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Photo: Simon McMurchie

Cheap, simple and tasty, Little Big Burger is the perfect place to have a quick and easy lunch. The name may have you expecting sliders, but the smaller patties pack quite a punch, and a single burger and fries is usually enough for a full meal. All the burgers come with lettuce, onions, and pickles, with a choice of cheese and bacon for an extra 50 cents each. Though they are not known for their vegetarian selections, they do offer a solid veggie burger for just $3.50. They use sea salt and truffle oil in what amounts to some of the best fries you can find in Portland. Little Big Burger is located just a few blocks down from Burnside on 23rd, and has seating inside and outside. Its feel inside is perhaps best described as minimalistic, with a large menu on the wall and an open grill in the back right corner of the restaurant. It works well, and it’s nice to see your food made in front of you. Ultimately, their menu is that of a classic burger joint, with fries, a coke, and a cheeseburger being the optimal meal. –Simon McMurchie

Photo: Emi Foster

Type of Food: Pizza, salads, and pasta

Only a one-minute drive from campus, Pizza Schmizza fulfills the three C’s necessary for an accessible student lunch spot: cheap, convenient, and consistent. While their slices may be too oily for some tastes, if you’re into cheesy and greasy, definitely check out Pizza Schmizza. A variety of pizza flavors from Spicy Thai to “No Kiss Tonight” (which includes garlic chicken, red onions, feta cheese, and alfredo sauce as a substitute for marinara) are available to order by the slice if you are running short on time. At a maximum of $3.50 for a generously sized slice of pizza, Pizza Schmizza is also affordable for students––especially if you were able to snag one of those bottomless coupons from Glenn a few weeks ago, which knock two bucks off of any slice of pizza. The laid-back atmosphere of the restaurant is open to yappy high school students, so it’s a good spot for students traveling in groups as well. –Emi Foster

Daily Cafe
Address: 902 NW 13th Ave, Portland
Type of Food: Sandwiches, soups, salads, and pastries
Commute Time: 12 minutes
Price Range: $$

Photo: Kate Ellis

Best Deal: Soup and salad
Vegetarian Options: Yes

With the cold autumn weather settling in, the Daily Cafe is a great place to get warm, affordable, and delicious food! In the Pearl District among small boutiques and coffee shops, it is only a short drive from Catlin Gabel. Walk in and order your choice from the register. Take a seat at one of the small wooden tables and wait for your food to come to you. The service is fast and friendly, and the restaurant space is open and bright, perfect for meeting with some friends or working on that homework you really need to finish. Meals are affordable, and the menu consists of a variety of simple options such as sandwiches, soups, and salads. One of my favorite dishes there is the falafel, made with crispy, hot chickpea fritters and fresh couscous, and complete with homemade flatbread. You can add a side of soup, fries, or cornbread with every meal for just a little extra. I recommend the Daily Cafe as a great place to get wonderful food for under $10. –Kate Ellis

New Seasons Market
Address: 3495 Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton
Type of Food: Lots of make-your-own, as well as prepared foods
Commute Time: 10 minutes
Price Range: $$
Vegetarian Options: Plenty!
Best Deal: Everything is fairly priced

In close-by Cedar Hills, New Seasons offers many choices for lunch. Although it is possible to eat at New Seasons during just a lunch period if you get your food to go, I recommend going when you have a flex or co-curricular free, because it can get busy during the lunch hour. You can make your own sandwich, wok, or salad, or you can order pre-made pizza or deli goods. They also have a case of cold drinks, a coffee bar, and a bakery. My favorite is the wok, because you have the choice of what vegetables, noodles, stir-fry sauce, and protein you want. The light atmosphere inspires socializing, but it’s not a great place to work. Another bonus is that they always have a great selection of samples to nibble on when you walk through the door. Since it is also a grocery store you can pick up anything you need on your way out. –Mary Whitsell

Twist Frozen Yogurt Lounge
Address: 7535 SW Barnes Rd., Suite 112, Portland
Type of Food: Frozen Yogurt
Commute Time: 2 Minutes
Price Range: $
Best Deal: Create Your Own Frozen Yogurt
Vegetarian Options: Everything

