March 2019
As this blog’s resident (and self-appointed) townie, I’d like to take a break from discussing the pressures and pitfalls of academia and instead focus for a bit on something truly important. Sure, you need to spend a few more hours (or ten) staring at your impending homework assignment or updating citations on your latest rejected manuscript, but the real burning question, the one that will truly make or break your week, is this: what should I go get to eat today?
With that in mind, allow me to send you on a foodie treasure hunt of sorts. Described below are some hidden gems: locally-owned, non-chain eateries that have something new to offer our palates. Sure, we all have our favorites and our go-tos, but college is a time to expand your universe by experiencing the different. So, categorized by cuisine type and in no particular order, here’s a handful of places you need to make time for:
Breakfast
The most important meal of the day, right? Start it off with a Samoan (like the Girl Scout Cookie) and a Homer Simpson (strawberry icing with sprinkles) donut at Babe’s Doughnut Co. in Bryan. They make some outstanding coffee and other baked goods in addition to their creative and delicious doughnuts and the WiFi is fast and free. Perfect place for a morning study session or just a relaxing reading. If breakfast tacos are more your speed, give Jesse’s Tacos a try. I actually visited them this morning for the first time and was blown away. Their carne guisada is worth the trip alone.
Tacos, tacos, tacos
While we’re on the subject of tacos, there’s a few places around BCS that don’t get nearly enough press. They’re off the beaten path for most college students, but don’t let that dissuade you from paying them a visit. Number one on my list is Taco Crave. You won’t find catchy names or a ten-dollar price tag on the menu here - TC serves no-nonsense authentic street tacos. Just amazing ingredients cooked using family recipes. Try the carne guisada and the spicy chicken and make sure you don’t skip the house-made horchata. Another solid taco option is College Station’s own Sal’s Garpez. If you’re in more of a crunchy taco mood, you can’t find any better than Pepe’s on South College in Bryan.
Pizza
There’s really only two choices I feel confident listing in this particular category and the first is Mr. G’s Italian Pizzeria. A sentimental favorite of mine – my wife and I had our first date at Mr. G’s back in 2004 and still enjoy taking our family there for a calzone. Mr. G and his family have been a fixture in BCS for over 20 years now and his restaurant still serves up the best pizza in our area. Get a group together and go enjoy a quiet, throw-back dinner together. Secondly, a short walk from campus on Northgate you can find pizza by the slice heaven at Antonio’s. An eclectic smorgasbord of pizza pie delight, there’s no way you won’t find something there you love. Personal go-to: their chicken parmesan.
Seafood
For our area, really your best bet at finding solid seafood is to check out these two outstanding Cajun eateries: The Remnant of Nawlins in Bryan and OMG Seafood in College Station. Both are family owned and operated and produce outstanding seafood cooked with Cajun heat.
Burgers
My personal favorite burger place in our area is still the OG – Koppe Bridge – but there are several other local joints that are can’t-miss as well. In no particular order: Harvey Washbangers (you can do your laundry there while you enjoy a jalapeno cream cheese burger), Sodalaks Beefmasters Restaurant off TX-21 in Bryan (they also cook up a mean steak), Margie’s in downtown Bryan, and Top of the Hill’s “Greasy Burgers” are all outstanding.
Barbeque
BCS actually is home to several excellent BBQ joints. If you’ve been in the area long at all, you probably know all about Fargo’s in Bryan. In my mind, they’re still the gold standard of BBQ in Brazos county. Cruise by there on Tuesdays for their rib tips special and try the brisket and pork ribs while you’re there. Two other places worth visiting are Good Bull BBQ in College Station and 1775 Texas Pit BBQ (head out of College Station on FM-60 west and it’s on your left right before you cross the Brazos River). Get a Pig Mac taco and some brisket from Good Bull and try the ribs at 1775 – I’ve heard they’re the best around.
Etc.
If you haven’t eaten College Station’s own Layne’s Chicken Fingers can you really call yourself an Aggie? Shannon’s Cafe has been serving up outstanding soul food in Bryan for years – Tuesdays fried pork chop special is amazing! Just head south down Wellborn Road from College Station and you’ll come across both Yole’s La Familia Taqueria and Hullaballoo Diner. The enormous lunch buffet at Yole’s and the hometown ambiance and diner fare of Hullaballoo will make you swear off chain eateries for a good while. Taz is still the spot for Indian cuisine, Bangkok Thai Kitchen for Thai, and Mong Chon has the best Korean food I’ve had in Texas outside of the Houston area.
