Cheap -but decent- Eats in Reno, NV
 

Hi all! I'm headed to Reno for a week in July for some training at University of Nevada - Reno. I'll be staying at the ElDorado. I'm trying to keep my expenses while there to a minimum so I was wondering recommendations for breakfast and dinner near the ElDorado, and lunch near the University. And by cheap...I don't mean McDonald's cheap necessarily. Just I figure with the number of casino's and other restaurants there are some good deals to be had that also have really good food! THanks for any advice!

Nugget Diner
 

There's a small casino on Virgina Street downtown accross from Harrah's called the Nugget. There's a small diner in the back that's very cheap. It's not for everyone - definitely on the shabby side - but the food is actually not half bad.

A small step-up would the coffee shop at the Cal-Neva. Also decent food at good prices. A little nicer and a little more expensive than the Nugget.

If you're going to be heading away from downtown, the coffee shop at the Peppermill is excellent, a legitimately nice place that has some very good "comfort food" specials for $5/95 Monday through Friday.

There is (disclaimer...2-3 years ago) a great BBQ place in Sparks on main drag from the Grand Sierra (used to be Reno Hilton) , called, uninterstingly enough, 'Carolina Kitchen and Barbeque'. Fantastic and a gut-busting lunch was about 6-8 bucks. When on a project in Reno, ate there 2-3 times/week.

If you like Vietnamese, there is a great authentic and very reasonably priced place called Golden Flower on 5th Street, kiddie corner from the Silver Legacy ^

This is off topic , but staying at the Eldorado, they have a great Italian restaurant, not cheap, but outstanding. I'm going up today and will have dinner at the Eldorado, I'm also staying here.
I would suggest taking a look at the menu and see if anything might fit your budget.
Bob