What's Cooking
Items
156
Avg Price
$6.71
Rating
3/5
Unique Items
151
What's Cooking vs University— Menu Price Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, 5 shared items, average cost, and ratings to help you decide which restaurant is the better value. Updated August 2026.
University
Items
177
Avg Price
$8.56
Rating
4/5
Unique Items
172
What's Cooking vs University — Key Takeaways
At-a-glance restaurant comparison data for price-conscious diners
Better Value
What's Cooking
Shared Items
5
Avg Price Gap
$1.85
Top Rated
University
Price analysis:
University averages $8.56 per item while
What's Cooking averages $6.71, making What's Cooking
approximately $1.85 cheaper per item on average.
Shared food categories:
diner
Menu Item Price Comparison
5 itemsShared menu items ranked by largest price difference between What's Cooking and University
| # | Menu Item | What's Cooking | University | Price Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHEFS SALAD | $6.35 | $13.45 | $-7.10 |
| 2 | PATTY MELT | $6.20 | $10.95 | $-4.75 |
| 3 | Chicken Salad | $7.05 | $9.95 | $-2.90 |
| 4 | GREEK SALAD | $8.15 | $10.95 | $-2.80 |
| 5 | CAESAR SALAD | $9.05 | $9.95 | $-0.90 |
What's Cooking vs University — Which Should You Choose?
When comparing What's Cooking and University menu prices, several factors come into play beyond just the per-item cost. Both restaurants share 1 food category (diner), making them direct alternatives for diners deciding where to eat.
What's Cooking is the better value pick when looking at average menu item pricing. With What's Cooking averaging $6.71 per item and University at $8.56, the price difference of $1.85 per item can add up over multiple orders — especially for families or groups.
We track 156 menu items at What's Cooking and 177 items at University, with 5 items appearing on both menus under the same name. This overlap lets you directly compare identical items to see which restaurant charges less.
Looking at ratings, University leads with What's Cooking scoring 3/5 versus University at 4/5. While price matters, the overall dining experience and food quality reflected in these ratings are equally important factors in choosing between these two restaurants.
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What's Cooking vs University — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing these two restaurants on price, menu, and value
Is What's Cooking or University cheaper?
Based on current menu data, What's Cooking offers better average value. What's Cooking averages $6.71 per item while University averages $8.56 per item. For the full ranked price list, see What's Cooking cheapest items and University cheapest items.
Which restaurant has a bigger menu — What's Cooking or University?
University has the larger menu with 177 items tracked compared to What's Cooking's 156 items. Between them, there are 5 shared items with the same name, plus 151 items unique to What's Cooking and 172 exclusive to University.
How many menu items do What's Cooking and University share?
What's Cooking and University have 5 overlapping menu items that appear on both menus under the same name. What's Cooking has 151 exclusive items and University has 172 items not found at the other restaurant. The table above shows the biggest price gaps between identical items at each location.
Which has a better customer rating — What's Cooking or University?
University leads on customer satisfaction with a rating of 4/5, compared to 3/5 for What's Cooking. When choosing based purely on quality, University has the edge — though both restaurants serve the same broad customer base.
What type of food do What's Cooking and University serve?
Both restaurants serve diner. They share 1 food category, which makes them genuine alternatives for the same dining cravings. If you're looking for the best value within these categories, compare average prices in the key takeaways section above.
Where can I find the cheapest items at What's Cooking and University?
For budget-friendly meals, check our dedicated cheap eats guides: the What's Cooking cheapest menu items guide lists every item ranked by price from lowest to highest (average $6.71). The University cheapest menu items guide does the same (average $8.56). Both are updated August 2026.
How much can I save by choosing What's Cooking over University?
Choosing What's Cooking saves you approximately $1.85 per menu item on average. For a typical meal of 3–4 items, that adds up to roughly $6.48 in savings — meaningful for budget-conscious families or regular diners. Across a month of weekly visits, the cost difference can reach $26 or more.