Tips for obtaining and consuming a cheap lunch in a big city are few, but definitely worth it for the savvy saver armed with a slim wallet and a hunter's eye.Note: These tips come from experience and street living. They are not for everyone.
1. Only get the sandwich. Most sandwiches by themselves are affordable. It's when you add chips, a drink, and a treat do you end up spending $15. Experiencing this first hand, I'm of the suspicion deli's and restaurants make more money off the amenities than the actual meat of the meal. Extra stuff is just extra stuff. If your taste buds want more zest, then get a tastier sandwich.
2. Go to lunch late. Some shops close down around 2:30 or 3pm. If you get there right before they close often they'll give you a discount on your meal. Going to the same place day after day probably won't return the same results. Rotate shops regularly for continued discounts and remember to look gaunt.
3. Bring a lunch. This is ultimately the least expensive and longest lasting. You can pack whatever you want and munch all day long. And despite popular opinion, it doesn't take too much time to make. Leftovers take seconds to throw in a bag and making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich takes 5 minutes. If that takes too much time, than you don't deserve to save money.
4. Bum a lunch. This is the cheapest and easiest route. Accomplishing this takes patience and a serious lack of pride. Ways to do this successfully would be, "accidentally forgetting your wallet" or quickly asking someone who is going to lunch to "grab you something". If you're too prideful to bum a lunch you can always fast.
5. Find a lunch. If you're against dumpster diving, or dining and ditching, have you tried frig grazing? More people than not bring a lunch that sits in the frig for months before being thrown out. Graze the frig menu once a week to find what hasn't moved. Then devour your choice inconspicuously. The more varmint you act the less people will question your ownership.
Places for a cheap lunch don't have tables and chairs or hipsters and suits in the windows. They are usually removed from the frequently toured sections of the city. Roadside vendors are always a good choice. Some of the best lunches come from four wheels. And don't count out the office frig. Anything without fuzz is definitely edible.
Happy hunting. Eat wisely.
