There are many reasons to be nervous when approaching your freshman year of college – the unknown is scary. While many colleges try and break that barrier during orientation, it’s hard to know what to expect until you’re really there (and that’s okay). But, like my mom always says, the last thing you should be worrying about is what you’re going to eat – and that’s why Ithaca College’s Spoon University Chapter has compiled a list of food spots off-campus that you NEED to know and that we wish we knew as incoming freshmen. We’ll call it our “warm welcome”. We’re very excited to have you.
1. Breakfast/Brunch
Sunset Grill
Photo by Dani Weinstein
Sunset Grill is the prime diner experience; it’s fast paced, almost all customers are students, there are bottomless cups of coffee, and unnecessarily large pancakes. Just how we like it. It’s also the only diner in (reasonable) walking distance from campus.
Dolce Delight
Photo by Dani Weinstein
You honestly won’t understand how much you need Dolce in your life until you try it. Their breakfast sandwiches are unique and irreplaceable. Also, #SpoonTip, they are NOT open on Sundays. Learn from our mistakes; it’s not a nice feeling rolling up to Dolce and seeing the big “Closed” sign on the door when you’ve been thinking about it all week.
2. Lunch
Rogans
Photo by Dani Weinstein
Right next to Sunset Grill, Rogans is more than your average gas station’s mini mart. It’s an awesome deli, too, and since many of you probably don’t have cars on campus it’s super convenient to find quality subs, pizza, wings, calzones, and other snacks that are only a quick walk away.
Collegetown Bagels (CTB)/Ithaca Bakery
Photo by Laura Telischi
We put these two together because they’re owned by the same people and carry a lot of the same (amazing) foods. They both love supporting local businesses and are perfect quick and easy lunch date options. Not to mention their awesome drink selections; below are a couple of examples…
Photo by Dani Weinstein
Wegmans
Photo by Dani Weinstein
If you don’t already, you will soon learn to love Wegmans for many reasons. Wegmans has its own cafeteria-type section that you can sit down in for lunch (or dinner). All you do is grab an empty box, put any of their prepared foods into it, and bring it to the cashier. They have so many more options than your average dining hall meal: orange chicken, lo mein, quesadillas, roasted vegetables, salad, pizza, etc. Once you move into an apartment or house off-campus, you’ll start to learn a little bit more about why Wegmans is the greatest place that was ever invented.
Photo by Dani Weinstein
3. Dinner
Grubhub
We know how hard it is to get a car on campus freshman year. So thankfully, Grubhub exists to fulfill all of your late night cravings. Grubhub is a website and food delivery service that works with a lot of the restaurants downtown to bring you whatever food you desire. We are all #blessed to have this beautiful option; Grubhub literally brings your favorite foods to your door. Don’t get me wrong, it can be dangerous (i.e. spending all of your money on Luna’s fried oreos), but has come in handy more times than I can count.
Viva Taqueria
Photo by Rose Lee
Ahhh, Viva. This California-style Mexican cuisine restaurant is an Ithaca College favorite and likely the place where you will celebrate your next birthday. Their enchiladas are to die for and its pretty inexpensive, too. They don’t take reservations but waiting in line on a Friday night usually doesn’t take more than 20 minutes. Warm nights in Ithaca sitting outside with a stacked plate of nachos at Viva is a wonderful experience that’ll get you through the school week.
Asia Cuisine
Photo courtesy of @peewpewsaensrira
Located in downtown Ithaca, Asia Cuisine never fails to satisfy any adventurous foodie. Their food is authentic and their service is quick. Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to sushi but the general consensus from our chapter is that this place is the winner. Not only is it delicious, it won’t break the bank if you want to order rolls on rolls of tasty sushi.
Bandwagon
Photo by Sophia Sioris
Bandwagon is probably the most fun if you’re old enough to enjoy all of the beer they brew literally behind the bar… but I’ve never had a problem sitting on the other side eating burgers and fries served with their trio of sauces. This place is very Ithaca-esque. The local beer and grass-fed beef in their burgers definitely has something to do with that, but the ambiance and cool decor will draw you in every time.
4. Dessert
Purity Ice Cream
Photo courtesy of @mandylearo
I worked at an ice cream place for four summers in a row back home so when I say Purity ice cream is the best ice cream I’ve ever had, you have to believe me. It’s a little further than the rest of the restaurants on this list, but it’s honestly worth it. Don’t fret, they sell their ice cream at CTB and Waffle Frolic, too.
5. When the Rents Come to Visit
Ithaca Farmers Market
Photo by Dani Weinstein
Chances are your parents are paying a LOT of money for you to attend Ithaca College. So when they come to visit, the least you can do is entertain them and show them the beautiful city you’re living in. If there’s one place our chapter can think of that’ll keep everybody happy, fed, and entertained… it’s the Ithaca Farmers Market. People travel from all over to see this farmers market; it’s vendors are charming and the food is authentic and delicious. You can choose to eat your way through the market but I guarantee you’ll have just as good of a time if you choose to stroll around and look around at all the vendor’s products (and listen to some music, too).
Northstar House
Photo courtesy of northstarpub.com
This place is all good vibes. The rents will absolutely love the beer garden (if you take them in the warmer months) and the food will blow all of you away – we highly recommend the roasted garlic burger (so good). They also have great brunch but it’s definitely competitive to find a table so make sure you get there early.
Carriage House Cafe
Photo by Dani Weinstein
Speaking of brunch… Carriage House is one of those places the average college student wouldn’t really be able to afford, but is definitely worth the splurge. I highly recommend their brie stuffed french toast. Or the “sconewhich” (scrambled egg with cheddar inside a griddle ham and cheese scone)… I can’t decide. I’ll leave this one up to you.
Agava
Photo by Dani Weinstein
Agava is my family’s favorite. It’s sort of tapas style where you can order a bunch of little plates and share with everyone at the table. The food ranges from flatbreads to brussels sprouts to burgers to taquitos, but what they all have in common is their emphasis on local foods. The ambiance is fun and exciting and there is no better place to have a quick little family reunion.
Moosewood
Photo by Sophia Sioris
Moosewood is one of those places where you take your parents and visitors to really give them a taste of the good ‘ol Ithaca vibe. It’s been a booming vegetarian restaurant for 40 years and even has authored thirteen internationally acclaimed cookbooks. So, if your ‘rents like the food you can buy them a cookbook for the holidays. You’re welcome.
5. After a late night
Sammy’s vs. Casablanca
Photo by Dani Weinstein
Honestly, it feels like half of Ithaca College prefers Sammy’s and the other half prefers Casablanca. They both serve pizza, they’re both open late, and they’re both conveniently located close to all the downtown bars. There is no such thing as liking both, and we can’t make this decision for you… guess you’ll just have to try both.
Insomnia Cookies
Photo courtesy of @insomniacookiesofficial
Just like GrubHub, Insomnia delivers. They don’t open Insomnia Cookies in college towns unintentionally. They know us college students love warm cookies, especially at 2am. Genius idea if you ask me. This will soon become your friend; just don’t pass out before your delivery arrives… they definitely don’t like that.
There you have it! You’ll soon realize that Ithaca’s food culture is something you cannot ignore. Food is one of those things that brings everybody together; it’s an international common ground and our little city of Ithaca welcomes all types. Our chapter is one of the organizations on campus that brings foodies together, and if you think you’d like to be involved make sure to shoot an email to spoonuniversityithaca@gmail.com. Spoon on.
Photo by Meredith Husar