Ideas for dining inexpensively
-
- Posts: 3563
- Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 6:53 pm
- Location: Bay Area
Ideas for dining inexpensively
Some days are hectic and it's nice to be able to pick up food rather than have to deal with cooking and dishes at the end of a long day. About once a week, my wife and I (we don’t have kids) pick up a foot-long Subway sandwich and split it. We get it to go and have chips & drinks at home so it costs around $6. Once in a while, we go to a neighborhood pizzeria that has lunch specials. They serve two large slices of pizza and a drink for $7. We split that as well.
We're looking for more ideas on how to eat out inexpensively but are not interested in fast food. We’re open to both take out or eating at the restaurant and we don’t mind drinking tap water.
We’d ideally like to keep the bill under $15 (including tax) if possible to do so. In case it is useful to know our location, we live in the Bay Area. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
We're looking for more ideas on how to eat out inexpensively but are not interested in fast food. We’re open to both take out or eating at the restaurant and we don’t mind drinking tap water.
We’d ideally like to keep the bill under $15 (including tax) if possible to do so. In case it is useful to know our location, we live in the Bay Area. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
- cheese_breath
- Posts: 11787
- Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2011 7:08 pm
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
Don't know about the Bay area, but where I live you could both have a coney dog with chili cheese fries and have enough left over for the tip.
The surest way to know the future is when it becomes the past.
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
Chipotle, or similar "fast casual" restaurants.
Or alternatively, canned sardines + crackers = dinner for under $3.
Or alternatively, canned sardines + crackers = dinner for under $3.
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
Do they give free refills? Do the two of you both refill the one cup you get for your $7?Ron Ronnerson wrote: They serve two large slices of pizza and a drink for $7. We split that as well.
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
We used to pick up a chopped or whole glazed duck on Clement Street SF on the way home from work.
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
Is there a buffet?
Chaz |
|
“Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons." Woody Allen |
|
http://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
My wife and I usually split an app and an entree. That will save some money.
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
You really have to watch the portion size/calories at places like Chipotle. You can easily get up to 1000 or 1200 calories if you load up a burrito with cheese, sour cream, and guacamole. Maybe you could split that if you are light eaters.
Panera, Rubios, etc. might be a little closer to $20 than $15 depending upon what you get but I think those would be your best bet if you are selective about choosing more healthful options. Unfortunately the cheapest restaurant food is usually not healthy.
Mom and pop ethnic places that taste good but aren't in fancy locations may also have some good choices but you will probably be a little more than $15 unless you are eating lunch plates which are usually priced less than dinner plates.
Panera, Rubios, etc. might be a little closer to $20 than $15 depending upon what you get but I think those would be your best bet if you are selective about choosing more healthful options. Unfortunately the cheapest restaurant food is usually not healthy.
Mom and pop ethnic places that taste good but aren't in fancy locations may also have some good choices but you will probably be a little more than $15 unless you are eating lunch plates which are usually priced less than dinner plates.
Warning: I am about 80% satisficer (accepting of good enough) and 20% maximizer
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
Pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from the supermarket. Salad from the salad bar (if your supermarket has one) or just buy a bag of lettuce if cutting up and washing a head of lettuce is too much work.
Reasonably healthy, inexpensive, and fast.
Reasonably healthy, inexpensive, and fast.
- black jack
- Posts: 806
- Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2008 10:13 pm
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
We often get takeout Chinese or Indian food, and mix it in with lots of rice (whatever the restaurant gives, plus brown rice made at home), turning one serving of each dish into several. This works especially well with dishes that are sauced, such as butter chicken or garlic chicken.
We cannot absolutely prove [that they are wrong who say] that we have seen our best days. But so said all who came before us, and with just as much apparent reason. |
-T. B. Macaulay (1800-1859)
-
- Posts: 3563
- Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 6:53 pm
- Location: Bay Area
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
This is a very good suggestion. I'm not a big fan of hotdogs but my wife enjoys them. She has Fridays off from work and will sometimes get a hotdog plus drink from Costco for $1.65 while I'm at work. I married wisely.cheese_breath wrote:Don't know about the Bay area, but where I live you could both have a coney dog with chili cheese fries and have enough left over for the tip.
