Although the dorm cafeterias do offer lots of choices, there are plenty of times when they are closed, or students are aching for some "real" pizza and burgers. Here are some of East Lansing's cheapest eats - yummy meals for about $6.
Breakfast
1. Tony's Restaurant
350 Albert Ave.
• For an early-morning meal, Tony's offers all sorts of diner breakfast fare - like omelets, pancakes and breakfast sandwiches. Later in the day, get a grilled cheese ($2.90) or BLT ($4.75).
• Try: Eggs, hash browns and toast ($3.65) and coffee ($.95)
• Total without tax and tip: $4.60
2. Bruegger's Bagels
505 E. Grand River Ave.
• There are tons of different kinds of bagels to choose from here, like pumpernickel and sesame seed. The bagels are made daily and often served still warm. Try some of Bruegger's fair trade coffee - hazelnut is good with a little sugar and cream.
• Try: Toasted everything bagel with garden vegetable cream cheese ($1.99) and medium coffee ($1.49)
• Total without tax and tip: $3.48
3. Espresso Royale Caffe
527 E. Grand River Ave.
• Grab a take-out coffee drink, like a soy chai, or try one of their many flavors of loose tea, like oolong or lemon zing ting. The muffins and Danish pastries also are worth a taste.
• Try: Wednesday's any-size $2 lattes
• Total without tax and tip: $2
Lunch
4. The Peanut Barrel Restaurant
521 E. Grand River Ave.
• The Barrel offers the best hamburgers in town, probably due to the grilled bun and juicy burger. Other popular items include the Rodeo burger, a bacon cheeseburger ($4.20), or the turkey melt ($4.45).
• Try: Cheddar-cheese baby burger on white and French fries ($3.55 and $.45 for cheese) plus pop ($1.50)
• Total without tax and tip: $5.50
5. Woody's Oasis
211 E. Grand River Ave.
• Many different kinds of Mediterranean cuisine are offered at Woody's downtown location. Check out the lunch specials or go for a quick dinner, try the $1.99 falafel sandwich on Wednesdays after 4 p.m.
• Try: Vegetarian sandwich combo (eggplant or tabouli are good), served with salad (try the yogurt salad) or hummus and pop ($5.49)
• Total without tax and tip: $5.49
6. Iggy's
623 E. Grand River Ave.
• Not only does Iggy's have sandwiches, but it also offers an impressive selection of Stroh's ice cream, with a generous scoop starting at $.95. You can build your own sandwich or order one of Iggy's specials, like the Rocky Reuben served on marble rye bread ($4.25).
• Try: Turkey and cheddar on a Kaiser roll ($3.95) or make it a combo for $1.15 extra and get a side salad or chips and a drink
• Total without tax and tip: $5.10
Dinner
7. Flats Grille
551 E. Grand River Ave.
• Flats offers a variety of foods, from pierogies to its signature sandwich, the flat - a sort of quesadilla with cheese and your choice of assorted fillings, starting at $3.49. Check out daily specials for an inexpensive and filling meal, like Wednesday's nacho special, served with medium drink for $3.99.
• Try: Monday's three-taco special (beef, bean or both) and medium drink ($2.99)
• Total without tax and tip: $2.99
8. Panchero's Mexican Grill
125 E. Grand River Ave.
• If you're in a hurry for some Mexican food, try this restaurant with various locations in the Lansing area. The tortillas are fresh and the guacamole and variety of salsas are delicious.
• Try: Grilled vegetable quesadilla ($4.50) and pop ($1.20)
• Total without tax and tip: $5.70
9. Sushi-Ya
124 W. Grand River Ave.
• There are many sushi places in East Lansing, but Sushi-Ya offers the best quality and quantity for a tight budget. Choose from a variety of rolls, like the all-American California roll or, for a die-hard experience, try the spicy tuna roll. Their salads also are tasty (and large) and are covered in delicious, zingy ginger dressing.
• Try: Avocado salad ($4.95) and pop ($1.25)
• Total without tax and tip: $6.20
Late night
10. Rice Kitchen
551 E. Grand River Ave. (behind Flats Grille)
• Wednesday through Saturday, Rice Kitchen stays open until 4 a.m. and will deliver in the East Lansing area until 3:30 a.m. Lunch specials are inexpensive, about $5, and include rice, appetizer, soup and main course, such as General Tso's Chicken (total combo $5.35). But it's the 2 a.m. sweet and sour pork delivery that you'll really be thankful for.
• Try: Hot and sour soup ($1.25), beef fried rice ($3.50) and pop ($1.35)
• Total without tax and tip: $6.10
11. Georgio's Gourmet Pizza
120 Charles St.
• There are two Georgio's locations in East Lansing, one downtown and the other on Grand River Avenue. The downtown location is open until 3 a.m. and offers pizza by the slice, from classic pepperoni and cheese to the more exotic black bean pizza.
• Try: Potato and bacon pizza with sour cream ($3.25) and pop ($1.25)
• Total without tax and tip: $4.50
12. Bells Greek Pizza
225 M.A.C. Ave.
• Bells has two locations and both are open until 4 a.m, but it's the M.A.C. Avenue location that's closest to East Lansing's late-night distractions. The restaurant has many kinds of food, from spinach pie ($1.89) to 6-inch grinders ($3.99), but the main attraction of the late-night Bells experience is a slice of pepperoni or cheese pizza and pop.
• Try: Slice of cheese or pepperoni pizza ($.94) and pop ($.94)
• Total without tax and tip: $1.88
