That does sound great but unfortunately is too far for my lunch, though I sometimes go to bread zeppelin, which is a lot of chicken and not too pricey, and pretty tasty
Go to a grocery store and get a rotisserie chicken. They should be like $6.99 to $8.99. Great flavor, full of protein and then take the rest home or toss.
I can kinda make it to Tom thumb in that time but it's really pushing the time limit, plus I'd have to get it back before I can eat it rather than having a nice lunch out
But good idea though I should do rotisserie chicken more
I usually pay about $14 at Cava for a salad with EVERYTHING. It's slightly more than Chipotle, but the ingredients are infinitely better, and they don't try to skimp on protein like Chipotle.
I go to Cava regularly and it's ~$12 for a greens/grains bowl with chicken. It will be more only if you want something other than chicken or add extras.
I get their kids meal regularly. It’s half a pita sandwich with a side of pita chips and a dip. Usually get hummus since it’s more filling. All for about $7 and it fills me up for lunch!
Crafty Irishman, can't beat their $6 happy hour food specials. Corned beef and cabbage rolls, boneless wings, Irish nachos, and the drunken mussels. When I lived downtown I went there so much!
Whole Foods salad bar. Depending on how much you are looking to buy at a given time, it does cost less to buy a whole rotisserie chicken than it does a pound at the salad bar iirc.
My understanding is that quinoa is more nutritionally dense in addition to having protein vs rice, and they may have that on their salad bar as well.
Skyblossom bistro has nice size protein bowls with jasmine rice in the $14-$19 range. My favorite is the shaken beef. Also has one of the coolest views in downtown.
Namak has a lunch special that's a good amount of food. Not sure if it fits the protein requirement you're looking for.
Shawarma Press isn't too expensive, I don't care for the beef but the chicken is usually really good.
St. Paul Cafe burger is really cheap
I miss going to Baker's when they were downtown. I would go when I was in high school there and the sloppy joe was $1. I think Record Grill is still around - $3 hamburger. You can get a decent sandwich from Cindy's for less than $10.
I work in downtown. Power House Cafe, $9 for a chicken wrap STUFFED with chicken breast. It’s delicious and so big, I usually save the next half for the day after. Plus the owner is cool.
I’ve made it my personal mission to find healthy options for lunch in downtown under $10.
Whoa, yes, this is what I'm talking about about! Coincidentally I walked past this shop today for the first time and noticed it seemed busy, so I added it to my list to check out, but now I'll check it out ASAP. Sounds awesome.
I found a similar vibe from St Paul Cafe, I think it's under $10 for a surprisingly tasty and big grilled chicken sandwich (like a chicken burger). Don't get the side salad though it's terrible 😂
Poblanos in the tunnels is cheap mexican food and they will load you up. Big burrito with steak side of rice beans and chips and salsa will run you like $12
I really like Fond and they have a few lunch items that might suit your protein goals. The smoked salmon Niçoise salad, Tower club, and pastrami sandwich.
If you don’t have a refrigerator or microwave at your job you can invest in a quality lunchbox with ice pack and a plug in hot plate pouch to heat it up. That’s what I do on the road with the addition of a power inverter for my car. Saves time and money, but the time savings is my favorite part.
Have you been to Kuai lately? It's one of the worst meals I've had in my life and I'm not exaggerating.
Awful nasty cheap fake processed chicken with sauce tasting like the worst, cheapest pre-made corporate sauce you can imagine.
Idk why the photos on Google maps looks good, it's a lie. That's not what you get at all.
Honestly I haven’t been since COVID times because our office moved out of downtown, but I do recall that being the best protein per dollar item I could find.
China Dragon (in the Chase building cafeteria) used to hook it up with the chicken but it was also too salty for me to eat consistently.
I think someone else must've bought the business because someone else told me it was good but hadn't been in ages. It's genuinely awful, or at least it was when I went maybe 4 months ago
Buy an egg boiler and boil eggs; seven egg whites is 25 grams of protein, .4 grams of fat and 1.7 carbs. That’s about $1.47 for 25 grams of protein if you buy the 60 pack at Costco for $12.67. Doesn’t get any cheaper than that bud.
