Plus, this week's top events.
 
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🥪 For when you forget to pack your lunch

Where to find lunch for $12 or less in Raleigh
The exterior and sign of the first Char-Grill restaurant.
The first Char-Grill opened on Hillsborough Street in 1959. | Photo by RALtoday
Looking for a tasty, local lunch spot that doesn’t break the bank? We’re here for you, Raleigh. Check out this list of 25+ places where a lunch for one costs $12 or less.

⭐️ City Editor Allie here. I’ll be dropping in throughout the guide with some tips and reader recommendations. Look for the star emoji.

Fast and casual

Alpaca Peruvian Charcoal Chicken, 1313 Hillsborough St. | Get a quarter chicken for less than $11 with two sides and unlimited yellow and green sauces.

⭐️ If you go with a friend, split the half chicken and upgrade your sides to tostones or maduros.

A plate of chicken, tostones, and rice + beans from Alpaca Peruvian Charcoal Chicken.

Don’t skip the yellow and green sauces at Alpaca.

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Photo by RALtoday

La Santa, 222 Glenwood Ave., Ste. 107 | Score some Mexican dishes with this eatery’s $10 lunch menu, including enchiladas, huevos rancheros, and filling nachos.

Smokestacks Cafe, 701 E. Lane St. | With an ever-changing menu of budget-friendly eats from empanadas to ribs, your stomach and wallet will leave happy.

Sandwiches and wraps

Berkeley Cafe, 428 S. Dawson St. | Try the turkey applejack sandwich with chips for $11 or the vegetarian super sprout sandwich for $10.

(ish) delicatessen, 702 N. Person St. | This deli has an old-school meets new-school vibe and serves classic sammies with a twist.

⭐️ For my money, the BL(R)T and blue might be the best sandwich in Raleigh at $11.

Lunchbox Deli, 2816 Trawick Rd., Ste. 105 | Everything here comes out to less than $12, including the build-your-own sandwiches.

A sprout sandwich with chips.

Try the vegetarian super sprout sandwich at Berkeley Cafe.

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Photo by Berkeley Cafe

Vegan and vegetarian

Dose Elixir Bar, 415 N. Harrington St. | Add a scoop of $1.50 plant protein to an already nutritious $9.75 smoothie or enjoy a loaded toast for $12.

Happy + Hale, multiple locations | For a light lunch, order a smoothie like the City of Oats for $7 and boost it with chia seeds or whey protein for an additional cost.

⭐️ The Hale Caesar bowl is the real deal at just about $12 and satisfies my spice level with plant-based ingredients.
Over a dozen more options
Asked

When it comes to lunchtime, which option do you prefer: eating at home/work or eating out?
A. I prefer eating at home/work
B. I prefer eating out
C. A mix of both
D. It depends on my mood
Give us your foodie fodder
 
Events
Tuesday, Sept. 3
  • Tuesday Evening Flow Yoga at the Farm | Tuesday, Sept. 3 | 6-7 p.m. | Raleigh City Farm | $18 | Bring your mat to enjoy this flow surrounded by nature — a portion of the fee will go to the farm.
Wednesday, Sept. 4
  • Wellness Wednesdays | Wednesday, Sept. 4 | 6-7 p.m. | Midtown Park | Free | Explore a variety of fitness opportunities on the lawn.
  • The Oak City Salsa Social | Wednesday, Sept. 4 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Transfer Co. Ballroom | Free | This family-friendly event teaches you the ropes of salsa dancing with live music.
Thursday, Sept. 5
  • Raleigh Summer Concert Series: Capital Transit | Thursday, Sept. 5 | 6-8 p.m. | Fred Fletcher Park | Free | Enjoy some tunes at this chill park.
  • Silent Book Club | Thursday, Sept. 5 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Oberlin Regional Library | Free | Shhh... bring your book and join others for an hour of uninterrupted group reading.
Find another local event
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Community
  • In addition to all the updates detailed in last week’s State of Downtown, leaders have thrown a new idea in the ring: an aerial bridge between downtown and Dorothea Dix Park to connect downtown’s residents + office workers with the world-class park. (Triangle Business Journal)
Coming Soon
  • A new Colombian eatery is expanding to Raleigh, offering three meals a day. Cali Colombian is originally from Charlotte and will open on Atlantic Avenue later this month — expect modernized, vibrant Colombian food and baked goods. (The News & Observer)
Arts
  • Have you seen Boylan Bridge’s new look? Local artist Jonathan Massullo has painted a colorful mural on the iconic bridge with nods to Boylan Heights’ history, trains, and more artistic expressions of Raleigh. (Raleigh Magazine)
Try This
  • If you’re anything like us, you’re coming back to the office after a long weekend today. Take some time to plan a zen yoga session at one of Raleigh’s 20 yoga studios.
Number
Wellness
  • One scoop of NativePath Hydrate = increased energy, muscle strength, and bladder function. Enjoy 44% and free shipping, plus a free gift with purchase.*
Finance
  • Did you know some credit cards can actually help you get out of debt faster? (It sounds wild, but it’s true.) The secret: Find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. These are hands down some of the best.*
 
The Buy

The Buy 9.03.24 (Affiliate)
A snackle box. The trendy snack tray has eight compartments and a sealable lid, making it ideal for meal prep, picnic goodies, road trip snacks, and everything in between.
More worth The Buy
 
The Wrap
 
Allie Remhof

Today’s edition by:
Allie
From the editor
If you can’t tell, I’m passionate about some of those lunch picks, especially the sandwich places. As a connoisseur of anything between bread, I wanted to recommend Alimentari at Transfer Co. Food Hall — besides top-notch sandwiches, they also run a great butchery with meats, pastas, sauces, and more.
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