17 Cheap Eats MU Students Are Crazy About

We surveyed a bunch of Multnomah students about their favorite places to eat that are easy on college wallets and delicious. These are their go-to eateries!

Tienda Santa Cruz

Via yelp.com

To start this list off well, the number one suggestion from Multnomah students will take the lead! Santa Cruz offers authentic Mexican food at an extremely affordable price. Manuel Guillermo, a junior business major, even says it reminds him of the food back home in Mexico! Santa Cruz is located right down the street from the university, making it convenient for anyone who doesn't have a car. There are no happy hours here, but it's pretty hard to beat delicious tacos for $1.50 every day! The address for this yummy tienda is 24 SE 82nd Ave. Portland, OR 97216.

The Waffle Window

The Waffle Window / Via wafflewindow.com

This local restaurant is a favorite of Portlanders and the perfect stop for a "treat yo'self" type of day. At The Waffle Window, creative toppings are placed on delectable liege waffles to make this an experience you will never forget. Try a sweet waffle, like the Peanut Butter Chocolate Dipped Waffle, or a savory selection, like The Whole Farm, which boats bacon, mushrooms, onions, peppers, spinach, tomato, and fresh goat cheese! The closest location is at 3610 SE Hawthorne Blvd. Portland, OR 97214.

Fire on the Mountain

Fire on the Mountain / Via portlandwings.com

Fire on the Mountain is a student body favorite here at Multnomah and was suggested multiple times for this list! The final hour before they close is what draws our students the most: during this magical 60 minutes, 6 chicken wings are $5; french fries, tater tots and cups of chili are available for $2; onion rings and house salads are available for $3; and homemade chips and queso, sweet potato fries, fried pickles, and fried mushrooms are available for $4! It's a college student's dream spread! The closest FOTM to Multnomah is located at 3443 NE 57th Ave. Portland, OR 97213 and is open until 11 p.m.

Elephants Delicatessen

Elephants Delicatessen / Via elephantsdeli.com

This eatery has an extensive menu with a varying price range. There are menus for breakfast, the bakery, the oven and grill, sandwiches, a dessert bar and more! There are some insanely delicious options at a very affordable price here, but be aware that some specialty items can be on the spendy side. Multnomah junior Alex Blais highly suggests their budget-friendly, tasty soups! Get a hot, cheap bowl of Mama Leone's or Tomato Orange on a rainy day at their main location: 115 NW 22nd Ave. Portland, OR 97210

Killer Burger

Killer Burger / Via killerburger.com

Every single Killer Burger is 1/3 pound of pure beef, has bacon, and comes with fries! There is a "Crazy Hour" every Monday through Friday from 2 to 5 p.m. that offers all soft drinks for $1 and $2 off of some of the favorite "Killer Burgers." That means you can get a drink, delicious burger, and fries in the $7 price range! If that sounds pretty enticing, then hit up their 4644 NE Sandy Blvd. Portland, OR 97213 location!

MOD Pizza

Meghan Krause / Via modpizza.com

This pizzeria gives you complete creative freedom in how to top your pizza! When you go to MOD, you have a full bar of meats, veggies, cheeses, and spices to choose from for your toppings. Oh, and did we mention that there is one flat rate no matter how many toppings you get? For a personal pizza with any and all the toppings you want, the cost will be around $6-$9, depending on the size of your order! The closest MOD to the university is 12311 NE Halsey St. Portland, OR 97230.

Wendy's

Meghan Krause / Via menu.wendys.com

This one isn't unique to Portland, but it's one of the most convenient options on this list due to its proximity to school! Besides, the "Right Size, Right Price" menu, the 4 for $4 meal deal, and the new $5 Giant Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger meal deal are awesome for the college budget! Affordably-priced chili, Frosties, and fries available during the late-night study hours makes Wendy's a true student favorite! The address is 232 NE 82nd Ave. Portland, OR 97220.

Old Chicago

Old Chicago - Pizza and Taproom / Via oldchicago.com

Old Chicago is right down the street from Multnomah and a great place for students to gather for a sit-down style meal. Although this chain is renowned for their pizza and brews, what makes them notable for MU students are their Happy Hours and Daily Specials! Monday through Thursday, the restaurant offers daily specials that often include calzones, chicken wings or burgers. Their Happy Hour is Monday through Friday from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Matt Babcock, a transfer freshman, suggests the Sicilian Pepperoni Rolls for Happy Hour attendees. The Italian Nachos were also highly recommended by current Multnomah students! The closest Old Chicago to the campus is located at: 10300 SE Washington St. Portland, OR 97216.

Denny's

EPandCo. - Denny's / Via dennys.com

This well-known 24/7 chain offers some great deals for the college student's budget! The Value Menu offered here includes deals like $4 all-you-can-eat pancakes, which is pretty hard to pass up! There are other breakfast options on the Value Menu alongside some lunch meals and tempting dessert options. There's definitely something for everyone at this late-night hangout! The closest Denny's is located at 10428 SE Stark St. Portland, OR 97216.

Taco Bell

Meghan Krause / Via tacobell.com

This chain has developed a fairly extensive, yet budget friendly, menu for all meals of the day. Plus, there's a location pretty close to the school that stays open late! The "Dollar Cravings" menu and $5 Box meal deal are perfect for the hungry college student who might need to cram in some late-night studying. Tyler Roberts, a current SUMMIT student, has some pretty tasty menu hacks involving tacos and quesadillas he's willing to impart on a curious friend. If you're interested in trying them out, reach out to Roberts, and head over to 9350 SE Stark St. Portland OR, 97216.

Other great options!

Here are some more student favorites!

Los Taquitos -5832 NE Glisan St. Portland, OR 97213. Authentic and tasty tacos and burritos are here!

O Sushi! -2804 SE 82nd Ave. Portland, OR 97266. Conveyor belts of sushi and some great happy hour deals make this a hit.

Pho Hung - 3120 SE 82nd Ave. Portland, OR 97266. Filling and good for the soul, this Vietnamese soup is a fantastic option for a rainy day.

Muchas Gracias - 1307 NE 102nd Ave. Portland, OR 97220. $3 burritos offered late into the night are definitely a hit with the night owls and late-night studiers!

Sizzle Pie - 4144 NE Sandy Blvd. Portland, OR 97212. This creative, unique, and very Portland environment is a fun place to get some interesting pizza flavors!

Portland Food Carts - Suggested pod: Alder St. Food Cart Pod in downtown, off of Alder and SW 10th. Food carts offer students a unique opportunity to try foods from all over the world at very affordable prices! They also offer some ingenious takes on classic comfort foods. The Grilled Cheese Grill and the gyro trucks are the student favorites at Alder St.

Por Que No Taqueria - 4635 SE Hawthorne Blvd. Portland, OR 97215. Taco Tuesday is a must at this vibrant shop! They also have some great happy hours to try!