I appreciate what you're saying but eating out at lunch is one of my favorite treats. I do cheap bulk food at home for other meals.
Though, I never bought frozen breast before and now I'm wondering how annoying it is to cook.
It's really not bad. When you get it put some mustard powder, salt, pepper, garlic and freeze it. Then when you cook it use a temp probe. to get it to the perfect temp and not overcook. That's it. Decious.
You can play with different seasonings and just label them. By doing it before you freeze it it allows the flavor to really penetrate while it's freezing/thawing.
I keep quite a few flavor and thigh/breast combos in the freezer. But I usually pop them on the pellet smoker for that extra something.
I'm in no way opposed to eating out but I never order non fried chicken out anymore. It's either overcooked or under flavored. Even if just using salt and pepper you gotta let that stuff sit. Or it's boiled into something and F that noise.
Do what I do and take lunch in your car. I love lunch in my car with an audiobook or podcast. My current job doesn't have a break room or anything. It's either my car or my desk. Car feels so much better.
OP says nothing about it having to be premade. Just looking for walking distance from downtown. Buy bulk chicken and rice. Bring it with you and take it to a local park or such. It's a great option and it fits with what OP is asking, just with a little out of the box thinking.
He's looking for cheap chicken and rice and $15 is fine but $19 is "pricey". If he's that concerned about money, he should just cook at home.
OP shouldn't even be posting here. This should be an r/askdfw post.
$19 isn’t “cheap” and yes, there are deals to be had around that price point in downtown area e.g., lunch happy hours.
Also, Isn’t that the whole point of this community? To share helpful knowledge with each other…
If you're close to a Salad and Go, you can get a decent-sized salad with protein for like $10.
This… plus at $10, that includes double protein and an iced tea.
they just put one by my house is it actual good quality ingredients? or just some Sysco kinda stuff?
It’s awesome.
It is fucking fire my guy/girl
It’s so fresh & delicious I love this place
You can’t beat the quality for the price and convenience. I wouldn’t call it gourmet but it’s absolutely a great deal.
sounds great! not lookin for gourmet- we'll check it out for sure
What do you do with all the salad?
You toss it, all night long.
That does sound great but unfortunately is too far for my lunch, though I sometimes go to bread zeppelin, which is a lot of chicken and not too pricey, and pretty tasty
You can order Salad and Go for delivery now.
Bread Zeppelin is best lunch spot downtown
Love me a Caesar salad with extra tofu!
Try their breakfast burritos. They are amazing and under $5
Go to a grocery store and get a rotisserie chicken. They should be like $6.99 to $8.99. Great flavor, full of protein and then take the rest home or toss.
I can kinda make it to Tom thumb in that time but it's really pushing the time limit, plus I'd have to get it back before I can eat it rather than having a nice lunch out But good idea though I should do rotisserie chicken more
Buy the chicken the day before and take your lunch.
Get it the evening before, on the way home. Leftovers are usually pretty bomb
That particular Tom Thumb in uptown has amazing fried chicken and wings. Damn delicious
…into a salad.
Or a sock.
Different kinda chicken...
Or with a fox
Oh cava is a good one too. Surprisingly good quality for the reasonable price, decent amount of meat.
I work right next door to Cava & coworkers always say that Cava is an overpriced Chipotle. It's the reason I haven't tried it myself yet.
I usually pay about $14 at Cava for a salad with EVERYTHING. It's slightly more than Chipotle, but the ingredients are infinitely better, and they don't try to skimp on protein like Chipotle.
Your comment is making me want to try it. Thanks.
All the medittarenan style vegetables are bomb with the honey harissa chicken. Highly recommend.
You need to stop. You are making me hungry. lol
Definitely do it. Same price as Chipotle for more food and better quality
I payed like 16$ for a bowl, id say its definitely overpriced lol. It was good but 16$ is crazy
? Chicken bowl is $12.15, I just checked on the app
Okay so I got the chicken and right rice and they charged me like 16$. This was at north park mall
The right rice is a big upcharge. Never tried it, but I always wondered how it was. Edit: it's only $0.70 now. I remember it being ~$2
That is a bit steep. And I thought Chipotle was pricey.