That should be plenty to get you started. Feel free to disagree or offer your own recommendations in the comments.
---Jeffrey Keese
Jeffrey Keese is a Ph.D. student in the College of Education
With that in mind, allow me to send you on a foodie treasure hunt of sorts. Described below are some hidden gems: locally-owned, non-chain eateries that have something new to offer our palates. Sure, we all have our favorites and our go-tos, but college is a time to expand your universe by experiencing the different. So, categorized by cuisine type and in no particular order, here’s a handful of places you need to make time for:
Breakfast
The most important meal of the day, right? Start it off with a Samoan (like the Girl Scout Cookie) and a Homer Simpson (strawberry icing with sprinkles) donut at Babe’s Doughnut Co. in Bryan. They make some outstanding coffee and other baked goods in addition to their creative and delicious doughnuts and the WiFi is fast and free. Perfect place for a morning study session or just a relaxing reading. If breakfast tacos are more your speed, give Jesse’s Tacos a try. I actually visited them this morning for the first time and was blown away. Their carne guisada is worth the trip alone.
Tacos, tacos, tacos
While we’re on the subject of tacos, there’s a few places around BCS that don’t get nearly enough press. They’re off the beaten path for most college students, but don’t let that dissuade you from paying them a visit. Number one on my list is Taco Crave. You won’t find catchy names or a ten-dollar price tag on the menu here - TC serves no-nonsense authentic street tacos. Just amazing ingredients cooked using family recipes. Try the carne guisada and the spicy chicken and make sure you don’t skip the house-made horchata. Another solid taco option is College Station’s own Sal’s Garpez. If you’re in more of a crunchy taco mood, you can’t find any better than Pepe’s on South College in Bryan.
Pizza
There’s really only two choices I feel confident listing in this particular category and the first is Mr. G’s Italian Pizzeria. A sentimental favorite of mine – my wife and I had our first date at Mr. G’s back in 2004 and still enjoy taking our family there for a calzone. Mr. G and his family have been a fixture in BCS for over 20 years now and his restaurant still serves up the best pizza in our area. Get a group together and go enjoy a quiet, throw-back dinner together. Secondly, a short walk from campus on Northgate you can find pizza by the slice heaven at Antonio’s. An eclectic smorgasbord of pizza pie delight, there’s no way you won’t find something there you love. Personal go-to: their chicken parmesan.
Seafood
For our area, really your best bet at finding solid seafood is to check out these two outstanding Cajun eateries: The Remnant of Nawlins in Bryan and OMG Seafood in College Station. Both are family owned and operated and produce outstanding seafood cooked with Cajun heat.
Burgers
My personal favorite burger place in our area is still the OG – Koppe Bridge – but there are several other local joints that are can’t-miss as well. In no particular order: Harvey Washbangers (you can do your laundry there while you enjoy a jalapeno cream cheese burger), Sodalaks Beefmasters Restaurant off TX-21 in Bryan (they also cook up a mean steak), Margie’s in downtown Bryan, and Top of the Hill’s “Greasy Burgers” are all outstanding.
Barbeque
BCS actually is home to several excellent BBQ joints. If you’ve been in the area long at all, you probably know all about Fargo’s in Bryan. In my mind, they’re still the gold standard of BBQ in Brazos county. Cruise by there on Tuesdays for their rib tips special and try the brisket and pork ribs while you’re there. Two other places worth visiting are Good Bull BBQ in College Station and 1775 Texas Pit BBQ (head out of College Station on FM-60 west and it’s on your left right before you cross the Brazos River). Get a Pig Mac taco and some brisket from Good Bull and try the ribs at 1775 – I’ve heard they’re the best around.
Etc.
If you haven’t eaten College Station’s own Layne’s Chicken Fingers can you really call yourself an Aggie? Shannon’s Cafe has been serving up outstanding soul food in Bryan for years – Tuesdays fried pork chop special is amazing! Just head south down Wellborn Road from College Station and you’ll come across both Yole’s La Familia Taqueria and Hullaballoo Diner. The enormous lunch buffet at Yole’s and the hometown ambiance and diner fare of Hullaballoo will make you swear off chain eateries for a good while. Taz is still the spot for Indian cuisine, Bangkok Thai Kitchen for Thai, and Mong Chon has the best Korean food I’ve had in Texas outside of the Houston area.
That should be plenty to get you started. Feel free to disagree or offer your own recommendations in the comments.
---Jeffrey Keese
Jeffrey Keese is a Ph.D. student in the College of Education