• Pad Thai at Thai Place. There’s many great Thai restaurants in Orlando, this just happens to be my favorite. I like the free salad with peanut dressing here too.
• Baja Burrito at Baja Burrito. Their namesake, it’s delicious.
• Gyro platter (includes a bag of chips and a drink) at New York Deli. They’ve been doing it for more than 30 years.
• 1/3lb. or 1/2lb. Burger at Fuddrucker’s
• Lunch Special Chicken Teriyaki Bento Box at Seito Sushi – does not include a soft drink or tip, but you can have the complimentary green tea.
• Beef Brisket platter at 4 Rivers Smokehouse
• Jumbo Chicago Dog with fries and a drink at Hot Dog Heaven
• Wings and Things Meal at Zaxby’s, at lot of food for the money. It includes 3 chicken fingers, 5 chicken wings, fries and a slice of Texas toast for under $7. It does not include a drink though.
•  Boxcar Willy (1 slice of pizza and a pint of Pabst Blue Ribbon) at Lazy Moon Pizza. This one is actually under $5.
• The extra large BBQ beef combo meal (includes tater tots and a drink) at Beefy King

Let us know your favorite meal in Orlando for under $10.

• Price: $4 – $8

Qdoba offers a decent variety of Tex-Mex fare. They offer tacos, quesadillas, burritos, taco salads, and more. They food is good, but nothing really overly appealing. The price is just a bit high for the quality of the food. While Qdoba is closer to fast food, if you’re in the Waterford Lakes area and have the time, I’d recommend Amigos Original Tex-Mex Restaurant and Cantina. While obviously going for markedly different atmospheres, Amigos is much nicer, the food is better and they offer much larger portions, albeit at a higher price.

Amigos serves hearty portions of great Mexican cuisine. The meat is tender, juicy and flavorful. The beans and rice were excellent, and didn’t just feel like a filler. As with any good Mexican restaurant, they provide complimentary chips and salsa. I was surprised that the jalepeno salsa was bland, but the regular salsa is very good. The staff is friend, and one thing I loved about the place was that there was plenty of room at and around your table. You didn’t feel cramped within your party, and you didn’t feel like you were imposing on your neighbors (or vice versa). I would say this is one of the best all around Mexican places in town, from the food to the staff and the atmosphere.

Torta El Rey looks like it is in an old Checkers building. Located in the heart of Orange Blossom Trail, it has bars on the windows, and only outdoor seating. Don’t go here for the atmosphere. Do go here for the $0.50 tacos (chicken or steak). I got 3 chicken tacos (with cheese, onions, and cilantro) and a 32oz drink for less than $5. The chicken is a mixture of white and dark meat, but they were surprisingly good. This place is definitely worth trying, but you might want to get it to go.

Garibaldi Mexican restaurant serves up authentic Mexican cuisine, as well as a variety of Tex-Mex offerings. The food is good and they provide generous portions. The staff was friendly and attentive. My only complaint would be with the size of the restaurant, and their desire to fit as many tables in the small area they have. The tables are practically on top of each other, and you will probably bump into your neighbors once or twice, and vice versa. It wouldn’t say it is a total deal breaker, just try to go there off peak hours.

Chili Daddy specializes in chili, but is not limited to just that. While I was only able to try a couple items, everything looked and smelled delicious. Each day they offer a couple different varieties of chili. I tried the traditional Texas style chili on a hot dog with shredded cheddar cheese. It was excellent, the hot dog was Boars Head, the chili had a great flavor, and wasn’t too spicy. I also had a couple of their tacos. The flavors offered are in line with the chili they offer that day, so I had the mango habanero chicken tacos. I honestly liked the tacos more than the chili. These things were excellent, mango and habanero is such a great combination with the spicy and sweet. While the tacos were great, I’m sure I would like the mango habanero chili equally as much. Rather than just eating a bowl of chili, you can get it over rice or pasta. I’ve had chili over pasta at home before, and it’s a nice way to stretch out a bowl of chili.

The service is great, taking your order, making your food promptly, and bringing it out to your table. The place is on the small side, with only about 10 tables, but it’s not meant to be a hangout. It’s a great place to eat some great food and get on with your day. Chili Daddy is currently cash only, so make sure you plan ahead if you normally use your debit or credit card. My only gripe with them would be that I didn’t feel like I got enough food for my money. But, I will say that the food itself is great, and would definitely recommend going here, as I would gladly visit them again.

Maria Bonita offers a great variety of Mexican and Cuban food. Their portions are large, but at a reasonable price. They have great drink specials, offering $2 margaritas for happy hour.

• Texas de Brazil: purchase $60 and get a $10 bonus, or purchase $100 and get a $25 bonus. Use code HOLIDAY214. Extended through December 24.
• Taco Bell: get a free large drink with the purchase of a gift card.
• Outback Steakhouse offers a $20 bonus card for every $100 purchased.
• Sonny’s Bar-B-Q offers $10 in bonus cards (looks like they give you two $5 cards) free with a $50 gift card purchase.
• Carrabba’s: get a $20 bonus card for every $100 gift card purchase.
• Applebee’s: get a $10 bonus card with a $50 gift card purchase.
• Charley’s Steakhouse: get a $50 bottle of wine with a $100 gift card purchase.
• Del Taco
  • Buy a $10 gift card, get 2 regular tacos free.
  • Buy a $15 gift card, get 2 chicken soft tacos free.
  • Buy a $20 gift card, get 1 free menu item.
• Fuddruckers: purchase a $25 gift card and get a bonus $5 gift card
• Jeremiah’s Italian Ice: Black Friday, November 26th only, get a free small item voucher with every $10 gift card purchase
• Arby’s: get a free combo meal with a $20 gift card purchase.
• Denny’s: get a free $5 gift card with the purchase of a $25 gift card, online or in the restaurant.
• Smokey Bones: buy a $25 gift card, get a $5 bonus card, make it a $10 bonus card if you are a Bones Club member. Bonus cards only good between certain dates, details here.
• Chipotle: buy $25 in gift cards, and get a free burrito, bowl, salad, or order of tacos.
• Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse: get 10% back in holiday bonus cards with every gift card purchase of $250 or more
• Tijuana Flats: purchase a $25 gift card, and get a bonus $5 gift card.
• Friendly’s: get a $5 bonus card for every $25 gift card purchase, must be purchased in store.
• Buffalo Wild Wings: buy a $25 gift card, get a $5 bonus card. Bonus card good from January 1, 2001 – February 28, 2011.
• Jason’s Deli: purchase a $50 gift card, get a $5 bonus card.
• Panera Bread: purchase a $100 gift card, get a $10 bonus card.
• Logan’s Roadhouse: get $10 in Logan’s Bucks for every $30 gift card you purchase.
• Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza: get 10% for yourself with gift card purchase of $100 or more.

While I do try to include any of the fine print details I can find, you should pay close attention to the deals listed here and elsewhere. Bonus gift cards often are only good between certain dates, have a minimum purchase necessary, or cannot be used with other gift cards.

California Burrito Express offers a variety of authentic Mexican food. Their portions are more than enough to satisfy your appetite and they are reasonably priced. I was surprised at how bland the food was considering their more authentic offerings compared to Taco Bell and other chains. The food isn’t bad, but it’s not great either. I’d go someplace else in town, since there are so many choices for Mexican food in Orlando. California Burrito Express has a few things going for it though, it is open 24 hours (a rare sight in Orlando), and they have great service. Their staff is courteous and eager to serve you.