Full price meals? Not in this economy. We don’t know what it is about cheap eats, but for some reason food just tastes that much better when you’re not paying full price.

Life’s expensive (you don’t have to tell us twice) so we’ve rounded up the best Thursday cheap eats the Gold Coast has to offer so you can spend less time googling and more time on the important things – eating!

NORTH GC

• Crafty’s: The humble chook is the star of the show with Crafty’s Mother Cluckin’ Thursday, where you can you tuck in to a classic schnitty for just $15. More of a parmy person? No problem, get yours for just $20 – talk about a seriously good deal. At Harbour Town Shopping Centre, 147 Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters
• The Club at Parkwood Estate: Thursdays are for steak at The Club. We’re talking a 150 day grain-fed, Black Angus rump with chips and salad for just $18.90. At 76 – 122 Napper Road, Parkwood
• Mozza Mozza: Okay you had us at cheese wheel! Mozza Mozza is giving just that with their Cheese Wheel Thursday’s where you can dig in to two of their iconic pastas for just $50 – a cheese lover’s dream come true. At Southport Sharks, Corner Olsen Avenue & Musgrave Avenue, Southport

MID GC

• Gold Coast Tavern: Name a more iconic duo than Gold Coast Tavern and a schnitty… we’ll wait. A local favourite for a reason, it’s all about the waterfront views and $18 schnitz night on Thursday arvos here. At 150 Bundall Road, Bundall
• Coast: This one really fans the flames of our culinary desires. Tuck into a 250g Angus Rump, crisped to perfection over wood & charcoal, paired with crispy fries and herb butter for only $25. At Level 1 Meriton Suites, 86 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
• The Island: Goldie’s are keeping the hunger pains at bay with daily dinner deals, on Thursday it’s all about $16 burgers or a beef schnitty sanga for $18 if you’re wanting something extra. At 3128 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
• The Bowlo Bistro: Pizza so cheap (and delicious) you’d be losing money cooking at home. Head to Broadbeach Waters Bowlo and one of Broadbeach’s newest food spots for $16 pizza’s every week. At 14 Kalimna Dr, Broadbeach Waters

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• TØKOH: Our fave new Mermaid dining destination has a Thursday special you’re goreng to love!  Nasi Goreng and unlimited prawn crackers for just $19.99! With a vegetarian, chicken and prawn and seafood options this is your opportunity to live really live out your Bali dreams. At 2460 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
• Bine: The team at Bine Bar & Dining are bringing the goods with a chicken parmy and beer for $20. If you aren’t full by the time you leave, we’ll eat our hats. At 1/28 Chairlift Avenue, Mermaid Beach
• MexiCali: One of your favourite spots for Mexican and margs, Taco Thursday at Mexicali means $6 tacos and good vibes all night long. Guaranteed. At Level 1/2223 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach
• Tropic Vice: You can always rely on Tropic Vice to bring good food and good vibes so their Thursday Tacos & Tequila night is no exception. Get your hands on $5 tacos and $12 margaritas while you watch the sunset from the rooftop. At 2215 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

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• Cambus Wallace: What’s not to love about about this gem, tucked away in Nobby’s. On Thursday’s grab a jaffle and a beer for $18. Count us in! At 2237 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach
• The Henchman: We’re big fans of the Henchman’s relaxed outdoor vibe, but we’re even bigger fans of their $10 cheeseburger and fries combo. Get yours from 12pm every Thursday or enjoy it with a side of open mic night from 7pm every week. At 6/8 Henchman Avenue, Miami
• Caffeine Kings: If you’ve been thinking a-bao-t getting your bun fix then Caffeine Kings have you sorted with $3 bao. You’re welcome. At 1920 Gold Coast Highway, Miami
• Panchos: Our fave colourful Mexican joint is the new home of Burrito Thursdays. $25 for traditional Mexican Burrito and a Corona, Tecate or a Dos Equis. Who needs Old El Paso? At 581 Springbrook Road, Mudgeeraba

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• Pretty Handsome: Cheap eats that last ALL. DAY. LONG. Pretty Handsome are delivering the goods with 2 tacos and fries for $12 as well as $10 margaritas. At 18 Christine Avenue, Burleigh Heads
• Hail Mary: Okay this one feels almost too good to be true. Hail Mary’s Thursday Fiesta is the ultimate (cheap) date night with six tacos, nachos and two drinks for $60. You can also upgrade to a classic marg for $5 – it’d be rude not to if you ask us. At 26 James Street, Burleigh Heads
• Paloma: As the nights get colder, Paloma is warming things up with a pasta and garlic bread special. Join them on Thursdays for a weekly changing pasta dish and garlic bread for $25. No reservation required. At 1/12 James St, Burleigh Heads
• Rosella’s Bar: We would travel every day for Rosella’s delish Vegemite & cheese lasagne with pickle chimichurri, but on Thursday’s it’s only $15, which makes it extra tasty. At 6/1730 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
• Apres Surf: The crew at Apres Surf have a special on every weekday so you can save many shiny pennies. On Thursday it’s $1 dumplings and $10 Balter XPA pints so you’ll definitely leave full and hydrated. At Shop 1, 1837 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads

SOUTH GC

• Burgster: Someone once said that cheeseburgers are good for the soul (it was us, we are someone), so excuse us while we get around Burgster’s Cheeseburger Thursdays with $15 singles, $20 doubles and $25 triples. At 4/10 Philippine Parade, Palm Beach
• Tank Bar & Dining: It might be Thirsty Thursday at Tank but we promise you’ll leave feeling anything but thirsty with their $20 parmi and beer combo. At 1166 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
• Lucia Tapas: If you love a bit of this and a bit of that, we know a spot. Splash out with $10 tapas at Lucia’s from 4-6pm, as well as some cheeky beer and wine specials to wash it down. At 1/445 Golden Four Drive, Tugun
• Currumbin Beach Vikings: It’s all about the two-for-one meals on Thursday arvos from 5pm. There’s 180 degree ocean views and cheap beers too. Best. At 741 Pacific Parade, Currumbin

Congratulations, you’ve made it through Monday and this calls for a celebratory feed. But do keep the dollars in check so you don’t blow your weekend spend, coz that would be more devastating than a From Scratch binge.

