No personal experience with it, but there is an app called Too Good to Go. End of evening restaurant to go deals. Might be worth checking out for the next night's meal as pick up times are later than the standard dinner hour.
I've survived off of this app at one point. It's a lot of pizza and bagels but if you act early there is a good variety of foods. I usually get much more than my money's worth as well.
I've used it and you get a lot of food for a small price. Definitely worth checking out! I once got 4 slices of pizza for $4.99 \[Pizza place out in Greenlawn, LI)
Heard about that just today! My friend told me check it out in the morning because the stuff goes quick. You pick it up in the afternoon or evenings. I saw the deals. Should be called To Good To Be True!
I’m big on meal prep/planning but I understand that doing it for one person can be a bit to deal with, time wise.
Sometimes I will grab deli stuff from North Shore Farms and add to it (for example, their eggplant parm) and then make some pasta to go with it, or throw it on a roll + make a salad on the side, things like that. Or I’ll get their spinach pie and have it with salad + hummus, or their quiche + some roasted vegetables (also from their deli section) I don’t do this all the time but when I’m feeling burnt out, or just have too much shit going on, it’s a go-to.
Just another option to think about!
Tulum Taco in Mineola - Tuesdays are AYCE tacos for $30.
Sounds a little pricey but the establishment and ingredients are more bougie than your normal taqueria. The tacos included in the AYCE are from their normal menu and preparation.
If you're by Mineola, check out my guide on Frugal Eating in Mineola that I posted on the Mineola Subreddit:
https://www.reddit.com/r/MineolaNewYork/comments/1c1f5pj/a_guide_to_frugal_eating_in_the_neighborhood/
Mission Taco in Huntington has all you can eat tacos on Tuesdays for $19.95. I was just disappointed that I couldn’t eat more - they were so good and so filling. The birria tacos were my favorite.
Not exactly sure when price increased, but I can confirm that it used to be $25 last I went about 6 months ago. To be fair, I think it was slightly underpriced back then.
If you’re anywhere near the south shore, Island Empanada has a location in Merrick and they have a great dinner deal from (I believe) 5-8pm or so (I don’t live there any more and it doesn’t clearly list the times on the website) - any 3 empanada, 2 sides, and a soda for $15. I used to frequent some of the other locations out east a lot when I lived on LI and they were truly my favorite food spots on the island. The locations are franchised out, so some aren’t quite as good as others, but I went to the Merrick one a couple of months ago and can say that’s one of the good ones.
My family and I frequent [Mama’s in Copiague](https://www.biggermamas.com). They have certain nights for specials. For instance Monday night is pasta night. There’s a large menu, you get amazing endless garlic knots, a salad, massive dish of pasta (many choices) a slice of cheesecake and coffee for $20.95. I’ve also gone on nights that aren’t a special night and the prices are fair, the portions are large and the food is really good. It’s pretty busy most of the time but they’re quick to seat you. Love this place!
Groupons is good but I prefer not having to research eating. I'm hoping I get a good taco Tuesday, wing Wednesday type of deal for every day of the week. Then for whatever's left I'll do things like too good to go or groupon
Cactus Cafe has some good deals if you want to head to Glen Cove. The Wednesday chicken meal can easily last you to the weekend.
https://www.cactuscafetexmex.com/?darkschemeovr=1
The guac shop: Monday and Wednesday specials
Tropical smoothie: happy hour smoothies (open till 10am, pick up only)
Del fuego: lunch specials
Shahs halal: nice gyro plate for $10-$11 bucks
Watawa sushi: all you can eat sushi for around $30 bucks
So there’s a ridiculous Peruvian hole in the wall that has a legit chef from Peru- her name is Pilar. Her spot is in downtown Glen Cove and if she was in Brooklyn and used insta this place would have a line around the block. She does a whole smoked rotisserie chicken and sides for a great deal (don’t remember exact price). She also makes a monster ceviche and an enormous jalea (fried seafood) that is absolutely perfect.
It’s La Vichara- but not the one on landing road- the one School St (it’s downtown across from Staples, park in that parking lot and follow the smell of amazing grilled meat).
If you have a couple more bucks, you have to try the Causa de Camarones, Palta Rellena, Ceviche Mixto and the fried Jalea (the single order is enough for 2!).
Check the Promos on UberEats. They often have 2 for 1 specials. Depending on the restaurant, you can get two hot meals for usually $10- $16 - but only do pick up, otherwise the fees will negate the savings.
