Being a student in Provo doesn't mean surviving on ramen and cereal. The city has genuine, satisfying meals available for under $10 — if you know where to look. This guide covers the best cheap eats, grocery strategies, and budget tips to keep you well-fed without destroying your bank account.
Best Meals Under $8
Street Tacos Don Joaquin — $5–6 for 3 tacos
The best tacos in Provo at prices that feel almost unfair. Three authentic street tacos on corn tortillas with perfectly seasoned meat, onion, cilantro, and lime. Al pastor and carnitas are the standouts. Add a horchata for $2 and you're still under $8 for a genuinely great meal.
El Gallo Giro — $7–8 for a burrito plate
Massive burritos with your choice of meat, rice, beans, and fresh salsa. The portions are large enough that one burrito can be two meals if you're strategic about it. The carne asada is excellent.
BYU Creamery — $4–7 for meals and groceries
BYU's on-campus grocery store and deli has surprisingly affordable prepared food alongside groceries. The chocolate milk is legendary (and cheap), and the deli sandwiches and hot food options are priced for student budgets.
Guru's Café — $7–9 for bowls and wraps
Guru's portions are generous and the menu spans comfort food, açai bowls, and wraps. The açai bowls are filling enough to count as a meal, and the wraps are packed with ingredients. Not the cheapest option on this list, but the quality-to-price ratio is strong.
Café Río — $8–9 for a salad or burrito
The sweet pork barbacoa salad is a cult favorite for a reason. At $8–9, it's a lot of food with fresh ingredients and real flavor. The tortillas are pressed to order, which makes a difference.
Mi Lindo Guadalajara — $6–8 for authentic plates
Genuine Mexican home cooking at prices that reflect the neighborhood (Freedom Blvd), not the downtown markup. Pozole, birria, and huaraches are all available for under $8 and come in portions meant to fill you up.
Costco Food Court — $1.50 for hot dog + drink, $2 for pizza slice
The most aggressively affordable meal in the Provo area. A hot dog and fountain drink for $1.50 has been unchanged for decades, and the pizza slices are massive. No membership required for the food court at most locations. The Orem Costco is a short drive from both campuses.
Best Buffets & All-You-Can-Eat
Bombay House Lunch Buffet — $12–14
Slightly above our $10 threshold, but the value is exceptional. A full spread of Indian curries, naan, rice, salads, and desserts that you can eat as much as you want. If you go hungry and eat strategically, this can fuel you for most of the day.
Pizza Pie Café — $8–10
All-you-can-eat pizza, pasta, salad bar, and breadsticks. The pizza quality is solid for a buffet, and the variety means you won't get bored. Popular with students for a reason.
Grocery Shopping on a Budget
Eating out every meal is expensive even at the cheapest spots. The real savings come from smart grocery shopping and basic meal prep.
Best Budget Grocery Stores
WinCo Foods (Orem) — The best overall value for groceries in the area. Bulk bins, low prices across the board, and no membership fee. The trade-off is it's cash/debit only (no credit cards) and the nearest location is in Orem.
Macey's — A local chain with competitive prices and a good selection. The Provo location is convenient to both campuses. Their weekly deals and digital coupons can save 15–20% on a typical grocery run.
Smith's — Standard Kroger-owned grocery with a fuel rewards program. Prices are moderate, but the fuel points add up if you're driving.
Costco (Orem) — Requires a $65/year membership but pays for itself quickly if you're buying in bulk. Split a membership with roommates. Best for rice, chicken, eggs, bread, frozen vegetables, and snacks.
BYU Creamery — Convenient but not the cheapest for full grocery runs. Best for quick grabs, dairy products, and the chocolate milk.
The $30/Week Grocery Template
Here's a realistic grocery list that feeds one person for a week for approximately $30:
- Rice (5 lb bag): $4
- Dried beans or canned beans (4 cans): $4
- Eggs (18 count): $3
- Chicken thighs (2 lbs): $4
- Frozen vegetables (3 bags): $4
- Bread: $2
- Bananas, apples, or seasonal fruit: $3
- Tortillas: $2
- Salsa: $2
- Peanut butter: $3
Total: ~$31. This gives you the building blocks for burritos, rice bowls, stir-fries, egg dishes, sandwiches, and snacks for an entire week. Add $5–10 for spices, cooking oil, and condiments on your first shopping trip.
Meal Prep Tips
Cook rice in bulk. Make a big batch on Sunday and use it all week — in burritos, stir-fries, rice bowls, and as a side. A rice cooker ($15–$20) is one of the best investments a student can make.
Rotisserie chicken hack. A $5 rotisserie chicken from Costco or Smith's provides protein for 3–4 meals. Shred it and use in tacos, salads, rice bowls, and sandwiches throughout the week.
Breakfast for dinner. Eggs, toast, and fruit is a complete meal that costs under $2 to prepare. Don't limit breakfast foods to morning.
Freeze your bread. Bread goes stale fast when you're only feeding one person. Freeze half the loaf and pull slices as needed — they toast perfectly from frozen.
Split Costco runs with roommates. Bulk buying only works if you can use it before it spoils. Splitting bulk chicken, rice, and produce with 2–3 roommates gives you Costco savings without the waste.
Free Food on Campus
Both BYU and UVU have surprisingly frequent free food opportunities:
- Club meetings and events often provide pizza, snacks, or catered food. Join clubs strategically.
- Career fairs and employer events almost always have free food. Show up, eat, and maybe find a job.
- Department socials and open houses regularly offer refreshments.
- BYU Devotional and Forum events sometimes have post-event refreshments.
- Check campus event calendars weekly — free food events happen more often than you'd expect.
The Monthly Food Budget Framework
| Budget Level | Monthly Cost | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Bare minimum | $150–$200 | Grocery-only, meal prep, minimal eating out |
| Comfortable | $250–$350 | Mostly groceries + eating out 2–3 times/week at budget spots |
| Social | $350–$500 | Mix of cooking and regular restaurant meals with friends |
Most students land in the $250–$350 range. The key is making cooking your default and eating out your treat, rather than the other way around.
Related Guides
- Student Discounts & Deals in Provo
- Best Mexican Food in Provo
- 25 Best Restaurants in Provo
- Best Apartments Near BYU
- Student Budget: Living on $1,000/Month
- Best Food Trucks
Last updated: April 2026. Prices are approximate and may vary.