A popular hangout for students, musicians and artists, Bongo Java became world famous with its 1996 discovery of "The Nun Bun," a cinnamon bun that looks like Mother Teresa. Locals and tourists alike have been coming back ever since for the all-day breakfast and java, which Rachael calls delicious.

What began as a diner with a $3.50 pancake, egg and sausage special has become a "fine diner" serving lunch and dinner specials with local produce and an extensive wine and beer menu. Tally's keeps with tradition, so you can still save money like Rachael and order the original Special Breakfast.

Head to Paddy O'Neill's, located at the Hotel Alex Johnson, where Rachael stayed during her visit to Rapid City, S.D., for a $5 lunch special, dinner or pint of craft beer. The menu includes a variety of Irish and Midwestern classics while the bar offers entertainment from local bands and a jukebox.

At this perfect spot for casual fine dining in Rapid City, S.D., Chef M.J. Adams uses organic, locally sourced ingredients to create a menu of small and large plates that change seasonally. Rachael recommends a bowl of soup with a small plate and salad for "an amazing gourmet meal" on a budget.

Rachael Ray visits Fjord's Ice Cream Factory in Rapid City, SD, home to Mount Rushmore, where they dish out dessert and unusual ice cream flavors, on Food Network's $40 a Day.

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The site of Rapid City's first fire department and the first brewery in South Dakota, the Firehouse Brewing Company specializes in craft beers. Watch the brewing in action, then try the Gorgonzola Ale Soup or Firehouse Favorite Gumbo, which Rachael calls "extra spicy and so good."

To taste the funky and weird side of Austin, Rachael gets a local tip to visit Maria's Taco Xpress with its bright murals and good cheap eats. Rachael ordered the popular migas breakfast tacos, but for dinner, it's all about the pollo guisado chicken tacos made with a smoky chipotle sauce.

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Known for its high-class ambiance, Dragonfly restaurant, located in Dallas's Hotel ZaZa, serves modern American cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you just want to dip your toe in the luxe decor, Rachael recommends ordering something modest like an appetizer or dessert.

To locals, you can rely on Water Street Seafood Co. for fresh seafood, with the daily fish specials and waterside location to prove it. Many dishes draw on the rich, comforting flavors of nearby Mexico and Louisiana. After sifting through the huge menu, Rachael went for the Seafood Pasta Jambalaya.

On Food Network's $40 a Day, Rachael Ray grabs a quick bite from Laffite's, in Corpus Christi, TX, serving a juicy Jerk Pork Sandwich and many more BBQ dishes.

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Andy's Kitchen is "a friendly place," serving a downhome menu of made-from-scratch meals since 1951. Though it offers all the usual breakfasts, Andy's adds a Tex-Mex twist by using tortillas and ranchero sauce. Do as the loyal regulars do: snag a booth, sip a coffee and relish the reasonable prices.

Rachael Ray gears up for island-style grilling at Cafe Josie, in Austin, TX, on Food Network's $40 a Day.