Cheap Food

Cheap Food, to some it means, "I have one dollar, what can I buy?" To still others it means, "If I buy something, will I get a good value for my money?" We'll look at both questions below (Also see Lunch Specials). In addition, see Discounts and Freebies, Living Cheaply, Potluck, and Recipes for cheap homemade options.

See Free Food

• Chipotle - Rice filled burritos are $0.70 (recently increased from $0.59).
  

• Del Taco - 99¢ Chicken soft tacos. EVERY Tuesday night from 3-11pm, buy 3 regular (crispy or soft) tacos for only 99¢.
  

• Dollar Stores - Often expired, but heavily discounted, yogurt. Many of these in Sacramento.
  

• Dollar Tree - Everything's just a dollar! Plus tax. Mondos cost $1.24 including tax because of California plastic taxes. Also check out the refrigerated and frozen section in the back.
  

• Donuts - you can almost always get a bunch of donut holes on the cheap for under a buck! Nutrition?? Bah!! This is America goddammit! We eat what we want.
  

• Gardening - Cheap, assuming you have the time, land, seeds, tools, and knowledge.
  

• Grocery Outlet - The cheapest place around for drinks. 20oz. bottles are 2/$1, and some sodas are 6/$1.
  

• Jack in the Box - Chicken sandwich or breakfast sandwich for 99¢ — add 37¢ to add on toasted sourdough. Also two tacos for 99¢.
  

• Kim's Mart - $0.50 for a highly recommended Melon-flavored popsicle. (for those of you with a sweet tooth)
  

• Nugget - Like other grocery stores, has cheap ($.69) bagels, fairly high quality. Grab a few free olives from the bar, too. Cup-of-Soups are only $0.38, as well - any college student should be able to live off these. Also at the Chinese food bar an Egg Foo Yung with gravy is only 99¢! It's enough for a meal. Potstickers, though much less filling, are 50¢.
  

• Rite Aid - Home of Thrifty Ice Cream - always 99 cents for a single scoop in a cup or on a cone. Its watery.
  

• Supermarkets - Always more for the value than fast food.
  

• Taqueria Davis - Thursday "Happy Hour" 8pm-9pm. $1 tacos and beers.
  

• Wendy's - Dine in open till 10pm, drive-through open till 2am. It's all about the 99¢ menu — 99¢ nuggets, 99¢ fries, 99¢ frosties
  

  you get the picture.

• Chipotle - You can order the tacos individually, $1.99 each. If you ask for extra tomato & corn salsa, it ends up being a very filling - and tasty- $2. Add the $.55 side of rice from above and you're golden.
  

• Crepeville House Potatoes - $2.25 A generous serving of house potatoes, more than enough for a meal.
  

• El Paisano Taco Truck - best Mexican food around Davis. $1.00 tacos and horchata all the time (thats including tax)
  

• El Mariachi's Tortilla Soup - $1.99 It tastes excellent and isn't small.
  

• Grocery Stores - Just eat some TV dinners. Various brands give you a full - if not huge - meal for sub-$2.00, and pot pies range from $0.89 to maybe three dollars. You can also get them at Longs.
  

• Guadalajara's Breakfast Specials - $1.99 breakfast burrito ($1 for each extra burrito!), includes rice, beans, and they put any of their meats into their burritos. Includes a drink (soda or coffee).
  

• In-N-Out - Anything at In-N-Out. ($1.29 to $3-ish). Try ordering from the In-N-Out Secret Menu — it makes you feel like you're getting added value. If you order your fries "Extra Crispy", they tend to give you a larger serving.
  

• Sunrise Restaurant - Big (but lightweight) Vietnamese sandwiches for $2.44 (tax included)
  

• Subway - Daily Special, $2.49 for a 6 inch sandwich of the day. Look for coupons to get a 6 inch sub free.
  

• Village Bakery - large sourdough and French baguettes for $1.00-$2.00 each. Many specialty breads $2.
  

• Most fast food restaurants have some kind of value menu

• Davis Noodle City - For $4.95 you can get a big plate of cold noodles and veggies drenched in delicious sesame sauce.
  

• Farmer's Kitchen Cafe Organic Guatemalan Black Bean Soup Small 3.50 (to go is 2.50) Large 4.95 (to go is 4.25).
  

• Guadalajara The 3-foot super giant burrito is enough to feed a normal human for a few days. Even a run-of-the-mill large burrito should hold you for a couple of meals.
  

• Hunan's Lunch Specials - Don't call it authentic, but call it a good deal. Lunch specials start at $4.25 for rice (fried or steamed), pan fried noodles, hot tea, a cream cheese wanton, your choice of meat or veggie entree, and really lemony ice-water. -jr 10% off for all food to go.
  

• Kim's Mart 18 piece kim bap (Korean sushi roll) is only $2.99. The 21 piece California roll, 21 piece Korean bbq beef roll, 21 piece vegetarian kim bap (avocado instead of imitation crap) or 21 piece tuna salad roll (surprisingly good) is only $3.99.
  

• Nugget - $3.99 Rice Bowls are huge. *Note* The Nugget has discontinued the half price Chinese for at least the near future - so no more late night left-overs. Guess they just throw it all away. However, there is frequently one or two items on sale, with which you can get a Rice Bowl for $2.99. You can also usually pick up a quality pre-made salad here for $1.50 - $4.00; the Caesar Salads are the best bargain.
  

• Noodle Express - $3.49 or so for chicken fried rice. Comes in a to-go box, but they really pack it in there. Tastes great, and almost enough for 2 meals.
  

• Pluto's Small Salad - Only $3.95, fully customizable, and big enough for a meal. Add chicken or flank steak for $1 more. Also, the side dishes are $2 each.
  

• Taco trucks tend to have inexpensive food
  

• Safeway - The $5.00 salads are huge, and not bad - the Cobb is especially recommended.
  

• Village Bakery $5.50 lunch special, which includes a big slice of their brick-oven baked pizza (delicious), plus a salad and a drink.

• Costco - Among the lowest prices anywhere for anything, provided you want a large amount. For people with big pantries.
  

• Food 4 Less - Food at "warehouse" pricing.
  

• Grocery Outlet
  

• Sam's Club - A wanna-be-Costco. More focused on the small business (c-stores, hotels, etc.) set.
  

• WinCo - Great for bulk foods and if you're into making stuff from scratch.

• Cheap Cooking — Stretch what you buy from grocery stores.
  

• Once a month cooking — Save time and money by buying and cooking in bulk.