COOK YOURSELF
If you are doing a more long-term stay, it might save you money in the long run to cook for yourself. Often times, it is much cheaper than eating out.
BUFFETS
While certainly not as fancy as the $100/head places where champagne flows freely and oysters abound, the $10-$15 joints will almost assuredly keep you full for at the least, a half day. These establishments are good places to carb up and often give you the most bang for your buck.
NEW RESTAURANTS & LUNCH SPECIAL
In a bigger city, it’s not unheard of that you might get a free meal as a way to get customers in the door for new cities. This might take some time and luck in order to find these deals, but once in a while, it’s a nice surprise. You can also always sample nice restaurant’s lunch specials as they are often the same meals that are served at dinner except for much less the price.