Show HN: CheapFoodMap – A map of good meals under $10 • Hacker News Board

Re: Show HN: CheapFoodMap – A map of good meals under $10

#161

Post by mncharity » Thu, Jul 30, 2026, 2:01 AM UTC

UX report: On desktop chromium, clicked on a "14 restaurants nearby" restaurant item, and... nothing changed on the map. Little idea where it is. Got address from popup and... map wasn't showing that street name. Zoom in, pan around, repeat. Struggle. Apparently cluster markers (like "(2)") don't visually indicate selection at all. And the unclustered restaurant marker selection indication was subtle enough for me to miss, at least when getting started. Especially given the draws-the-eye distraction of the popup, so the indication transition itself wasn't noticed.

Also on the "restaurants nearby" list, every card said "New York, NY". Unhelpful ink. I wished it was showing the address line, at least when all the city lines were the same.

A relieved word of thanks for not using the frustrating Google Maps "Search this area" yes-really-please button.

I saw someplace interesting, then realized, "oh yeah, I tried to go there, but they don't open until ". Also, "that looks interesting... I wonder when they're open?", then checked GMaps via button, which didn't have hours but did have popular times (it's a truck).

Fwiw. Has given me a couple of places to try - thanks!

Re: Show HN: CheapFoodMap – A map of good meals under $10

#162

Post by satvikpendem » Thu, Jul 30, 2026, 2:25 AM UTC

jaep1 wrote: post #108

satvikpendem wrote: post #104

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's a service for restaurants not one itself, it allows restaurants to give away uneaten food at the end of the day so as to reduce food waste and make some marginal income.

That's really cool idea.. I wonder if they have something like that here in Texas

Yes they're nationwide in the US as well as other countries.

Re: Show HN: CheapFoodMap – A map of good meals under $10

#163

Post by 8bitsrule » Thu, Jul 30, 2026, 2:35 AM UTC

> The map couldn't load. This usually means an ad blocker or privacy extension is blocking Google Maps... > Try disabling blockers for cheapfoodmap.com,

Try disabling your goofy expections that I'll spend a minute to learn if your page is worth it.

Re: Show HN: CheapFoodMap – A map of good meals under $10

#164

Post by gnopgnip » Thu, Jul 30, 2026, 2:58 AM UTC

I tried to add Corti bros in Sacramento but it’s not considered a restaurant. It’s a grocery store with a sandwich shop and deli inside. 8.50 for a big sandwich.

https://orderonlinemenu.com/CortiBrothers

Re: Show HN: CheapFoodMap – A map of good meals under $10

#165

Post by jaep1 » Thu, Jul 30, 2026, 2:59 AM UTC

ant6n wrote: post #152

tantalor wrote: post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not really. GasBuddy has a standard: price per gallon But this is just a map of the lower-priced items, which are available everywhere. You can find a cheap sandwich, bowl of soup, slice of pizza, or taco virtually anywhere. There is no corresponding standard point of comparison (no "gallon").

The unit should be a Meal. Not just an appetizer, a full meal. (Does it include drink? In US, many places give free tap water, but not others. Is it okay if it’s only lunch, or should it be available for dinner too? What about tipping?)

Yes, adding this as default recommandation from now on, adding filter so user can filter out single item like taco and appentizer

Re: Show HN: CheapFoodMap – A map of good meals under $10

#166

Post by jaep1 » Thu, Jul 30, 2026, 3:00 AM UTC

mncharity wrote: post #161

UX report: On desktop chromium, clicked on a "14 restaurants nearby" restaurant item, and... nothing changed on the map. Little idea where it is. Got address from popup and... map wasn't showing that street name. Zoom in, pan around, repeat. Struggle. Apparently cluster markers (like "(2)") don't visually indicate selection at all. And the unclustered restaurant marker selection indication was subtle enough for me to…

Wow, this is really helpful user experience issue that I did NOT know about!

Thank you thank you thank you!

Re: Show HN: CheapFoodMap – A map of good meals under $10

#167

Post by jaep1 » Thu, Jul 30, 2026, 3:01 AM UTC

alexjplant wrote: post #150

elevation wrote: post #127

Sam's Club Cafe sells $1 hot dogs and $2.50 pizza slices with a drink, and it doesn't not require a membership to visit. Larger families (4+ kids) shop at Warehouse clubs because they need items in bulk, but they are also often cost sensitive because they have a higher multiplier. You might see a family of 8 eating for under $20. Talk to that family, and they will tell you all the other places in town that they can a…

My favorite college food hack was the 1/4 lb Big Bite at 7 Eleven. The one near my house sold them for $1 and had an extensive bar of vegetables in addition to the machine that secreted warm nacho cheese and chili (!!!) out of a bag. My usual setup was onions, tomatoes, sauerkraut, mustard, and a pinch of the cheese and some cilantro if they had any hanging around. If I had to feed a family on the cheap I'd make lent…

O man.. Mine was similar except it was nachos.. It was similar $1 (1999) and I loaded up with jalopenos, onions, chillies and cheeze... that was a good cheap meal

Re: Show HN: CheapFoodMap – A map of good meals under $10

#168

Post by gnopgnip » Thu, Jul 30, 2026, 3:02 AM UTC

mkw5053 wrote: post #11

mft_ wrote: post #7

I love the idea, but a quick glance (randomly at SF) reveals entries that aren't "meals" (IMO, anyway) but rather snacks - like two spring rolls for $8, or a slice of pizza for $5.53. Also, the days of a $1 slice may have (long) gone, but $5.33 for a slice seems median at best, not "cheap". Have you thought about either some guidance, or even a filter, for meal size?

Yeah a quick glance and none of the ones I saw around my office are meals. I'm honestly not sure a $10 meal exists in SF anymore...

El farolito is 9.75 for a big burrito

Saigon sandwich is $5.50 for Bahn mi

Re: Show HN: CheapFoodMap – A map of good meals under $10

#169

Post by jaep1 » Thu, Jul 30, 2026, 3:03 AM UTC

madhacker wrote: post #159

I’d like to see something similar to Spain’s menú del día. Also, please indicate whether guilt-inducing tipping is required. In Dallas, you can eat affordably at any 99 Ranch supermarket hot deli—think Panda Express, but with larger portions and lower cost. You can also get low-cost dim sum items at 99 Ranch. Many Dallas food halls, such as Legacy Hall, are fairly overpriced, so I’d avoid them. The cost at mall food…

Thank you!! Currently, only restaurant was allowed, but I think we need to change it so that groceries are allowed. (like Ranch 99 chinese specials and Ranchero Market 99 cent taco deals.)

weeat! I like that name!

Re: Show HN: CheapFoodMap – A map of good meals under $10

#170

Post by jaep1 » Thu, Jul 30, 2026, 3:04 AM UTC

8bitsrule wrote: post #163

> The map couldn't load. This usually means an ad blocker or privacy extension is blocking Google Maps... > Try disabling blockers for cheapfoodmap.com, Try disabling your goofy expections that I'll spend a minute to learn if your page is worth it.

Wow Thank you, but I don't have any ads running on my page, that's really weird... Let me know if you see any issues!