The 20 Best College Town Food Joints Across America

Where: Northwestern University

What To Get: You can never go wrong with a good 'ole concrete, which is a creamy vanilla (or chocolate) custard blended with any mix-ins of your choice. Considering this place is always crowded, even in the midst of the Chicago winters, shows that it's a winner.

Where: Duke University

What To Get: Literally anything, but the breakfast sandwiches are definitely something to wake up for. Try getting an everything bagel with an over-easy egg, bacon, greens, cheese, and maple sriracha.

Where: University of Michigan

What To Get: The Cowboy Reuben (BBQ’ed beef brisket with coleslaw and provolone cheese on a grilled Paesano roll). This famous Ann Arbor staple is definitely worth skipping class for.

Where: Rutgers University

What To Get: This legendary establishment is a must for drunk college students. For the ultimate drunchies, order the “Fat Darrell” (chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, marinara sauce, AND french fries).

Where: Amherst College

What To Get: Antonio's offers the most deliciously unique blend of toppings on perfectly-crisp crust. The salad pizza, tortellini, taco, and BBQ chicken ranch pizzas just scratch the surface of what you have to choose from here.

Where: University of Texas, Austin

What To Get: This 24-hour brunch spot knows the key to a college kid's heart. Try the Eggs Francisco, an English muffin layered with scrambled eggs, bacon, tomato, avocado and queso.

Where: Iowa State University

What To Get: Located in the heart of Iowa, where meat and potatoes reign supreme, Hickory Park is a popular BBQ joint for students and locals. The Saucy Southerner, a pulled pork sandwich made with chopped hickory smoked pork, beef, and turkey simmered in BBQ sauce, is practically a graduation requirement. If you still have room after your sandwich, order a sundae from the old-fashioned ice cream fountain.

Where: University of California, Berkeley

What To Get: Come for the pizza, stay for the vibe. Cheese Board serves just one type of pizza a day, each combining locally sourced toppings, artisanal cheeses, and sourdough baguette dough to create pure pizza bliss.

Where: University of Illinois

What To Get: If you're in the mood for authentic Mexican food, look no further than to Maize. This popular eatery serves fresh, top quality food for cheap. The chicken tlacoyo is spectacular, but chips and guac are always a hit, as well.

Where: Vanderbilt

What To Get: This Nashville favorite has lines out the door everyday, so come early if you want the best pancakes you'll ever eat. The menu is huge, but the Swiss Chocolate Chip Pancakes are always wonderful.

Where: Boston University

What To Get: The Crazy Maki - shrimp tempura, avocado, cucumber, tobiko, spicy mayo & eel sauce. Fin's is a popular Japanese restaurant located in the heart of Cleveland Circle, one of the main BC hangouts, a shuttle stop away from campus. It's not very expensive and it tastes amazing.

Where: University of Colorado, Boulder

What To Get: A fitting name for this Colorado joint, Boulder Baked serves some of the best desserts you'll ever try. The cookies here are absolutely heavenly, especially when you add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.

Where: Cornell University

What: Known as "CTB" by students, this family-owned bagel shop is the center of Cornell daily life. You'll be perfectly content with the classic nova lox and cream cheese bagel, but you'll also be blown away by the yummy selection of sandwiches offered.

Where: University of Connecticut

What To Get: The Bidwell is eastern Connecticut's premiere destination for munchie foods — in particular, wings. 35 different kinds of wings to be precise.

Where: University of Oregon

What To Get: As the name implies, Dough Co. does all things dough, but most remarkably calzones and cookies. They offer 31 types of calzones, all made from scratch. Try the Veggie, it's incredible.

Where: University of Southern California

What To Get: California is known for its unrivaled Mexican food, and Chano's serves just that. The original drive in is a hot spot amongst USC students and the carne asada fries are not to be missed. You'll want them every time you're drunk, and you WILL get them.

Where: Dartmouth College

What To Get: This diner has satisfied hungry students and remedied hangovers since it was founded in 1947. The best bet is the “Big Green,” which comes with buttermilk pancakes or French toast, eggs, breakfast meats, home fries and a choice of toast, an English muffin or a muffin.

Where: Tulane University

What To Get: Slices at The Dough Bowl are sold through the kitchen window into The Boot, a college bar on Tulane's fraternity row, which makes sense because this pizza is a drunk person's haven.

Where: American University

What To Get: Cava Grill is known around AU as "the Chipotle of Greek food," and its fast-casual vibe makes it the go-to site for students craving Mediterranean food. We recommend the falafel bowl or crazy feta. Then, wash down your meal with one of their seasonal house-made juices.

Where: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

What To Get: No matter what you get, this place will make you happy. Try The Ole Miss - cayenne-cheddar toast topped with sausage (real or veg.), mashed chipotle sweet potatoes, two scrambled eggs & mango sour cream, and then served with homefries.