Where to find lunch for $10 or less around Lakeland
Order your tacos just how you like them at Mr. Pollo. | Photo by @eatalldafoodz
Looking for a tasty, local lunch spot that doesn’t break the bank? We’re here for you, Lakeland. Check out this list of 25+ places where lunch for one costs $10 or less.
Fast and casual
Feasts of Persia Find this food truck at Union Hall for Persian-American fusion cuisine. Owner Gianna Rahmani recommends ordering a 4-inch sandwich, kabob burger, or chicken wings kabob with fries and a drink.
Mr. Pollo Mexican Grill It doesn’t have to be Tuesday for you to enjoy these tacos. Protein options include steak, chicken, chorizo, and more.
Dena’s Place Diner & Grill Reader Karla G. recommends this spot with a rotating menu of specials. A soup and sandwich of the day here will run you less than $10.
Fat Jack’s Deli & Pub If you’re extra hungry, try a burger fresh off of the grill, an “overstuffed” sandwich, or a triple-decker club on three slices of bread.
Sandwiches and wraps
Subs ‘n Such After 45+ years in business, this sub spot has sandwiches down to a science. Order a cold, hot, or specialty sub, or try a hot dog (we’ll leave it to you to decide if a hot dog is a sandwich).
Julio’s Sandwich Shop Grab a combo featuring a 5-inch Cuban along with chips and a drink at this sandwich stand in Alamo Plaza for only $7.99.
Pizza Odyssey You can grab a veggie or BLT sub, or a classic Caesar salad, from this pizza joint inside the Lake Morton Deli for under $10.
First Friday: College Night | Friday, Sept. 6 | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free entry | Show your college pride while enjoying food trucks, activities from Lakeland Moonwalk, and a downtown scavenger hunt.
“Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice” Movie Release Celebration | Friday, Sept. 6 | 7-9 p.m. | Painting with a Twist | $41-$60 | Paint a Beetlejuice-inspired picture in honor of the sequel film’s release — just don’t say his name three times.
Just Laughs Comedy Showcase | Friday, Sept. 6 | 8 p.m. | The Stage Room | $5-$10 | Enjoy an evening of laughter at this weekly comedy showcase.
Saturday, Sept. 7
Caffeine & Gasoline | Saturday, Sept. 7 | 8-10 a.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free entry | Browse or showcase your exotic, classic, luxury, and hot rod cars, then grab coffee + breakfast.
Candle Pour Workshop | Saturday, Sept. 7 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Tienda Studio | $45 | Sip, sniff, and socialize in this candle-making class.
Docent-Led Tour | Saturday, Sept. 7 | 1-2 p.m. | The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art | Free | Get a guided tour of the AGB’s exhibits from the museum docents — registration required.
Sunday, Sept. 8
Old Forester Bourbon Brunch | Sunday, Sept. 8 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Eala’s Speakeasy | $75 | Enjoy a five-course brunch paired with Old Forester Bourbon + a side of history from the Lakeland Whiskey Society.
Lakeside Village Second Sunday Market | Sunday, Sept. 8 | 12-5 p.m. | Lakeside Village | Free entry | Celebrate the start of fall at Lakeside Village’s September Sunday Market, featuring over 100 local vendors, live music, fall-themed photo ops, and delish treats.*
Bike Night | Sunday, Sept. 8 | 5-8 p.m. | Mary’s Bagel Cafe | Free | Join Lakeland Florida Motorcycle Riders for a night of riding + networking.
Monday, Sept. 9
Swan City Improv Does An Open Mic | Monday, Sept. 9 | 7:30 p.m. | Quinteassance | Free entry | Kick off the week with a night full of laughs at this new concept show from this stand-up comedy troupe.
We’re movin’ on up — and in. Lakeland recently ranked as the third-easiest market for homebuyers, meaning buyers have more power here. Several other Florida cities also made the top 10, including Tampa. We see you, TBAYtoday. (Realtor.com)
Coming Soon
Planet Obstacle, an indoor adventure park, is coming to Davenport. City officials shared that the attraction is aiming for a late October opening + will feature activities like obstacle courses, trampolines, and bumper cars.
Number
$121 million. That’s how much Publix plans to invest into renovating its downtown properties. City + county commissioners also approved $500,000 in fiscal incentives and $183,000 in county tax breaks for the company on Tuesday because it plans to bring more than 100 new high-paying jobs to the area. (LkldNow)
Edu
PCPS students ages 5 and under will now be allowed to bring food from home into class. The district initially had a policy that early childhood students had to eat school-provided food to mitigate allergen exposure, but now the school board is revising the policy to give families more flexibility. (The Ledger)
Plan Ahead
Tickets for the 41st annual SUN ‘n FUN expo are now on sale. Save money by snagging your tickets early for the week-long event, set for April 1-6, 2025. Never been to the expo before? Check out our pro tips.
Answered
You’re getting warmer. Earlier this week, we asked you when Lakeland experienced its second hottest temperature on record. While you all shot for the sun, only 19.9% of respondents guessed the correct answer: May 28, 1989. The hottest day on record occurred four years earlier on June 4, 1985.
Sports
What would the Jackets do with some extra cash? Bartow High School is in the running for T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights contest. Rally on social media and tag @theLALtoday so we can give you a boost — or encourage school officials to foster friendly competition by registering your own school.
Arts
Congrats to Florida Southern College’s Dr. Beth Gibbs for the honor of leading rehearsals at the Festival Internacional de Cant Coral in Barcelona, Spain this summer. Dr. Gibbs was one of only four conductors invited to lead a week-long workshop that ended in collective performance. See more.*
Seasonal
Imagine the crunch of crisp autumn leaves underfoot, the cries of geese flying south, the crackle of a bonfire. What if you couldn’t hear the sounds of fall clearly? This revolutionary hearing device makes sure that you can. (Test it out for 45 days with zero risk.)*
Biz
Be part of the positive conversations in Lakeland
In an era of fragmentation, we’re focused on uniting the community. | Graphic by 6AM City
In a time where we’re being inundated by political agendas and polarizing ads, LALtoday proudly serves you positive media on the daily that focuses on all the good that’s happening in Lakeland.
We’re a place where people come to learn and fall in love with what’s local, from dining options to community events. We never accept political advertising, so if your brand is tired of being constantly bumped by those ads, consider us your safe space.
Last night I got to attend “Between the Lines” at Lakeland Community Theatre for its preview night, and I was truly blown away by the talent of the cast — so much so that I’ll probably go back and see it a second time. If you’re looking to get a dose of the arts, the show opens tonight and will have performances over the next two weekends.
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