This year I have realized that while I can’t escape the Freshmen 15, I might as well embrace it. With that being said, I have put my seven favorite restaurants in Iowa City along with what I get at each restaurant! There are so many fast food/sit down places around Iowa City. No matter what kind of eater you are, everyone can find their comfort food on this campus. Enjoy!

ATLAS

Atlas is the perfect place for lunch or dinner. In addition, it’s a place in which I can go in sweats, or in a dress and no one cares. Great spot for an ideal dinner date. Unfortunately I eat for 3 because the food is so good, that maybe going on a date there wouldn’t be the best option for me (The boy would probably never talk to me again). Once I pick a meal at a restaurant, I get the same meal each and every time I go. At Atlas I share the Truffle Fries with whomever I am eating with. In addition I get their famous Mac and Cheese. 10/10 would recommend.

MESA

Ok this is the absolute best place to eat after a cringey night on the town. What better way to forget all the embarrassing things you did that night than eating two slices of their delicious mac and cheese pizza. I love eating pizza with my friends, gossiping about our night and, of course, scouting out cute boys in the pizza parlor. Mesa has some of the best pizza in town and I would highly encourage everyone to grab a slice while in Iowa City

BLACK STONE

Black stone is not in down town Iowa City rather it is about 10 minutes away from campus; however, the food is so delicious that the $20 uber ride doesn’t even phase me. It’s a very cute sit down dinner. Most adults go there rather than college students because it’s not down town. For an appetizer I get the buffalo chicken tenders. They’re absolutely AMAZING. And guess what I get for a meal? Mac and cheese! If you can’t tell, my favorite food is Mac and Cheese.

CHIPOTLE

Chipotle is my favorite fast food restaurant. I’m pretty sure 99.9% of Americans are familiar with Chipotle, so there isn’t a reason to explain. But, my order goes: Bowl (to go), brown rice, black beans, chicken, cheese, lettuce and guac. In addition, I eat it with chips. SO yummy.

FORMOSA

Ah, yes, one of the most poppin’ sushi places in town. The restaurant has amazing service, great drinks and even better sushi. The look of the restaurant is so cute and it’s never dead. I always get the spicy tuna roll and then mooch off of everyone else’s plates.

SHORTS

Looking for the best burger in town? Shorts is the answer! Their burgers are huge!!! The restaurant is small, but the service is quick, which allows people to get in and out fast. I always get the cheese burger and fries and eat the entire thing. Whoops. Shorts is the perfect burger joint for a college campus, and you’d be a fool to not stop by and grab a burger next time you find yourself in Iowa City.

EL PATRON

Looking for cheap yet delicious Mexican food??? Stop by El Patron right down town to get some of their famous tacos! It has the coolest aesthetic inside and outside of their restaurant. I always order the Mac and Cheese tacos, so yummy!