Cheap Eats
Meal Plan: Dining on a College Kid Budget
For the students among us, the best cheap eats near St. Thomas, UH and Rice.
Lunch for less than $5 at Cream Burger
Image: Katharine Shilcutt
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
Cream Burger
What to get: cheeseburger + Frito pie + root beer float
What to bring: $4.75 in cash, loose clothing
Old Fashion Hamburgers
What to get: Big Baby cheeseburger + fries
What to bring: $9.20, a friend to split it
La Reynera Bakery
What to get: chorizo breakfast taco + bacon breakfast taco + coffee + empanada
What to bring: $5, willpower
Green Seed Vegan
What to get: buckwheat burger all the way + dill fries
What to bring: $8, your vegan friends
Luigi’s Pizzeria
What to get: slice of cheese + slice of meat lovers + gelato
What to bring: $9.25, your dog
Morning magic at BB's Cafe in Montrose
Image: Courtesy of BB's Cafe
UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS
Aladdin Mediterranean Cuisine
What to get: lamb gyro + garlic potatoes
What to bring: $9, a pack of gum
La Guadalupana
What to get: breakfast torta + almond croissant + café de olla
What to bring: $9, a breakfast date
BB’s Cafe
What to get: Cajun Cowboy breakfast burrito + coffee
What to bring: $7, that term paper you need to finish at 3 a.m.
Al’s Quick Stop
What to get: beef fajita taco + chicken shawarma
What to bring: $8, a few extra bucks for a beer next door at Rudyard’s
Auntie Chang’s Dumpling House
What to get: spring rolls + shrimp dumplings
What to bring: $8.25, a bib
Bring your crispest newspaper for the patio at Sweet Paris
Image: Courtesy of Sweet Paris
RICE UNIVERSITY
Thai Spice
What to get: all-you-can-eat lunch buffet
What to bring: $10, a second stomach
Istanbul Grill
What to get: lahmacun + Turkish apple tea + baklava
What to bring: $8, sunglasses, a good book
Sweet Paris
What to get: French breakfast plate + espresso
What to bring: $8.25, a crisp newspaper
El Meson
What to get: picadillo + rice + beans + plantains
What to bring: $10, a lunch date
Pinewood Café
What to get: Build-your-own grilled cheese + tater tots
What to bring: $8, a picnic blanket
