#VicCommuterHacks: Top 8 Campus Cheap Eats
Forgot your lunch? Not feeling this week’s menu at Ned’s? Your Vic Commuter Don team has you covered with this list of our go-to delicious and affordable food options on and near campus! You can find a map of all of the restaurants at the end of this article.
1. Crimson Teas
Jane: “This Spadina cafe is one of my favourite go-to spots for studying, cheap eats, and great conversations. The owner is super friendly and makes the best green tea noodle dishes that are both healthy and delicious. My favourite dish is the $6 tomato and egg green tea noodle bowl! It’s a huge portion of scrumptious food for a great price.”
2. New Generation Sushi
Saambavi: “‘Cheap campus eats’ is a bit of an oxymoron, especially when it comes to sushi, but New Generation’s lunch specials are reasonably priced while containing sizable portions of good food. It’s particularly great for vegetarians — the ‘create your own sushi combo’ lunch special includes seven vegetarian options.”
3. Harvest Noon
Victoria: “Harvest Noon is a largely volunteer-run cafe/co-op on the second floor of the Graduate Students’ Union building and is a great place to get an affordable and healthy lunch that is locally sourced. They have a continually changing menu which typically includes soups and salads that are vegetarian or vegan. All of their menu items are $5 or less, and they are cash-only.”
4. El Furniture Warehouse
James: “Who can go wrong with an everything for $5 menu? There are options for everyone, and some options are pretty healthy, but they also have mac and cheese and caramelized onion rings. Their proportions are so worth it for $5 (plus tax).”
5. Mother’s Dumplings
Karen: “The proportions for their signature dumplings are not the largest, but for their delicious quality taste, I find them well worth the price! For 12 pieces of boiled dumplings, the prices range from $7.99 — $10.55. For 10 pieces of steamed dumplings, the prices range from $9.40 — $10.25. My favourite items are the Vegetarian Chives & Noodles, and the Shrimp, Egg & Chives dumplings. I got the most bang for my buck by eating with 1–2 friends, ordering an assortment of items for us to share, and splitting the bill. We were full just by eating dumplings alone! All larger entree items are priced no more than $11.95.”
6. Pig Out BBQ
Samantha: “Pig Out BBQ on Spadina is a great place to go for delicious barbecue! Specials come in huge portions, and are usually under $10 before tax. The food is delicious and their mac and cheese is an awesome side. Located across the street from the Athletic Centre and a short walk from Robarts, it’s a great place to treat yourself post-workout (whether it was physical or mental)!”
7. Yummy Korean Food
Liam: “Located just west of Bathurst and Bloor, this family-style Korean restaurant has very nice portions and a delicious variety of classic Korean food for under $10.”
8. Sushi House
Sam: “Located just outside of St. Patrick station, I’ve always encountered a divide when it came to people’s opinions about Sushi House. Their $5.99 special for 16 rolls (you get to choose two kinds) and a drink has been a cheap lifesaver to me many, many times — I’ve always found myself satisfyingly full to the stomach and the wallet afterwards, but some picky sushi aficionados may not feel the same way. They now have a $6.99 sushi burrito that I’ve heard is huge and filling as well, so if you’re craving cheap sushi, Sushi House is the place for you!”
What are your favourite cheap eats on or near campus? Tweet @viccommdons with the hashtag #viccommuterhacks, or comment on our Facebook post!
