When we’re used to home cooked meals or good eats from our hometown, eating campus food can be hard. Having the same foods from the same places on campus can get boring, fast. With stress levels from school always high, anytime is the perfect time to indulge in some takeout or to get something delivered. With so many options around Rochester, the best of the best (in no particular order) have been chosen for you.
Let the Rochester food tour begin… right from your living room.
(**=takeout only)
1. Deli Sandro’s
This dive, which is 5 minutes away from the Riverview Apartments, is the perfect breakfast, lunch, or dinner spot. With the freshest bread and classic sandwiches, any option will definitely hit the spot. Their milkshakes and ice cream sandwiches are also amazing if you’re looking for just a midnight snack.
#SpoonTip: They deliver until 1:30 am, and just started to deliver beer if you are of age. Looking for a twist in your milkshake? You can add strawberry or banana to a Nutella milkshake for no extra cost.
2. Mr. Shoes Pizza
Photo courtesy of pix-collection.com
Mr. Shoes may be known for their solid comfort foods such as wings and pizza, but if you are looking for a spin on normal salads, their bread bowl salads are a definite must. An added plus, the bowls are huge, so you will have leftovers for later too.
#SpoonTip: If you decide to get some of their delicious cinnamon toes dessert, it is only 50 cents extra to get a second order.
3. Jing Li Restaurant
Photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons user Matt DeTurck
Jing Li will definitely satisfy your Chinese takeout cravings without burning a hole in your pocket. For just $8, you can get a dinner combo that comes with an entree, fried rice, and an egg roll.
#SpoonTip: Their homemade iced tea and lemonade are super refreshing and go well with any dinner combo.
4. Mandarin Court
If you ever have the craving for Chinese and Japanese cuisines, Mandarin Court is where you can get the best of both worlds. Their menu contains the standard dishes of Chinese and Japanese food, and the prices are all within a college students’ budget.
#SpoonTip: Mandarin Court also has a dinner combo where you can get an entree, a side, and rice, all for less than $8.
5. Wings Over Rochester
Photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons user stu_spivack
Wings Over is the mecca for any wings lover, and is the perfect food for an event or for watching sports. Their menu includes over 15 chicken wing flavors and different levels of hotness, so there is an option for everyone, and regulars will always have a new flavor to try.
#SpoonTip: For anyone who doesn’t like wings, they also have wraps and sandwiches which are just as delicious.
6. Astoria Fresh Greek Cuisine
Astoria will give you the same authentic taste as any of the Greek food that you may get from actual Astoria, Queens. For some first timers, some crowd favorites are their gyros and the fire feta dip. Start the drooling now. #SpoonTip: The 3 dip combo will leave you with amazing dips for the whole week.
7. Haveli Indian Cuisine
Haveli is the place to go if you are sick of the Indian food from the dining halls or the instant Indian meals from the Hillside Market, and want to get some true Indian flavors. They have tons of entree options, even for vegetarians, and their portions are large so you can share with some friends. Try a mango lassi if you want to try a variation of a mango smoothie. #SpoonTip: They have lunch or dinner buffets on some days of the week if you ever decide to eat in the restaurant.
8. Tokyo Japanese
Tokyo Japanese has one of the best Japanese food nearby campus. They have some of the freshest fish and have tons of options for sushi rolls. If you are not the type of person who likes raw food, they also have a whole menu for hot entrees and hibachi. #SpoonTip: If you decide to eat in and want some Chinese food as well, you can order from the restaurant next door called Shanghai.
9. Abbott’s Frozen Custard
Abbott’s is a classic dessert place for anyone living in Rochester; they have freshly made custard everyday and have an array of options for toppings and sundaes. #SpoonTip: Not in the mood for something sweet? They also deliver breakfast and some lunch choices — who knew?
10. Calio’s
If you are coming back from a late night of going out and start to get hungry, don’t fear that nothing is open. Calio’s delivers until 4 am and has over fifteen choices for calzones that will hit the spot. Though they specialize in calzones, they also deliver wings and chicken tenders too. #SpoonTip: Their brownie calzone is always a crowd favorite if you have a sweet tooth.
11. Sultan Lebanese Cuisine and Bakery
Sultan is an excellent choice if you want to toss the basic pizza or Chinese takeout, and want some authentic Lebanese flavors. They have a lot of choices especially for vegetarians, and is amazingly priced for a college student.
#SpoonTip: If you have never had Lebanese food before, try their Shawarma Plate or any of their combos so that you can try a little bit of everything.
12. Ken’s Pizza Corner
If you are looking for the classic comfort foods, Ken’s Pizza Corner is the place to order from. They have fast delivery and mouthwatering pizza choices, subs and wings.
#SpoonTip: You definitely need to order the garbage plate pizza if you are a true Rochester-ian.
13. The Hong Kong House
Photo courtesy by Flickr Creative Commons user Steven Depolo
After a night of partying, The Hong Kong House should be ordered from, as it will solve a case of the drunchies. They deliver until 3 am seven days a week, and have a large menu full of traditional Chinese takeout dishes.
#SpoonTip: They also offer some delicious wings, subs, pizza, and more, just in case the Chinese food is not enough.
14. Highland Park Diner **
Photo courtesy of Her View Photography
This classic diner will take you back in time with its vintage feel in a trailer setting. While most people come for brunch because of their outrageous number of brunch options, especially their eggs Benedict and skillets, they have a huge selection of great sandwiches and burgers as well.
#SpoonTip: Depending on the day you come, they may also have seasonal specials that are must-haves.
15. The King and I **
The King and I is the perfect place if you want an authentic taste of Thai food. Their menu is large and includes salads, seafood, noodles, curry and more, and has something for even the pickiest of eaters. Newcomers should not fret as they have an informational description of Thai seasonings and dishes on the first page of their menu. #SpoonTip: Their satay, Thai iced tea, Pad Thai, and Basil Fried Rice are popular menu items for first timers.
16. Abyssinia **
Abyssinia is one of the best Ethiopian places in Rochester with food that tastes authentic, and is also all served on a tray similar to the traditional Ethiopian way. Additionally, Abyssinia makes it easy to eat with friends especially because you can order portions based on how many people are eating.
#SpoonTip: For first timers, try the Abyssinia Special I or II to get a little taste of everything that they offer.
17. Dog Town **
You are not a true Rochester-ian if you have not been to Dogtown. Though Dogtown offers the normal iconic garbage plates, they also have over ten different kinds of specialty hot dogs as well as delicious sandwiches and sausages.
#SpoonTip: Stop by even if you are a vegetarian; they also offer meatless garbage plates and veggie dogs. Can you say yum?
18. Pellegrino’s **
If you want to pick up something quick and close to campus, Pellegrino’s is perfect. They have some of the best subs and soups around, with having everything made to order. Some popular menu items include their Philly Cheesesteak and buffalo chicken sub; their fries are also to die for.
#SpoonTip: Show your student ID to get a 10% discount.
19. Sticky Lips BBQ Juke Joint **
Sticky Lips BBQ is a great choice to order from if you want some great BBQ for an amazing price. They have a lot of combos where you can get your entree and two of their mouth-watering sides. If you decide to eat in the restaurant, they also have various original BBQ sauces to switch up the flavors, and the ambiance of the restaurant will make you feel like you’re in the south.
#SpoonTip: They have Gospel Brunch from 10:30 am-1:30 pm where you can have an all-you-can eat buffet all for $15.95.
20. Bamboo House **
Photo courtesy of Creative Commons user Samson Loo
Bamboo House is perfect if you want Chinese food, but are sick of the typical Chinese take-out dishes. While they do offer those dishes, their menu also includes some traditional Chinese foods such as steamed fish, duck feet and tripe appetizers, soup noodles, and rice platters.
#SpoonTip: Their scallion pancakes are amazing, and you get a large amount of them for just $2.75. You won’t be able to stop at just one order.