What great eateries does College Station, home of Texas A&M Univeristy, have to offer? Here is a guide to the best local restaurants there.
College Station is the home of the fighting Texas Aggies of Texas A&M University. While it may just be a little blip on the Texas map, there is a lot of heart and tradition packed into this small town. From the sound of "Howdy" coming from all parts of the campus to the yell practices before the big games, College Station is one of those towns you go to and feel like you are already home. Having attended A&M, I consider myself a bit of a restaurant connoisseur when it comes to the College Station area. If you find yourself heading to College Station anytime soon, here are some of the best local restaurants.
* Whenever my friends and I got our tiny little paychecks from working at the library, we headed over to Café Eccell, located at 101 Church Avenue, only a few blocks from the A&M campus. Granted, it's a bit pricey for your normal college student fare, but it is well worth it. If you are a student, this is the place you will ask your parents to take you to when they came into town for a visit. Their mesquite fire pizzas are delicious. I, myself, have always been partial to the simplicity of the Margherita pizza. Do not dare step foot outside the restaurant without partaking in their award-winning strawberry tart for dessert.
* If you want something quick, tasty and inexpensive, get yourself over to Layne's on 106 Walton Drive. They are famous for their delicious chicken fingers, which are pretty much the bulk of their menu. Three things you will want to keep in mind when ordering: 1) you MUST get the french fries for you will not be disappointed, 2) if they don't offer it to you, ask for their secret sauce which will go well with both your chicken fingers and fries and 3) wash everything down with the sweet tea.
* If you love Thai or Filipino food, then you will love the delicious food at Nipa Hot Restaurant on 405 University Drive located in the Northgate area. Ask anybody on campus where this is and they will point you in the right direction. Two of my favorites when I was in college were the Pad Thai and the beef with garlic sauce (if you love garlic, you will love this one). When they ask you the level of spiciness you want your food at (on a scale of one to five), unless you have a tongue of steel, ask for the least spicy level. Trust me.
* While this next restaurant has now become a chain located all across Texas, its hometown will always be College Station. Also located in the Northgate area at 319 University Drive is Freedbird's World Burrito, home of the Monster burrito. The atmosphere is laid back, the interior decorating is a bit eclectic and the line is always long, but the wait is well worth it. You get a choice of tortillas, beans, vegetables, meat (steak or chicken) and sauce. Coming from somebody who knows, try your burrito with barbeque sauce. Unless you are starving or want to eat for two days, the regular-sized burrito will suffice. If you are adventurous, try your hand at the Monster burrito. If you have a death wish or want to feed a family of eight, order a Super Monster.
* For some Mexican fare that will make you think you've gone south of the border, try Fajita Rita's at 4501 South Texas. They, of course, have any kind of fajitas you could possibly want (shrimp, beef and chicken) and their margaritas are phenomenal. The tortillas are made fresh daily in the restaurant, which is always a plus, for I refuse to visit any Mexican establishment that does otherwise.
* The Chicken Oil Company on 3600 South College Avenue is the place to go for one of the best burgers in town. Drive up to it and it looks like an old gas station, but inside are some of the most delicious hamburgers and chicken fried steak plates that you will ever taste. Don't leave College Station without first trying one of their famous Death Burgers, if you can handle it.
* When you venture on campus or if you happen to live on campus, the best pastas, sandwiches and salads are located at Alonti Deli in the Underground Market on the north side of campus. Ask anybody around campus to point you in the right direction. It offers up fresh salads made to order and sandwiches that will put Subway to shame. There is not one thing I ever ordered here (and I went here a LOT) that I didn't like, so try it all.
