Question about a cheap meal I saw at a food truck festival in Austin

I was at the food truck festival downtown last weekend and saw a vendor selling loaded baked potatoes for just $4 each. I mean, they were huge and had cheese, beans, and a little sour cream, and it got me thinking about how cheap potatoes are to cook at home. Has anyone tried making a similar loaded potato meal on a tight budget, like under $2 per serving?

3 comments

3 Comments

davis.casey2mo ago

Honestly, that price at the festival is still a good deal for the convenience. Tbh, hitting under $2 per serving at home is harder than it sounds right now. A big russet potato alone can cost over a dollar, and then you need cheese, beans, and sour cream. Even buying store brands, my own loaded potatoes usually end up closer to three bucks when I add everything up. The festival vendor probably buys in huge bulk to make that price work.

leohart2mo ago

Right? I tried to make them at home last week and it was way more expensive than I thought. Even the cheap cheese and a can of beans adds up fast. The festival price is actually pretty solid for not having to do any work.

nina_sullivan6123d ago

davis.casey is right that bulk buying is key, but nobody's mentioned buying a big bag of frozen hashbrowns instead of whole potatoes. You can make a loaded potato bowl for way less than $2 a serving that way, no peeling or baking required.