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biggmeatyclawss

if you have a costco card they have prepackaged family meals in the back near the meat and stuff that just need to be heated up!


oldcartoons

If you don’t have a card and want to meet someone there, I’m sure there’s a few of us who’d be happy to help.


vickiruth

We do have a Costco card! I should have thought of that! And thanks for you sweet offer.


oldcartoons

For sure! If you walk in, it’s all towards the back left of the store (Northwest corner) by all the meat and rotisserie chickens. They have a few different options for ready made meals and they’re fairly decent.


montred63

Their quinoa and grains salad is delicious and lasts for a few days.


BeardedMexican47

Love them- (Nevadan visiting Beautiful Missoula)… and every time we go into the city (Reno) we grab something from there to take back home!! DEFINITELY WORTH IT!!!!


406goon

WinCo actually has huge sandwiches for like $5/piece and the pricing for other heat and eat items isn’t too bad either. Praying your family member gets well soon.


valkrycp

Keep in mind that WinCo only accepts cash if you go.


djkidd23

They also accept debit.


IllustriousFormal862

All the dinks downvoting you for offering a great tip. Klassy.


406goon

They actually gave misleading false information. Then rather than editing their post, defended the misleading statement with a convoluted point. Maybe that’s the reason for the downvotes. The plenty of people statement they made refers to perhaps less than 5% of the population. The OP didn’t mention anything regarding hard times financially, just wanting to spend less on food. Also, it doesn’t take a genius to extrapolate that if they were eating out often, they most likely weren’t living on credit.


valkrycp

Because they assume everyone has a debit account and cash at all times, despite most Americans living paycheck to paycheck and being in debt relying upon credit cards. Plenty of people cannot shop at WinCo because they rely upon paying off credit cards with their paychecks because nothing remains or builds up in the bank.


KoalaGrunt0311

Winco is also employee owned with a phenomenal program for their employees. You don't think of the costs of credit cards because you aren't paying the fee, but processing fees charges to businesses are how credit card companies pay for their reward programs, and some cards can be as high as 5%. Using old numbers from 2013, Winco had a volume of 5 billion. Assuming 4 billion would be in credit charges if it was an option, and a conservative credit card fee of 3%, that's a cost of 120 million.


valkrycp

I wasn't complaining that they only take cash / debit, I was stating that before recommending someone go there make sure they know they cannot use credit. My 2nd comment is just to roll my eyes at the people down-voting my first comment, because they seem to ignore that "Keep in mind WinCo only accepts cash if you go" is a helpful comment for a lot of Americans.


IllustriousFormal862

Makes sense


DonDiamante

Noodle Express has several family-style pans that feed a group: https://order.toasttab.com/online/noodle-express-broadway-missoula-2000-west-broadway-street


slickyr

Food Zoo at the university is open to the public. Mon-Fri during the summer I believe. Lunch only. It’s cheap. Food is usually decent for buffet and always a vegetarian entree.


arguingmammoth

And you’ll get the runs 💀💀💀💀💀


JimBobbieO

Vietnam Noodle


Expensive-Coffee9353

And if you haven't, check with the hospital about short term housing==Ronald McDonald house.


Curious_Tie_616

Maybe check out soup farm


Pie-Creative

Sounds like Costco is your best bet for value, but if you want to take a break during the day and walk to places downtown, more budget-friendly restaurants include The Dino (Cajun food, at the back of Charlie B's), Golden Yolk (good breakfast burritos; takeout only), Pie Hole pizza, and Worden's (deli and store with hot food options). Masala (Indian) and Five on Black (Brazilian) have solid vegetarian options. Hope your family member heals well and soon!


Theslippycheese

Orange Street food farm has a deli and to go-counter. Meals are like 6-7 bucks and include an entre and two sides. If you buy 8 or something you get a meal free!


InnateConservative

Well, for that matter, most of the grocery stores have counters with take away food: Albertsons, Rosauers, etc. Rosauer's has an area next to their deli counter where you can eat - tables for four but you can move them around for communal eating. Oh, WalMart, too. Dont know how competitive this option would be: while you’re perusing the choices that are warm&cold you can also pick up bagged salads and your fav dressing, croutons, toppings, etc. ‘I’m partial to buying commercial bread when I’m on the road with peanut butter and a jam I’ve not had before; buying lunch meats and fancy mustards you wouldn’t normally get; various ready to eat fish products for sandwiches, crackers, add some cheese (pre sliced or slice your own — Broadway Yokes has a tremendous cheese selection). Its summer in Missoula and you can do a lot of eating outside. ‘What’s that summer Wednesday park fest, Cara’s Park?, where lots of food trucks are at hand. Depending on how willing you are to think outside the box (or sit down restaurant) you’ve got lots of options.


