Portland, OR + Add a trip

Great Lebanese and Middle-Eastern food and great prices at Nicholas Restaurant. Be sure to order the big bread (a monster flat bread--great for dipping in hummus, or scooping up your falafel.) Bring cash, as Nicholas doesn't accept cards. The meat mezza is phenomenal, but "mezza for one" can actually feed two.

on a weekday? there are ample carts all over portland. if you're on the west side, there's SW 5th and Stark, also SW 10th and Alder. Lots of great cheap food.

Hoda's Middle Eastern Cuisine on SE 34th & Belmont is another affordable lunch spot. Her dad runs Nicholas's, which is mentioned in another recommendation for this question.

India Chaat House on the eastbound Max line downtown. 5 dollars for a full meal of the best Indian you'll ever have!

It is the golden age of Portland sandwiches: Bunk on the eastside, Kenny & Zukes at the Ace Hotel, Meat Cheese Bread on 14th & SE Stark, Kenny & Zuke's Sandwichworks at 24th & Thurman, Tributes on NW 23rd, and many more.

Alder Street Carts on 9th and Alder Street in Downtown Portland. My favorite is The Whole Bowl, which makes delicious vegetarian rice and bean bowls filled with avocado, salsa, cheese and other delicious things. Check out http://www.foodcartsportland.com/ to check out other carts. Most food is around 5-6 bucks.