For those on a budget (as most of us college students are), cheap lunches are essential. Houston Hall definitely does not fall under the category of “cheap,” so it is necessary to venture a little further than the usual conveniently located dining hall in order to find a cheap and satisfying lunch.
Try taking a few minutes (which you’ll get back by waiting in a short line) to walk past Lynn’s and Hemo’s, and arrive on 38th just off Walnut at the Koja food truck. This Korean BBQ truck is not only cheap–it is also delicious. For only $3 you can get one of the best sandwiches on campus: the Bulgogi Steak Sandwich.
This hoagie is a Korean take on the classic Philly Cheesesteak. It consists of thinly sliced beef marinated in a sweet Korean sauce that is somehow light yet packed with flavor. Steak is thrown in with honeyed grilled onions, green peppers and cheese and layered on top of a soft hoagie. The sandwich is also the perfect size–too small for dinner but just big enough to satisfy for lunch. Eat the sandwich right away because if left sitting, the bread can get pretty soggy, but otherwise there is not a problem to this delectable hoagie. So skip the usual lunch and go for the sweet yet savory, very cheap, Korean version of a Philly Cheesesteak.
Photo by Eric Kaplan