I love Chipotle! Should probably go there more often.John3754 wrote:Chipotle, or similar "fast casual" restaurants.
They serve it in a pretty big cup so we've never asked about refills.sscritic wrote:Do they give free refills? Do the two of you both refill the one cup you get for your $7?Ron Ronnerson wrote: They serve two large slices of pizza and a drink for $7. We split that as well.
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
You can also throw in some more frozen vegetables heated up in the microwave.black jack wrote:We often get takeout Chinese or Indian food, and mix it in with lots of rice (whatever the restaurant gives, plus brown rice made at home), turning one serving of each dish into several. This works especially well with dishes that are sauced, such as butter chicken or garlic chicken.
Warning: I am about 80% satisficer (accepting of good enough) and 20% maximizer
- cheese_breath
- Posts: 11787
- Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2011 7:08 pm
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
Do your local Little Caesars have hot-n-ready pizzas out there? Around here they're under $5.00 for a 14" pepperoni.
The surest way to know the future is when it becomes the past.
-
- Posts: 3563
- Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 6:53 pm
- Location: Bay Area
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
I don't know of any buffets near us that are under $10 per person but perhaps there are some.chaz wrote:Is there a buffet?
We'll have to try that!awval999 wrote:My wife and I usually split an app and an entree. That will save some money.
Beth: Great idea. We do this a couple of times a month already. We get a rotisserie chicken, mashed potatoes, and a salad for dinner and there is even enough chicken left over to make sandwiches for lunch for the following day!Beth* wrote:Pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from the supermarket. Salad from the salad bar (if your supermarket has one) or just buy a bag of lettuce if cutting up and washing a head of lettuce is too much work.
Reasonably healthy, inexpensive, and fast.
-
- Posts: 1561
- Joined: Wed Aug 29, 2007 12:18 pm
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
Find a good bbq place and buy a pound of q and a couple of pints of sides and eat for two meals. We have done it forever. Also do the rot. chicken and salad.
-
- Posts: 3563
- Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 6:53 pm
- Location: Bay Area
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
This had never occurred to me. Will have to try that.black jack wrote:We often get takeout Chinese or Indian food, and mix it in with lots of rice (whatever the restaurant gives, plus brown rice made at home), turning one serving of each dish into several. This works especially well with dishes that are sauced, such as butter chicken or garlic chicken.
There isn't a Little Caesars near us but, once in a while, we pick up a two-topping pizza and chicken wings from Domino's for $12. It's enough food to give us leftovers for the next day as well. It's not the healthiest food so we try to limit how often we go there.cheese_breath wrote:Do your local Little Caesars have hot-n-ready pizzas out there? Around here they're under $5.00 for a 14" pepperoni.
-
- Posts: 11647
- Joined: Sat Oct 04, 2008 11:42 am
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
Costco rotisserie chicken $5 with salad and/or rice and veggies.
Last edited by DSInvestor on Mon May 26, 2014 6:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
Costco free samples are less expensive.DSInvestor wrote:Costco rotisserie chicken $5.
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
Pho at your local Vietnamese.
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
This. I live this way basically as fast food is always unhealthy. Even the "healthy" stuff is full of salt. Frozen vegetables aren't "cheap" but you can get them at about $1.50 to $2 a pound. Add some salt free beans from Whole Foods at about $1 per can and the meal takes 3 minutes to make. Now if you are young and not at all concerned about nutritional things, then the Subway footlongs, or Chipotle is quite inexpensive.stan1 wrote:You can also throw in some more frozen vegetables heated up in the microwave.black jack wrote:We often get takeout Chinese or Indian food, and mix it in with lots of rice (whatever the restaurant gives, plus brown rice made at home), turning one serving of each dish into several. This works especially well with dishes that are sauced, such as butter chicken or garlic chicken.
