Batt Bites: Where to eat in Aggieland

Battalion editors recommend their favorite spots to eat around Bryan-College Station

Zoe May

Editor-in-Chief

Potato Shack has quickly become my favorite “cheap” restaurant I have tried thus far. Every Friday until 9 p.m., their “Classic” spuds are only $5. It’s a little ways down Wellborn past the H-E-B, but if you live in the area or are out and about, it’s a go-to. The spuds are the size of two potatoes and are guaranteed to fill you up even

Caleb Elizondo Managing Editor

Piada Italian Street Food is located close to campus. It’s fast and tastes pretty good too. I usually go for one of their pasta bowls but occasionally try the piadas or salads if I’m pretending to be healthy. There’s a wide variety of menu options and the portion sizes are respectable. It may not be cheap, but there’s an $8 student discount from 2-5 p.m. and all-day Wednesdays that I constantly take advantage of.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Truly, this is the only way to describe the joy of a hearty Big Mac from the oneand-only Golden Arches. If there is one thing I look for in a restaurant, it’s dependability and convenience. Located on about every street corner in College Station and incredibly consistent with their mediocre service, you can’t beat this staple of good ole’ American capitalism.

While it may be a chain, Torchy’s Tacos on Texas Avenue will always hold a soft spot in my heart. You could technically walk from campus there, but 9.5 times out of 10, you’ll need a ride. Despite this, nothing hits as differently as a “Trailer Park” taco — trashy of course — and a “Brushfire” taco. They even offer vegan and gluten-free options. If you get tired of their regular selection, they also offer breakfast options, like my personal favorite, the “Ranch Hand” taco, as well as a unique “Taco of the Month.”

Ana Renfroe News Editor

Searching for a vegetarian burger that doesn’t taste like cardboard? Look no further than Grub Burger Bar. Whether you’re unwilling to eat the mashed bean/mushroom meat alternatives that seem to dominate the food industry or simply tired of basic beef patties, Grub offers an option that is sure to appease all: The Maverick. With tasty add-ons such as frenchfried onions and garlic aioli, this Beyond Meat burger is packed with flavor and presents an unconventional twist to tradition. I have yet to try much else on the menu besides this entree and the fries, but it impacted me enough to earn a place on this list — a little pricey, sadly, but worth it.

Enjoying breakfast can be tough when you have certain dietary restrictions. Snooze, an A.M. Eatery boasts the regular breakfast fare, but offers lots of options for those looking for something different. The Bravocado Toast and Sweet Potato Veggie Smash Up are my personal favorite vegetarian options that can easily be altered to be vegan. The Tofu Scramble is another great vegan option. For some extra sweetness, sub out your choice of bread for vegan pancakes. Eating out while plant based can prove difficult, but there are many viable options in College Station if you do your research.

While everyone talks about their favorite restaurant that costs $9,999 per serving, or a fast food place located a quadrillion miles off-campus, I’d like to introduce you to my favorite stop: the 41st Club. Yes, that small sandwich place at the Bush School. I mean, what else can you ask for? Fresh, fantastic food, made right in front of you; cheap, cheap prices and a board filled with options — I recommend the Italian chicken, by the way. So next time you’re by the Bush School, stop for a second and smell the roses (or taste the chicken). Trust me — it’s worth it.

Nam Cafe offers a hearty variety of Vietnamese food at two locations, on Nagle Street and on William D. Fitch Parkway. Its Nagle Street location is steps away from campus, and it’s worth visiting with a friend. Their most popular dish is pho, offering several varieties like chicken, beef, shrimp and a vegetarian version. Although their pho with a protein can run you $13-15, their bowls are big enough to split. Whenever I’m craving their chicken pho, I ask for an extra bowl and share, otherwise, I’m guaranteed to have leftovers.