Photo Credit: Cody Hoyt

For those looking for a lighter and sweeter place to grab a bite, Twist Frozen Yogurt Lounge off Barnes Road offers a low-cost product fit for any sweet tooth. Located just up the road from campus, the friendly froyo spot is a popular destination for students looking to relax after (or during) a long day of classes. Two elements make Twist distinctive: variety and atmosphere. The yogurt options are constantly changing. Recent flavors have included the likes of cake batter, cable car chocolate, and dulce de leche. The selection of toppings is even greater, with everything from pineapple, to hot fudge, to gummy bears. Once patrons have made their self-serve selections, they can enjoy their food in a comfortable and relaxed setting complete with lounge chairs, a flat screen television, and even a working fireplace. Short on cash? No problem, a cup of froyo is just $0.48 an ounce. It may not be the best place to grab lunch, but for an afternoon snack Twist offers a wonderfully warm atmosphere and deliciously cool treats. – Cody Hoyt

Skyline Restaurant
Address: 1313 NW Skyline Boulevard, Portland
Type of Food: Classic American––burgers, fries, and shakes
Commute: 8 minutes
Price Range: $$
Vegetarian Options: Yes
Best Deal: Skyline Burger and Milkshake

Photo Credit: Fiona Noonan

Skyline Restaurant is a time warp in the northwest hills of Portland. The Skyline experience starts when you pull into one of its funky undercover parking spots, right in front of a mural that looks like it was last retouched 30 years ago. The old school diner feel continues as you enter the restaurant and slide into a vinyl-covered booth seat while faint jukebox music plays around you. There’s really only one reason to come to Skyline: burgers and milkshakes. The expansive menu may seem daunting at first, but there’s no way to choose wrong. Their 25 kinds of burgers and 31 shake flavors offer something for everyone. Order your favorite burger (fries come separately), pick an intriguing milkshake (which you should request extra thick for just a few cents more), and you’ll be full for the rest of the day. Service is quick and friendly, but don’t expect anything fancy. The restaurant accepts cash only, so be prepared to drop a Hamilton or a couple of Lincolns instead of using your debit card. Otherwise you can use the ATM to get money and take the extra charge that incurs. –Fiona Noonan

Cold Stone Creamery
Address: 3205 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton
Type of Food: Ice cream
Commute Time: 8 minutes
Price Range: $
Best Deal: “Like It” for $2.99
Vegetarian Options: Yes

(Photo: Simon McMurchie)

Cold Stone provides a unique take on ice cream. Instead of simply adding toppings to, well, the top of your chosen flavor, the server mashes the ice cream and additions together. This creates a creamier and thicker serving than a normal scoop of ice cream. While any combination of ice cream and toppings is possible, there is also a list on the wall of popular mixes, with names like Birthday Cake Remix (Cake Batter, rainbow sprinkles, brownies, and fudge), Oreo Overload (Sweet Cream, chocolate chips, Oreo cookies, and fudge) and Berry Berry Good (Sweet Cream, blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries). The sizes, from smallest to largest, are Like It, Love It and Gotta Have It. Be warned–the ice cream is typically very filling, so only go for the big sizes if you’re up to the task. It is located near the movie theater in the Cedar Hills Mall, just inside the food court entrance. There is minimal seating, but it’s perfect for a quick dessert after a lunch in the mall. –Simon McMurchie

Jamba Juice
Address: 2919 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton
Type of Food: Smoothies
Commute Time: 8 minutes
Price Range: $-$$
Best Deal: 16 oz. Classic Smoothie
Vegetarian Options: Yes

For those looking for a lighter and more refreshing snack than you would find at most CG lunch spots, Jamba Juice at Cedar Hills Crossing offers a variety of fruit smoothies to help you cool down and enjoy something sweet.

(Photo: Cody Hoyt)

With the convenient Beaverton location in addition to several others across Portland, the snazzy smoothie store is a popular destination for students looking to get a cheap and quick quasi-meal. Open the door to the stand-alone store next to Baskin & Robbins, and the fluorescent-colored walls and wafting smell of fresh fruit welcome you inside. As a healthy alternative to the aforementioned ice-cream chain, Jamba’s main staple is its fruit smoothies in three sizes with prices ranging from $3.99 to $5.59. Popular concoctions include “Razzmatazz,” which features berry, banana, strawberry, and orange, and “Mango-a-Go-Go,” which contains mango, pineapple, and passion fruit. The smoothies are made as ordered, and the staff gets high marks for friendliness. Other options include parfaits, fruit and veggie smoothies, and breakfast wraps. For those willing to undergo the occasional brain freeze, Jamba Juice is a great place to grab a snack with your friends and refresh in the middle of the day. –Cody Hoyt

