Hey there! As a content creator for foods.edu.vn and a food enthusiast, especially when it comes to finding great value, I’ve explored the food scene around Rice University. When I first arrived at Rice for my graduate studies and moved into the Rice Village Apartments (RVA), discovering budget-friendly and tasty food spots became a top priority. If you’re a new Rice graduate student or just looking for affordable meals nearby, you’re in the right place. Here are my top picks for casual and Cheap Food Places within walking distance or a short drive from Rice Village, perfect for students and anyone looking to eat well without breaking the bank.
Badolina Bakery & Cafe: Half-Price Pastries and Middle Eastern Delights
Food: Baked goods, sweets, coffee, Israeli/Middle Eastern cuisine
Hours: 7 AM – 5 PM daily (except Monday)
Location: Rice Village
Highlight: Half-price pastries from 4-5 PM – the ultimate cheap food deal!
Badolina is a gem in Rice Village, offering a delightful taste of Israeli and Middle Eastern baking. Located conveniently close to Rice University and the Rice Village Apartments and Townhomes, it’s easily accessible. They boast a range of pastries, from classic favorites to modern interpretations of Middle Eastern baked goods.
While some pastries might seem a bit on the pricier side for a student budget initially, that all changes during their fantastic half-price pastry hour! Every day from 4 PM to 5 PM, all pastries are available at 50% off. This incredible deal makes indulging in high-quality baked goods truly affordable. During my first semester, this became my go-to spot after late afternoon meetings. It was perfect for grabbing a delicious and economical snack or even dinner. Whether I was working on campus or from home, a quick trip to Badolina was always a welcome treat that fit perfectly within my graduate student budget.
My personal recommendations include their open focaccias with various toppings, the flavorful sambusak sabich filled with eggplant, eggs, and tahini, and the delightful burekitas, which are small, flaky puff pastries. They also rotate some items, which keeps things interesting and offers a chance to try new flavors. While they have tempting cakes and desserts, remember the half-price deal is on pastries, so I usually stuck to those to keep it cheap!
Bo-bobs: Authentic Soul Food in an Unexpected Location
Food: Gumbo, kebabs, soul food, Southern cuisine
Hours: 12 PM – 8 or 9 PM daily (except Sunday)
Location: Museum District (inside a Valero gas station)
Highlight: Hidden gem serving homemade soul food by a local couple – a truly unique and cheap food experience.
Bo-bobs is a truly special find – a small, black-owned business run by a wonderful couple, surprisingly located inside a Valero gas station. Don’t let the exterior fool you! Inside, you’ll find them cooking up incredible homemade soul food. I always enjoy chatting with them while they prepare some authentic Southern dishes. It’s a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, adding to the charm of this cheap food place.
My top picks are the “Hot Topic,” a flavorful blackened fish and shrimp plate, and the “Overload Plate,” a hearty combination of sausage, shrimp, chicken, and spinach. Both are generously covered in their signature sauce, which is absolutely mouthwatering. Keep in mind that the food is cooked fresh, so it can take a little while. Calling ahead to place your order is a good idea if you’re in a hurry. While not the absolute cheapest option on this list, Bo-bobs is still very reasonably priced, especially considering the generous portions and homemade quality. Finding this authentic small business with such amazing food has been a highlight of my time here, and I always look forward to catching up with them over some delicious home cooking. For cheap eats with a personal touch, Bo-bobs is hard to beat.
Velvet Taco: Fusion Tacos for an Adventurous Palate
Food: Fusion tacos, Tex-Mex
Hours: 11 AM – 11 PM (Sun-Thurs); 11 AM – 12 AM (Fri, Sat)
Location: Rice Village
Highlight: Unique and delicious fusion tacos offering a diverse and cheap food menu.
Velvet Taco, a Texas-based chain, brings an exciting twist to tacos with their interesting and delicious fusion creations. Their menu is incredibly diverse, featuring options ranging from spicy tikka chicken to Nashville hot tofu, falafel, and Korean fried rice tacos. Velvet Taco takes fusion to a new level, going beyond traditional Tex-Mex to create unique flavor combinations you won’t find anywhere else. It’s a great place to explore different tastes without spending a lot, making it a solid choice for cheap food near Rice.
While they advertise being “open late,” their Rice Village location actually closes at 11 PM most nights and midnight on weekends. So, “late” is relative! I haven’t tried their margaritas myself, but I’ve heard they are excellent if you’re looking to add a drink to your cheap food outing.
Pokeworks: Your Go-To for Decent and Affordable Poke
Food: Poke, Hawaiian cuisine
Hours: 11 AM – 9 PM daily
Location: Rice Village
Highlight: Reliably decent and affordable poke bowls when you crave fresh seafood.
For poke lovers like myself, finding a good spot is essential. While I wasn’t a fan of Poke in the Bowl near the Texas Medical Center, Pokeworks has become my reliable choice near Rice. As a large chain, they offer consistent quality and portion sizes that I appreciate. While “decent poke” might not sound like high praise, it’s a solid option when you want a healthy and relatively cheap food meal.
Growing up eating a lot of seafood, having Pokeworks nearby is a real comfort. Every time I go, I’m satisfied with the freshness and quality of the ingredients, and it’s a reasonably priced option for a poke fix.
Abu Omar Halal: Late-Night Halal Street Food Savior
Food: Halal, Middle Eastern street food, sandwiches
Hours: 11 AM – 3 AM daily
Location: Just south of the Med Center
Highlight: Delicious and cheap halal meals that are actually open very late!
Abu Omar Halal is a lifesaver for night owls like me. When midnight feels early, finding a place serving good food that’s open late is a real challenge. Abu Omar Halal stays open until 3 AM, making it perfect for those late-night study sessions or when you need a substantial meal that isn’t just fast food. It’s a fantastic option for cheap food late at night.
Founded in Houston, Abu Omar Halal has expanded throughout the city and beyond. They specialize in halal street food and sandwiches, but they are best known for their chicken shawarma. My go-to order is the chicken shawarma over rice – flavorful, filling, and definitely hits the spot when you need a late-night cheap food option.
Honorable Mention: Yoyo’s Hot Dogs
Food: Hotdogs
Hours: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 8 PM – 3 AM
Location: 8th Wonder Brewery in East Downtown (formerly in Rice Village)
Highlight: Arguably the best hotdog and best late-night food in Houston! Still a great cheap food experience, even with the location change.
Yoyo’s Hot Dogs is more than just a food cart; it’s my absolute favorite place to eat in Houston. And I’m not even a huge hotdog person normally! There’s something truly special about Yoyo’s hotdogs that makes them irresistible. Don’t just take my word for it – the line at Yoyo’s usually stretches around the corner, with hundreds of people willing to wait up to 90 minutes for these incredible hotdogs. I once waited two hours during a particularly busy time, but most waits are around 30-45 minutes, which is still impressive for a hotdog stand!
Yoyo’s is only open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, and they are open very late. I used to go once or twice a weekend and wait in line with friends – it was always worth it. While now located in East Downtown (EaDo) at 8th Wonder Brewery, they were previously a beloved fixture in Rice Village. Unfortunately, in January 2023, their lease was not renewed by Rice Management Company. Despite the relocation, Yoyo’s remains an exceptional cheap food option and is still worth the trip, especially if you’re looking for the best late-night eats in Houston. I highly recommend checking out Yoyo’s Hot Dogs – you won’t be disappointed!
These are just a few of the fantastic and cheap food places near Rice University that I’ve discovered. Exploring the local food scene is one of the best parts of being a student here. I hope this guide helps you find some great, affordable meals and encourages you to discover your own favorite cheap eats around Rice!