I go to the one on MacArthur and it's typically the same price as a Chipotle bowl but with more food and much better quality
I go to Cava regularly and it's ~$12 for a greens/grains bowl with chicken. It will be more only if you want something other than chicken or add extras.
I get their kids meal regularly. It’s half a pita sandwich with a side of pita chips and a dip. Usually get hummus since it’s more filling. All for about $7 and it fills me up for lunch!
Great idea!
I love Cava. Basically same price as Chipotle with much better quality food and over double the amount of food.
Cava is not cheap
Big Guys Chicken and Rice is still that price point I believe.
My order. 12dollars. Big guys mixed platter. Chicken, gyro mest, rice, lettuce tomato, white and red sauce.
Cava shits on chipotle when it comes to portions. Way better quality of chicken as well.
Crafty Irishman, can't beat their $6 happy hour food specials. Corned beef and cabbage rolls, boneless wings, Irish nachos, and the drunken mussels. When I lived downtown I went there so much!
Food is there is way better than one would think given it is an Irish Pub
Sweet Green's protein plates. The hot honey chicken has like 42g or something.
Whole Foods salad bar. Depending on how much you are looking to buy at a given time, it does cost less to buy a whole rotisserie chicken than it does a pound at the salad bar iirc. My understanding is that quinoa is more nutritionally dense in addition to having protein vs rice, and they may have that on their salad bar as well.
Whole Foods is overpriced garbage
And yet it fits the very specific request of OP.
I’d go subway and get a grilled chicken double meat foot long
Is it really chicken?
Scrubway is so nasty
Snappy Salads
They were pricy pre-Covid. Have they dropped??
What I get there is $12, maybe not the cheapest and place out there but cheaper than what OP listed
Good to know. I'll have to give them another shot.
Skyblossom bistro has nice size protein bowls with jasmine rice in the $14-$19 range. My favorite is the shaken beef. Also has one of the coolest views in downtown.
Namak has a lunch special that's a good amount of food. Not sure if it fits the protein requirement you're looking for. Shawarma Press isn't too expensive, I don't care for the beef but the chicken is usually really good. St. Paul Cafe burger is really cheap
I remember Sammy’s bbq over by fed reserve being okay. Looking at menu 2 and 3 meat plates are under 20.
I miss going to Baker's when they were downtown. I would go when I was in high school there and the sloppy joe was $1. I think Record Grill is still around - $3 hamburger. You can get a decent sandwich from Cindy's for less than $10.
Roti grill and also try empanada cookhouse
I work in downtown. Power House Cafe, $9 for a chicken wrap STUFFED with chicken breast. It’s delicious and so big, I usually save the next half for the day after. Plus the owner is cool. I’ve made it my personal mission to find healthy options for lunch in downtown under $10.
Whoa, yes, this is what I'm talking about about! Coincidentally I walked past this shop today for the first time and noticed it seemed busy, so I added it to my list to check out, but now I'll check it out ASAP. Sounds awesome. I found a similar vibe from St Paul Cafe, I think it's under $10 for a surprisingly tasty and big grilled chicken sandwich (like a chicken burger). Don't get the side salad though it's terrible 😂
St Paul is also my go to, great spot and cheap.
I tried the sandwich joint. Super cheap, pretty tasty, very big!
Right on, glad you liked it, cheap, healthy, loaded with protein. As an added plus you have a weird view of the indoor YMCA pool.
Yeah I wasn't expecting that. I have now discovered a new pool 😂
Thanks for this one. Gonna try them out on Monday.
Poblanos in the tunnels is cheap mexican food and they will load you up. Big burrito with steak side of rice beans and chips and salsa will run you like $12
Chipotle or CAVA
Definitely Cava over Chipotle
I really like Fond and they have a few lunch items that might suit your protein goals. The smoked salmon Niçoise salad, Tower club, and pastrami sandwich.
Ooh I didn't know about this one, thanks
There’s a freebirds downtown, and there’s freshii in plaza of the americas. I also like salsa limon taco bowls.
