It’s always on my mind. I’ve got to have it. So does every other college kid — those flavorful and cheap meals that remind you that there is a better world out there than 99-cent ramen noodle dinners. Most college towns have their hidden gems tucked away beneath all the Mickey D’s, Subway and Papa John’s—it’s just a matter of finding them. Once you do it’ll be hard not to dream about those 2 for $10 sushi rolls. Next time you are visiting the Tallahassee area, bug your friends at Florida State to take you to these eateries. I know you won’t be disappointed.
1. Roboto Tokyo Grill
@blakeholtzman
“Mr. Roboto’s chicken hibachi with fried rice and veggies is bomb. It’s delicious. It’s cheap. What college student doesn’t like cheap and delicious food? I have been there so much I know how much my order costs with tax: $8.55.” —Jake Miller, Sophomore, Digital Media Production.
Maybe some of you can relate to having that awesome Japanese hibachi steakhouse back home. The courses of soup, salad, protein, rice, noodles and veggies alone can make you homesick. Mr. Roboto’s has got all that jazz, just without the show of the chef flipping eggs into his hat and lighting up an onion ring volcano. It’s not like us college kids have time for that anyway; just give us our food. With two locations in Tallahassee you can satisfy that craving anytime, anywhere.
2. Bella Bella
@bellabellaFL
“Bella Bella is amazing if you’re into Italian food! I normally get either the eggplant Parmesan or the roasted veggie lasagna. Everything always tastes fresh and it isn’t expensive at all. All the meals are around $10 and the service is always friendly.” —Ashley Cook, Senior, Communications
Next time you’re drooling for an authentic Italian meal, forget about Olive Garden and their endless breadsticks. When you walk into Bella Bella, it immediately feels like you’ve entered an Italian great-grandmother’s kitchen. The smell of warm garlic and olive oil alone makes you want to order the whole menu. Splurge on two plates and save one for tomorrow’s dinner, seeing as entrées run pretty cheap. Plus everyone knows that lasagna is ten times better the next day, am I right?
3. Midtown Caboose
@dank_topia
This is the place to go if you are in the mood for a burger, but not just any plain ole American cheeseburger. Midtown Caboose has the most wackiest but tantalizing burger combinations on their menu. The menu description for their PB&J burger is mouth-watering: “Our classic patty smothered with melted peanut butter, cheddar cheese and your choice of house-made blueberry, strawberry or strawberry-rhubarb jam, topped with smoky bacon on a Kaiser roll.” With their endless selection of wraps, sandwiches, soups, salads and vegetarian options, Midtown Caboose is a crowd pleaser for palates of all kinds.
4. Gordo’s
@gordostally
“My favorite local Tallahassee restaurant would probably have to be Gordo’s Cuban restaurant. Not only does the food taste great, it’s also something different from the usual Chipotle and Chick-Fil-A ritual that so many students at FSU seem to live by. That combined with a lot of outdoor seating makes it an awesome place to be on a nice day.
Usually I get the arroz con pollo, which is rice and chicken along with black beans.” —Justin Mang, Sophomore, Information and Communication Technology
You can’t go wrong with a pressed Cuban sandwich. Well, you can’t go wrong with Cuban food in general. Thankfully, Tallahassee has Gordo’s, a place with cabana pinic outdoor seating, fast service and super flavorful food. They also have addicting seasoned fries that’ll be sure to send you into a carb coma. But it’s so worth it. I have to order a side of them every time.
5. Jasmine Café
@jasminecafetally
“I always get the 2 for $10 special with the Seoul roll and the classic California roll. It’s the best because not only does Jasmine have quality and tasty sushi rolls but it’s affordable for a college student on a budget.” —Naomi Elizée, Junior, Retail Merchandising and Product Development
A college student’s account balance after paying rent, tuition, books and more is close to nothing. Sushi is also a very important part of some people’s lives. So the fact that there is a place on Earth that sells two sushi rolls for $10 makes me believe miracles really do exist. Located in downtown Tallahassee, Jasmine Café is a godsend. Besides sushi they feature a lot of other Japanese dishes like bento boxes, stir fry, Nigiri and perfectly plump steamed dumplings.
6. Prime Time
@primetimetally
“Prime Time is my favorite restaurant. They have a killer breakfast burger and prime drink specials.” —Austin Basque, Sophomore, Finance
Aside from food, a college student can never pass up a stellar drink special. Prime Time is a bar in Tallahassee where you can get 50 percent off all beer and liquor 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday — which is awesome if you’re that person who pounds beers at 11 a.m. to cure your hangover, or one who prefers an afternoon cocktail. All of their food and desserts are homemade with high quality ingredients. You won’t find any of that typical greasy bar food at Prime Time. Instead their menu features items like prime rib tacos, F.G.T. B.L.T.(that’s a fried green tomato, BLT) and fresh tossed premium salads. It’s the closet thing to hearty home-cooked meals that you may find.
7. Harry’s
@hookedonharrys
“Harry’s is my favorite place to eat in Tallahassee. I like going there for the Sunday brunch buffet. It’s the best because I like sitting outside and you get your money’s worth with the brunch.” –Jake Kager, Sophomore, Accounting and Finance
A Sunday brunch buffet with all the fixin’s is the epitome of happiness. I could eat breakfast for breakfast, lunch and dinner. (Actually I have before, but that’s another story.) The fact that you can get a $20 (including tip) endless breakfast at Harry’s says enough for this fine establishment. This place will be the perfect ending to your weekend stay in Tallahassee. Just don’t stuff your face too much or you won’t be able to leave.
8. Sweet Pea Café
@nowheyjose
The Sweet Pea Café is one of my personal Tallahassee favorites. It is a cute little café that serves local organic and vegan food. They have seasonal every day specials and also serve fresh-baked warm, delicious cookies. My go-to dish is a Spicy BLT made with blackened organic tofu, lettuce, tomato and spicy mayo on organic wheat bread. You have got to order a side of the poutine (French fries topped with cheese and house-made gravy). What a beautiful combo of flavor; sometimes I just want to take the chef home with me.
9. Tally Thai
@tallyummy
“There are only two things on their menu that I order: chicken pad thai and the Paradise roll. Not because I think the rest of the menu is bad but because the mango-topped shrimp tempura sushi and the spicy yet complementing Pad Thai makes me as happy as finding a parking spot on campus.” –Alex Best, Retail Merchandising and Product Development
Tally Thai’s delicious food is my favorite pick-me-up after a long day of Tuesday classes. I once even caught myself venting to my waiter about my busy day and how happy I was going to be after devouring this Paradise sushi roll. The Paradise roll kills me, sends me to heaven and then brings me back to life—it’s that good. The mango complements the crispy (but not too heavy) shrimp tempura perfectly. Wow, writing about this makes me want to call them up right now. I’ve got them on speed dial, no worries.
10. Lofty Pursuits
@ldurk
Now what is a satisfying meal without a fulfilling dessert afterwards? I had to include one dessert parlor in this list for all those sweet tooths out there. Lofty Pursuits looks like a soda shop pulled right out of a 1950s movie. Its retro feel and 10-page menu book makes you never want to leave. They also sell a bunch of homemade candies and board games, so you feel like such a young kid when you step into the store. My two favorite desserts to order are the s’mores sundae and the apple pie sundae. The ice cream geniuses at this parlor have mastered fitting and complementing all the flavors into the junior-size glass cup. The toasted marshmallow and ground sea salt keep me coming back for seconds every time.
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