Eating the G

Hi! My name is Danny Veilleux and I am a junior at the University of Florida majoring in advertising. I am a college student on a tight budget but I do not cook! This blog, created for my MMC2100 Writing for Mass Media course, will feature my time tested tips for finding the best deals at local Gainesville restaurants. I will focus on finding great meals for $10 or less each day!

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My Go-To Apps and Websites for Finding Restaurant Deals

The 4 Most Useful Apps and Websites for Coupons and Groupons!

Technology is a wonderful thing, especially when it helps you save money! And while my blog focuses on finding the best daily deals at local restaurants, sometimes a coupon is actually the best bet!

On this post I will be sharing with you 4 different apps or websites I use to help me find some amazing deals. After all, we are not always in a position to visit a specific restaurant, or sometimes we are just looking for something different.

1. Hooked

http://hookedapp.com/

Hooked is the number one free app for students to find real-time deals on local restaurants and bars. When you download Hooked on your smartphone you just enter your city to instantly have access to live-feeds from nearby restaurants.

At any any given moment I can find a few dollars off at a local restaurant, or a buy one get one free (bogo) deal at my favorite ice cream place. As I’m writing this blog I notice that one of my favorite pizza places is actually offering  25% off any pizza for another 2 hours and 42 minutes!

To use Hooked I just have to press on my preferred deal and present my smart phone to the server when I order. That’s it! There is nothing else to download, no waiting for reimbursement. Just money saved, just the way I like it!

Photo: Danny Veilleux (Screenshot)

2. Half Off Deals

http://www.halfoffdeals.com/browse/Gainesville/Florida/

This website gives you a quick list of dozens of great deals at least 50% off. Not all of the merchants are restaurants, so if you’re specifically looking for a meal deal you may have to spend a minute searching. But at these deals, a minute or two is definitely worth it!

As I am writing this blog, I am seeing 55% off a meal at Court of Heroes, and 60% of a meal and drink at World of Beer. When I click on my preferred deal I am sent to a Groupon page, where I must then purchase the coupon to take with me to the restaurant.

This is not as simple or streamlined as the Hooked app, but considering the size of the deals offered, it is worth the extra trouble.  This week alone I will save at least $20 at local restaurants using this website.

3. Taste Bud

https://trytastebud.com/gainesville-fl/restaurant-deals

Taste Bud is an interesting app. Using this app on your smartphone you can save between 10% and 20% at a variety of local restaurants, with a selection that can change daily.

The model that Taste Bud uses is different from the coupon or groupon model. Instead of printing a coupon or showing a coupon on your phone, you actually pay the regular price and then get reimbursed from Taste. While this may not seem convenient  if you are trying to save money in real time, it is nice to get paid back for eating at some of your favorite restaurants.

What I like about Taste Bud is that the savings applies to anything on the menu, which means it is generally not as limited as many coupons.  But while it claims the reimbursement is instantaneous, that part is actually up to your bank.

4. Chomp Menus

http://www.chompmenus.com/coupons

Chomp Menu is actually a local Gainesville restaurant guide that offers food delivery near the University of Florida. In 20014 they launched a coupon component that allows them bring a variety of coupon deals to their customers as well as take-out and delivery information.

The mobile app does offer some pretty amazing savings at some local restaurants. The bonus for this website is that you can also request free delivery while your at it!  I might just order that 10 wings deal that includes a salad, fries, and and a drink for $10 right now! It’s a great deal, and I can do it all right from my phone!

Check out this article for a few more money saving tips on eating out. It’s a few years old, but still contains some really good tips. www.savethestudent.org/save-money/food-drink/eating-out-on-a-budget.html

You may like a few other apps that provide a similar service to mine, such as www.onlinecollegecourses.com/2010/10/27/50-best-food-blogs-for-the-college-budget/, but be warned, they often contain cooking tips as well. My unique blog is one of the very few you will find that deals exclusively with saving money while eating out locally. That is important to me, because as I stated in my introduction; I do not cook.

