The 25 best things to eat near UCF for around $10

Lazy Moon
11551 University Blvd.
If you’re in the UCF area, it is frowned upon if you don’t make a stop at Lazy Moon. A slice of pizza is literally bigger than your face, so one piece will most likely fill you up. We recommend ordering the Boxcar Willy for $4.75, which is a slice of cheese pizza with a pint of PBR. How can you turn this deal down?

Photo via lazymoonpizza/Instagram

Huey Magoo’s
4293 Alafaya Trail??; UCF Student Union Building, 52 Pegasus Circle
The fried chicken tenders at Huey Magoo’s speak for themselves. You won’t regret ordering the 5 Tenders Meal for $7.39. You can choose from hand-breaded or grilled chicken to go along with crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast and your choice of one dipping sauce (but you can’t go wrong with the Magoo’s sauce). And for an even better deal, make your trip to Huey’s on a Tuesday so you can also get a free tea.

Photo via jordanjchart/Instagram

Chicken Salad Chick
12101 University Blvd.
The Alabama-based chain serves up (almost) nothing but chicken salad, with a hefty down-home sprinkling of y’alls and sugars. The Original Chick special gets you a scoop or a sandwich made with one of 15 different varieties of chicken salad (we’re partial to Fruity Fran, with apples and grapes) plus a side salad, pickle and cookie for $7.69.

Photo via shawnasd/Instagram

Buffalo Wild Wings
11400 University Blvd.; 504 N. Alafaya Trail, Suite 102
As you know, Buffalo Wild Wings is known for its...you guessed it...wings. They’re so good that there are actually two Buffalo Wild Wings locations in the UCF area. Make sure to go on Wing Tuesdays, where you can get $0.75 traditional wings.

Photo via eggie83/Instagram

Blaze Pizza
4100 N. Alafaya Trail
Set up like a Chipotle or Subway, Blaze Pizza allows its customers to build their own pizza for $7.95. And for no extra charge, guests can choose any toppings -- how cool is that?

Photo via itsmebizzmarkie/Instagram

Bar Louie
4100 N. Alafaya Trail
Bar Louie can get pretty pricey for college-aged students. That’s why $5 burger nights on Tuesdays are the best! The restaurant’s gourmet burgers, including the Backyard BBQ, Blue Louie and Portabella, taste even better when a few bucks are knocked off. With that extra money in your wallet, you can get a half-priced appetizer or flatbread during happy hour (Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.).

Photo via food_guy/Instagram

Bento Cafe
12250 Strategy Blvd., Suite 443
Bento is located literally right across the street from UCF’s main campus. So if you’re in the area, stop in and order a Bento Box for $8.75. The meal includes your choice of an entree along with steamed white rice, lo mein, ginger salad and string beans.

Photo via Bento Cafe/Facebook

Chuy’s
1434 N. Alafaya Trail
If you’re a burrito fan, you should probably try Chuy’s “Big As Yo’ Face” Burrito, which is just what it sounds like. This homemade, 12” flour tortilla is stuffed with refried beans, cheese and your choice of bean and cheese, seasoned ground sirloin, oven roasted chicken, or fajita chicken or beef. Depending on what you order, the price ranges from $8.79 to $10.99, but each meal is served with a choice of sauce and Mexican or green chile rice.

Photo via sweetdee013/Instagram

Mellow Mushroom
11680 E. Colonial Drive
Pizza can be ordered from the usual places, but there’s nothing like the pizza at Mellow Mushroom. You can’t go wrong with a 10’’ House Special pizza for $12.99, which has a red sauce base with mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, sausage, ground beef, ham, Applewood smoked bacon, mushrooms, black olives, Roma tomatoes, green peppers and onions. And, to top it all off...literally...extra mozzarella is added after it’s made.

Photo via Mellow Mushroom Orlando/Facebook

Jimmy Hula’s
11556 University Blvd.
Those who have been to Jimmy Hula’s know the richness of the burgers. But for those who want more of a sweet taste, try ordering the Aloha burger for less than $10. The burger is topped with teriyaki, pineapple, swiss, lettuce, tomato, onion and creamy teri.

