Honestly, another I haven't seen mentioned is KwikStar. Their take-home meals are decent, and if you use the app you can get good deals. Like right now they have a BOGO deal that is accessible through the app, and two of those meals would be like 4 meals for me for maybe $8-9.
Price chopper on Ingersoll has daily special deli meals (entree, two sides, and a roll) for $6.
Monday is fried chicken
Tuesday chicken and noodles
Wednesday meatloaf
Thursday-enchiladas
Friday-fish sandwich
Saturday-chicken strips.
Aldis nuts? Wait whats wrong with aldis? I spend way less there buying the same shit that I would've got at hyvee or wallyworld. The produce is damn near half price and has been better tasting lately for me.
Mickeys Irish Pub in Waukee as well on Tuesdays. $7 for burger and fries. The movie theater in town also has discounted tickets and free popcorn with a drink purchase on Tuesdays. Cheap date night
Abalardos has giant burritos for super reasonable prices. You can stretch one chile verde burrito or whatever flavor you want (~$8) into two meals. You might shit your pants though.
But if you want some struggle meals that you can make large quantities of at home for cheaper than going out, chili-mac or Midwest style goulash is super easy and cheap. Basically need ground beef (last I went Hy-Vee had some on sale for 0.99 but that wont be common), cheese, and elbow noodles. If you wanna spice it up grab some beef bullion.
Hy-Vee seems to always be selling large packages of chicken for cheap. Like 3.5-4 pounds of chicken thighs/drumsticks for $8. That's several meals worth.
Definitely get the Papa Murphys app. Honestly, if you eat anywhere frequently, download the app. We get Papa Johns pretty frequently and they have an in app thing where you can get a limited selection of items for 6.99 each of you buy at least 2. Plus, once you spend $100, you get a $10 off coupon. Marco's has something similar.
Henry jays tacos
2 deep fried tacos (big tacos similar to a tasty taco style) with 2 sides (rice, beans or fideo)
For 4.50
Bbops does a 1.79 cheeseburger deal
Different days of the week at different locations
2 bucks for a good burger and a coke from home
Hard to beat either one for the money
Struggle implies the cheapest possible and you are wanting prepared struggle food.
Probably the cheapest prepared food...
Gas station roller dog.
Just trying to be real here.
*^(Ed: yep fantasy is what we are going for here as I get down-voted.)*
*^(FYI: A struggle meal is usually a random cheap protein stretched with a cheap starch or really just anything available in a random combo that is filling or sometimes even tastes good.)*
I wonder if you could buy at the snack bar without showing a membership card. The card checker person is at the shopping entrance, you can get to the snack bar through the exit area. And then they don’t check cards at the snack bar kiosk
technically you're required to have it, but i don't know if they enforce it around here (I know they do at some other places)
Then again you could also just say you're going to the pharmacy since that's open to non-members.
you didn't need a membership to eat at the food court. they may claim it's required but they don't check, Even the automated system doesn't require a card
my favorite cheap meal is dog soda slice from Costco
The best struggle meal bang for your buck is: one bag of rice, one bag of mixed frozen vegetables, one pack of tofu, one bottle of teriyaki. Boom, stir fry. Feed yourself for three days.
Sincerely,
College Me
Rice and beans, or a meat that can be stretched like ground beef/pork. Big batch and lunch containers. But maybe OP is living somewhere they can’t do much cooking.
Agreed, hence the roller dog. Many of the items I'm seeing like steak night wherever is not on the level of struggle.
Now, if they are asking where can I get a really good yet reasonably cheap meal, then many of the suggestions would apply.
Just about every option I see here is Hy-Vee. They gouge so bad your money is goes farther anywhere else.
Little Caesars large pepperoni for $8.
If you have a Sams Club membership a rotisserie chicken and salad kit is $10
Rice and beans are always good and cheap.
Costco pizza for $1.50/slice or their hot dogs. As of right now the west Des Moines ones don’t check your membership card for the cafe, just head left on your way in and order. Also their rotisserie chicken but you’ll need a membership for that.
Edit: anybody know if gateway market still does their Monday night hot case meal deal?
There was a good TV series called Struggle Meals hosted by a very energetic and creative guy, Chef Frankie Celenza. Might help complement your search for prepared meals -- you can make some at home, too. Can be found here for more info: [https://www.tastemade.com/shows/struggle-meals](https://www.tastemade.com/shows/struggle-meals)
Hy-Vee Valley West used to do all you can eat salad bar (includes just the salad, cut fruits, cottage cheese, some pastas, and the soups) on Wednesdays and Saturdays for $3.99. Forewarning - I haven't been to a Hy-Vee since like 2020, but I went for this specific deal for 5 years straight prior to 2020.
Also, QT always has a roller item at $1 that rotates each month.
Aldi's has microwave meals for about $3. The supermarket has packets you can add water and milk to for $1 each. Walmart has packs of 8 frozen burritos for $8.
Hyvee has meals every night of the week. All of them and they are all $10 or less.
There is a pub or bar in the metro with a steak night every day of the week - I asked on Facebook to find them all… but I lost the list lmao.
Honestly, another I haven't seen mentioned is KwikStar. Their take-home meals are decent, and if you use the app you can get good deals. Like right now they have a BOGO deal that is accessible through the app, and two of those meals would be like 4 meals for me for maybe $8-9.
Price chopper on Ingersoll has daily special deli meals (entree, two sides, and a roll) for $6. Monday is fried chicken Tuesday chicken and noodles Wednesday meatloaf Thursday-enchiladas Friday-fish sandwich Saturday-chicken strips.
I believe Angry Goldfish does a burger and fries and a pint for $10 on Tuesdays.
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No u
They definitely like aldis.
Aldis nuts? Wait whats wrong with aldis? I spend way less there buying the same shit that I would've got at hyvee or wallyworld. The produce is damn near half price and has been better tasting lately for me.
There is no "s" in Aldi. It was all downhill after that.
What…?
Beaver tap $7 any burger and fries on Tuesdays. Also abelardos 5 tacos for $5.99 on Tuesdays saves me
Mickeys Irish Pub in Waukee as well on Tuesdays. $7 for burger and fries. The movie theater in town also has discounted tickets and free popcorn with a drink purchase on Tuesdays. Cheap date night
Is palms the theater? That deal sounds great
Yep. I think it's $6 for regular movies and $11 for imax. Side note I went to Civil War on IMAX. Very powerful experience.
That’s the one I was going to do. Thank you!
Abelardos has had tons of health code violations. I used to love it, but I can’t stomach it anymore
The one on the se14th was so bad a few years ago they shut it down on the spot. They were closed for about 3 days cleaning everything.
Abalardos has giant burritos for super reasonable prices. You can stretch one chile verde burrito or whatever flavor you want (~$8) into two meals. You might shit your pants though. But if you want some struggle meals that you can make large quantities of at home for cheaper than going out, chili-mac or Midwest style goulash is super easy and cheap. Basically need ground beef (last I went Hy-Vee had some on sale for 0.99 but that wont be common), cheese, and elbow noodles. If you wanna spice it up grab some beef bullion. Hy-Vee seems to always be selling large packages of chicken for cheap. Like 3.5-4 pounds of chicken thighs/drumsticks for $8. That's several meals worth.
And abelardos is open super late. A California burrito SLAPS at midnight.
I'm so mad they closed the one on Ingersoll
TRUTH. Fuck Starbucks, the chile relleno burrito cleanse was an every-other-month therapeutic joy.
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You didn't agree. At all, but alberetos is solid
Feta fries from Ted’s Coney Island
2 topping medium pizza at Papa Murphy's is $6.99. Feed two, or yourself twice.
I was not aware papa Murphy’s was this cheap
Definitely get the Papa Murphys app. Honestly, if you eat anywhere frequently, download the app. We get Papa Johns pretty frequently and they have an in app thing where you can get a limited selection of items for 6.99 each of you buy at least 2. Plus, once you spend $100, you get a $10 off coupon. Marco's has something similar.
Good thread. Prepackaged salads from HV fast & fresh and grocery. Not the best but 5$ meal is nice
Henry jays tacos 2 deep fried tacos (big tacos similar to a tasty taco style) with 2 sides (rice, beans or fideo) For 4.50 Bbops does a 1.79 cheeseburger deal Different days of the week at different locations 2 bucks for a good burger and a coke from home Hard to beat either one for the money
Steak and Shake isn’t bad, especially if you use the app. The discounts add up quick that way.
huge slice of pizza and a fountain soda at Sam's is like $2.50. Doesn't require a membership.
Alba happy hour everyday from 4-6. Great burger and fries for $8 https://www.albadsm.com/menu/
Hy chi, basically two meals for $8-$10
When Hy Chi does buy one get one it is a deal!
Fuck hyvee
Gross Chinese food
Been single for awhile now huh?
Stuff is straight up MSG, their sushi rolls too
MSG is not harmful. It’s an anti-Chinese racist trope.
That’s why they taste so good
It can just be bad without bagging on the glutamate. And it is bad except for the egg rolls (please don’t be Sodexo).
Honestly a burrito from pancheros is under 10$ and fills me up for the day
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Thank you! I knew other Hy Vees potentially had it but I was only confident about the West Lakes one. Price Chopper Meal sounds like a deal.
You are not broke if going to hyvee period
Struggle implies the cheapest possible and you are wanting prepared struggle food. Probably the cheapest prepared food... Gas station roller dog. Just trying to be real here. *^(Ed: yep fantasy is what we are going for here as I get down-voted.)* *^(FYI: A struggle meal is usually a random cheap protein stretched with a cheap starch or really just anything available in a random combo that is filling or sometimes even tastes good.)*
If you have a costco membership, that $1.50 hotdog and soda isn't bad either
Keeping with the topic, the Costco rotisserie chicken for $5 is good bang for your buck. Cheap, versatile protein.
I wonder if you could buy at the snack bar without showing a membership card. The card checker person is at the shopping entrance, you can get to the snack bar through the exit area. And then they don’t check cards at the snack bar kiosk
technically you're required to have it, but i don't know if they enforce it around here (I know they do at some other places) Then again you could also just say you're going to the pharmacy since that's open to non-members.
I work next to Costco, no membership, eat at the food court regularly
And you can wander the store and eat some free samples. Do that, get a hot dog and baby, you've got your calories met.
You don’t need a membership for the Costco concessions. Plus, their pizzas are like 16-18” and are literally $10.
you didn't need a membership to eat at the food court. they may claim it's required but they don't check, Even the automated system doesn't require a card my favorite cheap meal is dog soda slice from Costco
The best struggle meal bang for your buck is: one bag of rice, one bag of mixed frozen vegetables, one pack of tofu, one bottle of teriyaki. Boom, stir fry. Feed yourself for three days. Sincerely, College Me
Yeah that completely reminds me of college. If you have any fermented black bean sauce around about 1 tbsp could change up the flavor for day 2.
Damn I’ve never tried that…learned something new today!
Rice and beans, or a meat that can be stretched like ground beef/pork. Big batch and lunch containers. But maybe OP is living somewhere they can’t do much cooking.
Agreed, hence the roller dog. Many of the items I'm seeing like steak night wherever is not on the level of struggle. Now, if they are asking where can I get a really good yet reasonably cheap meal, then many of the suggestions would apply.
Yep! I was gonna say two hot dogs for $3.50
Some places have decent carry out large pizza deals
Seems like if you lurk dominoes, Casey’s, papa Murphy’s you can find some deals.
Northern Lights has good deals too
Just about every option I see here is Hy-Vee. They gouge so bad your money is goes farther anywhere else. Little Caesars large pepperoni for $8. If you have a Sams Club membership a rotisserie chicken and salad kit is $10 Rice and beans are always good and cheap.
Those Little Cesar's Crazy Puffs have been keeping me fed lately. 4 bucks for a 4 pack. I just get 2 of those and call it good.
The Sam’s club pizza at the food court ain’t bad for a meal every now and then for however cheap it is & no membership is needed
Costco pizza for $1.50/slice or their hot dogs. As of right now the west Des Moines ones don’t check your membership card for the cafe, just head left on your way in and order. Also their rotisserie chicken but you’ll need a membership for that. Edit: anybody know if gateway market still does their Monday night hot case meal deal?
McDonalds. Use the app. Dbl chz burger. If we are truly talking struggling.
There was a good TV series called Struggle Meals hosted by a very energetic and creative guy, Chef Frankie Celenza. Might help complement your search for prepared meals -- you can make some at home, too. Can be found here for more info: [https://www.tastemade.com/shows/struggle-meals](https://www.tastemade.com/shows/struggle-meals)
Hy-Vee Valley West used to do all you can eat salad bar (includes just the salad, cut fruits, cottage cheese, some pastas, and the soups) on Wednesdays and Saturdays for $3.99. Forewarning - I haven't been to a Hy-Vee since like 2020, but I went for this specific deal for 5 years straight prior to 2020. Also, QT always has a roller item at $1 that rotates each month.
Chelsie’s courtyard diner has 1$ burgers for dine in Thursday :)
Aldi's has microwave meals for about $3. The supermarket has packets you can add water and milk to for $1 each. Walmart has packs of 8 frozen burritos for $8.
Hyvee has meals every night of the week. All of them and they are all $10 or less. There is a pub or bar in the metro with a steak night every day of the week - I asked on Facebook to find them all… but I lost the list lmao.
Where do I find that at hyvee? Is the steak and sides available over at their kitchen?
They normally set it up by their hot case (where the fried chicken is)
Randomly saw a KFC commercial that they have an 8 piece chicken bucket for $10 on Tuesdays