Eat out in Bellingham for $10 or less. These local meals are perfect for a tight budget

Eating out at restaurants is a fun way to try new foods and visit with friends, but for those on a budget, eating out may seem impractical or irresponsible.

As grocery prices and more have continued to increase throughout 2022, the consumer price index of restaurant food prices went up 7.4% from May 2021 to May 2022, and increased 0.7% in May 2022 alone, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

But after a long day at work or being with kids, going to eat out can sound more delightful than spending an hour making dinner.

Here are a few Bellingham restaurants we found that have meals for $10 or less, including burgers, teriyaki and sushi:

Hana Teriyaki — 701 W. Holly St.

Hana Teriyaki serves teriyaki plates, yakisoba and gyoza, and has a few items on its large menu over $10. Some of their dishes under $10 include:

▪ Chicken teriyaki plate — $7.89.

▪ Beef yakisoba — $9.49.

▪ California roll — eight pieces for $5.49, 16 pieces for $9.49.

Hana Teriyaki is open from 10:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Boomer’s Drive-In — 310 N. Samish Way

Boomer’s Drive-In is a classic drive-in restaurant that also offers indoor seating. Its traditional drive-in menu features burgers, milkshakes, waffle fries and hot dogs. Here are some of their meals under $10:

▪ Garlic feta bacon chicken burger — $5.69.

▪ Boomer Burger with a quarter-pound patty with cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles and special sauce — $4.39.

▪ Boomer’s Fish Burger with lettuce, tomato, picks and special sauce — $5.99.

▪ Corn dog — $2.99.

▪ Waffle fries — $2.79.

▪ Sweet potato waffle fries — $3.69.

Boomer’s Drive-In is open from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

California Tacos and Fresh Juices — 4252 Cordata Parkway, Suite 104

California Tacos and Fresh Juices say they have one mission: to make the most authentic Mexican food in Whatcom County. Their menu includes a few dishes for $10 or less:

▪ Taquitos topped with sour cream, cabbage, pico de gallo, cheese, and sauces — $9.75.

▪ Tamale — $2.99.

▪ Sope — $6.99.

▪ Taco — $1.95.

▪ Fish taco — $3.75.

▪ Burrito — $9.00.

California Tacos and Fresh Juices is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

K-Pop Chicken and Beer — 202 E. Holly St., No. 101

K-Pop Chicken and Beer recently won our reader poll for the best wings in Whatcom County, and has items on the menu for those on a budget:

▪ Sesame ginger salad — $6.50.

▪ Kimchi fried rice — $9.50.

▪ K- Pop original corndog — $6.50.

▪ Fries with various toppings — $4.40 for regular, $6.50 for large and $9.50 for XL.

K-Pop Chicken and Beer is open from 11:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. Friday through Saturday, and from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.

Filling Station — 1138 Finnegan Way and 716 Alabama St.

The Filling Station has two locations in Bellingham that serve locally-sourced burgers, fish and drinks and offers affordable menu choices:

▪ Station burger — $6.00.

▪ Station burger with fries and a soda — $10.00.

▪ Fried pickle chips — $9.00.

▪ Milkshakes — $6.00.

Both Filling Station locations are open from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Harris Avenue Cafe — 1101 Harris Ave.

Harris Avenue Cafe is located in historic Fairhaven and serves breakfast and lunch options, even for those on a tight budget:

▪ Cheesy egg breakfast with two eggs, cheese, tomatoes and toast — $9.00.

▪ Potatoes O’Brien with onions and bell peppers — $8.00.

▪ French toast — $9.00.

▪ Cornmeal buttermilk pancakes, stack of 3 — $9.00.

▪ Old-fashioned oatmeal — $6.00.

▪ Almond molasses granola — $5.00.

Harris Avenue Cafe is open from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. daily.

Pye Hole — 200 E. Chestnut St.

Pye Hole is a pizza slice window that operates outside of La Fiamma pizza and offers more affordable prices and pizza by the slice:

▪ Slice of cheese pizza — $4.00.

▪ Slice of pepperoni pizza — $5.00.

▪ Slice of veggie pizza — $5.50.

▪ Slice of meat combo pizza — $6.00.

▪ Turkey leg — $5.00.

▪ Hot apple pie — $6.00.

Pye Hole is open from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Jun’s Sushi & Bento — 110 S. Railroad Ave.

Jun’s Sushi & Bento is one of the most affordable sushi restaurants in Bellingham, and offers multiple sushi roll options under $10:

▪ Avocado roll — $5.95.

▪ California roll — $6.95.

▪ Spicy salmon roll — $9.50.

▪ Shrimp nigiri — $5.50.

▪ Spicy tuna roll — $8.95.

▪ Miso soup — $2.00.

▪ Steamed rice — $2.00.

Jun’s Sushi & Bento hours vary by day. Jun’s Sushi & Bento is open from 4-9 p.m. on Monday and from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. It is also open from noon to 2:30 p.m. and from 4-9 p.m. on Saturday.