San Francisco Other Cities

Browse

More Editors' Lists

$5 Fill-Up: Cheap Eats Near Public Transit $5 Fill-Up: Cheap Eats Near Public Transit RSS

By Chelsea Sime, Assistant Editor

One of the historic F-line streetcars. Photo: Patrick Heig
One of the historic F-line streetcars. Photo: Patrick Heig
With gas going for almost a Lincoln per gallon, why not ditch the car and put some fuel into what really drives you: your belly? Five dollars may not get you far in a car, but it'll get your tummy tank filled to the brim at these humble eateries, all within a short walk of the city’s major public-transit hubs.
On This Page: Caltrain Station, Ferry Building, Transbay Terminal, Montgomery Station, Powell Station, Van Ness Station, Third Street and 20th Street, 16th Street and Mission Street, 24th Street and Mission Street, Stockton Street and Broadway, Van Ness Avenue and Union Street, Fillmore Street and Haight Street, Geary Boulevard and Sixth Avenue, Ninth Avenue and Irving Street, West Portal Station, Glen Park Station

Caltrain Station

Caltrain trains; Muni lines N and T; buses 10, 30, 45 and 47

  1. Panera Bread

    301 King St, San Francisco, CA
    Grab a (cheap!) bowl of one of the daily soups at this Mission Bay cafe across from the station.

Ferry Building

Ferry lines; Muni F line; buses 2, 14, 21, 31 and 71

  1. Miette Cakes

    1 Ferry Bldg Ste 10, San Francisco, CA
    Who says you can't have cake for lunch? The $3 cupcakes at this baker's delight are perfect picnic fare for a boat ride across the bay.

Transbay Terminal

Greyhound buses; AC Transit; SamTrans; Golden Gate Transit; buses 5, 6, 10, 14, 38, 56 and 108

  1. Rotee Express

    180 Howard St, San Francisco, CA
    The samosas (one order is $5) make this casual Indian lunch spot popular with commuters and downtown office folk.

Montgomery Station

BART; all Muni lines; buses 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 21, 30, 31, 38, 45 and 71

  1. Best-O-Burger

    493 Pine Street, San Francisco, CA
    There are plenty of places near Montgomery's major transit hub, but few are as affordable and filling as this Financial District restaurant's mini burgers.

Powell Station

Cable cars; all Muni lines; buses 6, 7, 9, 21, 26, 47, 49 and 71

  1. Blondie's Pizza

    63 Powell St, San Francisco, CA
    Choose from one of the standard slices--pepperoni, cheese, veggie--or opt for one of the daily specials at this SF pizza institution just steps from the station.

Van Ness Station

All Muni lines; buses 6, 7, 9, 21, 26, 47, 49 and 71

  1. Ted's Market

    1530 Howard St, San Francisco, CA
    It may be a couple blocks from the station, but a ridiculously large veggie sandwich at this tiny market will set you back less than $5 and could quite possibly feed you for two meals.

Third Street and 20th Street

Muni T line; buses 22 and 48

  1. The New Spot

    632 20th St, San Francisco, CA
    If your bus is late, pop in for the $2 pupusas at this Salvadorian joint; you can see the stop from inside the restaurant.

16th Street and Mission Street

BART; buses 14, 33, 49 and 53

  1. Sunflower Authentic Vietnamese

    506 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA
    Burritos are the obvious option for cheap eats near the busy station, but a steaming bowl of pho at this friendly Vietnamese restaurant is only $5.25 and won't make you feel like a siesta afterwards.

24th Street and Mission Street

BART; buses 12, 14, 26, 48, 49 and 67

  1. El Farolito

    2779 Mission St, San Francisco, CA
    This Mission district taqueria, one of SF's most popular, serves up colossal burritos: less than $5 for a regular or make it a super for $6.

Stockton Street and Broadway

Buses 9, 12, 20, 30, 41 and 45

  1. Gold Mountain

    644 Broadway, San Francisco, CA
    For a quick, cheap bite on the go, the dim sum at this Chinatown favorite is only a few bucks per plate.

Van Ness Avenue and Union Street

Buses 19, 41, 45, 47, 49 and 76

  1. Nick's Crispy Tacos

    1500 Broadway, San Francisco, CA
    The $2 tacos (and cheap happy-hour margaritas) at this Russian Hill Mexican eatery are a favorite among locals looking for a casual bite.

Fillmore Street and Haight Street

Buses 6, 7, 22 and 71

  1. Rosamunde Sausage Grill

    545 Haight St, San Francisco, CA
    Gourmet sausages topped with sauerkraut, mustard and hot peppers (if you dare) are served up for $5.50 each at this always-busy Lower Haight hot dog shack.

Geary Boulevard and Sixth Avenue

Buses 1, 2, 4, 31, 38 and 44

  1. Little Vietnam Cafe

    309 6th Ave, San Francisco, CA
    Take a quick walk up Sixth Street while you're waiting for the bus and get the best lunch deal in town: $6 buys you a tasty Vietnamese sandwich and dangerously caffeinated iced coffee.

Ninth Avenue and Irving Street

Muni N line; Buses 6, 43, 44 and 71

  1. Peasant Pies

    1039 Irving St, San Francisco, CA
    Enjoy the gourmet version of the Home Run Pie--a hand-held crust filled with a multitude of savory or sweet options--for only $2.60 at this Inner Sunset bake shop.

West Portal Station

Muni K, L and M lines; bus 48

  1. Squat And Gobble Cafe

    One West Portal Avenue, San Francisco, CA
    Many of the meals at this West Portal diner within throwing distance of the station are closer to the $10 mark, but the basic crepe with rosemary potatoes comes in at just over $5.

Glen Park Station

BART; Muni J line; buses 23, 26 and 44

  1. Eggettes

    2810 Diamond St, San Francisco, CA
    Sweet-toothed Glen Park residents will enjoy the signature Hong Kong-style waffle bites, but nearly everything on the snack-heavy menu is less than $5.

Related links:

Site Links:

Citysearch is a registered trademark of Bluefoot Ventures Inc., and is used under license.
© 2008 Citysearch.com All rights reserved.

Partner Sites: