Review: Four restaurants for student budgets

College students are known for having to pinch their pennies, as they have to pay for their education. They are also known for wanting to eat well for a decent price. While making the transition from home-cooked meals from mom to cafeteria prepared dishes, students may want to escape from the easy eats at the café or the microwaved ramen noodles in their dorm. Here are a few frugal places that will provide students a bang for their buck while being collegiately delectable.

JB’s Midway Country Café: In the mood for some authentic southern cuisine? JB’s is located in downtown Monroe and boasts some of the best BBQ around. They provide customers with a generous portion for a great price. They have everyday lunch and dinner specials with a large variety to choose from—hamburgers to chicken and all the vegetables you can think of! JB’s has a true southern diner charm that won’t burn a hole in your pocket. It is located at 723 N. Charlotte Avenue.

Blu Moon Café: If you are looking for warm, cozy, and sophisticated, this quaint café is it! The Blu Moon Café’s chef is constantly thinking of new creations that open the palette. It is located in the Historic Downtown Monroe with an outdoor patio. The menu contains tasty salads and signature sandwiches that will fill you up and also keep your wallets full. The restaurant even has entertainment with having live music on the weekends.

Taqueria La Unica: Who doesn’t like a good, low-cost, authentic Mexican meal? La Unica is one of the most popular places to go for Wingate students. It possesses great food with large portions for low prices! You are welcomed with unlimited freshly baked tortilla chips and hot queso along with several different salsas that are on the casa! Customers have a great variety of Mexican meals to choose from like the Burrito California or Chimichanga. La Unica is located at 1621 Walkup Avenue.

Italiano Restaurant: Large portions, great tasting food… It must be Italian! Italiano has some of the best Italian food in Monroe. Though the service is slow and the site is a bit shaky, the food is most definitely worth the wait. You can create your own pizza and pasta or choose from different filled strombolis or calzones. The restaurant also serves complimentary bread. Italiano is at 1226 Roosevelt Blvd.

--Kelsey Trabue