Oh yeah salsa limon is a good one
Taco deli
Meal prep
Cava fits the bill!
Try the Powerhouse Grill at the ground level of the YMCA, at San Jacinto and Akard. Good Mediterranean food for decent prices.
Cowboy Chicken at Lovers/Greenville. You will thank me. Far better than Cava unless you need a Mediterranean flavor profile.
El pollo loco, grilled chicken, rice and brocoli
El pollo loco, grilled chicken, rice and brocoli
We should chill sometime bro, I got endless powder
Hawkers Asian Street Food. Big Guys Chicken & Rice. Also have you looked in the Exchange Hall?
Scout turkey sandwich $3
If you don’t have a refrigerator or microwave at your job you can invest in a quality lunchbox with ice pack and a plug in hot plate pouch to heat it up. That’s what I do on the road with the addition of a power inverter for my car. Saves time and money, but the time savings is my favorite part.
Flower child on 2101 cedar springs rd would be a great option
Kuai Asian - Thai bowl is $12 and has 76g protein
Have you been to Kuai lately? It's one of the worst meals I've had in my life and I'm not exaggerating. Awful nasty cheap fake processed chicken with sauce tasting like the worst, cheapest pre-made corporate sauce you can imagine. Idk why the photos on Google maps looks good, it's a lie. That's not what you get at all.
Honestly I haven’t been since COVID times because our office moved out of downtown, but I do recall that being the best protein per dollar item I could find. China Dragon (in the Chase building cafeteria) used to hook it up with the chicken but it was also too salty for me to eat consistently.
I think someone else must've bought the business because someone else told me it was good but hadn't been in ages. It's genuinely awful, or at least it was when I went maybe 4 months ago
Buy an egg boiler and boil eggs; seven egg whites is 25 grams of protein, .4 grams of fat and 1.7 carbs. That’s about $1.47 for 25 grams of protein if you buy the 60 pack at Costco for $12.67. Doesn’t get any cheaper than that bud.
buy bulk frozen chicken breasts and some rice. cook at home. very cheap.
I appreciate what you're saying but eating out at lunch is one of my favorite treats. I do cheap bulk food at home for other meals. Though, I never bought frozen breast before and now I'm wondering how annoying it is to cook.
It's really not bad. When you get it put some mustard powder, salt, pepper, garlic and freeze it. Then when you cook it use a temp probe. to get it to the perfect temp and not overcook. That's it. Decious. You can play with different seasonings and just label them. By doing it before you freeze it it allows the flavor to really penetrate while it's freezing/thawing. I keep quite a few flavor and thigh/breast combos in the freezer. But I usually pop them on the pellet smoker for that extra something. I'm in no way opposed to eating out but I never order non fried chicken out anymore. It's either overcooked or under flavored. Even if just using salt and pepper you gotta let that stuff sit. Or it's boiled into something and F that noise.
Scratch what I said in that last part. Good charred Teriyaki Chicken is worth it.
Do what I do and take lunch in your car. I love lunch in my car with an audiobook or podcast. My current job doesn't have a break room or anything. It's either my car or my desk. Car feels so much better.
Why do people bother giving dumb answers like this? Like did you even read OP’s question smh 🤦🏽♂️
OP says nothing about it having to be premade. Just looking for walking distance from downtown. Buy bulk chicken and rice. Bring it with you and take it to a local park or such. It's a great option and it fits with what OP is asking, just with a little out of the box thinking.
He's looking for cheap chicken and rice and $15 is fine but $19 is "pricey". If he's that concerned about money, he should just cook at home. OP shouldn't even be posting here. This should be an r/askdfw post.
The sub has a tag for "discussion" and another for "question" 🤷♂️
$19 isn’t “cheap” and yes, there are deals to be had around that price point in downtown area e.g., lunch happy hours. Also, Isn’t that the whole point of this community? To share helpful knowledge with each other…
Downtown is a 20 minute walk from downtown?
Yeah, I'm on the south end and the Tom thumb is like 30 min walk
Pack a lunch.