Sources:

http://hookedapp.com/

http://www.halfoffdeals.com/browse/Gainesville/Florida/

https://trytastebud.com/gainesville-fl/restaurant-deals

http://www.chompmenus.com/coupons

www.savethestudent.org/save-money/food-drink/eating-out-on-a-budget.html

www.onlinecollegecourses.com/2010/10/27/50-best-food-blogs-for-the-college-budget/

[therealdannyv-blog]

Wonderful Wednesday; Every Day is Pizza Day!

What are My Top 4 Pizza Recommendations?

My $10 per meal mantra is an easy one to follow in Gainesville when you are hungry for pizza! Wednesday is pizza day for me, and there are plenty of options on Wednesdays, or any days, to find some good, fresh pie to fill you belly.

So without further adieu, I will post my favorite four pizza options beginning with my favorite selection, based on both taste and cost.

1. Leonardo’s by the Slice

Thank goodness they have not torn this place down yet! Apparently UF has purchased the strip mall on University Avenue that Leonardo’s resides in, but this Gator landmark was given a few years’ reprieve.  You can see the whole story here: http://www.gainesville.com/news/20160804/uf-buys-leonardos-by-slice.

What this means to you is that if you have never been, you had better get over there quickly!  For $8 you can order 2 large slices of very fresh, very good hand-tossed pizza with some delicious toppings.

If you are willing to go right up to the $10 limit, you can get one very large slice with delicious toppings, a drink and a fresh side salad. (Sometimes you have to eat a salad.)  I would be sad if you missed an opportunity to eat here.

Leonardo’s by the Slice is located at 1245 W. University Avenue. This slice of their Greek style pizza, piled high with fresh ingredients is $3.70.

Photo: www.facebook.com/leosbytheslice

2. Blaze Pizza

Sometimes you just want your pizza now and you want it fast.  This is where Blaze Pizza comes in. At this fast-food style pizzeria you can personalize your pie with a variety of fresh ingredients of your choosing all for the one low price of  $8.25. And when I say fast food, that is exactly what I mean.

The folks at Blaze have discovered a way to cook your pizza in about 3 minutes! So not only can you build your very own, one-of-a-kind pizza for under $10, you can be eating it in less than 5 minutes! That’s incredible!

While Blaze Pizza is right up there at the top end of my $10 budget, you must consider that you are able to choose your dough (including gluten free), choose your cheese (from about 8 varieties, even vegan and gluten free), and choose your toppings from about 30 different options! You can see a full listing of menu options here on their website; https://order.blazepizza.com/menu/blaze-pizza-gainesville.

Blaze Pizza is located at 3617 SW Archer Road. A custom pizza like the one shown here can be made fresh for you in under 5 minutes for about 8 bucks.

Photo: www.facebook.com/blazepizza

3. Big Lou’s

A Gainesville favorite, Big Lou’s is my version of a classic Italian pizzeria. It is located in the heart of downtown and is well known for it’s thin crust and friendly service.

For $7.50 you can buy a whole (small) pizza that is perfect for dinner or lunch. Add a half dozen of the amazing garlic rolls for $2.25 you are right at my $10 limit.  If that cuts it little close for you, there is always the “by-the-slice” option!

At Big Lou’s you can custom top your $3 slices with two toppings of your choosing for an additional buck. Combine that with pretty large side salad and you have a complete, delicious meal for $8.

I prefer sitting outside on the patio and enjoying the downtown Gainesville ambiance, but there is also plenty of inside seating if you prefer. Check out Big Lou’s Facebook page for glimpse of one of Gainesville’s favorite pizza places; https://www.facebook.com/BigLousGainesville/

Big Lou’s Pizzeria is located at 5 SE 2nd Avenue, which makes if very convenient if your planning to go out to one of the local clubs after dinner. It’s also a great place to get a really good slice.

Photo: www.facebook.com/BigLousGainesville

4. Italian Gator Pizza by the Slice

So let’s just cut to the cheap. If you are a UF student, you are hungry, you’re in midtown and you just want a quick, cheap bite of some really good pizza, where should you go? Italian Gator Pizza, of course!