-
- Posts: 153
- Joined: Sat Dec 04, 2010 4:50 pm
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
I don't know specifically about the Bay area, but while traveling I often go to a large supermarket that has a large salad bar. I put the salad together "my way" and usually make just the right amount. This is a pretty healthy meal and usually pretty reasonable. Many supermarkets even have places to sit and enjoy or you can take it back to the hotel (or home).
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
I don't know what your prices are, but paying $0.50 per ounce for lettuce that sells for $1 per 1.5 pound head two aisles away doesn't sound inexpensive to me. Now if your salad contains only tomatoes that sell for $3.00 a pound, you are only paying two and two-thirds times the regular price, much better than paying twelve times the regular price for lettuce.Maid of the Mist wrote:I don't know specifically about the Bay area, but while traveling I often go to a large supermarket that has a large salad bar. I put the salad together "my way" and usually make just the right amount. This is a pretty healthy meal and usually pretty reasonable. Many supermarkets even have places to sit and enjoy or you can take it back to the hotel (or home).
On the road is one thing, but I wouldn't do this when my house is only two minutes away.
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
Use groupon deals or an entertainment book for about half price deals or buy one get one free.
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
I find take-out from Ethnic restaurants provide the best "bang for buck". My wife and I do not exactly eat like birds, but we usually still get about 3-4 total meals out of two entrees from our local Thai place.
-
- Posts: 153
- Joined: Sat Dec 04, 2010 4:50 pm
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
I agree with sscritics economics and those economics are true of any decent take-out or restaurant options. And I personally do make salads at home. The poster did not seem interested in spending time preparing meals though.
Buying all the ingredients for a large, good, "complete meal" salad can get expensive (romaine lettuce, spinach, arugala, tomatoes, radishes, carrots, peppers, avocados, various types of beans, mushrooms, onions, garlic, broccoli, red cabbage, sunflower seeds, tofu, etc). Also there is prep time - cutting, steaming, etc. If you can use all those ingredients over the next few days (they don't last)and you have the time to prepare, then you are far better off buying the ingredients. However, if you want a healthy meal quickly, a salad bar can be a great alternative. When we go to supermarket salad bars, we spend $6 to $7 per salad - which I admit is a lot. But you can also spend that and more at restaurants or many fast food places.
Buying all the ingredients for a large, good, "complete meal" salad can get expensive (romaine lettuce, spinach, arugala, tomatoes, radishes, carrots, peppers, avocados, various types of beans, mushrooms, onions, garlic, broccoli, red cabbage, sunflower seeds, tofu, etc). Also there is prep time - cutting, steaming, etc. If you can use all those ingredients over the next few days (they don't last)and you have the time to prepare, then you are far better off buying the ingredients. However, if you want a healthy meal quickly, a salad bar can be a great alternative. When we go to supermarket salad bars, we spend $6 to $7 per salad - which I admit is a lot. But you can also spend that and more at restaurants or many fast food places.
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
Once more for the frugal in me. If they offer $6 a pound cheese, that is all I would put in my salad. Unless they offer crab or shrimp.Maid of the Mist wrote:I agree with sscritics economics and those economics are true of any decent take-out or restaurant options. And I personally do make salads at home. The poster did not seem interested in spending time preparing meals though.
Buying all the ingredients for a large, good, "complete meal" salad can get expensive (romaine lettuce, spinach, arugala, tomatoes, radishes, carrots, peppers, avocados, various types of beans, mushrooms, onions, garlic, broccoli, red cabbage, sunflower seeds, tofu, etc). Also there is prep time - cutting, steaming, etc. If you can use all those ingredients over the next few days (they don't last)and you have the time to prepare, then you are far better off buying the ingredients. However, if you want a healthy meal quickly, a salad bar can be a great alternative. When we go to supermarket salad bars, we spend $6 to $7 per salad - which I admit is a lot. But you can also spend that and more at restaurants or many fast food places.
