Panther Funds key to cheap off campus cuisine

Panther Funds, not to be confused with Dining Dollars, can be handy when you’re looking to eat outside of Market Central. Essentially a Pitt debit card, Panther Funds can come to your rescue when eating off campus, but only at select establishments. Here’s our list of the best restaurants around Oakland that accept them.

The Porch 

Sitting at the corner of Bigelow Boulevard and Forbes Avenue in Schenley Plaza, The Porch is a mid-price, bistro-style restaurant perfect for a relaxed brunch with friends or a romantic date for two. Though it also serves high quality meats, The Porch offers healthier and lighter options such as salads, soups and personal pizzas.

For early birds or those of us just trying to wake up in the morning, The Porch also has a breakfast window open from 7 to 11 a.m. Attracted by the $1 coffees, occasional and avid coffee drinkers alike line up at the window every morning.

For those looking for a new happy hour experience, The Porch has a great one, with $5 wines from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays and half-off pizzas from 9 to 11 p.m.

Fuel and Fuddle

Oakland Avenue’s Fuel and Fuddle is a brick oven-style restaurant with a hot menu. “Fuel,” as many affectionately call it, offers pizza, wings, burgers and more, all under $20.

Open until 2 a.m. every night, Fuel is a great choice when other restaurants start closing after 10 p.m. Featuring a $5 menu from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. andsides dipping from $3 to $2, Fuel’s sweet potato fries are a late-night must.

Fuel accommodates both small and large groups as well as lone customers, making it a good option for occasional and frequent dining.

Quaker Steak & Lube Express 

Located on Forbes Avenue, Quaker Steak offers wings, burgers, sandwiches and ribs for reasonable prices under $20. Whether you’re eating in the fuel station-themed restaurant and catching a game on one of the many TV screens or ordering to-go, your meal will be sure to fill you up.

Quaker Steak not only has great food, but also offers sauces for their wings. From original BBQ to triple atomic, there is sure to be a sauce that captivates your taste buds. Perfect for tailgating and watching parties, Quaker Steak is the go-to wing destination of Oakland.

Little Nipper’s II

From pizza to burgers, the hole-in-the-wall Little Nipper’s II is an underrated establishment. Just a short walk up North Craig Street, Little Nipper’s II is also open until 2:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, making it the perfect late-night adventure for freshmen wanting to explore not too far off campus.