On Today’s Menu: Cheap Eats

By Valeria Rojas

The holidays are in full swing and when I think about the holidays, one of the first things that comes to mind is all the money I’m going to be spending on gifts. On Today’s Menu, you can buy a meal that is under $5 and it won’t make you feel bad that you chose to spend your last remaining $5 on food.

Walking Distance

First thing on the menu is Four Seasons. This is the best place to get a meal that’s under $5. The combinations are endless because you can get your main dish from the BBQ section. They offer burritos, chicken strips, corn dogs, wings, sandwiches, taquitos, and to make it clear, they are all a tad greasy, but personally that’s what you pay for when you’re balling on a budget. With that main dish, you can get yourself a drink. I recommend the Arizona Teas because it’s no more than a $1. Also, Arizona Teas will last you past lunchtime and there are multiple flavors to choose from. If you want to get a soda instead, Four Seasons offers traditional sodas and sodas in those huge styrofoam cups that you can never finish, so you end up sharing with your friend(s). Since Four Seasons is a gas station, they have chips, candy, ice cream, Gatorade, water bottles and other items you can pick up while you’re there. The service is fast and not a long walking distance from Redwood High School.

Car Ride

The next thing on the menu is obviously fast food. McDonald’s and Taco Bell always have deals that don’t require much money or thought. McDonald’s usually have the two for $5 which is great, but the downside is it doesn’t come with a drink, but you have a Hydro Flask, use it. If you want more variety, then choose from the best part of the whole menu, the Dollar Menu. The Dollar Menu has burgers, sandwiches, fries, pies, breakfast, and any size drink for $1. A full meal on a budget. Taco Bell has the $5 Cravings Box and that is a definite steal because it comes with tacos, a burrito, mini churros, and a drink. Of course, if you want something else then order from their dollar menu. They have different types of tacos, burritos, crunch wraps, and their Taco Bell Freeze drinks that are so full of sugar that you’ll stay awake in your remaining classes. There are other fast food chains, but these two are the best places to go if you have $5 in your wallet.

If all else fails, School Lunch

School lunch is not that bad for three reasons. The first reason is it’s free for everyone. The second reason is it’s easy to access since it’s located on campus, so you don’t have to worry about finding a ride or walking too far to get your lunch. And finally, there’s variety offered. They offer pizza, chicken strips, chicken burgers, and regular cheese burgers. If you don’t want to eat the off brand burgers and pizza, then get a cold sandwich. Even the sandwiches have options. You can get a sandwich with either ham or turkey. They also offer veggie wraps, salads, yogurt parfaits, and burritos. The sides that are offered is veggies, apple slices, a cup of fruit or apple sauce, and mojos. The drinks that are available is milk, chocolate milk, bottled water or apple juice. They even offer food outside the cafeteria in a little concession stand. School food is the way to go if you have no money or you want to save those remaining dollars.

If you have $5 in your pocket, you can get a full meal without going over budget. If you have no cash, then the school cafeteria has you covered. If that doesn’t even satisfy you, then bring a lunch from home because at least you can eat exactly what you want for lunch.