By Mallory Bowman & Tracy F. Harris
Most University of Louisville students can honestly say that they’re well acquainted with campus cuisine. From Wendy’s to Subway and Mitzi’s to Papa John’s, students frequent campus restaurants because they are convenient and serve an array of cheap dining options.
But with the Student Activities Center’s upper-level dining services closing before dinner time, students might want to learn where they can find a cheap meal off campus.
The Cardinal has researched some local well-known and some not-so-well-known college favorites near campus that are easy on the pocket book and on the stomach.
Dairy Kastle
Since its conversion from a gas station to a walk-up restaurant in 1975, Dairy Kastle has been serving the young and old throughout the spring, summer and fall months with affordable food and its specialty: soft-serve ice cream treats.
From its well-known classic orange sherbet to a satisfying chili dog, U of L students and Louisville residents alike flock to the stand’s location at 575 Eastern Pkwy.
Dairy Kastle offers treats such as sundaes, flurries, banana splits, milkshakes and more.
The only downfall to Dairy Kastle is its seasonal operation. Because it’s a walk-up only restaurant, Dairy Kastle is only open through October.
However, it does stay open relatively late to satisfy the munchies or a sweet tooth on Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. and Sunday, noon until 10 p.m.
Juanita’s Burger Boy
If you’re not a fan of “greasy spoon” restaurants, this one’s not for you. But for those who enjoy a late-night greasy hamburger or breakfast in the evening, stop on by Juanita’s.
Greasy really is the best description, so if you’re on any kind of diet, don’t waste your time finding Juanita’s.
Juanita’s is open 24 hours and offers a full diner-style menu. It also offers a lot of local color. But don’t be fooled — the walls aren’t painted yellow. That tint is from years of a smoky environment and grease popping from the griddle, which is located directly behind the counter.
Juanitas’ signature dish is the “Burger Boy Platter,” which comes with French fries and a double-decker hamburger smothered in mayonnaise.
According to a waitress at the restaurant, Juanita’s has been open and privately owned for more than 30 years.
Don’t be intimidated by its outward appearance — or inward appearance for that matter. Even though Juanita’s may not have aged gracefully, the tasty diner-style food has held steady throughout the years.
Juanita’s is located at the corner of Brook and Burnett, very close to campus. And don’t worry about packing your pockets with cash, because you can easily get away with $10 or less at Juanita’s.
Qdoba Mexican Grill
Although this restaurant isn’t a well-kept secret, it’s nice to know students can get a tasty, well-prepared fast food Mexican-style meal for well under $10.
The restaurant’s motto, which refers to big burritos and big flavors, holds true. Qdoba offers large burritos with chicken, beef or veggies that are prepared in a tortilla or “naked,” without the tortilla, in a bowl.
Other favorites at the restaurant are the nachos and quesadillas. Each is tasty and you have the freedom of requesting exactly what you want. No menu item is predetermined at “the ‘Doba.”
Probably the most attractive aspect of Qdoba is that the food is prepared directly in front of you, and you can taste the freshness.
With five salsas from mild to very hot, fresh guacamole and crispy lettuce, Qdoba offers great fast food at affordable prices.
The closest Qdoba to campus is at the corner of Eastern Parkway and Bardstown Road. This location is open every day of the week for lunch and dinner and closes at 10 p.m. on weekdays and at 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Sonic Drive-In
Okay, so it’s another chain restaurant. But, well, it’s Sonic, and it’s different. It’s a drive-in, for one thing. You can sit in your car on Winkler Ave., where Sonic is located, and have your food brought to you, or you can sit at the outdoor tables instead.
You can start with burgers, corndogs, chili dogs, popcorn chicken, tater tots, onion rings or grilled cheese on Texas toast. And you can drink a freshly made limeade (regular, cherry or strawberry) with it, or get a slush, float or malt.
It’s good, cheap, American food — but it’s the desserts that make Sonic a Cardinal favorite. Sonic offers banana splits and sundaes in addition to all the specialty drinks. It just doesn’t get much better. Actually, it does. Monday through Friday there’s a “happy hour,” which is half-off drinks from 2-5 p.m.
Sonic offers breakfast, too, so they’re open every day at 7 a.m. They close at 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and at 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
