Mini Meals

With shrinking budgets and growing prices becoming the norm, a decent meal out can become a luxury purchase for any college student. To save money on these Sadler-less days, it becomes a necessity to turn back the clock and revisit the culinary glory days of our youth ... the kids menu. For less than the price of a single adult entree, students can often get the whole package: a meal, a drink, a side, and sometimes even a dessert or toy. Anna Dehmer ’28 found a few of the best options for a quick, cheap, and nostalgic bite in Williamsburg! 

Cava

If you’re trying to eat healthier but Sadler Dining Hall’s rotation of pizza and French fries isn’t cutting it, look no further than Cava! For $7.45 at the Williamsburg, Va. location, you can build your own bowl that includes one grain, one main, one dip, one dressing, and three toppings. The meal also comes with a drink and a choice between a side of pita chips or half of a pita. The unlimited drink station is an added bonus, so don’t worry about having to ask for “light ice” in order to maximize value. 

While the Cava kids meal is on the pricier side compared to some options, the healthy balance and customization options can make it worth it. Overall, Cava’s kids meal is a great option for students looking for a more “grown-up” meal while still saving a couple of dollars. 

Chipotle

Like Cava, Chipotle leans into the build-your-own concept for its kids meals, but with a different format. Instead of a bowl, the kids menu offers either the Kid’s Tacos for $5.60 or the Kid’s Quesadilla for $4.95. Both options allow for a choice of protein and additional toppings! Each meal also comes with chips or a clementine on the side and an unlimited drink.

While the portions end up smaller than Chipotle’s famously large burritos, the meals are still filling and nutrient-dense, making it ideal for those trying to stretch their budget while still getting the standard Chipotle flavors.

Chick-fil- A

One of the biggest disappointments about the on-campus Chick-fil-A is the lack of a kids meal, but if you ever find yourself famished during a Target run, you can pick up the kids meal at the Chick-fil-A next door. 

The kids meal has three entree options: fried nuggets, grilled nuggets, and chicken strips. These portions are smaller than the on-campus portions, but they are fresher and cheaper! The difference is most noticeable in the sides, as the fries are always in stock, hot, and salted. Similarly to on campus, other sides are available, such as mac-and-cheese or a salad, but this requires an upcharge consistent with Chick-fil-A’s normal pricing. Likewise, the drinks are not self-serve, meaning your serving of lemonade will be downed in one singular gulp. To make up for these pitfalls, however, each kid’s meal comes with your choice of a prize or an ice cream cone, adding a bit of nostalgic fun to the experience!

First Watch

In a town full of pancake houses, a chain restaurant may not be your first choice for breakfast, but First Watch’s incredible kids meal may make it a place worth travelling to. The kids menu includes options such as french toast and granola, but the best deal by far is the pancake meal. For a discounted price, students can get a pancake bigger than their face with a side of bacon! 

Interestingly, this same order is available on the adult menu for a steeper price, making the kids version an obvious value deal. The First Watch breakfast is hard to beat for students wanting to save some money while going out to breakfast with friends.

Super Chix

Although less well-known than other entries on this list, Super Chix kids meal may reign supreme for its seriously adult-sized portions. Although the price is high at $10, the meal is well worth it. 

Students have the choice between a chicken slider, two chicken tenders, or a grilled cheese as the entree. While that may sound modest, each tender is nearly the size of two from Chick-fil-A! The entrees are accompanied with fries (with your choice of seasoning), an unlimited drink refill, and a scoop of custard. Altogether, the generous portions and included dessert work to justify the steep price, and make this kids meal one of the best options in Williamsburg.

While kids menus are typically designed for a younger crowd, they can become an amazing option for college students trying to save money. Whether it’s for a quick lunch after shopping or a nice breakfast with friends, the bundled meals and lower prices can offer a way to eat out without completely draining the bank!