So what are a few things on a college students’ mind aside from classes, homework, and the attractive person that sits next to you in Business Class? You guessed it- FOOD. We like it, some of us love it and more so when the food is delicious and affordable. Unfortunately, the student budget has many of us packing our own lunch: the usual sandwich and apple.
Tired of the same routine? Let’s explore Fresno’s finest and diverse restaurants, cafés, and deli’s that just might make you throw that sandwich out the window, take a break from your studies, and invite that attractive person that sits next to you in class for a bite to eat…
No. 10: A taste
of New York City…
Looking to upgrade your ham sandwich? Throw in a variety of salami’s, cheeses, and mustard dressing concoctions to create your own New York Style sandwich. Located on the corner of Willow and Nees, the New York Family Deli was inspired by a September 1lth firefighter who brought a taste of New York to Fresno, California. The menu offers every sandwich from roast beef to turkey, chicken, ham, salami, and cheeses with unique names such as “the Bronx”, and “Ellis Island”. The deli also offers a wide range of salads and desserts with a New York twist. Student specials run under $10.00 and include 2 signature sandwiches, yes, 2 sandwiches, a drink and bag of chips.
No. 9: Not
the usual ‘Chicken
of the Sea’…
For all the sushi lovers out there- walk into Wasabe to be greeted with a loud “WASSUUUUUUP” from the chef’s. Everyone in the restaurant will immediately shift their focus from their sushi plates to you, so while you wait until your face has turned to a lighter shade of red- enjoy reading the menu which offers every range of sushi rolls your seafood cravings will enjoy. Located on the corner of Herndon and First in Fresno, Wasabe offers a wide variety of sushi rolls, Miso soup, salads, and Japanese ice-cream. Prices range from $8.00-$13.00 a roll and are hearty enough to fill you up, and have left-over’s to take home. So, get your chopsticks ready and upgrade that average California Roll…
No. 8: Not-So-Far
Middle East…
For all those Mediterranean food lovers, ZoÃ’s Grill and Shish Kebab located on the corner of Barstow and Shaw behind Bulldog Stadium offers a wide range of chicken, lamb, or beef shish kebab plates, home-made hummus with pita bread, and authentic grape leaves. No meal is complete without a yogurt drink while listening to the pleasant belly dance sounds of the Middle East. The eclectic restaurant is small, intimate, and offers a cozy atmosphere with bright colored walls adorned with artistic paintings. Prices are great too- ranging from $5.00 to $13.00. On a good day- you might catch a belly dancer entertaining the restaurants’ guests.
No. 7:
Crossing the
Border…
Ever feel TJ is too far a drive to satisfy your taco-cravings? Head to Taqueria Don Pepe’s located on the corner of Blackstone Avenue and Gettysburg for the closest tasting to homemade Mexican taco’s you will ever get. Known for their carne asada tacos, the taqueria offers more than just tacos- but also delectable seafood platters and cocktails with more than a fair share of guacamole and spicy salsas that are sure to get your taste buds rolling. Add an ice-cold corona with a tint of lime to complete your meal and reminisce to moments where you wished you had taken a Mexican Riviera vacation. The best part of the taqueria; the condiments, rice and beans that accompany each plate. Head to Don Pepe’s.
No. 6: Mama
Mia (Kiss)
Ever wish you could walk into an Italian restaurant, create your own pasta with as many condiments as you’d like? Well, your dream came true. At Romano’s Macaroni Grill, you can do just that. Located at the heart of Riverpark on North Blackstone, the Macaroni Grill has every possible pasta ever concocted in possibly every part of Italy, including your own special creation. Their menu offers a generous selection of wines, breads, and appetizers set within a romantic atmosphere. Listen to the beautiful voice of the opera singer that sings at your table all while enjoying a warm cup of cappuccino and a bite of tiramisu dessert. Prices range from $8-$15.00. My suggestion to you: take your significant other with you to this restaurant as it is sure to bring out the romantic side of you.
No. 5: Dancing
to the Spanish
Guitar…
Get your flamenco shoes tapping because this restaurant is sure to make you visit Spain. La Paella restaurant is located on the corner of Champlain and Perrin and offers a wide range of exquisite Tapas (or appetizers) and Spanish plates including their seafood or chicken paella’s which are a blend of flavored rice with scallops, shrimp and lobster cooked together in a flat-iron pan fresh off the grill. Enjoy paella with a homemade glass of Sangria which is the Spanish signature drink composed of red wine, spices and fruit slices to get your senses going. Every Saturday night, you can enjoy the beautiful sounds of the Spanish guitar. Prices range from $6-$25.00, but every bite is a cultural experience in and within itself.
Number 4: Beef at
its best…
Steak sandwiches never tasted so great, until The Grill- Meat Market came along. Located on the corner of Alluvial and Maroa, the Grill- Meat Market offers some of the most tender tri-tip barbeque sandwiches. Sandwich prices range from $6-$8.00 and include a drink and bag of chips. If you want to try your own luck at cooking up your own tri-tip, walk next door to the meat market to purchase your own meat including tri-tip slabs, ribs, and a variety of steaks and select from a variety of spices used by the Grill itself. If you can’t stop by to try a sandwich, buy a piece of meat with all the recommended spices to cook up to savory perfection!
No. 3:Salads
never looked
so good…
Salads never looked so good, nor tasted so great until Sweet Tomato. Located on the corner of Fresno and Herndon, Sweet Tomato is the best place to enjoy a salad if you like to stay on the healthy side. They offer a salad buffet with every possible condiment that can be placed on a salad. Salads can be as simple as a Caesar Salad and as complex as a jumbo salad that has everything from olives to croutons, to mushroom, corn, and peas. After you have had your healthy dose of salad, choose from a variety of soups and pastas. For dessert, enjoy a low-fat brownie or ice-cream. The salad buffet is only $7.99, so there is no better bargain for a buffet than this.
No. 2: More of
a breakfast person..
Don’t really dig lunch time, but enjoy a hearty breakfast? Go to Mimi’s café for the most undeniably best breakfast in town at the lowest prices. Located in North Blackstone, at River Park, Mimi’s cottage-looking Café offers a wide range of breakfast items including the usual morning beverages of coffee, orange juice, and milk, to waffles, pancakes, biscuits, muffins, scrambled eggs, and sausage with a side of fresh fruit. A breakfast plate at Mimi’s café is on an average of $8.00. Mimi’s café also offers lunch and dinner items composed mainly of sandwiches, hamburgers, soups and salads. So before you hop in your car to get to class, stop by Mimi’s café for a delicious breakfast…
No. 1: Undeniably,
the best in Fresno…
Drum roll…
And the best and cheapest place to grub in Fresno is the Bulldog Grill located on the corner of Shaw Avenue across from the Savemart Center. The Bulldog Grill offers grilled steak and chicken sandwiches with a basket of curly or seasoned fries. Just when you thought Carl’s’ Jr’s burgers couldn’t get ‘all over the place’- Bulldog Grills unlimited servings of BBQ sauce and Ranch dressing are sure to get ‘all over your face’. Bull
dog Grill is equipped with multiple flat screen TV’s broadcasting every sport around the U.S. Ever want to watch your favorite football team play while not missing the latest punt in the PGA Golf Tournament? Watch both and drink a cold beer or mixed drink from the bar. All meals are less than $10.00, so don’t think twice about ordering that extra basket of fries.
