School’s been back in session for nearly two weeks now, and you’re starting to notice that the hamburger casserole served in the residence halls tastes an awful lot like last week’s fish sticks. 7-11’s already getting older than the hot dogs in its rotisserie. And it didn’t take long before Domino’s Pizza had your “usual” on file.
Not only are you in need of some variety, face it: Slurpees and dorm food aren’t going to impress a date.
But you struggle to find ways of treating that special person to a special meal on that “special” college-student budget. But, despite what you may think, it is possible to spend less than 20 bucks on a dinner for two at a place a bit classier than Deb’s, Lyon’s or Shari’s.
Be sure not to overlook Olive Garden. Sure, it’s not the cheapest of the “Cheap Dates,” but by ordering the right meals, you won’t spend more than $20 for the two of you.
Olive Garden is renowned throughout the country for its delicious all-you-can-eat salad and breadsticks. And for less than $6 each, you and your date can enjoy that for lunch along with as much soup as you want.
At dinnertime, the price jumps up to $8.25. A little too high for your pocketbook? Don’t fret. Through the middle of October, Olive Garden is offering its Never-Ending Pasta Bowl. For only $7.95, you get all the breadsticks and salad or soup you can eat in addition to as many helpings of savory pasta you want. You can choose from six pastas — spaghetti, fettuccini, linguini, angel hair, farfalle and penne — and five sauces — meat sauce, marinara, tomato, alfredo and bolognese.
So many options, what if you can’t decide? Try a variety. Maybe you want something creamy yet spicy. You could try a linguini with alfredo and bolognese sauces — side by side, that is. And of course, there’s always the option of seconds, as long as there’s room in your stomach. Who says you have to order the same thing the second time around, or even the third?
But long before you even get your pasta — unless you go during off-peak hours when your main course will reach your table in no time — you get to indulge in bread and soup or salad. The breadsticks are magnificent, as long as they’re hot and soft, which I have found to be rather rare, to be honest. But nothing compares to the wonderful creamy Italian house dressing. Just keep in mind that if you’re not an Italian-dressing fan, mention so ahead of time, otherwise your salad will be drenched in oily goodness.
Now, if your goal is to spend no more than $20 for dinner, you may have to settle for water with your meal, considering two pasta dishes with a 15 percent tip of $2.40 would come out to $18.30. Although, you could share a soft drink, which costs a whopping $1.75. But if it’s a first date, that’s certainly not recommended.
But what about dessert? Don’t worry. The pasta, salad and breadsticks will fill you both up so much, neither you nor your date will even want to think about Tiramisu.
And the best part: You’ll almost definitely have leftovers to take home for your next meal, an even cheaper date!