched out to this new outpost at Bathurst and Queen this year, where the entire menu of dim sum and steamed buns is priced under $5. Standouts on the menu include siu mai ($3.80) and substantially sized pulled pork bao dressed with apple slaw ($3.50).

Crispy, golden, twice-fried Belgian-style frites served in paper cones start at just $4 at this fry shop in Kensington Market. Each order includes a choice of house dipping sauces, while additional sauces (flavours like tandoori delight, curry ketchup and dijon mayo) sell for $1.25.

The brand-new chippy on St. Clair West dishes up crispy, battered fish and chip dinners starting at $11 for one piece of haddock or cod with a hefty pile of fries with dips and slaw, or fishwiches on puffy, fresh buns from $10.

The Armenian pizza joint in Scarborough specializes in lahmajun topped with things like zaatar, feta, red pepper sauce, minced meat or soujouk (Armenian sausage). Order full sized pies, have the flatbread wrapped into sandwiches, or try the mini-'jouns priced $10 for a dozen.

This bare-bones South Indian eatery can be found on Bathurst north of Bloor serving up thali combos. A selection of curried meats or dhaal with rice and two vegetable sides with raita and salad come in under $10. Their dosas are also a highlight - the potato masala, for example, is priced at just $6, with a variety of chutneys to seal the deal.

Adding to the quick service options at Richmond and Spadina, this wholesome, home cooking-inspired lunch counter is serving up oven-baked quiches ($5), ham and cheese sandwiches ($8.50), and soup and salad combos ($6).

Fresh-made, artisanal sausages are the sole focus at this tiny production kitchen in The Junction. Best of all, you can sample the goods in-store on a bun - owner Mario Garisto cooks up fresh links at lunch and serves them on a bun with optional rapini, caramelized onions and housemade garlic scape oil for an even five bucks.

This Caribbean bistro in Scarbourough also serves shawarama and is an ideal destination to fill up on the cheap. The menu offers jerk shawarma wraps for $5.95 while hearty whole dinners with chicken, rice, peas and veggies come in under $9.

This fresh bar on Dundas West caters to vegans and vegetarians with a menu featuring scratch-made comfort foods like grilled cheese sandwiches for $6 and hot grain boxes for $12. Look out for daily specials, too, like pecorino-dusted penne with black trumpets and tomato bisque, or hearty cauliflower and kale curries.