20 cheap eats for under $20 on Maui

James Patch, owner of the Fish Market in Lahaina, Maui, offers fish, sandwiches and salads for reasonable prices.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Down to Earth in Kahului is a healthful alternative to fast food restaurants in Maui.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

An alternative to the fancy, expensive meals at the Grand Wailea resort is an evening picnic on the beach with a New York-style pizza from Shaka.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

The pupu items at the Grand Wailea resort include onion rings with dipping sauces for $11 and drinks for $12.50.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

The students at the Maui Culinary Academy at Maui Community College prepare a variety of local dishes that customers can buy inexpensively at the college’s food court. Chef Robert Santos runs the program.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

At the Aloha Mixed Plate on Front Street in Lahaina, food is served on paper plates. But the prices and the view are worth its casual approach.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

At CJ’s Deli & Diner in Kaanapali, the Big Cheeseburger Combo for $9.95 is prepared with Maui onions, cheddar cheese and bacon and is served with fries and a soda.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Tokyo Tei, a traditional Japanese restaurant, is a local’s hangout on lower Main Street in Wailuku, Maui. A bowl of noodles can make a filling lunch for $5.50.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

An open-face Mahi Mahi taco for $6.75 is a popular menu item at Jawz Tacos in Kihei. Salsa is served with chips.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Da Kitchen in Kahului and Kihei offers giant portions of comfort food. Its motto is “Home of da world’s biggest plate lunch.”  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Ba Le French Sandwiches & Bakery in Kahului has a mixed cuisine of Hawaiian dishes, Vietnamese soups and French bread sandwiches.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

The Honolua Store Deli in Kapalua sells box lunches and breakfasts to eat on the store’s patio or to take to the beach. The mixed plate lunch special includes char pork, orange chicken, rice and vegetables.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

The Thai Lemongrass Seafood plate is $15.90 at Bangkok Cuisine in Kahului. The restaurant is only a few blocks from the airport and offers meals for under $20.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Scoops is an affordable alternative to expensive desserts. It serves Lappert’s Ice Cream to tourists in Lahaina. The flavors of Heavenly Hana and raspberry sorbet top a fresh waffle cone.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

The Sunrise Cafe is an affordable family-run hole-in-the-wall restaurant near the waterfront in Lahaina. Breakfast is served until 3 p.m., but lunch items arrive after 11 a.m.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Paia Fish Market in Paia serves up fish and chips, burgers and fajitas to travelers on the Hana Highway in Maui. Finding an open table can be difficult.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Serpico’s in Pukalani serves meatballs the size of tennis balls. Everything on the menu is between $6 and $18.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Roy Stillwell serves his Reuben sandwich on freshly baked bread for $8.85 at Stillwell’s Bakery & Cafe in Wailuku.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

The fish and chips at Alexander’s Famous Fish Co. in Kihei are $10.95. There are also fish tacos, sandwiches, salads, shrimp, fried chicken and ribs  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)