Author: Zoe Forster
After spending the summer before my Junior year in Ithaca, I’ve never felt so ready to live in Collegetown; there’s nothing better than being right in the middle of everything – from CTB to Level B. But as I sit in my apartment contemplating what mediocre Collegetown restaurant I should order in from, I realize that my options are somewhat scarce.
These past few months have given me the opportunity to explore the area and expand my horizons – and I’ve realized that Ithaca is home to a variety of fresh and local produce. Still, many students (me included) stick to a sushi-and-noodle-dominant Collegetown.
Let’s review my dining options:
CTB:
A staple here in Ithaca. It’s kind of what makes Cornell Cornell. You can’t really go wrong with anything you order – though let’s stop lying to ourselves: the bagels could be a bit bigger. Often times I find myself starving after one sandwich (so, naturally, I get another).
CTP:
Deserted and somewhat creepy during the day. But come back at 3am and you will find speakers on the counter tops and students standing on tables shoving pizza in their faces. CTP is the go-to late night eating place on campus (unless you’re a freshman – in which case you should be spending every Friday and Saturday night, not to mention all your BRBs, at Nasty’s)
That Burrito Place:
No, thank you. If I’m going to eat “Mexican” food, I’d rather go to Chipotle or Moe’s.
Stella’s:
RIP.
Plum Tree:
One of the two sushi restaurants in Collegetown. Plum tree can go either way – you’ll find students enjoying a nice meal with their friends and family, or you’ll catch them sake bombing the night away with little regard for the other patrons. Pretty good sushi, though.
Photo by Zoe Forster
Miyaki:
Whereas Plumtree can go be both fun and relaxing, I’ve only ever seen Miyaki filled with students attending date nights or formals. It kind of smells like a frat most of the time.
Photo by Zoe Forster
Asian Noodle House:
As you can probably guess from the name of the restaurant, this place has a million different types of Asian noodles. I’ve eaten there once and it was eh, but this yelp review changed my mind:
yelp.com
Sangam Indian Cuisine:
Located at the very top of Eddy street, this joint has pretty decent Indian food. But if you really want good Indian food I suggest going downtown to Delhi Diamond’s. By far the best Indian food in Ithaca and some of the best I’ve ever had.
Mehak Authentic Indian Cuisine:
This place is authentic, so if I’m going for convenient Indian food I guess I’d go here. Sorry Sangam!
Souvlaki House:
Yet another Collegetown staple. It’s been around for years, and students not only love the cheap food and big portions, but also the familiar, friendly staff that is always so nice to everyone. And remember: it’s not a Souvlaki meal if you don’t order a bottle (or five) of wine.
Insomnia:
No, mom, sometimes dessert before dinner is the way to go.
Yogurt, Tea, Salad:
hahahahah.
KoKo:
Korean BBQ. Could go for some budae jungol or yuk gae jang. Just kidding – I have no idea what these dishes are, I just thought they sounded cool when I was reading the menu online. KoKo is actually tasty if you’re somewhat of an adventurous eater. Think: fried rice with a BBQ twist.
Jack’s Grill:
I don’t know why more people don’t eat here. Curly fries, mozz sticks, fries, burgers…honestly what else do I need. Oishii Bowl: a fast-food Japanese place that serves instant noodles with toppings. I voted this review as “useful.”
yelp.com
Aladdin’s:
Pretty good mix of Greek and Middle Eastern food. The chicken kind of scares me (it tends to be a weird grey color), but if you pour hummus all over it, you won’t notice at all.
The Nines:
When it’s nice out (so basically never), you’ll find students sitting outside and enjoying some beer. It’s a great place to relax with friends and eat some deep dish pizza.
Look, I’m not asking for a 5 star restaurant. And hey, I love pizza and fried food as much as the next person. As a college student, I understand that most of the restaurants are meant to be fast and cheap – which is exactly what we need when it’s the dead of winter and we’re on our way to the library. But just take a look at the Farmers market- Ithaca has a plethora of residents who own their own farms or make yummy dishes using a variety of local produce. Maybe they can share some of that love in Collegetown?
And please, no more tea places.