When I go to a restaurant offering "pick one of three entrees, one of three appetizers, and one of three desserts" prix fixe, I always get the most expensive items, even if I don't like them. My thrift knows no bounds.
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
This, and also perhaps Ethiopian (don't know if they're as prevalent in the Bay Area as they are in Seattle). The Ethiopian place we go to has a combination plate that, with tax and tip is $15 even. And totally enough to feed us both.dickenjb wrote:Pho at your local Vietnamese.
Seconding the idea of splitting a main and an appetizer, that usually keeps us under $22 with tax and tip. There's a Mexican joint we like where we get an enormous burrito for about $8.50 which we could split if we carried out (which sometimes we do and take it to the beach). If we also get an appetizer to go with it, it usually works out to about $18 after tax/tip.
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
Denny's
In your area I see one at Beach Street SF and one at Mission St SF.
Plus, I use a discount card and receive 20% discount after 4PM.
Thank you.
In your area I see one at Beach Street SF and one at Mission St SF.
Plus, I use a discount card and receive 20% discount after 4PM.
Thank you.
~ Member of the Active Retired Force since 2014 ~
-
- Posts: 7189
- Joined: Sun Dec 16, 2007 11:25 am
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
Proud to say wife and I have you out-inexpensived (although it is just lunch). We split a 6-inch Subway sandwich and a single bag of chips.Ron Ronnerson wrote: Some days are hectic and it's nice to be able to pick up food rather than have to deal with cooking and dishes at the end of a long day. About once a week, my wife and I (we don’t have kids) pick up a foot-long Subway sandwich and split it. We get it to go and have chips & drinks at home so it costs around $6.
JW
Retired at Last
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
Subway was a life-saver in my high school and college days.JW Nearly Retired wrote:Proud to say wife and I have you out-inexpensived (although it is just lunch). We split a 6-inch Subway sandwich and a single bag of chips.Ron Ronnerson wrote: Some days are hectic and it's nice to be able to pick up food rather than have to deal with cooking and dishes at the end of a long day. About once a week, my wife and I (we don’t have kids) pick up a foot-long Subway sandwich and split it. We get it to go and have chips & drinks at home so it costs around $6.
JW
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
The prepared food section at Whole Foods. They have a great selection and most of it is pretty good for you, especially compared to restaurant food. I would second the previous post of Costco. Although your choices are limited.
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
We use the Entertainment Book too. Pays for itself in a few uses and since we like to go out for lunch or dinner it gets us to try some new places, especially for the inexpensive choices.mikep wrote:Use groupon deals or an entertainment book for about half price deals or buy one get one free.
We like to try different ethnic mom and pop places, Mexican, Chinese, Thai and Greek and get dishes to share.
Also call in order to pick up Costco whole pizzas to go from their food court and my family loves it.
- ClevrChico
- Posts: 3259
- Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2012 8:24 pm
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
Splitting Subway is hard to beat for value.
Aldi has HUGE take and bake pizzas for $6. They are delicious and rival most pizza restaurants.
Aldi has HUGE take and bake pizzas for $6. They are delicious and rival most pizza restaurants.
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
There are two restaurants near us--one is Asian fusion, the other a French bistro--that offer dirt-cheap small plates of food and half-price wine and beer during happy hour in their respective bars. My wife and I will sometimes go there and make it a meal that costs about half of what the people in the dining room are paying.
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
I'll chime in with ethnic restaurants for the best value and quality.
Vietnamese, Indian, Thai, Ethiopian, Chinese if real chinese food, and Uncle Vito's pizza in SF are our favorites. Very tasty, usually plenty for two meals, and fresh ingredients.
Vietnamese, Indian, Thai, Ethiopian, Chinese if real chinese food, and Uncle Vito's pizza in SF are our favorites. Very tasty, usually plenty for two meals, and fresh ingredients.
