Skip to content
Contact USI

Eating Out vs. Cooking

Ideally, cooking at home is the best option to get the most food for your money. However, there may be times when you need to go out or you want to go out but need to do so cheaply. 

Eating Out

Most fast food restaurants have a "Dollar Menu" with snack items and smaller portions of food at a lower cost than regular meal items. Consider using the restaurant's app or reward system for occasional coupons, special deals, or free items.  

Many restaurants in Evansville offer a USI student discount when you show your student ID. If you decide to eat out, take advantage of these discounts and perks! Here are some of the Evansville restaurants that offer student discounts:

  • Acropolis – free appetizer with the purchase of 2 dinner meals 
  • Azip - $1 off a fountain drink 
  • Culver's – 10% discount  
  • Ghost Quesadilla (Pearl Drive) - 15% discount 
  • Los Bravos – 10% discount
  • Orange Leaf – 2 free ounces of frozen yogurt 
  • Panera (Pearl Drive) - 15% discount  
  • Papa John’s - Campus special 1: Large 1 - topping pizza for $7.99. Campus Special 2: Large 1-topping pizza and 1 order of breadsticks for $9.99 

Cooking at Home

Your grocery bill might be higher than running through a drive-thru, but the food you prepare will cost less and may provide leftovers to cover another meal. Plan your meals ahead of time and make a list of the items you need. Stick to the list in the store so you don't buy more food than you need. Clip coupons or use a store rewards card for additional discounts on the things you buy. Noodles, rice, canned goods, and potatoes are inexpensive items that can be made into many dishes. The internet is full of budget-friendly recipes and ideas.

Food Available in the Community

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Food Pantry (100 E. Michigan St. ), first and third Tuesday of every month. 8:45 AM – 11:15 AM.

St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry (809 N. Lafayette Avenue), open Tues. – Fri. (8:30 – 11:15 and 1:15 – 3:15) eligible for assistance once every 30 days (To check eligibility, call 812-401-0606).

Catalyst Food Pantry (3232 Claremont Ave Evansville, IN 47712) Thursdays from 4 PM – 5:45 PM with your Photo ID and Social Security Card for every person you are picking up food for.

Patchwork Central (100 Washington Ave Evansville, IN 47713) Food pantry hours: Monday – Thursday, 9:30 AM – 11:45 AM Clients are eligible to obtain food from the pantry every 30 days by obtaining a referral from one of several referral agencies in the city. Each food order contains enough nutritionally balanced food to feed a family for 3-4 days. Call for more information at 812-424-2735.

Keck Ave. Baptist Church Food Pantry (2573 N. Kentucky Ave Evansville, IN 47711) Call 812-423-9117 for an appointment. We are open each 3rd Tuesday. from 1 - 8 PM by appointment only.

Community Action Program Of Evansville & Vanderburgh County, Inc. (401 S.E. 6th St, Ste. 001 Evansville, IN 47713) Food pantry Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM.

Sts. Mary & John Parish (1900 N Fulton Evansville, IN) (812) 479-1709 Monday - Thursday, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm (Closed 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM).

Grace Baptist Church (1200 N. Garvin Street Evansville, IN 47711) (812) 425-2286 Monday - Thursday, 8:30 AM -10:00 AM. **Only serves the first 50 clients to arrive. Must have photo ID and social security card for everyone living in the household. Can only visit once every 30 days.

Oakhill Baptist Church (5122 N Fares Ave. Evansville, IN 47711) (812) 476-3450 Open 2nd and 3rd Saturday, 9 AM - Noon. Must have photo ID and social security card for everyone living in the household.