Buying food on campus can put a serious dent in your wad. Although the food is tasty, eating out at the various restaurants on campus on a regular basis will add up quick.

If the smell of all the delicious food wafting in the air as you pass through the Student Union and River Front areas is irresistible, then at least be aware of how to get the most bang for your buck at each eatery.

When it comes to sandwiches, there is both Togo’s and Subway to choose from, both offering their own deal.

At Subway, advertised on the menu board is the two-meal deal including two 6-inch sub sandwiches, two 21-ounce drinks and two bags of chips for $8.99. Also, according to owner Sayeh Saderi all foot-longs except for the premium sandwiches are $5 through September.

Togo’s has its own deal to offer students throughout the week. Every Monday through Thursday between the times of 2 and 5 p.m. students can get a free soda with any purchase. In addition, everyday there is a new daily special offered with a different sandwich featured, including a 20 ounce soda and chips for $5.50.

“When it’s the sandwich that I love it is so worth the deal,” said child development major Christie Saccomanno.

Right next to Togo’s at the River Front, Gyro 2 Go offers the “everyday special” said owner Abdul Kakar.

“You get a free soda with everything you buy. You don’t pay more than $7 for a full meal,” Kakar said.

The menu is small but the prices to range from $5.75 to $7.00.

“That’s why we have it so cheap is because we are on campus. Students don’t have much money,” Kakar said.

If it is Japanese food you are craving, then Miyagi is also in the River Front. There is no daily special offered but if you frequently find yourself needing that sushi roll in between classes, make sure to pick up the punch card offered. Every sushi roll or bento box purchased earns a stamp. After 10, you get one free.

Crepes De Paris also offers the same idea as a punch card to earn a free crepe. Instead of having the physical card to carry around in your wallet, your smartphone handles all the paperwork. All you have to do is download the app at GVING.com/download. Also, every two days there is a new special written on the whiteboard in front. Owner Isaac Traore said the best crepe for a student on a budget is banana Nutella which costs $5.50.

Keep an eye out for the daily deals on Gordita Burritos board. There is a different deal for every day of the week.

“One of our famous (entrees) is our fish tacos and the Baja shrimp,” said cashier Maria Rodriguez. Both the location in the Hornet’s nest inside the Student Union and the River Front location do the daily deals.

The prices at the Burger King on campus are a bit pricier than those off campus. In the Union, a BK bacon burger is priced at $1.19 and the double cheeseburger at $1.79. The Watt location sells the same BK bacon burger for just $1 and the double cheeseburger for $1.29, but it probably costs much more than that for the gas money to drive to another location.

If you are just hankering for some Burger King, then take advantage of their deal not posted on the menu that may help save some cash. Every Monday through Friday from 10 to three p.m. you can get a double cheeseburger, fries and a soda for $4 out the door, no tax. That is cheaper than most for a full meal on campus.

The Sacramento State campus has quite a few different coffee shops available. The best deal on coffee by far is at the Hornet Café inside the bookstore. The coffee is just 50 cents per cup but Thursday is the last day to get iced coffee and tea and they won’t be back until next summer. Also, all of the pastries are organic and reasonable in price.

Eco Grounds is the next cheapest place when it comes to on-campus coffee shops. If you bring in your own mug from home the first fill is free of charge. They also have the express lunch combo not featured on the menu which includes a sandwich or salad with a side and a drink for $7.65.

Java City also does the save a tree discount, which rewards customers for bringing in their own mug but only gives 15 cents off their beverage.

Eating on campus can be convenient, but stick to your student budget and take advantage of the deals offered around campus.

Alex Mecredy can be reached at [email protected]