During my first year at UBC, I would often find myself looking for new (and affordable!) places to eat whenever I would grow tired of home cooked meals. It took me a while and a couple of years of trying out different places to figure out which ones I really liked. Here are some of my favourite spots for a meal under $15 dollars and within a 30-minute bus ride from campus.
Jo’s Italian Deli
2505 Alma St
Jo’s is located on Alma and Broadway, around 15 minutes from campus. They have a good variety of pasta, as well as sandwiches, although I personally am obsessed with the pasta! My favorite is the Rosé sauce pasta, coming in under $12.
Tachingon
2967 W Broadway
On West Broadway and Bayswater, Tachingon is around 20 minutes away. It’s a colorful and very cozy space offering authentic Mexican street food. Their tacos cost around $4 each; my personal favorites are their Beef Fajita and Pescado flavors. The churros, coming in under $7, are a hidden gem!
Koko Monk
2883 W Broadway & 1849 W 1st Ave
While not technically a meal, Koko Monk’s huge variety of hot chocolates make a great dessert or tasty treat, with most around the $10 mark. I recommend trying the Harem A La Turca, which has dark chocolate, salted caramel, and Turkish coffee (for a little extra kick). Koko Monk has two locations relatively close to campus; I love going to the one on W1st Ave, about 30 minutes away, and grabbing a cozy hot chocolate for a beach stroll at Kits.
I’m always searching for my next tasty spot; let me know your favorite affordable hidden gems in the comments below!
