Good Eats:
Tackling Blacksburg’s Array of Food Options
On or off campus, you will never go hungry in Blacksburg. From the best college food in America to a number of family-owned restaurants around town, the options are endless. Having moved on campus only a year ago, I can tell you that it can be overwhelming to know everything that is available to you and choose where to have a meal based on the circumstances. No need to sweat; I have compiled a list of tips based off of my personal experiences of the best places to grub on and off campus for those looking for a specific setting for their meal.
Layovers
More than likely, you will have a lengthy layover worked in to your class schedule. Commonly, students choose to stay on campus and camp out in a dining hall to grab a bite, study or socialize with friends. I would recommend Turner considering the prime location on the academic side of campus and the plethora of food options available within such a small space. The only downfall is the lines. If you wait until the fifteen minutes between classes ends, the lines always die down and you can walk up to the front of most places.
Aside from great food, Turner also offers a variety of seating options, such as hightops, booths and family style dinner tables. Personally, I am more of a booth person so I always hibernate downstairs for the privacy which makes for the perfect study location.
Family Dinner
Whether your family consists of your relatives visiting or your sorority and fraternity brothers and sisters, it is always nice to know a place that can hold a larger group and serve you great food. Across the street from the Math Empo, Zeppoli’s Italian restaurant encourages students to bring their ‘family’ in for authentic Italian food and a great experience. Here, the flexible staff will gladly accommodate any group size.
With a quiet atmosphere and reasonable prices, I have found that Zeppoli’s is the perfect place for groups looking to splurge before functions or catch up before game day, etc. Here, you can get your hands on a number of hearty pasta dishes, including my personal favorite, the Sausage Cabernet. Along with that, the restaurant is known for their exquisite wine selection with bottles from around the world which are encouraged to be poured over dinner.
Date Night
A quiet, elegant atmosphere can be hard to find in a college town but there are a few places in Blacksburg that hit the nail on the head. 622 North is a restaurant and wine lounge that offers a smaller menu that includes dishes such as Spring Gnocchi or Filet Mignon. From first glance, it appears to be very pricey, but it genuinely won’t break the bank. If you are looking to stay on campus, West End offers a wide selection of fancy food that can be just as romantic. JP’s Chop House offers steak, fresh cuts of fish and lobster that is just as good as any restaurant off campus. I recommend taking your food to go and setting up a blanket on the Drillfield or the Pylons to score some brownie points with your significant other.
Catching up
Often, I love to meet friends after class and grab a bite or a coffee to have a quick chat. Thankfully, there are plenty of places on campus that provide the perfect atmosphere for casual dining. My favorite treat is Seattle’s Best which is located in Johnson Student Center. Here, you can grab an above average cup of coffee and a bagel or pastry for cheap. The area is cute because there are a number of little couches and seats that make for the perfect catching up spot.
Along with this spot, one of my other favorites is EspressoOasis, which is located on the first floor of the library. The location is prime because it is a great place to take a break from studying hard on the upper floors of the library. EspressoOasis offers a greater selection of coffee and finger food and I have yet to try something bad. Here, there is more seating available but I do recommend keeping the volume down because many people use it as a place to get their work done.
With numerous options, I hope these tips help lower the stress when it comes to picking a place to eat. Each place listed will surely meet your expectations for atmosphere and food. If this is the case, don’t forget to help out the local small businesses and leave a comment card or review.
– Breanna Knotts
