Truth be told, I eat maybe twenty foods. Venturing off to Cornell is nerve-wrecking as is, but my eating habits made my cold feet icy. In the past year of selectively eating my way through school, I’ve found some unrivaled spots to nosh and not complain that “I don’t eat anything here.”
1. Mac’s Café (Statler)
Although I receive an eye roll by the employees, Mac’s salads never fail to fulfill my cravings. My salads consist of lettuce, chicken, and cucumbers. It may look far from a salad, but Mac’s allow the most peculiar eaters to get specific. They even give me extra chicken out of pity…
2. North Star (Appel)
Two words: GRILLED CHICKEN. It’s there, I promise. And there are always sugar cookies by the desserts. I spent most freshmen dinners here, hoarding chicken and cookies before every freshman ran for them (as if there were others who only ate this). I arrived promptly at 5:30 p.m. every night, fearing my favorites would be gone before I could run just 20 feet from Mews.
3. Trillium (Kennedy)
Three words, 14 letters -- say it and I’m yours. They have C E R E A L. It’s not the off-brand type in RPCC; it’s the real Kellogg’s. In addition to the copious amounts of cereal I ate here for lunch, the pizza is for real. Too often you can find me walking with a mini pizza box in hand, ready to chow down in Ives before class.
4. Terrace (Statler)
After a year of $8 salads, the salad ladies have finally recognized me as the “girl who orders three of the plainest things in a box and pretends it’s a salad.” Just like Mac’s, I order my three ingredients. But, Terrace gives something extra that Mac’s salads do not – BREAD. Need I say more?
5. Robert Purcell Marketplace Eatery (RPCC)
It’s all about Sunday brunch, and sometimes weeknight pancakes. Yes, the line is terribly long, but it is SO worth it. First, you can pick your toppings (if you even eat them). Second, pancakes aren’t as weird as salads with no dressing, so you can save the embarrassment for lunchtime on Central.
6. The Ivy Room (Willard Straight)
Curly fries in Oklahoma-shaped dishes and ample seating are just two of the reasons the Ivy Room is a lovable location. As an underrated eatery, there’s always space to spread out your work (and fries) and get busy. There’s other food available, like New York (so they say) style pizza and Asian cuisine, if you’re a more daring eater and into that sort of thing.
7. Bear Necessities (RPCC)
It’s 2 a.m. and you’re craving a greasy grilled cheese. Nasties is one of the busier places on campus, but the wait is well worth it. If you want cookie dough to sit with while you cry studying, if you want endless chaser options before you venture to Collegetown or the crispiest of chicken fingers, make your way up to North Campus ASAP. It’s a long trip for us returning students, but if there’s no way to get to Wegman’s (<3) and you desire endless choices, Nasties is your last(ies) (but a truly great) resort.