The motto of Italian Gator Pizza is to provide great quality pizza at a reasonable price, and this is just what they do. There is nothing fancy about the Italian Gator. It is just a store front, really. With no seating, inside or outside, the Italian Gator is an old-school walk-up pizza place.

As you can see by the menu on the store-front, you can easily buy a couple of slices and a drink for well under my $10 limit. And the beauty of a walk-up restaurant is there is no tipping expected! I think that deserves a “like” on Facebook, don’t you? https://www.facebook.com/Italian-Gator-Pizza-by-the-Slice-120925634588045/

The Italian Gator is located at 1728 W. University Avenue. This large menu tells you everything you need to know.

Photo: www.facebook.com/Italian-Gator-Pizza-by-the-Slice-120925634588045/

Sources:

https://www.swamprentals.com/help-finding-apartments/best-gainesville-food-deals

https://order.blazepizza.com/menu/blaze-pizza-gainesville.

https://www.facebook.com/BigLousGainesville/

http://www.gainesville.com/news/20160804/uf-buys-leonardos-by-slice.

[therealdannyv-blog]

More Daily Deals; T is for Tacos, & Tuesday!

Finding the 4 Best Taco Deals in Gainesville

Continuing with my $10 or less hunt for the best meals in Gainesville, I would be remiss to skip over Taco Tuesday.  I honestly cannot tell you if this is a bonafide UF tradition, a Gainesville tradition, or just my tradition, but I do love Taco Tuesday! Tacos are always a wonderfully inexpensive dining option, and when paired with a great restaurant and an amusing alteration, how can you go wrong!

Although Gainesville is by no means a southwestern city, it does play home to a plentiful number of Mexican and southwestern style restaurants that actually serve a pretty mean taco (for cheap!). Here is a list of my favorite four  Taco Tuesday deals:

1. Tijuana Flats

With 2 locations in Gainesville, Tijuana Flats has really embraced the idea of Taco Tuesday, and they have attracted quite a following in the process.   What this means to you is that you should be prepared for a bit of wait when you arrive. However, after you treat yourself to their ‘dos tacos’ deal, which includes chips and a drink, for a very reasonable $5.49, I think you will agree it was worth the wait. And get this, for just $1.50 more you can double the meet and double the cheese! Jeez, what a deal!

Tijuana Flats has two locations in Gainesville; 1720 W. University Avenue and 3414 SW Archer Rd. With these options, there is no excuse to miss Taco Tuesday.

Photo: www.facebook.com/tijuana-flats

You can choose either the midtown location, located on University Avenue right across from campus, or the Archer Road location. Either way you will enjoy very tasty tacos with an incredibly large selection of sauces. These tacos taste fresh and authentic, and with the abundance of sauce options you can spice it up as much as you like, or keep it cool if that’s your preference.

You can check out the full selection of menu options here; https://tijuanaflats.com/stores/gainesville/. And remember, if you like them for real, why not like them on Facebook! Here is their Facebook page for you; www.facebook.com/Tijuana-Flats-1504509429598116/

2. La Tienda

La Tienda embraces Taco Tuesday everyday, with 3 delicious tacos for about $5. For those of us dining a budget, the lack of atmosphere can always be excused if the food is good enough. At La Tienda that is exactly the case. Your food is served on Styrofoam and with plastic forks. But I promise you will not mind when you start munching on one your three delicious, authentic tacos! Unfortunately, this is not a well kept secret in Gainesville, so you may have a bit of wait, especially if you go for lunch.

La Tienda is a little off the beaten path (located on SW 13th Street about a mile south of campus), they do not have a traditional website, and their Facebook page is kind of out-dated.  With all of this considered, La Tienda still does great business. Apparently they do not need any additional advertising other than good old-fashioned word of mouth!

La Tienda is located at 2204 SW 13th Street. Three tacos, like those shown here, cost $5 on Taco Tuesday, and everyday.

