Published On: Fri, Jul 14th, 2017

Top 5 Food Spots for College Students

By: Gabriel Diaz

Being the city that it is, Boca Raton is one of the priciest spots in Florida. College students in Boca are always complaining at the hefty prices some establishments charge for items, clothes, food, and drinks. It just seems like things are always a bit more expensive in South Florida than anywhere else. Every day college students have to memorize food and drink specials and cut out coupons in order to simply live their lives in Boca.

This being said, I made it my mission, as the good intern that I am, to find the best food spots for college students to eat at in Boca that deliver the most “bang for your buck.” These are all places that many college students frequent, and some are hidden gems. Whatever the case, you can be assured that you can eat at these places for under $12, and walk out of these restaurants feeling like the champ you think you are.

Let’s get started because I am hungry.

5) The Poke Company

The healthiest option out of this list, The Poke Company cranks out Poke bowls in their location at 555 N. Federal Hwy. A Poke bowl is basically a bowl of either rice, kale, or cauliflower “rice” with different types of fish diced on top such as tuna or salmon, and then topped off with sauces and vegetables to create a healthy, yet delicious combination. A regular size bowl in The Poke Company will run you $11.95. This includes a bed of rice, kale, or cauliflower “rice” and your choice of two proteins, plus any mixins, sauces or toppings. The Poke Company is sure to fill you up, make you feel healthy and run you just exactly around $12 for a meal, which for the quality of their products and the fact that it’s located in Boca, that’s a great deal!

4)  LaSpada’s Original Hoagies

Located in Glades Plaza, LaSpada’s Hoagies is the best sub place in town. When you walk into LaSpada’s, one is immediately greeted with the gentle caress and smell of freshly baked bread. When you walk up to the glass windows to order after looking at the menu on the wall, you are greeted by some pretty friendly employees who make your sub by throwing, yes throwing, whatever combination of meats and cheeses your heart desires onto the bread. Their feature hoagie, The Monster, is comprised of ham, turkey, and roast beef, and it looks like what it’s called, a monster. The hoagie itself will run you $11.70 for a large, but for that price, you are basically paying for two meals since even my overweight self has to save one-half of the hoagie for later. I like to enjoy my monster with Voodoo chips and an ice cold root beer.

 

3) Ichiyami Buffet & Sushi

Ichiyami is possibly one of the greatest things to happen to the Boca community since the invention of running water. Ichiyami lunch will run you $11.95 but it is all you can eat from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays. This is the spot you want to go to the morning after you went out with the boys because the food, and the sushi especially, are out of this world considering the price. The fact that $12 gets you unlimited and good quality sushi is just mind boggling since most other sushi restaurants in town will run you that price for just one roll. Ichiyami not only has sushi, it also has a hibachi grill and a Chinese food section. If that all wasn’t enough though, Ichiyami does have a fully functioning bar with a pretty decent happy hour, just in case you are in the mood for a Sapporo or two. Ichiyami is definitely one of the top spots in Boca where you literally get unlimited food for your buck.

 

2) Fran’s Chicken Haven

The hidden gem of Boca. Fran’s Chicken Haven makes Colonel Sanders look like a fool. Located in 1925 N Federal Hwy inside of a strip mall, Fran’s Chicken has been serving mouth watering chicken since 1964. Fran’s has been around for so long, that it is the only restaurant in Boca to host a neon sign since the sign was grandfathered in before they became disallowed. Chicken combo platters include three to four pieces of chicken, depending on the platter, and fries plus a side of coleslaw. My favorite thing to get there is a three piece chicken tender combo with fries, coleslaw, and a Dr. Pepper. The chicken tenders, much like the bone-in chicken, is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Definitely some of the best chicken you will ever have. Fran’s also offers their guests a free Fried Oreo if they Snapchat their meal. Also, their homemade chicken and waffles are out of this world.

You can find me here once a week getting some finger licking chicken, laughing at the new KFC that they opened two blocks away because as their sign says, “If the colonel had our fried chicken recipe, he’d be a general”. If you don’t stop by Fran’s chicken while you are in Boca you are either a strict vegetarian or crazy in which case, you are missing out on a life changing experience.

1) Boca’s Best Pizza Bar

$5.99. 2 a.m. That’s all that anyone needs to hear to know that this place has to be #1 on this list. Boca’s Best is the definition of a college life staple in Boca Raton. Located in 119 W Palmetto Park Rd, Boca’s Best Pizza is cranking out great pies, pasta, and salads for their guest for a very affordable price. Boca’s Best got rated #1 for Best Pizza in South Florida so I think it’s safe to say that the pizza is really good. The factor that makes Boca’s Best stand out is the fact that they are open until 2 a.m. This makes it perfect for students looking to get a late night slice, or for those who are getting back from bars late in the night. The $5.99 combo includes two slices and a soda or a slice, a salad, and a soda for the same price. If you are looking at getting one of their other specialties, for around $12 you could get The Sampler Stromboli which consists of chicken tenders, fried cheese ravioli, fried mozzarella sticks, French fries and even more mozzarella cheese all stuffed inside of a stromboli with a side of tomato sauce. This place is the top food spot for college students in Boca because it not only gives you a lot of good quality food for a low price but also because it’s one of the restaurants that’s open the latest in the area. If you are ever hungry and low on cash, make your way to Boca’s Best so that you aren’t stuck eating Ramen once again!

Cheers!

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