It can be difficult to choose something easy, filling, and inexpensive to eat on campus in between classes. As a freshman who’s lived in an on-campus dorm for the whole year, I’ve become very familiar with Seminole Dining. I’ve tried nearly every restaurant on campus and figured out what I like and what’s worth the money.
These are my favorite inexpensive meals to eat when I’m stuck on campus.
- Panera Bread: Asiago Bagel Stack
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If you have classes near the Student Union, stop into Panera and try this limited-time sandwich.
The Asiago Bagel Stack has three delicious options: Spicy Steak, Chicken Roma, and Zesty Tuscan. The sandwich is sizable and comes with a side of chips, so you’ll only spend $9 on a meal that will keep you full for the night! While Panera is typically a little pricey, this deal is worth it. This sandwich is consistently my go-to pick!
- Pollo Tropical: Chicken Caesar Wrap
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Pollo Tropical offers an underrated, affordable meal that I always feel like eating. Their Chicken Caesar Wrap is delicious and reasonable. The wrap alone is $7, and the wrap and fries are $10 — the perfect girl dinner.
The wrap comes with your choice of grilled or crispy chicken and an array of different dressings, my favorite being the cilantro-garlic. The Union is a perfect place to eat something good before studying.
- Joe Mama’s Pizza
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Another meal that never fails is Joe Mama’s Pizza in 1851. I usually order the 10-inch Pollo pizza, which is like a pesto flatbread.
This pizza serves as two meals in one, so you can eat half for lunch and the other half for dinner. The price is reasonable at $11, which is pretty good considering that it’s fresh pizza. I love to order my pizza, and if it’s a nice day, I find a seat outside as I wait for my next class or do homework.
- Einstein Bros. Bagels
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Next up, we have Einstein’s Bagels. This is super convenient if you have a class near the Health and Wellness Center and need a quick breakfast before starting a busy day.
My order consists of an Asiago bagel with veggie cream cheese and twice-baked hash browns, rounding out to a $7 meal. Be aware of the long lines that pile up between classes. Luckily, Einstein’s accepts mobile orders through the Garnet & Go app, and they are usually ready quickly. So, if you’re running late — which I always am — Einstein Bros. is a great option.
- Chick-fil-A
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Lastly, we have a classic: Chick-fil-A. If you have fine arts classes, Chick-fil-A is the most convenient dining location. Or, if you’re at Strozier Library and need a break, you can walk over in seconds.
I order an eight-count nugget meal with large fries and a Powerade or Diet Coke if I need to stay awake. This ends up being around $10. I like to eat outside and do homework or study while waiting for my next class. Chick-fil-A is an affordable, straightforward meal that most will enjoy.
If you’re wondering what to eat on campus, refer to this list. While it can be hard to spend money on food sometimes, these meals are worth your money. As exams come up and we spend more time on campus, I hope these meals give you some options!
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