5 cheap weekday meals in Columbia
With limited time between classes and often a limited budget to live on, college students – who are returning to classes in coming days – often need to find a quick bite out at a good price.
Fortunately in Columbia, that doesn’t mean always eating at fast-food restaurants.
There are plenty of local eateries that offer weekday meal deals and food made from fresh, quality and, yes, even healthy, ingredients.
We’ve pulled together a sampling – enough to try one a day, Monday through Friday. And at these prices, these lunch deals will appeal not only to students but to anyone looking for a great weekday deal.
White Duck Taco Shop
Returning students and locals welcomed White Duck Taco Shop to the Olympia neighborhood in February and quickly developed an appreciation for the Asheville-based restaurant’s lunch specials. In addition to the Taco Tuesday special of buy one, get one taco with purchase of any drink, White Duck offers two tacos and a drink for just $7 from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday.
612 Whaley St. www.whiteducktacoshop.com
Publico Kitchen and Tap
Monday through Friday, fans of Publico’s tacos can get two tacos and one side for $10. In addition, on Mondays, a list of select tacos are available for just $2 each. A side note: the carnitas taco with slowly braised pork and the cilantro lime shrimp are customer favorites.
2013 Greene St. www.publicokitchenandtap.com
Dano’s Pizza
Columbia pizza lovers have headed to Dano’s for lunch for more than a decade, where from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. every day of the week, they can grab a soft drink and two large, plate-spilling slices of cheese pizza and a soft drink for just $3.99 (toppings are extra).
3008 Rosewood Drive. www.danosdelivers.com
Salty Nut Cafe
With a Five Points location near the University of South Carolina campus, Salty Nut Cafe draws students every day of the week but, perhaps more so on Wednesday when the restaurant holds Wing Night. After 6 p.m., diners can choose unlimited wings in seven sauces (such as the honey Thai or Buffalo) and four rubs (including Cajun and lemon pepper) at only 60 cents per wing. Most stick around until 8 p.m. for trivia night.
2000A Greene St. www.saltynut.com
Moe’s Southwest Grill
If you hear the trademark “Welcome to Moe’s” yelled at you on a Monday, chances are you’re there for the Moe Monday deal – a burrito, chips, salsa and a drink for $6.49. The deal includes any of Moe’s burritos – including the popular “Homewrecker” and “Joey Bag of Donuts” – and chicken, ground meat or tofu (for steak or pork add 70 cents).
625 Main St. (downtown/university location)
This story was originally published August 10, 2016 at 4:31 PM with the headline "5 cheap weekday meals in Columbia."