Meals from CZK 39: Food stand brings comfort to Prague's budget-conscious

Lunch prices are surging across Czechia, with the average midday meal in Prague now running more than CZK 200. But some Prague residents are finding relief at a food stand offering affordable meals and attracting long queues despite its location off the beaten path.

The family-owned business known simply as Výprodej hotových jídel Praha (Ready-made meals for sale in Prague) has become a popular stop for people seeking hearty meals at prices that harken back to decades ago.

Located by the Institute of History of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague 9, the stand’s menu advertises soups starting at just CZK 5 and main dishes from CZK 39, serving up fresh-cooked meals in take-away boxes.

The stand’s success is evident, with customers arriving as early as 7 a.m., lining up for a meal before work. Despite the low prices, the food is freshly prepared, and the business has found a way to keep costs low while maintaining quality.

The food stand operates as part of a family-owned business based in Chomutov, with long-standing suppliers that help keep food costs down. The stand's operator, Josef Darvaš, explains that their pricing model is designed to support customers during challenging times while maintaining a sustainable business.

Despite offering food at a fraction of the cost one might expect in the capital, the food is fresh, with the company preparing the meals daily in Chomutov before shipping to Prague. Up to 1,000 meals are sold daily from the food stand.

"At first, of course, everyone who saw how much we were selling the food for didn't believe it," Darvaš recently told Novinky.cz, reflecting on initial skepticism from customers about the low prices.

"People said we were cooking from leftovers or that we were bringing it in from restaurants, but we've convinced them that's not the case. The food is freshly cooked every day. The vast majority of people are satisfied with it."

The meals, including soups, meat dishes, and desserts, are prepared in advance, frozen, and transported daily. The stand’s most popular items are classic Czech dishes such as svíčková (beef with creamy sauce), goulash, and buchtičky (sweet buns) with cream.

While the stand's simple, no-frills presentation doesn’t offer an upscale dining experience, the affordability and variety have made it a local favorite. Customers are often seen loading up their takeaway boxes with multiple meals, which can last for several days.

"I come here once a week. It’s affordable, and I can buy enough to feed my family," one customer, who purchases meals for the week to save time on cooking, told Novinky.cz.

In addition to the low prices, the stand's menu changes regularly, ensuring variety while keeping costs manageable. The response from customers has been overwhelmingly positive, and many hope that more similar food stands will pop up across the city.

"Our family was one of the first in the Czech Republic to start producing shock-frozen meals, and we deliver meals to individuals, such as seniors, as well as to companies, institutions, schools, and canteens," Darvaš told iDnes.cz last year.

"About forty employees cook thousands of meals, eight of whom are family members. The company is led by my father, but my mother, brother, and cousin also work here. Basically, we've involved everyone."

Interested in trying the ready-made meals yourself? Check out the Výprodej hotových jídel Praha Facebook page, where a full menu is posted daily. The stand is open on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., but arrive early as many meals sell out well before noon.