School holidays are still underway. The sun is shining and the water’s warm. It’s play time at the beach, but you’re getting hungry. There’s no time to waste standing in a queue.

Or perhaps, like me, you’re back at work without the time to sit back and relax at a cafe.

There are times you just want something ready-to-grab to fill the belly, and avoid breaking the bank. Here are our top picks for a time and cost-saving lunch in Crescent Head.

FoodWorks

Believe it or not, the local FoodWorks has plenty of hot and cold options, prepped and ready to go.

Grab a box of hot chicken soy nibbles. You get five for $5.99. Not enough? Grab yourself a cooked BBQ chook for $13.49 or the potato bake with bacon for under $10.

The grocery store also stocks fresh cut fruit platters and pre-made salads for around the $8 mark.

Cafe cabinet tips

If you’re at the point and don’t want to go far, The Point Break Cafe has something they prepared earlier - a chia pudding in a cup with yogurt, granola and fresh fruit for $13.50 or a ham & cheese croissant for $7.

The Green Room sells pre-made salads, quiche and other hot treats. Ask the staff for daily offers and prices.

Cressence offers salads for $7, ham and cheese croissants for the same price, or rolls for $9. If you do have a little time to wait, you should try their hot chips! Golden, crispy, and seasoned with chicken salt they have three size options. Small is $6, a medium box for $10 and a large can feed a hungry bunch for $15.

The Bakery

Now, for a quick lunch, you’re going to have to get lucky to dodge the crowds at Barnett’s Bakery, but the long line out the door just proves it worth joining the queue.

Like any good Aussie bakery, this one has a long list of pie flavours, alongside sausage rolls, pasties and quiche. Barnett’s also has pre-made wraps and sandwiches on offer, a range of Acai bowls, and of course, an array of sweet and creamy treats.

Stay tuned for our growing list of cheap eats on the Mid North Coast, and if you have a recommendation, we’d love to hear from you!

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