By Mandy Thomas

ajt008@latech.edu

 

So, boys, wanna take that pretty girl out to dinner but just too strapped for cash?

Well, don’t wuss out just yet, because surprisingly, Ruston has a lot of dining options.

Restaurant option No. 1: Ponchatoulas.

This local joint offers New Orleans style cooking with daily lunch specials from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. ranging from $5.95 to $7.95.

Candace Rosevally, a Tech graduate and general manager of Ponchatoulas, said the restaurant’s drink specials each night, such as $4 pitchers of domestic beer and Wednesday night $1 daiquiris, also appeal to students who do not have a lot of money.

“I know when I was a student, the cheap prices on food and drinks appealed to me,” Rosevally said.

Option No. 2: Log Cabin. This local eatery prides itself on quality of food, owner Karen Rinehart said.

“We’ve got the best deal in town because of quality. Everything is choice grade or higher and is cooked on our open, wood-burning mesquite grill,” Rinehart said.

Log Cabin has a variety of steaks, seafood and Tex-Mex, a blend of Mexican and southwestern flavors, with everyday specials ranging from $10 to $24. 

Option No. 3: Monjuni's. It’s an Italian café and market, well-known for its generous portions and bargains, owner Kevin Pizzolato said.

“There are three tenets that make us successful - good food, customer service and good value for the customer,” Pizzolato said.

Monjuni's offers two specials, Pizzolato also said.

One special is for college students every Monday, all-day and night features an all-you-can-eat spaghetti, sauce and bread for $3.95 with an added meatball for $1 each. This same special is open to the general public for $4.95 and meatballs for $1.25 each.

Another bargain Monjuni's has is their food by the pan or half pan that can be ordered to go, Pizzolato said.

Option No. 4: Tia Maria’s. This Mexican restaurant offers a lot of food for a good price, Sunny Journey, a waitress at Tia Maria’s and a junior psychology major, said.

“I’ve been told we have the best Mexican food in town,” Journey said.

Manager Maria Moore said Tia Maria’s family-oriented atmosphere also sets it apart from other restaurants in town.

It offers lunch specials Monday through Thursday ranging in price from $5.25 to $6.50 and drink specials every day from $4 to $5.50, Moore said.

So, guys, there is no better time to ask out that cutie in biology class than before the next paycheck.

Now go ahead, ask her out and get caught being a cheap date.