Here are 20 cheap and cheerful Tuesday nosh-up spots for maximum taste with minimum damage to your bank account balance.

NORTH GC

• Crafty’s: Northerners, get ready for Mexican Fiesta Tuesdays! Sink your teeth into $20 bottomless nachos all day long, then $5 tacos, $10 margaritas and $5 tequila shots from 5pm. Leave the wheels at home! At Harbour Town Shopping Centre, 147 Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters
• The Bavarian: It’s all about the 2 for 1 schnitzel at The Bavarian Coomera. It’s a schnitty fest! At Westfield Coomera, Level 1/109 Foxwell Rd, Coomera. 
• Southport Yacht Club: Take in the stunning Broadwater views, ogle fancy yachts, and devour a mouth-watering parmi from just $15 per member, or $20 per non-member. Done like a (cheap) dinner! At 1 Macarthur Parade, Main Beach

MID GC

• Gold Coast Tavern: No-one does a burger and chips like a Tav, and Gold Coast Tavern’s delish Tuesday night special will only set you back $16. What a grilling good deal! At 150 Bundall Road, Bundall
• Stingray Lounge: Enjoy tacos, tequila and tunes! Stingray has you covered, with $5 tacos, $30 unlimited tacos, and a new Margarita menu to match. Boom! At QT Gold Coast, 7 Staghorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise
• The Island: Pizza fans, you ‘knead’ to know that Goldie’s at The Island is slinging $18 pizza deals. Choose any woodfired pizza and crust us, you need a slice of this action. At 3128 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
• Finn McCool’s: If ever it was chicken parmy o-clock, it’s on a Tuesday night at Finn McCools, for just $20 buckaroonies. Plus you can test your trivia prowess every Tuesday from 7pm. At 39 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise

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• The Bowlo Bistro: The Bowlo’s famous parmy is just $20 on Tuesdays. Made fresh in house with panko crumbed chicken breast topped with lots of Napoli sauce so it’s not dry, leg ham, mozzarella cheese, and served with a garden salad and chips, it’s the business. At 14 Kalimna Drive, Broadbeach Waters
• Bonita Bonita: Our dreams are made of tacos from this cult fave. Every Tuesday enjoy $6 classic Tacos and $20 jugs of Sangria #seeyouthere. At 2460 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
  

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• Bine Bar & Dining: There’s always something on at Bine, including on a Tuesday where you can nom your way through $5 tacos whilst enjoying daily live music #SoSold! At 1/28 Chairlift Avenue, Mermaid Beach
• Caffeine Kings: If $6 cheeseburgers honk your horn, gather your crew and book a table from 6pm at Caffeine Kings. At 1920 Gold Coast Highway, Miami
• The Arc at Nobby’s: The Arc embraces the Tight Arse Tuesday concept, bringing $6 tacos, $15 nachos and $12 margis all night long. See you there! At Shop 3/28 Chairlift Avenue, Miami
• Burleigh Pavilion: Any excuse to get down to the Burleigh Pav is a good one, but this is a clanger –
  Taco Tuesday with three tacos and a frozen margi for $35…and $10 refills! From 5pm – 9pm, #CallAnUber! At 43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
• Hail Mary: Another Burleigh fave doing Taco Tuesday from 5pm, Hail Mary is whipping up classic tacos for $6 #areebaareeba. For an extra $1.50, you can get stuck into the pork belly taco #GetSomePorkOnYaFork. At 26 James Street, Burleigh Heads

SOUTH GC

• Burgster: Kids eat free on Tuesdays! Load up the minivan and get yourself down to this Palm Beach fave for one of their epic ‘old skool’ burgers and score a free meal for your nippers. At 4/10 Philippine Parade, Palm Beach
• Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club: Want to feed yourself and your bestie for $30? This is where to do it! Enjoy a variety of two-for-one meals from 5pm…yes please! At 741 Pacific Parade, Currumbin
• Currumbin RSL: Currumbin RSL has a pizza our hearts on Tuesday nights, serving up $15 pizzas from 5pm! At 165 Duringan Street, Currumbin

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

• El Camino Cantina: Ok hold the phone coz it doesn’t get any cheaper than this! Soft shell tacos are just $2 on a Tuesday (say what?), plus you can upgrade to the best-selling Cadillac tacos for just $4! At 2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise & Robina Town Centre, 19-33 Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina
• TGI Fridays: Giving us the “TGI Tuesday” feels, kids aged up to 12 can eat free with every paying adult. The special kids’ menu is a hit with ankle-biters, even the fussiest little palettes. At Paradise Centre, 2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise & at Robina Town Centre: Robina Town Centre Drive

Words by Bianca Trathen.