Local restaurants offer big deals on pizza, pasta, sushi, affording college students dinner on a dime
Village Idiot — BOGO pizzas
One of Five Points’ most popular pizza stops and bars offers groups buy one, get one free pizzas every Monday night from 7 to 10. The second-story restaurant, nestled in the middle of all the downtown action on Devine Street, is already the perfect environment for students, with long tables, bar stools and six-seater booths. Televisions and sports paraphernalia decorate the walls and the bar area, making it the perfect spot for an away game viewing party. Village has all the classic pizzas, as well as a nice selection of specialty pies, including coach Ray Tanner’s Omaha Special, a combination of ground beef and pineapples. The buy one, get one Monday deal is valid for dine-in, pick-up and delivery, but you must mention BOGO to get the deal.
Villa Tronco – $8 pasta night
Villa Tronco is one of Columbia’s finer restaurants, featuring traditional Italian dishes and fresh seafood. With the average entrée falling somewhere between $10 and $20, Tronco is definitely better known as a place for Parents’ Weekend, an anniversary or a graduation dinner. However, with its $8 build-your-own-pasta-bowl, students can eat for a reasonable price and live the high life every Monday night. Villa Tronco offers a variety of noodles and sauces to choose from, including: linguini, angel hair and tri-color tortellini, and marinara, alfredo and olive oil. The deal also includes salad and homemade bread. Villa Tronco is located at 1213 Blanding St., right off North Sumter Street, and is open for dinner Mondays from 5 to 10 p.m.
Al-Amir — $5 gyro and fries
Al-Amir, Main Street’s resident Mediterranean restaurant, has impressed fans of the cuisine with its exceptional dishes and wide variety of favorites. And, although the prices may be a dollar or two above the average college student’s budget, Al-Amir is hooking it up with Tasty Tuesdays. Featuring a classic gyro and fries for just $5, the Tuesday special adds a little diversity to the run-of-the-mill dinner. A definite step above Santorini’s meal-plan gyros, set in a cozier and more authentic restaurant environment, Al-Amir is definitely the go-to place for Mediterranean classics. Located right next to Moe’s, between the Courtyard Marriott and the Honors Residence Hall, the restaurant is convenient and perfect for a nice sit-down dinner, even on a budget. Al-Amir is open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Whig — 50¢ tacos and $2.50 tequila shots
The Whig is the more edgy of the deal spots, tripling as a bar, restaurant and underground music venue. It prides itself on its individuality and the diversity represented in its crowd and musical draw. Its menu offers a host of more “bar food” type dishes, all staying in a price range perfect for the college budget. Tuesday is 50-cent tacos and $2.50 tequila shot night, affording a nice dinner in late-night meal to a less traditional restaurant scene. One of the night’s favorites are the vegetarian tacos, which are filled with cheese, black beans, lettuce, hot sauce and salsa. The underground spot, located underneath the ABC Columbia building, gives a twist on the “Mexican Night” cuisine, open every day at 4 p.m.
SakiTumi — 50¢ sushi and $2 drafts
SakiTumi is one of The Vista’s sushi joints, offering a more posh, sit-down atmosphere for date nights and group dinners. The real sushi deal, however, is Thursday nights, when the restaurant offers 50-cent sushi pieces, with a choice of spicy tuna roll, spicy salmon roll, Philly roll and California roll. Thursdays also feature $2 pints of Kirin Ichiban draft, a traditional Japanese beer. With a SakiTumi spicy tuna roll normally costing $8, this deal night slashes the price of an award-winning sushi plate by more than half. The restaurant does have a full bar and a pretty lengthy cocktail menu, giving it a more sophisticated vibe. But, it does focus on the college crowd, with many different weekly deals for students. SakiTumi is located on Gervais Street in the Vista, and opens for dinner at 5 p.m.