Cheap Tuesday: Five of the best cheap eats on the Gold Coast

TUESDAY just may be our new favourite day of the week. Here’s five ways to feast for less dough on the Gold Coast.

Taco station at Stingray QT Gold Coast.

$3 tacos

Stingray Bar and Lounge

7 Staghorn Ave, Surfers Paradise

Tacos from Stingray Lounge, QT.

There are plenty of places on the Coast that do a tempting taco Tuesday, but Stingray’s $3 tacos take the cake when it comes to value. Every Tuesday from 5pm you can nab a wide range of the savoury snacks for a few dollars, including spicy pork, chilli con carne, grilled chicken, grilled prawn, vegetarian, and a weekly surprise taco ... and there’s a good chance it’ll be a pleasant surprise, not like an actual Mexican street-food surprise. Nobody wants that surprise. There’s wheat or corn tortillas on offer, sourced from a supplier in Burleigh Heads, and the kitchen crew can cater for gluten free. The fillings are prepared in-house from seasonal local produce and proteins cooked with the utmost care — like the 24-hour slow-cooked spicy pulled pork. Taco ‘bout a good deal!

$10 rump steaks

Cecil Hotel

42 Nerang St, Southport

A succulent steak. Photo: supplied/file

It might be historic, but this Southport pub still knows how to lure in the masses. Every Tuesday they do a $10 rump steak — with chips and salad, of course. You’d probably expect a dodgy chunk of meat for 10 bucks, but Cecil serve the Graziers rump, a classic cut full of flavour and sourced from premium grazing areas in Australia. Graziers beef has minimum specifications in meat ageing and a minimum of 60 days fed on grain, ensuring not only will Cecil’s patrons get great value, but a great steak too.

$1 wings

Brooklyn Depot

10 Beach Rd, Surfers Paradise

Brooklyn Depot waitress Sara Kjellgren. Picture: Mike Batterham

Every Frat Party Tuesday you can get into the American groove of generous portion sizes, with $1 crispy or saucy buffalo wings all night and unlimited skinny fries with every side ordered. You can even make it a whole night on a shoestring budget with board games at every table and live music from local DJs. It won’t impress a first date, but it will impress both your bank account and belly.

$5 sliders

Cambus Wallace

4/2237 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

Cambus Wallace’s whiskey tasting event.

Eat like a pirate king at this nautical Nobby Beach haunt every Tuesday with their seriously affordable slider special. You can nab sliders with a side of fries for $5, or if that’s not quite going to hit the spot grab two for $9 or three for $12. There are three varieties to choose from; the Angus beef slider with cheddar cheese, the pulled pork with pickled fennel or the vegetarian crumbed zucchini all with smoked tomato sauce, rocket, coleslaw and chipotle mayo. The only catch is you have to order the same variety, but you can solve that by going with two mates and sharing them round — or ordering nine for yourself.

$20 treat for two

Mr PPs Deli and Rooftop

43 Nerang St, Southport

Mr PP's Deli and Rooftop in Southport. Picture: Mike Batterham

This trendy Southport newcomer knows all the tricks to draw the crowds to Southport’s CBD — in addition to the swanky fitout, rooftop bar and moody European deli, that is. Every Tuesday knock off from work and head down for two drinks — including all house wines, Stone and Wood beers and ciders — and a chef’s share plate for $20. Sip your beverage while you munch on your choice of parmesan truffle fries; roast cherry tomato and whipped ricotta bruschetta; caprese, Roma tomato, fior di latte, basil, balsamic, olive oil; cucumber, charred corn, melon, snow pea tendril, yoghurt mascarpone or salt and cayenne pepper calamari, lemon.