In luxurious Wine Country, it can sometimes be hard to find a decent meal that doesn’t make your bank do a double take. While Sonoma County is rich in gourmet dining, it lacks in satisfying cheap eats.
Yes, most restaurants have been hit with inflation and consequent rising costs of ingredients. But local residents are feeling the strain on their wallets, too. So we set out to find where you can get a meal for under $20.
You won’t find artfully crafted, tweezer-perfect cuisine on this list. Rather, it’s an assortment of humble yet fulfilling dishes that are as affordable as they are tasty.
Read on below to find the most best budget bites in Sonoma County, specifically in Santa Rosa.
Fourth Street Deli
It doesn’t get much more “best bites on a budget” than this casual corner deli. All sandwiches are under $13 — a favorite is the Spicy Chicken Chipotle Panini ($10.95) with chicken breast, chipotle cream cheese, onions, peppers and pepper jack cheese. Throw in a half-pint deli side, such as the orzo, broccoli crunch or southwest quinoa salads ($5.45 each). You could stop there for a satisfying $16.40 lunch, but why not throw in a housemade cookie ($2.95) for good measure?
300 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-573-9832, fourthstreetdeli.com
Mac’s Deli
Go a la carte for the best budget deals at this historic local delicatessen. For breakfast, you can’t go wrong with two eggs and toast ($7.75), home fries or hash browns ($6) and a choice of bacon, ham or sausage ($5.50) — a total of $19.25. Better yet, go for the short stack of pancakes ($10) and two eggs ($5) for a filling $15 breakfast. For lunch, go for the Reuben ($15.25) with a side of onion rings ($3); or the French dip served with au jus and choice of fries or potato salad for $15.50.
630 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-545-3785, macsdeliandcafe.com
A’Roma Roasters
This Railroad Square coffee shop has an artsy charm as well as an assortment of affordable meals. The breakfast sandwich ($7.25) comes with two eggs, cheddar and bacon or ham on a buttery croissant. For lunch, try the veggie burger ($9.25) with hummus, lettuce and tomato on ciabatta bread. Don’t forget to check out the goodies behind the counter, including scones, muffins, cookies and cinnamon twists.
95 Fifth St., Santa Rosa, 707-576-7765, aromaroasters.com
Zoftig Eatery
Zoftig’s breakfast sandwich ($6.50) is simple but delicious, with eggs and chedder on a housemade English muffin. Add-ons like avocado, bacon and ham are $2. For lunch, try the falafel wrap ($14.50) or the loaded Maccabi Bowl ($16.50) with falafel, hummus, baba ganoush, quinoa tabbouleh, mixed greens, beet and walnut dip, and whole wheat chips.
57 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-521-9554, zoftigeatery.com
Mel’s Fish & Chips
Look to the sides and craft your own combo at this local fish and chips institution. Try the one piece fish ($7.49), clam strips ($5.99), chips ($4.99) and individual side of coleslaw ($1). Plus, find corn dogs for $3.50 and fish tacos for $4.25.
1016 Hopper Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-578-1954, melsfishandchips.com
Roseland Taco Trucks
The trucks lining Roseland’s Sebastopol Road, including Mitote Food Park, boast delicious eats for a fraction of what you’d pay at most sit-down eateries. Best bets include Gio y Los Magos Mexican Grill for quesabirria tacos ($4); Delicias Elenita for tamales ($4); Lucha Sabina for mushroom quesadillas ($13); El Roy’s for tacos dorados (three for $11.25); and Pupusas Y Tacos Marquez for pupusas de carne ($4).
Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa
Pho Vietnam
Consistently hailed as having the best pho in town, Pho Vietnam delivers on generous portions and reasonable prices. Locals like the bun bo hue (from small to extra large size, $11.25-$13.75), a spicy noodle soup with pork and pork blood; as well as the egg noodle chicken soup (from small to extra large size, $11.95-$14.75).
711 Stony Point Road, Suite 8, Santa Rosa, 707-571-7687
Thuận-Phát Vietnamese Sandwiches
A locals’ favorite with some the most affordable banh mi sandwiches around ($7.50 for all). Popular picks are the grilled pork and grilled chicken sandwiches with cilantro and pickled veggies on a French roll.
3020 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-889-3966
A Dog A Day
More than just a hot dog stand, this small food shack offers affordable breakfast and lunch staples. Find a ham, egg and cheese croissant ($8.30), bacon and sausage-stuffed breakfast burrito ($9.50) and chicken sandwich ($9.55). But, of course, you’re here for a dog. The Millers Giant Dog ($6.75) is a quarter-pound all beef hot dog, ready to be dressed in Chicago-style toppings ($2.99), like sweet relish, dill pickle, diced white onions and pepperoncinis.
4055 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-772-7799
Pupuseria Salvadorena
With a variety of pupusas for $4.50 each, you can try a handful and still be around the $20 mark. Fillings include beans, pork, chicken, shrimp, squash, spinach and loroco blossoms. Also, sweet and savory tamales are $4 each.
1403 Maple Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-544-3141
Bowl & Roll
This unassuming Korean and Japanese spot is known for its large portions and friendly service. The spicy chicken bowl ($16.95) is a best seller — a heap of barbecued chicken sauteed with onions and spicy Korean sauce on a bed of rice and topped with sesame seeds, served with a side salad.
1331 Guerneville Road, Suite Q, Santa Rosa, 707-595-3772, bowlandrollrestaurant.com
Superburger
While $12.25 might sound like a bit much for a cheeseburger, the half-pound Cheese Superburger is big and meaty enough to last for two lunches. It features 8 ounces of black angus beef topped with choice of cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onions, pickles and mayonnaise on toasted buns. Throw in a regular-size shake ($6), which comes in a variety of fun flavors, such as toffee crunch, birthday cake, mint Oreo, orange creamsicle and caramel apple.
Locations in Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Cotati and Windsor. originalsuperburger.com
Looking for affordable eats in Sonoma County without sacrificing flavor? Dive into our guide for the best meals under $20! From hearty breakfast sandwiches to satisfying bowls, this list has a little bit of everything for everyone. Scroll through to find your next wallet-friendly dining spot—whether it’s a savory pho or a crispy fish taco, you’re sure to find something delicious.
Save this guide for your next food adventure and discover all the tasty, budget-friendly bites that Sonoma County has to offer!