The mightiest Oak is just a nut who stayed the course.
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
With me, it's 2 for 1 coupons at BK, McD's, Wendys and Arby's
All the Best, |
Joe
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
Home Depot hot dogs and soda! The ones you get on your way out the door for $1.50! That's my sodium for a week.
Also 6 inch veggie on flat bread at Subway - scrumpdillyicious! With a grocery store receipt coupon, they are a dollar.
Also 6 inch veggie on flat bread at Subway - scrumpdillyicious! With a grocery store receipt coupon, they are a dollar.
Last edited by LowER on Mon May 26, 2014 10:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- cheese_breath
- Posts: 11787
- Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2011 7:08 pm
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
OP isn't interested in fast food so that disqualifies three of them. I'd say Arby's sandwiches are a good choice though.joe8d wrote:With me, it's 2 for 1 coupons at BK, McD's, Wendys and Arby's
The surest way to know the future is when it becomes the past.
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
It is suprising to me how so few people want to cook healthy anymore. I cook twice a week, There are two of us. Cook two meals that will feed you for for 3 days, stagger the meals and go out one other night, or not. All the pre cooked meals at deli's or supermarkets or fast food places are loaded with sodium. It really is a no brainer.
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
Yep. Arby's is on the menu for tomorrow.cheese_breath wrote:OP isn't interested in fast food so that disqualifies three of them. I'd say Arby's sandwiches are a good choice though.joe8d wrote:With me, it's 2 for 1 coupons at BK, McD's, Wendys and Arby's
All the Best, |
Joe
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
Robert44 wrote:It is suprising to me how so few people want to cook healthy anymore. I cook twice a week, There are two of us. Cook two meals that will feed you for for 3 days, stagger the meals and go out one other night, or not. All the pre cooked meals at deli's or supermarkets or fast food places are loaded with sodium. It really is a no brainer.
Wanting to go out for a meal now and then doesn't mean people aren't cooking or eating healthy.
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
The subject was "dining inexpensively" going out to eat is not inexpensive unless you want to eat fast food.
- FrugalInvestor
- Posts: 6214
- Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2008 11:20 pm
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
One of my wife's and my favorite places to dine out is the local Mongolian Grill. If you choose wisely (easy on the noodles, heavy on the vegetables) it can be very healthy and you choose seasonings to suit your taste. Dinner costs us about $12 each. If we arrive early for 'happy hour' or eat have a large lunch instead of dinner it's $2 less. We've found that Mongolian Grills of one brand or another are very common in some areas and difficult to find in others.
Have a plan, stay the course and simplify. Then ignore the noise!
-
- Posts: 3563
- Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 6:53 pm
- Location: Bay Area
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
I went to my in-laws' house tonight for dinner (another great way to save on dining, I suppose) so didn't get a chance to thank all of you for your responses sooner. However, I definitely do appreciate all the ideas and will surely try some of them out.
We haven't bought an entertainment book in a few years. We used to get one each year but the selection of restaurants seemed to be getting smaller and smaller each year. All that was left were places about to go out of business and fast food. I do like the Groupon idea. Do they often have offers for restaurants on there?mikep wrote:Use groupon deals or an entertainment book for about half price deals or buy one get one free.
We like Thai food quite a bit so this idea would work well for us. Thanks!countofmc wrote:I find take-out from Ethnic restaurants provide the best "bang for buck". My wife and I do not exactly eat like birds, but we usually still get about 3-4 total meals out of two entrees from our local Thai place.