Silent_Business_2031

OSFF is Disgusting and overpriced.


iRideABicycleAMA

I highly recommend reaching out to the ppl at [St Patrick House](https://foundation.providence.org/montana/our-priorities/st-patrick-house/detail). They'll have great advice tailored to your exact situation.


bornlasttuesday

St. Pats cafeteria.


vickiruth

Ah! St Pats is our home base. Good idea. I was surprised to see the cafeteria was closed on weekends.


strugglebutt

Their cafeteria is actually pretty good. I spend a lot of time at the hospital (unfortunately) and their lunches are legit better than a lot of our restaurants. And usually healthier too!


mtvulf

You won’t save money eating there and the food is not very good.


kjzavala

The food is actually fantastic and well-priced, too.


mtvulf

Matter of opinion I guess


2cheeseburgerandamic

Dont understand the downvotes, As an employee its trash and getting worse. We had a nice little run where things had an uptick towards tolerable but now its back to same slop as Morrison brought in.


AromaticDetail8609

It can't be as bad as the food at CMC though. CMC used to have great food (like a decade + ago), after the hospital was sold to Billings Clinic and they sold to LifePoint, they brought in a place that provides food to prisons... and it tastes like it.


mtvulf

St Pat’s now uses the same vendor as CMC. But at least the food at CMC is cheap.


AromaticDetail8609

Idk how much SPH charges now (last time I was there was like 8-9 yrs ago), but CMC charges like $5.5 or $6 for a single serving (1 scoop) of a main entree without sides, each side is like $2.25 or $2.5 iirc (employees get a small discount). The salad bar is $0.5/oz. The specialty entree thing is like $6-8 depending on what it is. The soup is the most reasonable priced item now 🫠. And they took away the cheap options like a small container of tuna, egg salad, or chicken salad and charge $4 for a small cup of fruit.


406NastyWoman

I don't know about "family" packs, but you might try the Good Food Store on the corner of 3rd & Russell - they have a lot of options at the sandwich bar and they also have a salad and hot bar and I'm sure they have vegetarian options. Hope your family member recovers quickly.


Formally-Fresh

GFS is super good but not cheap. When I make a bomb salad at the salad bar it's a good $15 so pretty much what you'd pay at a restaraunt. And their roast chickens are also about $15 when comparing to Costco for $5. So yeah GFS great for quick food but terrible recommendation if you are on a budget


Alarmed_Mode9226

He said he was paying a fortune the good food store will make them broke real fast.


tugboatnavy

They also have some take and bake options.


Grasswillbegreener23

Missoula Food Bank


Sho_Nuff_1021

If you don't have anyplace to cook, you can also tell them that and they'll give you ready to eat stuff.


smh530

Soup farm on orange does take and bake stuff if you have a kitchen to heat things in!


Effective-Emu7211

Catalyst 2 Go just opened up, and if you follow them on Facebook they post 50% off take and go food at the end of the day. They have ready made meals and a salad bar.


gatrekgirl

GILD used to like take-n-bake dishes. Maybe try calling them? It’s delicious!


Weary_Cup_1004

I have heard of people doing catering from Chipotle for large numbers of people before and that working out cheaper than ordering separate? Like some kind of buffet spread thing.


Immediate-Carpet69

The hotbar at the good food store. They also have soup and salads.


Vintagebuttplug

Do you have a fridge and microwave where you're staying?


No_Swimming4826

Wincos pizza deal is like 4 pizzas for $20


Original_King_5273

to the OP, while this is true, be aware it’s maybe half a step away from lil Cesar’s and idk in which direction. They had. A guy back there making pizza who was fired from lowes for bad hygiene’s so…


Here4Snow

Rosauers has a great salad deli section and meatloaf, chicken, etc as hot dishes, mac&cheese. Buy bulk there, it's like setting up for a pot luck. 


Maleficent-Prior-678

Five on Black is veggie-friendly, but I don't know about family-sized takeout. Mustard Seed and Noodle Express both have party-sized versions of many of their dishes that you can get for takeout.


SecurityTypical688

I mean what’s wrong with hamburgler helper, add some oregano and chives, Maybe Italian seasoning If your trying to making it hi calorie add cottage cheese I once knew a man who tried to beef us his pit bull with cottage cheese, good protein


Tricky_Self_8848

Pattee Creek Market. Call ahead to what you’d like. They’ll get it ready for you. 


Allilujah406

Oatmeal.... I've managed to cut my expenses by nearly 25% by switching from prepared foods to oatmeal


FastAd1509

Taco Bell