When you're a Millsaps student, caf food gets old quick. Sometimes you have to go to the grocery store. But where to go? Read on to get informed.

1. McDade’s

Shopping at McDade’s is super convenient (so close to campus!) and gets you good citizenship points for supporting a local business. But their parking lot is stupidly tiny, they have seemingly no health and beauty items (read: no condoms, no tampons, no toilet paper) and a bag of Doritos costs, like, five bucks there.

GOOD FOR: Feeling good about yourself and pretending to be a local

BAD FOR: Parking, humane Dorito prices

TIP: Fried chicken is cheap and delicious there, and going to Brent’s or Fondren FroYo next door for a post-chicken ice cream means you basically don’t have to buy groceries at all.

2. Kroger

Good old familiar Kroger. There was probably a Kroger wherever you’re from. Going to Kroger is just like going home, because there’s real, non-ramen noodle food there and the comforting presence of people in blue polo shirts (just like Mom used to wear!) all over the place. You will definitely see your professors there, so you will have to hide your embarrassing junk food choices at the bottom of your cart.
GOOD FOR: Buying actual food that will sustain a human, “conveniently” being able to bother your professor to ask about your grade on that test
BAD FOR: Cheap food, quick trips
TIP: There’s always fancy cheese on clearance. You can afford fancy cheese!

3. Rainbow

Rainbow is a magical health-food mystery land. Do you need an algae-based dairy substitute? Fortified nutritional yeast? Organic vegan free-range bulgur wheat? Rainbow probably has it and everyone there knows exactly why you’d need it. The attached gift store is a one-stop shop for all your candle/incense/healing crystal/political bumper sticker needs, and the Rainbow Deli and Bakery has a damn good lunch.
GOOD FOR: Niche foods, essential oils, meeting the hippies around town
BAD FOR: Deliciously processed foods, meat
TIP: Ask anyone about anything in the store and you will learn everything you have ever wanted to know about it.

4. Mr. Chen’s

If you’re down to eat food with a label you can’t read that has the potential to be really spicy, Mr. Chen’s is your spot. Foreign grocery stores rock because they’re cheap and there’s always something weird and interesting to see. Plus, the home goods aisle has wok pans for daaaays.
GOOD FOR: ramen (so much ramen), culinary exploration
BAD FOR: reading labels
TIP: There’s an attached restaurant that serves delicious Asian food. Get your groceries and have leftovers for tomorrow!

5. Dollar Tree

Oh good Dollar Tree, how I sing your praises! What to say? Everything’s a dollar. No matter what. It’s awesome. And crazy.
GOOD FOR: Cheap food, frozen items
BAD FOR: Brand-name food, produce
TIP: Play a fun game with your friends and see who can buy the weirdest Dollar Tree item. Guaranteed laughter no matter what.