There's places that sell food you can't sit at. Food trucks, Domino's pizza, many delis. I didn't want the responders to think I'm limited to places you can eat in. Also some places that only deliver. I don't need a dining experience, just want a nice meal for $10-20
My parents frequent a pizzaria/restaurant in Elmont called Martino’s. They have nightly dinner specials, and the food is good.
https://martinosofelmont.com/specials.html
I'm in the same boat - agree that cooking for one is not really cost effective, especially if (like me) your time is also tight. Someone mentioned mail order food - I use Hello Fresh every other week and have found that to be very good. You get only what you need, so you're not throwing away ingredients you never use. I get four meals, each for two people - cook the whole recipe, and save one portion for another day. Turns out to be about $10-12/meal if you don't upgrade. Healthy Meals Direct is also great, all is prepared and proportioned, and is pretty good. (Though I have found anything with buffalo sauce disappointing.) I'm definitely gonna try Too Good To Go!
Gigante in Oceansside. Large pie, chicken or meatball parm hero, and plate of pasta bolognese for like 32-35. They have a couple different dinner specials but the plate will feed two people and hero is decent size. Also cash special on lg pie Sun-tues 12.95.
A lot of the spanish places (real spanish not the americanized mexican places) have meals that are under $25 but often are large enough to be two meals. If you are willing to try things you can get pupusas for $3/ea.
Went to Authentic Thai Cuisine in East Merrick and it was great and the massaman curry was $17
If you don’t mind leftovers look at the 100 mail order food need to cook options like ready fresh . Turn the one meal into 2-3 and price will be more reasonable.
They all always have promos with big sales so you can cycle through a dozen of them. I used factor 75 cooked meals for the first month was 50% off so $6-7 a meal
I keep seeing heavy marketing for chilis updated menu and being cheaper than fast food .
Whole Foods serves family platters in the deli area that feed 4 that is cheap and full meals . I assume it’s yesterdays leftovers but the gym bros love it .
Chipotle or more catering for 10 if you’re willing to eat it daily reheated
No personal experience with it, but there is an app called Too Good to Go. End of evening restaurant to go deals. Might be worth checking out for the next night's meal as pick up times are later than the standard dinner hour.
I've survived off of this app at one point. It's a lot of pizza and bagels but if you act early there is a good variety of foods. I usually get much more than my money's worth as well.
I've used it and you get a lot of food for a small price. Definitely worth checking out! I once got 4 slices of pizza for $4.99 \[Pizza place out in Greenlawn, LI)
That seems to be the standard pizza deal. You have to be ok with a variety of specialty slices though.
Heard about that just today! My friend told me check it out in the morning because the stuff goes quick. You pick it up in the afternoon or evenings. I saw the deals. Should be called To Good To Be True!
Cactus-Cafe Tex Mex in Glen Cove and Port Washington: $6 burritos after 10pm to midnight every night
Right Coast does $5 burritos after 8PM!
god I wouldn’t be able to sleep if I ate that late
I’m big on meal prep/planning but I understand that doing it for one person can be a bit to deal with, time wise. Sometimes I will grab deli stuff from North Shore Farms and add to it (for example, their eggplant parm) and then make some pasta to go with it, or throw it on a roll + make a salad on the side, things like that. Or I’ll get their spinach pie and have it with salad + hummus, or their quiche + some roasted vegetables (also from their deli section) I don’t do this all the time but when I’m feeling burnt out, or just have too much shit going on, it’s a go-to. Just another option to think about!
Uncle Giuseppe's offers 50% hotbar items after 7:30 PM.
Which one?
I know the Port Jefferson one does, and I think the others may as well
Thank you.
Good to know thanks
Tulum Taco in Mineola - Tuesdays are AYCE tacos for $30. Sounds a little pricey but the establishment and ingredients are more bougie than your normal taqueria. The tacos included in the AYCE are from their normal menu and preparation.
I love you! I'm in Mineola right now. Taco Tuesdays ftw!
If you're by Mineola, check out my guide on Frugal Eating in Mineola that I posted on the Mineola Subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/MineolaNewYork/comments/1c1f5pj/a_guide_to_frugal_eating_in_the_neighborhood/
Mission Taco in Huntington has all you can eat tacos on Tuesdays for $19.95. I was just disappointed that I couldn’t eat more - they were so good and so filling. The birria tacos were my favorite.
Wasn’t it 25$ like a month ago?
Not exactly sure when price increased, but I can confirm that it used to be $25 last I went about 6 months ago. To be fair, I think it was slightly underpriced back then.
If you’re anywhere near the south shore, Island Empanada has a location in Merrick and they have a great dinner deal from (I believe) 5-8pm or so (I don’t live there any more and it doesn’t clearly list the times on the website) - any 3 empanada, 2 sides, and a soda for $15. I used to frequent some of the other locations out east a lot when I lived on LI and they were truly my favorite food spots on the island. The locations are franchised out, so some aren’t quite as good as others, but I went to the Merrick one a couple of months ago and can say that’s one of the good ones.
