You can rely on on-campus food nine out of ten times. On the best days, you have Chick-fil-a to wake you up in the morning with chicken minis, the Magnolia room for lunch, Shorty's grilled cheese and tomato soup with sweet potato fries for dinner and there's always Subway to get you through those late nights.
But sometimes it's nice to switch it up a bit and get off campus, away from the brick. Once you figure out what kind of food you want, if you're dining off campus, here are some of the best places to go. And, if you want to have food delivered, there is no better way to do that than to download the app Grubhub. It makes food delivery quick, easy and online.
Mexican Food Do's and Don'ts:
During the day, Chipotle is a great option to get that spicy fix. You get to choose what you want (white or brown? Pinto or black? Meat?) and how you want it (bowl, burrito, taco, salad)- yes I know, guac is extra. Just don't go to Chipotle at or after 6:30 because that's when the rush hits. No matter what day it is, if you go around 6:30, you're sure to be waiting in line for 20-30 minutes. But once you get to ordering, be prepared for the fast-paced efficiency and a perfectly tucked burrito!
Craving a Mexican sit-down dinner? Mi Pueblo is an awesome choice! You'll be greeted by a hostess who will seat you promptly and the waiter who will be with you shortly. Instead of bread, you get chips and salsa. Each dish is a large serving of delicious food that is sure to leave you full and satisfied! The service is quick and the prices are reasonable. It will also leave you with some leftovers for tomorrow! They even work well with large parties!
Italian Food Do's and Don'ts:
Elizabeth's restaurant is the best Italian Place in Winston-Salem, even when you get it delivered to campus through the Grubhub App. It doesn't look like much from the street, a hole in the wall, but the pasta is out of this world. When I feel hungry after the Pit closes at 8 pm, Elizabeth's is my go-to. I order fettuccini with vodka sauce for my entree, and it comes with salad and a plethora of options for dressings or creamy tomato soup that could last you for days, as well as warm, soft, fresh bread. One meal from Elizabeth's could potentially be stretched out over the course of two days: dinner on the night of the order, breakfast or lunch the next day, and soup for days to come. Don't reheat your meal in the container that it comes in because the container is metal. Don't be surprised when the delivery arrives in only twenty minutes and lastly don't order alone. Sharing is caring.
I think this goes without being said, but Olive Garden is a great in-between if you're looking to sit in, but not break the bank. I don't know if I even need to explain the rich, creamy goodness of the never-ending pasta bowl. It's something you won't be able to fully understand until you have it yourself, but I'll try to explain. Picture this: You get to pick your favorite noodle and your favorite sauce from a comprehensive list. If you leave it at that, you're spending $10 on a large plate of pasta. If you want some meat, it's only about $3.00 extra. But here's the kicker- you can get ANOTHER smaller bowl for NO EXTRA COST and if you want, you can take it to go for leftovers tomorrow. If you're still hungry that same night, eat the extra bowl at the table and then ORDER ANOTHER ONE for the SAME PRICE and get that one to go for leftovers tomorrow. When they say never ending, they really mean it.
If you want to go out on a date or go out for parent's weekend, I'd recommend Quanto Basta. It is located in the heart of downtown Winston-Salem where you can sit by the window in this modern establishment. The service is very nice and quick. My personal favorite is the chicken parmesan that is so delicious I wanted my meal to last forever. But be cautious, Hungry Student, don't come here if you're paying yourself, it's a little pricey. Let's leave that for gentleman-folk and parents.
Chinese/Japanese Food Do's and Don'ts:
Mizu sushi is a great place to eat. It's not very expensive and the sushi is top-notch. It is an especially cool experience if you're a Delta Zeta. They have a roll named after the sorority! I love that because it's a special campus-community connection. But whether you're a DZ or not, the service is wonderful, the waiters are happy, and the food comes out quickly. I haven't been disappointed by a dish yet!
If you don't have a car and you're looking to get off campus, try Mai Wei Dumplings in Reynolda Village! You can get 7- 8 fried chicken dumplings swimming in their signature soy sauce for just $3.00! But they don't stop at dumplings, they also have noodles and soups, but I mostly stick with the dumplings- why veer from the namesake?
If you're looking to order-in, order from China Wok, which is on the app Grubhub. Seriously, look no further than China Wok because it is the lowest price for the best quality of food. You'll see other Chinese restaurants on the app, but if you want your order the way you order it, stick with China Wok. The service is a little slow, but the wait is well-worth the taste to get that Asian food fix.
Other Restaurant Do's and Don'ts:
I cannot speak more highly of Mozelle's Southern Bistro located in downtown Winston-Salem. For me, dining there is a religious experience. The waiters there are so kind that they'll make you feel like you just became part of a family. Then the food will remind you of what home-cooking tastes like. Although the service is on the slow side, it is immediately forgiven when you taste the food. I always explore the appetizers. So far my favorite has been the Brie and Jam on crostini. For my entree, I get the fried chicken that is served with mac and cheese, haricots vert and peach chutney. I've never tasted so much flavor in my life. It is the perfect break from campus food and everything there has a great price.
Village Tavern is a classic. This dining experience is cheap and practical. There are two locations in Winston-Salem, one is right in the Village and the other is next to La Quinta. They're open for brunch, lunch and dinner (depending on the day), but my favorite times to go are for brunch or dinner. The menu has something to satisfy every craving, from juicy burgers to ahi tuna sashimi. You might think that this takes away from the quality of the food given all the different types of food represented, but I have yet to be dissatisfied at Village Tavern. While the food is good, the service is either a hit or a miss and from people I've talked to, the quality of service you get depends on who you go with. If it looks like you're with your family, you'll be served as a well-respected patron whereas if you go with a group of friends, they'll stick you in a corner where the table is near a drafty window and the waitress will come three times to take your order. Do get the spinach artichoke dip, it is sublime.
Fratellis Steakhouse is close to campus and the food is sure to be delicious! The waiters are kind and friendly and the atmosphere is very comfortably modern. They are only open for dinner and when you go, you should try their eggplant parm or the NY strip steak. Both are incredible options with very different prices. Don't put this place on your list of birthday dinner places, though, because it is expensive. If you're parents want to go somewhere nice for parents weekend and don't care about the price, this is a perfect option, but make the reservation at least a week in advance because they fill up quick.
It's midnight, you're starving, and you don't want Subway because you've had Subway the past two nights. If you want the most bang for your buck, go to Cookout! But you have to be prepared and go in knowing what you want, so I'll tell you what to do. Pull up. Stay very matter-of-fact, you might think it's rude to not say "Hey, how are you?" but those niceties put your order at risk. Keep it short. "Hey, I'm going to get x orders" let's say x is two in this situation. Then you say "Ticket One:" meaning first order, then order a tray. Trays are the best way to get the most out of what you're paying for. In the most simplistic sense, when you get a tray you get an entree and two sides. What I really mean is you can get a big double bacon cheeseburger with chicken nuggets and a chicken quesadilla. It's a lot of food. And then you get a drink as well. If you get a soft drink or tea, you're spending $5.00 flat for all of that food. If you get one of their famous milkshakes, you'll be spending $7.00. Then you order the second ticket and so on. But don't be surprised when they mix up the two orders and you and your friend will have to sort out who gets what among the two trays later.
