Arby’s

3417 Forbes Ave.

(412) 687-3090

$

Accepts Panther Funds

It’s curly and… Arby’s

3417 Forbes Ave.

(412) 687-3090

$

Accepts Panther Funds

It’s curly and it looks like a spring.

Is it a mattress coil? No, it’s one of Arby’s curly fries.

Whether you get a small, medium or large order, the fries are always a curly bunch of potatoes waiting to be devoured.

Even if you prefer your French fries to be straight, that’s not a problem. Arby’s also has homestyle fries, along with potato cakes, mozzarella sticks, chicken fingers and baked potatoes with butter and sour cream or broccoli and cheddar.

And if you thought there was only one way to make a roast beef sandwich, then you thought wrong.

Arby’s has eight different variations of the roast beef sandwich, each one a different size and shape, made with or without cheese.

And if you don’t like roast beef, there are plenty of other types of sandwiches to choose from, including the hot ham and Swiss sub, the Philly beef and Swiss sub, and the turkey sub.

If you happen to be up early in the morning, there are a number of breakfast items to choose from. In fact, Arby’s has such a wide variety of meals to choose from, you don’t ever have to go home.

– Joe Marchilena

Boston Market

5200 Baum Blvd.

(412) 683-9752

$$

No Panther Funds

If you like freedom and the American Revolution, then why not try the best thing to come out of Boston since the 18th century: Boston Market.

While there is no memorabilia from the revolution or of Boston itself, there is sure to be plenty of food.

Boston Market offers plenty of meals, including chicken, meatloaf and honey-glazed ham. Food just like mom used to make, but she probably never offered 25 different sides with her meals.

If all you’re looking for is a quick bite to eat, try one of the Boston Carver sandwiches or a bowl of soup and a salad.

For groups looking for something to eat, Boston Market has family meals for up to six people. Fortunately, you don’t have to travel all the way to Massachusetts to eat at Boston Market.

– Joe Marchilena

KFC-Pizza Hut-Taco Bell

117 S. Bouquet St.

(412) 683-2443

$

Accepts Panther Funds

Words can’t describe the beauty of combining KFC with Pizza Hut with Taco Bell. And even if words could describe it, they’d be made-up words like “KenTacoHut,” or “Ohmagadthisiscool.”

That means you can have refried bean pizza smothered in mashed potatoes, provided you’re willing to get downright messy with your food.

But for the traditionalist, it means you and all of your friends can come to the same place to eat, and everyone will likely find something he or she is happy with. Though each third of this super-restaurant doesn’t have the full menu of its stand-alone counterpart, the creators of this institution have picked the more sought-after foods from each venue.

Get personal pan pizzas, breadsticks, drumsticks, thighs, burritos, tacos and so much more. Mix and match for added enjoyment, and you’ll no doubt walk away happy and filled.

Of course, if you’re determined to consume obscure menu items from the various entities making up this fast-food conglomerate, you can always check out the KFC, located at 4915 Baum Blvd., or the Taco Bell at 5205 Baum Blvd.

– Dave Hartman

McDonald’s

3708 Forbes Ave.

(412) 687-3747

$

No Panther Funds

There are more than 30,000 of them in the world, and one happens to be in the heart of Central Oakland. And at the only McDonald’s within walking distance of campus, you’ll find a restaurant not unlike 29,999 others.

There are burgers, fries, shakes and salads. There are coffee, senior citizen discounts, breakfast before you wake up, and extra-value meals until the store closes. For the Oakland McDonald’s, that usually means 3 a.m.

Bathrooms are located downstairs, and when the place is packed, additional seating is opened upstairs. Prices and speed of service are primarily in tune with other McDonald’s restaurants, but you won’t find a drive-through or a Playland in this bustling eatery.

You will find the comfort of a menu repeated across the globe. And don’t worry; if you’re still perturbed about the Playland thing, you can take your order to go – straight to Schenley Park.

– Dave Hartman

The Original Hot Dog Shop

3901 Forbes Ave.

(412) 621-7388

$

Accepts Panther Funds

Known simply as “The O” to those living in or around Oakland, The Original Hot Dog Shop is Mecca for French fry and hot dog connoisseurs around the country.

Its fries, which are often ranked by national magazines as some of the best, are sold in portions roughly equivalent to “large,” “huge” and “freaking enormous.” Pittsburghers know that when they need some good fries, it’s time to get some O fries. What’s even better is that they deliver all the fried potato goodness – with ranch dressing or cheese or even beef gravy if customers desire. No wonder any truly good party includes a call for O fries.

The O also has enough seating for a small army in its two-story location, which makes it a nice place to drop by for a quick bite alone or with a mass of friends looking to polish off a big thing o’ fries.

Beyond fries and hot dogs – which also top national “best” lists – The O serves a variety of quick-serve foods, including chicken parmigiana sandwiches and super-cheap pizza.

– Megan Smith

Subway

3707 Forbes Ave.

(412) 687-7550

417 S. Craig St.

(412) 687-6728

$

Accepts Panther Funds

Variety is a very important part of life, and with it comes the ability to choose how to use it.

One of the best places to exercise that ability to choose is at Subway, which has more than 20 different kinds of subs to choose from, all of which are made right in front of you.

Probably the most famous among Subway’s sandwiches are the seven subs with fewer than six grams of fat.

But if you prefer your sub to have cheese, mayonnaise and other condiments, then try either the Subway Classics, which include standard subs, such as the steak and cheese, or the Subway Selects, which include the sweet onion chicken teriyaki sub and the Dijon horseradish melt.

For those who are looking for a good deal, Subway has eight different value meals to choose from. Each meal comes with either a 6-inch or foot-long sub along with a 21-ounce drink and a bag of chips or two cookies.

With so many choices, you could eat at Subway every night of the week and not eat the same thing twice. Now if only you could decide on a major …

– Joe Marchilena

Wendy’s

5422 Baum Blvd.

(412) 687-3670

349 Fifth Ave.

(412) 683-5900

$

No Panther Funds

Sometimes it’s hard to find a meal for less than $5, even after considering all the half-price restaurant deals in Oakland.

OK, so maybe it’s not so hard to find a meal for less than $5, but maybe it’s difficult to find a meal that’s tasty, as well as cheap.

Wendy’s, located on Fifth Avenue in Central Oakland and on Baum Boulevard in North Oakland, has goodies to satisfy everyone from a beef-hungry burger-lover to the meat-abstaining veg-head. Want a burger topped with bacon and cheddar? Wendy’s has it. Want a baked potato with sour cream? Or how about one of their garden salads? And don’t forget the 99-cent menu.

When you’re looking for something hot, fast and cheap, Wendy’s is the place to go.

– Leslie Hoffman