FoCo’s $10 Meal Challenge 🍔🌮🍕

From chili and cornbread to $5 burritos, here’s how to stretch your lunch budget in Fort Collins—without resorting to instant noodles.

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What's Happenin' Team
July 11, 2025

💸 Eating on the Cheap in FoCo? We Got You.

Hey there, FoCo,

From $5 sushi rolls to two-for-one tempeh sandwiches, iconic burgers under $7 to free community meals, this issue is packed with wallet-friendly food hacks, local faves, and under-the-radar gems. Whether you’re on a budget, ballin’ between jobs, or just craving a good deal, this guide is your go-to.

Scroll on for our roundup of cheap eats, bonus tips, and where to find lunch that won’t leave you sad and still hungry.

🧠 Fort Collins Trivia Time

What popular food festival in Fort Collins celebrates local breweries and their food pairings?

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👉 Hint: This event typically features local breweries and restaurants showcasing their best offerings. Tap to vote—we’ll reveal the answer in the outro!

The Bulletin

Have something meaningful to share with the community? Showcase your business, event, opportunity, or announcement with a growing list of 3,400+ readers.

Short, sweet, and packed with views—Overlook Trail is your go-to for a quick nature fix just west of town. This easy 1.1-mile out-and-back trail takes about 30 minutes to complete and winds through Maxwell Natural Area with mellow elevation and big scenery payoffs. It’s dog-friendly (leashes required), ideal for walkers of all ages, and best explored from spring through fall. Perfect for a pre-lunch stroll or golden hour wind-down.

🍻 Craving: Tap and Handle

If your ideal night includes a killer burger and a beer you can’t pronounce but love anyway—Tap and Handle is your spot. With 74 rotating taps, crave-worthy mac n cheese, and good vibes galore, this Old Town staple is a go-to for locals and out-of-towners alike. Pro tip: grab a stout, post up on the patio, and settle in.

💸 Where to Eat in FoCo for Under $10

Let’s be real: even fast food is starting to feel like a splurge. But fear not, budget-conscious foodies—we’ve scoured local tips for spots where you can still score a solid meal for under $10 in Fort Collins. Whether you’re between paychecks, trying to save up for Red Rocks tickets, or just love a good deal, here’s where to go when your wallet says “ouch” but your stomach says “feed me.”

🔥 Under-$10 MVPs

  • Tap & Handle – $6.75 smash burger and fries every Wednesday. Big win.

  • Culver’s (Kids Meal Hack) – $6.49 for a full burger, fries, drink… and a token for free frozen custard.

  • FOCO Café – Pay what you can café with real community spirit and great food.

  • Vindeket Foods – Free groceries and fresh eats. Bring a tote bag and an open

🌮 Street Food & Specials

🍜 Don’t Sleep On…

  • Las 4 Americas – Burritos around $5–6. Fulfilling and flavorful.

  • Lucky Joe’s – $4.99 burger baskets on Mondays.

  • Avogadro’s Number – BOGO tempeh sandwich Tuesdays = $6 per person if you split.

  • China Wok & Asian Grill Express – Big lunch specials under $9, full of flavor.

  • Cheba Hut – Grab an 8” toasted sub for ~$9–10. Worth it.🍺 Breweries, Bingo & Bike Tours

🎯 FoCo Life Pro Tip:

Check restaurant apps and happy hour menus. Deals often hide in plain sight. And don’t underestimate the power of a kids’ meal.

🗓 What’s Happenin’ in Fort Collins: Event Listings

🎭 Friday, July 11

🎨 "Pride and Prejudice" Presented by OpenStage Theatre & Company📍 947 Worthington Circle | ⏰ 12-6pm | 🎟️ Ticketed

📅 Trace Bundy w/ Max Mackey & Christine Alice📍 2121 E. Mulberry St. | ⏰ 5:30pm | 🎟️ Ticketed

🎨 Al Jackson📍 167 N College Ave, Fort Collins | ⏰ 6pm | 🎟️ Ticketed

Saturday, July 12

🎵 Ben Kweller coming to the Aggie Theatre📍 204 S. College Ave | ⏰ 08:00PM | 🎟️ Ticketed

🎵 Live Music w/ Saja Butler📍 1020 E Lincoln Ave. | ⏰ 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM | 🎟️ Ticketed

🎵 The Soap Girls w/ CB & The G Jeez📍 830 North College Avenue | ⏰ 8:30 PM | 🎟️ Ticketed

Sunday, July 13

🍴 Erich's Coffee Pop Up📍 1020 E Lincoln Ave. | ⏰ 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM | 🎟️ Ticketed

📅 Scratch & Ride Horseback Experience📍 108 eiger road | ⏰ 8:30am | 🎟️ Ticketed

🎨 Moms Unhinged📍 167 N College Ave, Fort Collins | ⏰ 7:30 PM | 🎟️ Ticketed

Want more? See the full calendar → Fort Collins Event Calendar

🍻Play the Fort Collins Brewery Trivia Game

Are you a true craft beer connoisseur? 🍺 Test your hop smarts with Craft Breweries of Fort Collins Trivia. From historic brewhouses to bold new flavors, see how well you know the city’s beer scene.

💬 Got a Favorite?

If you’ve got a secret $10-and-under meal in town, hit reply—we’ll add it to the list. In the meantime, eat well and keep that wallet happy.

 ✅ Answer: B)  The Taste of Fort Collins

The Taste of Fort Collins is an annual event that highlights local breweries and their culinary pairings, making it a favorite among food and beer enthusiasts.

—Your What’s Happenin’ Fort Collins crew 💛

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