One of the best "local type" places I have found for cheap food is downtown one block off Tulum. If you walk up from the bus station past Sanbourns and take the first street to the right, go one block and it is on the corner in front of the park. I don't know the name or if it even has one. They are only open for lunch, around 1 or 1:30. It is buffet style,with several different entrees and vegetables, some days grilled chicken or meat on the grill at the buffet, aguas and bread. Very clean, always busy with people who work downtown, and all for just 40 pesos. How it is possible I do not know.
Viento's post reminded me of another place we used to go for comida corrida. On Tulum just across the Calinda hotel, going towards Plaza las Americas. Used to go much more frequently until they raised the comida corrida price to 45 pesos. 40 is good, but definitely downtown prices...go just a few blocks outside that range and it's almost never over 35, unless in Mercado 28. And pollo rostizado is always a good bargain!
My favorite cheap lunch downtown is at Los de Pescado, yummy batter-fried fish tacos with interesting salsas (tamarind is one of them). I can get stuffed there and not spend more than $5 usd. Los de Pescado is located on Tulum in the same block as Novedades, it's between Labna and Coba on the west side of Tulum. It's closer to Labna. It's open for lunch but not dinner.
Breakfasts: Vips, 100% Natural, El rincón del vecindario, Toks, Mongoian Garden lunch/dinner La flautería, Mama Romas, mongolian garden, tacolote, la parrilla, el tizonzito, irori,
Thanks Ana, I love La Flauteria. On Wednesday it is 3 for 2. Flautas and drinks are $13 each so on Wed you get a great lunch with drink for $39. For the unwashed it is in Plaza Las Avenidas, which is at the corner of Coba and Yaxchilan. La Flauteria is behind the Pemex.