Photo: www.facebook.com/Latiendagnv

3. Boca Fiesta

Home of the Gator Taco and Gator Burrito, Boca Fiesta offers a great Taco Tuesday (or any day) option. This self-described eclectic taco bar is not a chain, so if you prefer  a unique, of a one-of-a-kind Gainesville experience, Boca Fiesta if for you!

Catering to the college scene, Boca Fiesta stays open very late (4pm to 2am, Monday through Saturday). You kind of have to know the area to even find Boca Fiesta, as it is tucked back behind the Hippodrome and is not even visible from the street. But do not fear, this funky taco shack is a favorite among locals, so you won’t be dining alone!

I would definitely describe Boca Fiesta as having a younger, more hipster, type of atmosphere. But if you are like me and love your 1am taco while still sticking to the $10 and under rule, you need to check out it out. Actually, the huge $8 burrito is my go-to late night snack. It is delicious, fresh, it will definitely fill you up, and the restaurant is always a fun place to visit.

Check out the Boca Fiesta website to get an idea of the vibe you will get when you hit this place up! http://www.bocafiesta.com/

Boca Fiesta is located at 232 SE 1st Street by the Hippodrome Theatre. It’s courtyard connects to Palomino Pool Hall, making it more than just a taco shop.

Photo: Danny Veilleux

4. Blue Agave

Taco Tuesday moved to Wednesday at Blue Agave!  I personally can’t go long without taking advantage of their $1 Wednesdays deal! Yes, that’s right, on Wednesdays one buck gets you one very delicious taco made with fresh ingredients.

This restaurant is kind of hidden on the northwest part of town (located on NW 43rd Street across from Thornebrook Village), but it’s still only a couple of miles from the heart of campus. And, on $1 Wednesday, a college kid like me can do very well with a ten dollar bill!  Blue Agave is a must-visit eatery for any budget conscious diner in Gator-town!

Blue Agave is located at 4401 NW 25th Place. These three tacos would cost $3 on Taco Wednedsay.

Photo: www.facebook.com/blueagavegainesville

Sources:

https://tijuanaflats.com/stores/gainesville/

www.facebook.com/Tijuana-Flats-1504509429598116/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g34242-zfp16-Gainesville_Florida.html

http://www.bocafiesta.com/

www.facebook.com/blueagavegainesville

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Daily Deals; M is for Money, & Monday!

What are the 4 Best Burger Deals in Gainesville?

I need to start my week off right, and that means finding my best dining deals in Gainesville for any given Monday. Some people say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, I say Monday is most important meal of the week. I also say Monday is burger day! Keep reading to find by favorite 4 Monday burger deals for hungry appetites on a budget.

1. Applebee’s

Whatever I’m doing, whether it’s school, sports, eating, etc, I like to start off strong. And what could be stronger than a great, protein packed burger and unlimited fries?  This is exactly the deal you can find at Applebee’s on a Monday! You can visit the Applebee’s Gainesville Facebook page to see more menu options (https://www.facebook.com/ApplebeesGainesvilleFL/), but I highly recommend this burger deal.

There are a 2 Applebee’s in town; 1005 NW 13th Street and 7441 W. University Avenue. This makes it easy not to miss Monday night burger night!

Photo from facebook.com/ApplebeesGainesvilleFL

For less than $10 you can order any burger on the Applebee’s menu and also receive an endless serving of fries. I have to admit, over the years this has become a Monday tradition for me and my crew. The burgers are delicious! And I need to stress, you can order any burger!  I prefer the All Day Brunch Burger, which comes complete with bacon and a fried egg on top, yum!

2.Copper Monkey

While I am discussing burgers, I cannot leave out the Copper Monkey burger special. Monday is $3 Burger Night at Copper Monkey, and while this does not include sides, it is still a really good deal. Copper Monkey recently re-opened their midtown location, moving it across University Avenue to the Creekside Mall.  I have to admit, the multi-level floor plan is a bit strange, but the pub atmosphere is not lost on the unusual layout of the restaurant.  For $3 you will get a premium burger (not fast food), and you can definitely add sides and a drink and still remain under my $10 cap.