-
- Posts: 3563
- Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 6:53 pm
- Location: Bay Area
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
Just to touch upon this: I cook almost every day. My wife has a terrible commute and is stuck in traffic for much of early evening so I make most of the dinners. Cooking is not a passion for me and after working all day myself, I'm usually pretty tired (I teach 5th grade and 30 ten-year old kids have a way of tiring a person out). I'm trying to get creative by making life a little easier and picking up dinner once in a while at an affordable price.Maid of the Mist wrote: The poster did not seem interested in spending time preparing meals though.
sscritic: I like your style!sscritic wrote:When I go to a restaurant offering "pick one of three entrees, one of three appetizers, and one of three desserts" prix fixe, I always get the most expensive items, even if I don't like them. My thrift knows no bounds
Wow! I don't think we could manage on half of a half-sandwich but have to say I am impressed!JW Nearly Retired wrote:Proud to say wife and I have you out-inexpensived (although it is just lunch). We split a 6-inch Subway sandwich and a single bag of chips. JW
We have a Whole Foods not too far from where we live. I haven't tried their prepared foods but will have to give that a shot. Thanks for the idea!yukonjack wrote:The prepared food section at Whole Foods. They have a great selection and most of it is pretty good for you, especially compared to restaurant food. I would second the previous post of Costco. Although your choices are limited.
-
- Posts: 3563
- Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 6:53 pm
- Location: Bay Area
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
I cook almost every day. I'm just looking for ideas on the days that I don't want to do so. I realize that it is healthier to prepare food at home and am by no means looking to swap cooking for eating out on a daily basis.Robert44 wrote:It is suprising to me how so few people want to cook healthy anymore. I cook twice a week, There are two of us. Cook two meals that will feed you for for 3 days, stagger the meals and go out one other night, or not. All the pre cooked meals at deli's or supermarkets or fast food places are loaded with sodium. It really is a no brainer.
-
- Posts: 3563
- Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 6:53 pm
- Location: Bay Area
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
I have not seen any of these around my neck of the woods but will keep my eyes open. Thanks for the suggestion.FrugalInvestor wrote:One of my wife's and my favorite places to dine out is the local Mongolian Grill. If you choose wisely (easy on the noodles, heavy on the vegetables) it can be very healthy and you choose seasonings to suit your taste. Dinner costs us about $12 each. If we arrive early for 'happy hour' or eat have a large lunch instead of dinner it's $2 less. We've found that Mongolian Grills of one brand or another are very common in some areas and difficult to find in others.
-
- Posts: 3908
- Joined: Fri Jan 17, 2014 9:19 am
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
I don't understand why McDonalds is considered as (bad) fast food, while Subway is not.
Last time travelling on the road, my wife decided that we need some "healthy" food, not fast food, so we skipped McDonalds and went to Applebee. We waited for 30 minutes to get our orders, which were burgers and fries. Although they might be different from those from McDonalds, they were still burgers and fries. The price was three times that of McDonalds, plus tips.
Last time travelling on the road, my wife decided that we need some "healthy" food, not fast food, so we skipped McDonalds and went to Applebee. We waited for 30 minutes to get our orders, which were burgers and fries. Although they might be different from those from McDonalds, they were still burgers and fries. The price was three times that of McDonalds, plus tips.
-
- Posts: 1908
- Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2013 12:34 am
- Location: Southern AZ
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
Most grocery stores carry a wide variety of prepared foods that are a fraction of the cost of eating out in a sit-down restaurant.
Even when I was working, I generally avoided the option. I found that in general, I could put together very nutritious meals together from scratch in 30 minutes or less. While I was cooking that night's meal, I could also whip up a pot of chili or soup for the rest of the week. It was a major priority for us.
Even when I was working, I generally avoided the option. I found that in general, I could put together very nutritious meals together from scratch in 30 minutes or less. While I was cooking that night's meal, I could also whip up a pot of chili or soup for the rest of the week. It was a major priority for us.
Re: Ideas for dining inexpensively
Costco is a good place for inexpensive food. The food court has a number of choices. There are also prepared foods in the refrigerated cases. The rotisserie chicken is an additional choice. You can get cooked pizza at the food court, $10 for an extra large (with or without toppings). Alternatively, you can get raw pizzas to take home and bake. The quality of all of the items is better than you might expect.
Jeff
Jeff