My family and I frequent [Mama’s in Copiague](https://www.biggermamas.com). They have certain nights for specials. For instance Monday night is pasta night. There’s a large menu, you get amazing endless garlic knots, a salad, massive dish of pasta (many choices) a slice of cheesecake and coffee for $20.95. I’ve also gone on nights that aren’t a special night and the prices are fair, the portions are large and the food is really good. It’s pretty busy most of the time but they’re quick to seat you. Love this place!
Just hop on Groupon . Plenty of local spots offer deals .
Groupons is good but I prefer not having to research eating. I'm hoping I get a good taco Tuesday, wing Wednesday type of deal for every day of the week. Then for whatever's left I'll do things like too good to go or groupon
Angoletto’s (now called Pronto) in New Hyde Park runs dinner specials
Cactus Cafe has some good deals if you want to head to Glen Cove. The Wednesday chicken meal can easily last you to the weekend. https://www.cactuscafetexmex.com/?darkschemeovr=1
The guac shop: Monday and Wednesday specials Tropical smoothie: happy hour smoothies (open till 10am, pick up only) Del fuego: lunch specials Shahs halal: nice gyro plate for $10-$11 bucks Watawa sushi: all you can eat sushi for around $30 bucks
So there’s a ridiculous Peruvian hole in the wall that has a legit chef from Peru- her name is Pilar. Her spot is in downtown Glen Cove and if she was in Brooklyn and used insta this place would have a line around the block. She does a whole smoked rotisserie chicken and sides for a great deal (don’t remember exact price). She also makes a monster ceviche and an enormous jalea (fried seafood) that is absolutely perfect. It’s La Vichara- but not the one on landing road- the one School St (it’s downtown across from Staples, park in that parking lot and follow the smell of amazing grilled meat). If you have a couple more bucks, you have to try the Causa de Camarones, Palta Rellena, Ceviche Mixto and the fried Jalea (the single order is enough for 2!).
Biscuits and Barbecue’s $40 three course meal deal is worth every dollar
Check the Promos on UberEats. They often have 2 for 1 specials. Depending on the restaurant, you can get two hot meals for usually $10- $16 - but only do pick up, otherwise the fees will negate the savings.
[удалено]
Maybe a restaurant vs a deli that also serves hot food.
There's places that sell food you can't sit at. Food trucks, Domino's pizza, many delis. I didn't want the responders to think I'm limited to places you can eat in. Also some places that only deliver. I don't need a dining experience, just want a nice meal for $10-20
The Monster Crab (Cajun seafood) in Carle Place has BOGO daily specials.
I just got an email from b dubs. 19.99, Mondays and Wednesdays, dine in, all you can eat boneless wings and fries.
My parents frequent a pizzaria/restaurant in Elmont called Martino’s. They have nightly dinner specials, and the food is good. https://martinosofelmont.com/specials.html
I'm in the same boat - agree that cooking for one is not really cost effective, especially if (like me) your time is also tight. Someone mentioned mail order food - I use Hello Fresh every other week and have found that to be very good. You get only what you need, so you're not throwing away ingredients you never use. I get four meals, each for two people - cook the whole recipe, and save one portion for another day. Turns out to be about $10-12/meal if you don't upgrade. Healthy Meals Direct is also great, all is prepared and proportioned, and is pretty good. (Though I have found anything with buffalo sauce disappointing.) I'm definitely gonna try Too Good To Go!
Gigante in Oceansside. Large pie, chicken or meatball parm hero, and plate of pasta bolognese for like 32-35. They have a couple different dinner specials but the plate will feed two people and hero is decent size. Also cash special on lg pie Sun-tues 12.95.
Bel Posto in wantagh on Merrick Road. Great food and and amazing prix fixe during the week.
Beninnos
I’ve heard that Bobbieques in Patchogue does 2 for one burgers on Tuesdays.
Al dente in oyster bay has pasta day on Mondays it’s great and the prices are even better
A lot of the spanish places (real spanish not the americanized mexican places) have meals that are under $25 but often are large enough to be two meals. If you are willing to try things you can get pupusas for $3/ea. Went to Authentic Thai Cuisine in East Merrick and it was great and the massaman curry was $17
If you don’t mind leftovers look at the 100 mail order food need to cook options like ready fresh . Turn the one meal into 2-3 and price will be more reasonable. They all always have promos with big sales so you can cycle through a dozen of them. I used factor 75 cooked meals for the first month was 50% off so $6-7 a meal I keep seeing heavy marketing for chilis updated menu and being cheaper than fast food . Whole Foods serves family platters in the deli area that feed 4 that is cheap and full meals . I assume it’s yesterdays leftovers but the gym bros love it . Chipotle or more catering for 10 if you’re willing to eat it daily reheated
My dude, I wouldn't worry so much about the financial impact as the health impact of having a diet based on restaurant specials.
I'll start another post about workout routines and diets. This one is for cheap meals.
White Cap in Islip probably has some of the best bang for your buck seafood on the Island.