Copper Monkey is located at 3501 SW 2nd Avenue in the Creekside Mall. Monday night is $3 burger night at the Monkey.

photo: www.facebook.com/CopperMonkeySecondAve

3.Beef O’Brady’s

Another very good option for a premium burger with fries is Beef O’Brady’s. Their $5.99 burger and fries might actually sound like a better deal than Applebee’s, but I have to warn you; they do not have the All Day Brunch Burger. While this is a bit disappointing, the burgers are still actually very good, and the sports-bar atmosphere is very friendly with great customer service. You can check out other specials on their website, https://www.beefobradys.com/monday-specials.aspx, for more menu options.

Beef O’Brady’s is located at 1999 NW 43rd Street. This burger and fry meal costs $5.99 on Burger Monday.

Photo: Danny Veilleux

4. Mac’s Drive Thru

If you prefer a restaurant that is not a chain, and is drop the mike delicious, you need to check out Mac’s Drive Thru. The burgers are ridiculously cheap, $2.40 for a double and $3.69 for a triple, and they are ridiculously good. The ingredients are obviously fresh.

You don’t have to take my word for it, Mac’s can be found on many various websites and blogs such as  Yelp and Ken Eats Gainesville, (https://www.yelp.com/biz/macs-drive-thru-gainesville, & https://www.keneatsgainesville.com/single-post/2015/04/25/Gainesvilles-Local-Burger-Joints)  as one of Gainesville’s best burger joints.

There are a couple of drawback to Mac’s, however.  It is only open on weekdays, and it closes at 5pm.  This is a little too early to be considered dinner for a college student, but it is still a great lunch option!

Mac’s Drive Thru is located at 129 NW 10th Avenue. On any given weekday afternoon you will see people lined up at the window and cars wrapping around the drive-thru waiting for one of Mac’s great burgers.

Photo: https://www.keneatsgainesville.com/

Sources:

www.facebook.com/ApplebeesGainesvilleFL/

https://www.facebook.com/CopperMonkeySecondAve/

www.keneatsgainesville.com/

https://www.yelp.com/biz/macs-drive-thru-gainesville

[therealdannyv-blog]

How to Survive College without Using Your Kitchen

My name is Danny Veilleux and I am a junior at the University of Florida majoring in advertising.  I have many interests and talents, but cooking is not one of the them!

When I first arrived in Gainesville, my parents dropped me off at a typical freshman dorm and enrolled me in a typical freshman meal plan. I believed that this plan was my best option for eating well without having to cook for myself. I was wrong.

This is me with my mom in my freshman dorm. This picture was taken in August 2015, the day I began my life as a Florida Gator.

photo credit: Danny Veilleux

This meal plan turned out to be very limiting and very expensive, especially if I wanted options outside of the plan. I could not wait to put an end to this unappetizing and unsavory eating endeavor.  My search for a better plan was born.

I quickly began researching blogs and websites as well as local restaurant deals.  One of my favorite blogs that I found was Ken Eats Gainesville. I recommend checking it out after you have read my posts!  https://www.keneatsgainesville.com/

This blog gave me great inspiration and great recommendations for local eateries, however it was not necessarily focused on cost. So I kept researching and scanning the community to find the best deals, and best the tasting options I could find.

I learned there are a lot of deals to be found, and a lot of people who want to know about these deals. And of course, dining frugally is not limited to college students! Anyone who enjoys a good meal for a fair price would appreciate this information.

On this blog all the work in finding this information done for you! I have painstakingly researched countless websites and blogs, as well as personally visited a wide array of local feeding spots to find the best deals so you don’t have to.

As you scroll the pages of my blog you will see the best deals for any given day, as well as recommended websites and apps that will lead you to the best dining deals.  I will also give my opinions on restaurants that I have visited and my strategies for keeping the options interesting. I hope you enjoy!

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Hi, my name is Danny Veilleux and this is my MMC2100 blog on West End Golf Course.

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