‘Tis the season of backlots, 11am pregames, and last excuses to wear outfits that we’ll soon fail to pull off once the winter weight hits us. We can all admit that by the time 5pm approaches, despite our unconsciousness, our bellies are craving something yummy. Us tailgate zombies, with our makeup smeared and our hair up in a frizz, walk the streets of Marshall, in hopes for a meal that’ll not only satisfy our stomachs, but our drunken souls. Whether the tailgate was a bust from seeing your ex-luvr or was a day of complete blackout, Marshall Street is the destination hot-spot post-tailgate.
However, can we all agree that you’ll find a certain crowd at a certain food hub? For some reason, you almost always bump into your ex-roommate from freshman year in Panda West, the guy who’s consistently on coke in your 10am is always in Pita Pit, and the near entirety of a whole frat is almost always at Chipotle once the lot dies down. Every place on Marshall says a thing or two about your character. You are what you eat.
Chipotle – You Crave a Dysfunctional Mess
We all know that Chipotle‘s line is practically out the door post-tailgate. The majority of Syracuse’s tailgaters pick Chipotle as their destination hot-spot. Chipotle’s crowd is a mix; maniacs from your floor in freshman year, your high school ex, that one guy who’s always at the gym when you are, even your creepy TA from last semester. Why? Chipotle is the place for putting a heap of deliciousness in a bowl practically suitable for a dog, human, or any living thing. It’s a mix of a delicious mess, whether you choose a burrito or the infamous burrito bowls. But most importantly, the only people who want a mess are messes themselves.
Varsity – You’re A Dad
Stop freaking out. I’ve asked 5 people on the matter, and they’re all saying the same thing. If you’re visiting Varsity when you’re blacked, you truly bleed orange and are a parent of the Syracuse community. Even though you’re practically unconscious, you’re instinctively heading to an 80s-themed, back to the future, old-school (but delicious, I know) hot-spot on Marshall Street. The several times I’ve went after a tailgate, my elbows were knocking into a tailgater Dad with his wife and four kids scarfing down 3 slices of pizza. You might as well wrap your Natty in a koozie and say lights out at 10pm, because it’s looking like your tailgate’s gonna be a short one.
Acropolis – You’ve Lost Yourself AKA Lights On, No One Home
You have fully stepped out of your physical state. Acropolis is the ultimate location for an obliterated tailgater. While you’re daydreaming of endless chicken tenders and mile-long French fries, your friend is practically holding you up all the way down from Comstock. Pick yourself up girl: your order’s ready.
Pita Pit – Pita Who?
I sincerely apologize if Pita Pit is one of Marshall’s hidden gems. However, from my personal experience, Pita Pit is the one that blends in with the dozens of other food hot-spots on Marshall’s strip. Whether it’s because of their lack of seating or because the only times I’ve gone there is to use their bathroom (which didn’t have any toilet paper BTW), Pita Pit is the place for people who don’t want to be noticed once they’ve tailgated out all their energy. Is Pita Pit even open during the day? Wouldn’t know.
Panda West – OMG MSG!!
Sit down, order noodles alongside sweet and sour chicken and hoards of dumplings, and talk about why TF your boy didn’t text you once the whole day!!!! Get your girls and gossip over tens of pounds of Chinese food. When you’re drunk and more into the conversation than your actual meal, it’s hard to even have an opinion on the halfway-decent Asian bistro cuisine. If you’re in Panda West, you’re there to talk shit, smack, hot drama, whatever you wanna call it–either way, Panda West means business.
Bleu Monkey – Tailgate Over? Sake Say No More
Think about it: it’s 4pm and the tailgate is dispersing. You’re hungry, but still down to keep the party going before Castle happens at 10. How do you drink while simultaneously satisfying your empty stomachs?: Bleu Monkey’s Happy Hour. Bring your tailgate crowd and don’t let the day stop. Rally up and sake down, Bleu Monkey is for the ultimate rallier.
Insomnia – Need Sweet to Replace the Sour
Every person needs balance in their life, right? Whether there was too much drama at your pregame or you’ve dieted all this week to fit into your Cuse-themed leggings, you feel you deserve the ultimate Insomnia experience. You’ve had a sour week, so you deserve a treat. If you’re in Insomnia, you need a little sweetness in your life. Do yourself a favor and leave the sour on the lot, and sweeten up with a Cookiewich instead.
Calio’s – Comfort Now, Queasy Later
Calio’s is the ultimate destination for drunk food feasts. By the time you leave, you’ll have enough food in your stomach to last you until tomorrow’s darty. Most importantly, you’re too drunk to even comprehend if they messed up your calzone order. If it’s cheese melted onto bread with at least some hit of meat consistency, you’re satisfied. You want the comfort of the food now, whether or not the obscene amount of food ends up giving you a bellyache later. As long as the calzone is getting the job done, you don’t care what will hit you later.
Jimmy John’s – JJ’s at 5, Gym at 6
These are for the go-getters of the gymnasium facilities. You do not care how trashed/kazooked/knocked/blacked you are, either way you’ll be hitting the Ernie gym approx. 2 hours after the tailgate dies down, no discussion. What better way to stock up on protein than a fat sub from JJ’s? Leave the blender bottle in the dorm, the massive amounts of meat you inhale will have you covered, rep, after rep, after rep.