It’s late and you’re on a budget. You want to head into Evanston but the trek from North Campus into town isn’t all that appealing at 11:27 p.m., especially when you should probably be reading for that class you have neglected. Instead of leaving your stomach empty and unhappy, take your meal equivalency plan to the Great Room and get some late night snackage. Here are just a couple of combinations that can nab you a pretty decent meal while still staying just around budget.
Option 1: If you’re feeling Dave’s Italian Kitchen
Cheese Pizza $4.49
Onion Rings $1.79
Total $6.28
Your stomach will be pleased once you coat it with this cheesy and fried combination. It may not be the healthiest late night option, but it’s probably one of the more filling ones. With the well-portioned pizza and serving of onion rings, hunger won’t be back for a while. You can even save part of your pizza for later and warm it up if you can’t finish it in one sitting. Add a meat topping for an additional 99 cents or a veggie one for 49 cents.
Option 2: If you’re feeling Dixie Kitchen
Fried Chicken Sandwich + Sauce $5.49
House-made Chips $1.79
Total $7.28
Although this duo is not the beloved Dixie Kitchen, nuCuisine does southern food justice, especially if you choose to smother your sandwich in BBQ sauce. This meal might cost a bit over the meal equivalence, however, the large amount of food is well worth the extra 68 cents. After sinking your teeth into the sandwich, you’ll surely want to bring out the banjo and sing with pleasure.
Option 3: If you’re feeling Five Guys
¼ lb. Ground Beef $3.79
1 Cheese $0.49
2 Toppings $0.98
Total $5.26
The Great Room beats Fran’s Café in trying to mimic Five Guys by having full-sized burgers on its menu, while Fran’s only has pint-sized sliders. The burger itself might not fill you, so it’s up to you whether or not you want to order some fries and pay a little extra. The customizable options also let you pick up to four regular toppings and unlimited premium toppings such as guacamole and bacon (premium toppings are 99 cents each, however).
Option 4: If you’re feeling Clarke’s
6 Cheese Sticks & Marinara $4.49
Soup of the Day $3.25
Total $7.74
Again, the price of this meal may be a bit over your equivalency value, but the two are quite a delicious pairing. It’s comfort food at its best – nice warm soup to coat your stomach and heavy carbs to layer on top. You can even use the cheese sticks to dip into your soup. Be sure to check out the soup menu beforehand, because the option depends on the day of week.
Option 5: If you’re feeling Panera Bread
Half Meat Panini & Soup $6.50
Total $6.50
This may be the most cost effective option on the menu. For how overpriced the paninis get, you’re able to try one while still getting a homey cup of soup. Also, this deal is pretty much a doppelganger of the one at Panera. Forget walking all the way down to Church when you can just get your Panera fix here.
Generally, the selections at the Great Room are a bit more expensive than the ones at Fran’s Café; however, they are also larger. You may find it a bit more difficult to stay under $6.60, but if you’re smart, you won’t have to spend too much more out of your own pocket. Also, check out the weekly specials, which are amazing deals.