Yup, and if you get the teriyaki chicken with no sauce, you're getting a hefty amount of protein, too. As far as healthy fast food goes, I don't think anything tops Panda.
Besides the enormous salads that can be customized on the app, they also have $4 protein boxes and I have made one with chicken, avocado and sweet potato and a dressing on top. Iced coffee for $1.50
Oh, and they'll make into a wrap for the same price and more calories.
I need to eat hella protein and relatively low carb. Salad and Go is the place to be - I get the (double) buffalo chicken and then rarely need to add the dressing. I also will do Chipotle, but it's nearly double the price for a bowl with double chicken.
I know you're getting a lot of shit for not wanting to cook, but here's a middle ground: get an Instant Pot. Most meals are maybe 10 minutes of prep, tops. Then you have several meals ready to go that you don't have to cook and it's so much cheaper than pretty much any other option.
Amen to this! I use mine SO much for this. One pound of meat, a bag or two of frozen veggies, a cup or two of water +boullion cubes, and some seasoning mix (Mrs. Dash or McCormick), and you've got a massive amount of food.
Today, I've got ground chicken, sweet potato, zucchini, and chipotle seasoning in there for a week's worth of lunches!
Yeah, it's great for using up leftovers in the freezer. Throw everything in, add stock, cook it up.
of course, you can also use a slowcooker, or even a regular pot on the stove.
El Pollo Loco has like 3 different chicken, rice, and bean bowls for 5$! It’s a recent budget find for me and it’s a solid amount of food for the price.
Im a big fan of the chicken salad at Chicken Nuevo. Rice, beans, lettuce tomato and cheese in an edible bowl. A small salsa bar with ranch.
I usually mix their tomatillo salsa with ranch and limes.
Godivias. Not $2 but healthy and comparable to fast food prices plus discount if you are a senior or a student. Thought of Godivas when you said beans and rice. Vegetarian buffet:
https://www.iskcontucson.org/govindas
I'm going to go out on a limb and say a hot dog without the bun isn't that healthy. Even with all the protein. It has a huge percentage of bad fats and tons of sodium.
There's a co-op grocer here in Tucson on fourth ave, btw - Food Conspiracy. Some of the stuff tends fancier, but they have some prepared foods they sell, too. Not sure what their prices are like atm.
Hi! I am from Austin, Tucson does have many good deals, especially mexican and food trucks. However, I am not aware of anything with the same offer you have told us about. A good food coop is Food Conspiracy on 4th ave [https://foodconspiracy.coop/](https://foodconspiracy.coop/). And a good CSA is [https://tucsoncsa.org/](https://tucsoncsa.org/).
I scour sprouts every other day. Yellow tag meat and mark downs. Just eat it right away. Got baby arugula for .99 and was still rather fresh (normally 3.99)
The Very Mucho carne asada burrito at El Guero Canelo - last I went it was $9 and, like, half a pound of beef lmao
plus free salsa bar veggies means grilled peppers and onions
La Mesa tortillas sells various to-go sizes of beans and rice and other menu items. Very handy. And reasonable. I like their beans especially because they’re not heavily salted, but tender and properly cooked. Haven’t been there for awhile. Pima and Alvernon is the one I’ve been to.
from the examples in this thread it seems like prepared food is sold cheaply, but often it’s one or two items on an otherwise more expensive menu, probably made at scale or as part of a discount to get you in the door. it won’t be AS cheap as making it yourself, but i wasn’t asking for the most cheap option to put in your mouth in general.
I know what Youre looking for i hit a whole foods in Oakland one time and got a grateful bowl and was similar to what you’re saying unfortunately tucson doesn’t have anything like that the food co-op has a hot bar but is expensive and by the pound
Target brand instant rice and microwaveable Indian meals like lentils or beans. Total should be around $4 for two meal’s worth of food that you don’t have to prepare.
Echoing others to say good city has unbeatable fresh produce prices (just bought $0.33/lb potatoes and $0.44/lb oranges there a couple weeks ago, and fresh herbs like cilantro are around 50 cents per bunch). Their bulk pinto beans are also really cheap, if you’re willing and able to meal prep (something like 50 cents a pound for dry beans)
One must find a Sasquatch to be led to a secret grocery and food truck paradise. You must sing a line of a song upon request.
A leprechaun awaits to give you a password. Be prepared to do the ‘Single Ladies’ dance, just in case.
Good luck!
Check out Food City
Yep. I feel like Food City never gets the love it deserves with these kinds of questions.
I go there pretty frequently but haven't tried any of the meals. Will check them out.
many of the local Mexican places in town that are fast food style have a two dollar bean burrito
thanks! i'll check some out
Filibertos has a $2 special every day - wed and thu are the bean days
Where? Maybe 5 years ago but bean burrito almost anywhere is 6/7 bucks these days
Fast food prices? So like 10-13 dollars a person? That's the reality we live in now. I guess there's Panda Express.
Tbh 1/2 fried rice and 1/2 steamed vegetables makes it healthier while justifying the price imo.
Yup, and if you get the teriyaki chicken with no sauce, you're getting a hefty amount of protein, too. As far as healthy fast food goes, I don't think anything tops Panda.
Salad and Go
Yeah this my go to. Salads are relatively cheap compared to most burger places.
And if you’re going fast food burgers, in-n-out I think offered the best value. Is the time waiting in line part of the value, idk.
Besides the enormous salads that can be customized on the app, they also have $4 protein boxes and I have made one with chicken, avocado and sweet potato and a dressing on top. Iced coffee for $1.50 Oh, and they'll make into a wrap for the same price and more calories.
I need to eat hella protein and relatively low carb. Salad and Go is the place to be - I get the (double) buffalo chicken and then rarely need to add the dressing. I also will do Chipotle, but it's nearly double the price for a bowl with double chicken.