Photo via basketkisses/Instagram

4 Rivers Smokehouse
11764 University Blvd.
The smell of 4 Rivers’ BBQ will just pull you in if you’re anywhere in the UCF area. Because it can be so hard to choose between the pulled pork, brisket or blackened ends, you can just go for $6.99 tacos on Tuesday. This meal includes three BBQ tacos topped with cilantro lime creme fraiche, guasacaca, pico de gallo, queso blanco and cilantro, along with a fountain drink.

Photo via himynameisdk/Instagram

Keke’s Breakfast Cafe
4250 Alafaya Trail, Suite 100; 504 N. Alafaya Trail
This place is famous for its breakfast and brunch, which makes it totally OK to order pancakes in the afternoon. Keke’s Chocolate Chip Pancakes for $8.49 have Hershey’s milk chocolate chips cooked right into the pancakes, giving them that extra chocolatey taste.

Photo via mcalisterforever/Instagram

Sus Hi Eatstation
4498 N. Alafaya Trail, Suite 324
Sus Hi is not like most sushi places in the area as it is set up more like a Chipotle. Customers can order a roll, bowl or wrap for $7 and choose the protein, ingredients and sauces to make their meal perfection. There’s raw protein, including krab, salmon and tuna, and also cooked protein, such as chicken and shrimp. And yes, there’s that yummy white sauce to make it taste like heaven.

Photo via sushieatstation/Instagram

Burger 21
11551 University Blvd., Suite 16
The burgers at Burger 21 are not only juicy and rich in taste, but they’re 100-percent certified angus beef. Although all the burgers are mouthwatering delicious, we recommend trying the Tex Mex Haystack for $7.99, which includes lettuce, tomato, Applewood-smoked bacon, gouda cheese, guacamole, onion strings and chipotle-jalapeño sauce, all served on a toasted brioche bun.

Photo via vitaminari/Instagram

Tijuana Flats
11551 University Blvd.
Tijuana Flats is known for its Mexican cuisine, including flautas, burritos and tacos. But why not throw all the ingredients together in a bowl? The Norrito Bowl consists of light salsa-based rice, black beans, cheese, toppings and guacamole, all served in a bowl with your choice of filling. This dish is quite similar to a burrito bowl at Chipotle, but this one is only $5.35.

Photo via cjazzwalker/Instagram

McAlister’s Deli
12226 Corporate Blvd.
There’s nothing like a good deli sandwich. At McAlister’s Deli, the New Yorker is a 10 oz. corned beef and pastrami sandwich for $9.49, topped with melted swiss cheese and spicy brown mustard on toasted marbled rye. You can also get a cup of veggie chili, chicken tortilla or country potato soup in a cute little mug for $3.89.

Photo via McAlister's Deli

Moe’s Southwest Grill
4650 N. Alafaya Trail; 423 N. Alafaya Trail
You’re pretty much out of the loop if you haven’t taken part in Moe’s Monday at least once in your lifetime. For $6.49, customers can get a burrito, chips, salsa and a drink. There are several options to choose from when making a burrito, or you can step out of your comfort zone and try the Chili con Queso Burrito. Wrapped in a flour or whole-grain tortilla, Moe’s famous queso is mixed with seasoned ground beef and fresh jalapeños, served with rice, beans, shredded cheese, pico de gallo and your choice of protein.

Photo via justin.ray.johnson88/Instagram

Junior Colombian Burger
11875 E. Colonial Drive
Junior Colombian Burger is the definition of tastey. Whether you’re a fan of burgers, hot dogs or shishkabobs, this restaurant knows how to cater to the meat lovers. There is a special for each day of the week, Monday through Friday, for $4.99; so no matter what, you always have a $5 option for food.

Photo via clangzfox/Instagram

Pei Wei Asian Diner
3402 Technological Ave., Suite 232
Rolls, bowls and platters make up the menu at Pei Wei, and we highly suggest the Pad Thai if you’re into that Thai sweet and sour sauce over rice noodles with a bunch of toppings. For $6.69, you can get this meal of tofu, bean sprouts, scallions, crushed peanuts, egg, cilantro and lime with chicken or vegetables and tofu.

Photo via dininginsouth/Instagram

Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill
303 N. Alafaya Trail
If you’re craving wings on a Monday night after 9 p.m., make a stop at Smokey Bones for all-you-can-eat-wings for $10.99, with the purchase of a beverage.

Photo via Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill