Top Ramen, Campbell’s soup and Chef Boyardee quickly become typical college student staples for breakfasts, lunches and dinners, but these inexpensive diets soon become tiresome and old. Luckily for University students, there are plenty of restaurants with delectable choices right around the campus area that meet both dietary needs and pocketbook limits.
In the mood for some fried rice and sweet and sour chicken? There are many Chinese food restaurants to choose from. China Blue Restaurant is just a few steps from the University Bookstore, at 879 E. 13th Ave. Maple Garden, just around the corner at 1275 Alder St. is also an inexpensive place to get a fix of Chow Mein or teriyaki chicken. On Franklin Boulevard, there are more options for finding that right fortune cookie. Golden China Buffet, Louie’s Village and House of Chen are right across the street from campus.
If pasta sounds better, there are also many Italian restaurants in the area. Beppe & Gianni’s Trattorias
Italian-owned and operated and located at 1646 E. 19th Ave. It specializes in traditional Italian cuisine, including handmade pastas, such as ravioli, spaghetti and lasagna. Entrees range from $8 to $16 and homemade desserts such as tiramisu are also available. There’s also Napoli Restaurant & Bakery at 686 E. 13th Ave., where entrees such as Penne Ai Quattro Formaggi and Tiger Prawn Shrimp & Fusilli are available from $8 to $15. Napoli’s also serves vegan dishes to make sure all of their customers stay satisfied.
Glenwood Restaurant, at 1340 Alder St., is just the place to go when in the mood for traditional American food. Known for their breakfasts, Glenwood specializes in omelets and Eggs Benedict, but there is much more available. Sandwiches, soups and pastas are also on the menu.
Flying Dog’s Café, at 1249 Alder St., is another place to check out when in the mood for something traditional. They’ve got everything from Rib-eye steak to hot-dogs on a stick. Prices range from about $5 to $13.
The 19th Street Café is a great place when craving a burger. Owned by McMenamins, this quaint little café describes itself on its Web site as having a “latter-day hippie vibe.” With a Wisteria-covered deck, 1485 E. 19th Ave. is 19th Street Café’s home.
There are also plenty of pizza joints in the area, including Sy’s New York Pizza at 1211 Alder St., Track Town Pizza at 1809 Franklin Blvd. and Pegasus Pizza at 790 E. 14th St., right down the street from the PLC. Pegasus Pizza has been voted the #1 Pizza Restaurant in Eugene for over a decade and specializes in many unconventional pizzas such as the Pizzagna-Lasagna, the Zorba and the Tijuana Taxi. Prices range from around $8 for a small 10-inch to $25 for a giant 18-inch pie.
There are also plenty of choices for coffees and desserts. For those warm days when nothing sounds better than an ice cream cone, there’s Ben and Jerry’s at 1239 Alder St. and Prince Puckler’s Ice Cream, found across the street from Beppe & Gianni’s Trattoria on 19th and Agate Street. For those chilly days when a cup of joe hits the spot, Espresso Roma at 825 E. 13th and the Eugene City Bakery next to Prince Puckler’s are ready to serve.

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