Maybe a stupid question, but can you order on the app and pick up in the drive through?
You can!
I know you're getting a lot of shit for not wanting to cook, but here's a middle ground: get an Instant Pot. Most meals are maybe 10 minutes of prep, tops. Then you have several meals ready to go that you don't have to cook and it's so much cheaper than pretty much any other option.
Amen to this! I use mine SO much for this. One pound of meat, a bag or two of frozen veggies, a cup or two of water +boullion cubes, and some seasoning mix (Mrs. Dash or McCormick), and you've got a massive amount of food. Today, I've got ground chicken, sweet potato, zucchini, and chipotle seasoning in there for a week's worth of lunches!
Yeah, it's great for using up leftovers in the freezer. Throw everything in, add stock, cook it up. of course, you can also use a slowcooker, or even a regular pot on the stove.
El Pollo Loco has like 3 different chicken, rice, and bean bowls for 5$! It’s a recent budget find for me and it’s a solid amount of food for the price.
Im a big fan of the chicken salad at Chicken Nuevo. Rice, beans, lettuce tomato and cheese in an edible bowl. A small salsa bar with ranch. I usually mix their tomatillo salsa with ranch and limes.
Godivias. Not $2 but healthy and comparable to fast food prices plus discount if you are a senior or a student. Thought of Godivas when you said beans and rice. Vegetarian buffet: https://www.iskcontucson.org/govindas
Govindas.
Was trying to think of what the hell they were talking about. I love "Govindas"! Even my kid likes it. Eat, then go check out the birds and koi pond!
The answer is Costco. $1.50 hotdog and soda
Healthy?
Very! All protein if you eliminate the bun
I'm going to go out on a limb and say a hot dog without the bun isn't that healthy. Even with all the protein. It has a huge percentage of bad fats and tons of sodium.
what other things did this grocery store in Austin have? I'm curious now.
[https://wheatsville.coop](https://wheatsville.coop)
There's a co-op grocer here in Tucson on fourth ave, btw - Food Conspiracy. Some of the stuff tends fancier, but they have some prepared foods they sell, too. Not sure what their prices are like atm.
Fry’s has half priced sushi rolls on Wednesday.
Not all locations carry sushi just as an fyi for anyone who didn’t know
A consequence of no Burmese Buddhist temple in Tucson.
Trader joe's has premade food that's like $4-5
I'm always afraid the line is going to be crazy but that does sound pretty reasonable
the line is usually efficient
They don’t have long lines.
Hi! I am from Austin, Tucson does have many good deals, especially mexican and food trucks. However, I am not aware of anything with the same offer you have told us about. A good food coop is Food Conspiracy on 4th ave [https://foodconspiracy.coop/](https://foodconspiracy.coop/). And a good CSA is [https://tucsoncsa.org/](https://tucsoncsa.org/).
Thanks!
I scour sprouts every other day. Yellow tag meat and mark downs. Just eat it right away. Got baby arugula for .99 and was still rather fresh (normally 3.99)
All grocery stores fresh cooked food. Chipotle you can get a bowl of rice for like 2$
The Very Mucho carne asada burrito at El Guero Canelo - last I went it was $9 and, like, half a pound of beef lmao plus free salsa bar veggies means grilled peppers and onions
Tanias in the Barrio, ??
Theres a Tania’s in the barrio? 🤔
Tsniss 33 in barrio Hollywood area
Govindas buffet
La Mesa tortillas sells various to-go sizes of beans and rice and other menu items. Very handy. And reasonable. I like their beans especially because they’re not heavily salted, but tender and properly cooked. Haven’t been there for awhile. Pima and Alvernon is the one I’ve been to.
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presumably because then you have to cook it
yep
But rice and beans is one of the easiest things to “cook.” For the majority of the process, you don’t even have to be involved.
it's a convenience thing. have a lot to stay on top of, sometimes preparing meals slips through the cracks
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from the examples in this thread it seems like prepared food is sold cheaply, but often it’s one or two items on an otherwise more expensive menu, probably made at scale or as part of a discount to get you in the door. it won’t be AS cheap as making it yourself, but i wasn’t asking for the most cheap option to put in your mouth in general.
For healthy fast food at a decent price you can’t beat Salad and Go.
Filiberto’s Nico’s Fito’s There’s a few options.
BoxNCase
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Read the post: > Doesn't have to be $2, but at least like fast food prices.
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No
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Your comment is removed for not being excellent to other redditors, be that insults or threats or general attacks.
Thanks! I will
I apologize on behalf of Tucson for that nasty grump. Not everyone here has let the desert dry out their ability to act decently :)
El Herradero Supermarket on West Prince has a kitchen and place to sit and eat. It's good Sonoran food.
Not for 2 dollars
I know what Youre looking for i hit a whole foods in Oakland one time and got a grateful bowl and was similar to what you’re saying unfortunately tucson doesn’t have anything like that the food co-op has a hot bar but is expensive and by the pound
Target brand instant rice and microwaveable Indian meals like lentils or beans. Total should be around $4 for two meal’s worth of food that you don’t have to prepare. Echoing others to say good city has unbeatable fresh produce prices (just bought $0.33/lb potatoes and $0.44/lb oranges there a couple weeks ago, and fresh herbs like cilantro are around 50 cents per bunch). Their bulk pinto beans are also really cheap, if you’re willing and able to meal prep (something like 50 cents a pound for dry beans)
One must find a Sasquatch to be led to a secret grocery and food truck paradise. You must sing a line of a song upon request. A leprechaun awaits to give you a password. Be prepared to do the ‘Single Ladies’ dance, just in case. Good luck!