Best Baguette
Address: 3635 SW Hall Blvd., Beaverton
Type of food: Sandwiches
Commute time: 10 minutes
Price: $
Best deal: Bahn Mi sandwiches starting at $2.95
Vegetarian Options: Yes

You will never leave hungry after eating at Best Baguette. With a variety of sandwich options from barbeque pork bahn mi to tuna croissants, Best Baguette is not your average sandwich shop. The spicy jalapeño-filled sandwiches are unusual yet reliably delicious, and you can opt out of the spicy fillings if you prefer a more mild flavor. To soothe your burning tongue, Best Baguette also serves a variety of bubble teas. Right off of Cedar Hills Crossing, Best Baguette is perfectly hidden yet accessible, and there is rarely a long line at this deli-style restaurant, making it the perfect option for a quick lunch. Its laid-back atmosphere and friendly service are welcoming to customers of all ages. –Emi Foster

Vivace Coffee House and Crêperie
Address: 1400 NW 23rd Ave., Portland
Type of Food: Sweet and savory crêpes, coffee and other drinks.

A fresh banana nutella crêpe. (Photo: Maggie Boyd)

Commute: 10 minutes
Price Range: $$
Best Deal: Sweet crêpe
Vegetarian Options: Yes

Vivace Coffee House and Crêperie on NW 23rd Avenue offers savory and sweet crêpes in a homey atmosphere. It specializes in sweet crêpes, which can come with lemon, jam, fruit, nutella, and whipped cream. If you are looking for a rich dessert, try the banana nutella crêpe with almonds and whipped cream; for something lighter the lemon and powdered sugar crêpe is an excellent choice. The crêpes are made fresh and served quickly. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating available with views of the street. A fireplace adjacent to the register heats the room in the winter. Vivace has a large selection of drinks such as coffee, tea, hot apple cider, and my favorite, sweet chai. Vivace is a great place to come to unwind during a stressful day at school. –Mary Whitsell

Hands On Café at OCAC
Address: 8245 SW Barnes Rd., Portland
Type of Food: Hearty lunch fare; mostly soups and salads
Commute Time: 1 minute
Price Range: $$
Best Deal: N/A, menu changes daily
Vegetarian Options: Yes

Short on time and cash? Take the one-minute drive or seven-minute walk to the Hands On Café at the Oregon College of Art and Craft. This restaurant in the art school has a cozy, homey feel, although sometimes too cozy, as the limited seating can become a problem during the lunch hour. If you can snag a table, order from the constantly rotating selection of three entrees, two soups, and various salads. There’s also a good selection of desserts that changes daily. Service is friendly, and the restaurant’s proximity to campus means you can enjoy your stew, lentil soup, or Greek salad without any rush. A complete meal is usually in the ten-dollar range, which may be more expensive than some lunch options, but will leave you feeling full and satisfied. As an added bonus, the fact that the café is right next to a gallery means that when you finish your meal you can take a stroll through the latest installation and get back to Catlin all without using a flex or co-curricular period to do it. –Fiona Noonan

Pearl Bakery
Address: 102 NW 9th Ave., Portland
Type of Food: Bakery and sandwich shop
Commute Time: 12 minutes
Price Range: $$
Best Deal: Sandwiches

(Photo: Kate Ellis)

Vegetarian Options: Yes

Pearl Bakery is a great place to get a tasty sandwich or warm pastry hand-crafted from local and organic ingredients. This restaurant is committed to environmentally friendly business practices, and prides itself on sustainability. As you walk in, you’ll be greeted with an open and bright space, but seating is limited to a couple of tables and a coffee bar. Customer service is friendly, fast, and efficient. Order your meal at the cash register and then wait while it is prepared. The smoked turkey sandwich––made with turkey and smooth mascarpone on a chewy poppy seed roll––is delicious, and each bite will leave you wanting more. Since Pearl Bakery is only a few blocks away from Powell’s bookstore, this lunch spot is only a short drive down Burnside. Parking at lunchtime can be a problem, so make sure you have plenty of time if you want to give this bakery a try. –Kate Ellis