CNE Cheap Eats – Treats under $5

I love the CNE! I love the lights. I love the gritty, edgy, magic that is the midway, the carny sounds of the rides and of course the crazy food filled with flavour, calories and excess! But excess isn’t always the way to go. Sometimes, especially when with kids you just NEED to go on that dragon ride ONE MORE TIME, it’s good to pay attention to where you are spending your CNE dollars. That’s where CNE Cheap Eats are perfect!

Gerry and I hit the Ex this year looking for CNE Cheap Eats, treats for under $5 that let you get in on the action without eating warm egg sandwiches from mom’s knapsack. <shudder>

Here’s the CNE Extra Cheap Eats – food items we found for under $3!

(Yes, we actually went even cheaper!!)

Taco (Chicken/Pulled Pork) (Taqueria Burrito Bar, Food Building Booth # 230-231)

$0.99

Spaghetti (Primo Spaghetti 99, Food Building Booth #318/420)

S $.99, L $1.89

Stroopwafels (Dutch Frites, Food Building Booth # 221-222)

$1.25. But it’s almost worth buying more of these, a whole pack was only $5, and they are sooo good.

M&M Donut (Tim Hortons, Food Building Booth # 817-818)

$1.49 about what you’ll pay in the real world, but fun to get a speciality donut.

Veggie Spring Rolls (Bua Thai, Food Building Booth # 239-240)

2 for $2.50  

Ithaca, Food Building Booth # 710-711

• Pork Souvlaki Stick $2.95
• Chicken Souvlaki Stick $2.85

Spicy Olives (San Francesco Italian Sandwiches, Food Building Booth # 707-709)

Small $2, Large $4

Taste of Indian Cuisine, Food Building Booth # 606-608

• Vegetable Samosa $1.99
• Vegetable Pakora  3 Pieces for $2.99

Muffins are available all over the fair:

• Galleria Café, Enercare Centre Galleria Hall A $2.49
• Mountain View Coffee, Hall B, International Stage Area & C South East Corner $2.50

Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce 12 oz (Mamma’s Pizza, Food Building Booth # 223-225) $2.73

Whole Fruit (Galleria Café, Enercare Centre Galleria Hall A) $1.99

CNE Cheap Eats – Foods for under $5

The CNE has pulled together a full list of Food for under $5 all across the fair. Some of the prices seem to be slightly off so double check before you order if you are very price sensitive. Otherwise, there are lots of great options for good food without handing over a twenty every time you want to indulge.

Some tips: 

• pick 2 or 3 options around the same location in case one of the booths aren’t offering that item any more or are sold out for the day. (We encountered both with some disappointment)
• remember, for these prices, some items are small. Sometimes it’s worth paying an extra $1 or 2 for a bigger item.
• the fancier the item you pick, especially if it’s inexpensive, the bigger the lineup and the wait.
• try and budget for at least one splurge item, especially if you have food-focused kids. It’s worth it for the bragging rights of eating deep-fried doritos, and the squeals when they bite into the deep-fried chicken’s foot,  and giggles when the Krusty the Cone’s cotton candy tickles their nose.