University of Denver's Best Dining Spots for the Starving College Student

By Kersten Jaeger on October 24, 2012

Sometimes you just need to ditch the dining hall, but don’t know where to go or want to spend too much. Around University of Denver, there are way too many restaurants to choose from, so you can’t really go wrong, or can you? Keep reading for my and many other DU students’ favorite places for great eats at great prices.

Illegal Pete’s

Photo by Kersten Jaeger

If one place around DU has it all, it’s Illegal Pete’s. Offering a full bar for those students of age, televisions playing whichever sports game you prefer, late night hours, and live music on weekends, Illegal Pete’s has everything the starving college student could ever hope for. Staying open until 3AM the staff serves plenty of students their share of burritos, nachos, and, of course, extra queso. One of the night managers, Clayton, explains, “we’re the best at everything,” and his staff agrees, even saying that they really enjoy working there. Boasting both a vegetarian and vegan friendly menu, they truly offer what college students want to eat. As one DU student Ian Parker eloquently puts it, “I’m a dude and I love burritos.”

Jerusalem Restaurant

Photo by Kersten Jaeger

Established 34 years ago, and decorated with many awards, Jerusalem’s is the shining standard for delicious and affordable food. The good quality Mediterranean food served here is enjoyed by everybody due to the large variety and overall tastefulness of their options. One employee, Mezen, says, “Everybody trusts the food…and the menu is perfect.” For the students at DU, the prices and hours are particularly enticing. Most items cost under $10 and the restaurant is open until 4AM Sunday through Thursday and 5AM on Fridays and Saturdays. The ability to order some delicious falafel for under $5 at 2AM is what DU sophomore, Heather Cook loves about “J-ruse”. She says, “It’s open all the time. It’s cheap and delicious. They fulfill all of my cravings. The falafel and hummus are the bomb!”

Anthony’s Pizza and Pasta

Photo by Kersten Jaeger

Craving some authentic, New York style pizza? Anthony’s is the place for you! Especially on Mondays or Wednesdays when it’s only $1 per slice! One of the oldest pizza places around DU (est. 1987), Anthony’s provides that is considered the “best pizza” by the general manager, Peter, as well as many students. One of these students, Jade Swordy, says she loves Anthony’s “because it’s cheap New York thin slice pizza.” For consistent quality that is extremely affordable for students, Anthony’s is clearly the best pizza parlor.

Noodles & Company

Photo by Kersten Jaeger

How can you resist a restaurant that “offers the world on the menu”? According to general manager, Stephanie, Noodles & Co. provides “cuisine and flavors authentic to every continent.” With pasta dishes classified as either Asian, Mediterranean, or American, they try to suit any preference, whether it be “healthy or indulgent”. Having menu items almost all under $8 that can be customized to suit any desire or dietary preference, Noodles & Co. truly offers something for everyone. Even the school recognizes their quality by having them officially cater to the DU Athletics teams. Nicky Walker, a DU student and longtime Noodle’s customer, says, “It’s affordable, there’s a large variety, and it’s just like a warm, shmushy bowl of happiness.”

Pho Saigon Star (formerly known as Thai Basil)

 

Photo by Kersten Jaeger

What used to be a popular Thai restaurant that also served the Vietnamese dish called pho, is now a Vietnamese pho restaurant also including the entire Thai menu it sold previously. Pho Saigon Star offers delicious Thai and Vietnamese cuisine for a very affordable price, with everything priced under $10 except for seafood dishes. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful, which provides for a pleasant atmosphere to enjoy the meal. They also offer free delivery from 4:30PM until they close at 9PM (9:30 Fridays and Saturdays). One DU student, and regular customer, Andrew Kwist, says “Every time [the waiter] has given me an extra egg roll or something. The people are super nice, plus the food is fresh.”

South Philly Cheese Steaks

Photo by Kersten Jaeger

Restaurants are not just food establishments, they are also social settings, which is a concept that South Philly Cheese Steaks caters towards. The atmosphere of this restaurant is clearly created to enhance socializing, with a pool table to relax by, a bar to gather around, and a giant Jenga set to play with. DU student, Keegan Kienzle says, “Every time it has a fun atmosphere that puts everyone in a good mood. They have pretty awesome music. Also, I enjoy their sandwiches very much”. This place does not disappoint with their Philly Cheese Steaks that are the “cheap fried munchy food” that all the college students crave, according to general manager, MJ Medlar. This place truly caters to the students, adding menu items when they’re asked for frequently, and hosting many fun events, including an upcoming halloween party and beer olympics. Open until 2AM, they try to offer things to keep the students interested with karaoke, trivia, and football specials. It’s a fun place for students to go on the weekends, to have their needs met without traveling to far or spending too much money.

Chipotle Mexican Grill

Photo by Kersten Jaeger

Not only is this restaurant a delicious eatery, it is also historically interesting, because this particular store was the very first Chipotle ever opened. Inspired by taquerias in the Mission in San Francisco, Chipotle offers large, satisfying burritos stuffed with flavorful mix-ins. According to general manager Jose Sangerman, “it’s local, it’s nice, it’s fresh. It’s food with integrity.” Serving natural ingredients at reasonable prices, Chipotle is an obvious favorite for tex-mex dining around campus. As one DU student, Joseph Morton, says “Put all of this food mixed in together all into one delicious bite and there’s nothing like it in the world.”

Einstein Bros Bagels

Photo by Kersten Jaeger

The life of a college student often consists of very late mornings, especially on the weekends. The dining halls on campus do not always accommodate this lifestyle, forcing the students to go off campus where there are not very many options, unless you consider Starbucks a suitable breakfast. Einstein Bros Bagels is one place that offers charming staff, the perfect portioning of cream cheese on fresh bagels, and a huge special: bottomless coffee all day. “It surprises you how cheap it is,” says DU sophomore Arianna Vierczhalek, “and going out to breakfast is kind of a lost art.” When you’ve woken up at 2PM and really want a good start to your late afternoon, Einstein Bros Bagels is the best, and most affordable, option.

Blackjack’s Pizza

Photo by Kersten Jaeger

Photo by Kersten Jaeger

 


As a locally owned pizza place, Blackjack’s is full of employees who genuinely care about their customers. That being said it serves pizza– very greasy, albeit very delicious, pizza. For under $10 they will deliver you a large 14″ pizza with 5 toppings in most likely under 30 minutes. Their slogan is “better pizza, better price” and they certainly meet that standard. For the price you get, the pizza is better than most other places. Owner and operator Teresa Warfield genuinely “believes it’s a better pizza.” DU student, Tanner Mastaw thinks “there’s really no good pizza around here. [Blackjack's] has a general better quality of food than most of the other places around campus. It’s nice when you’re in a jam, when the dining hall is closed and you need some dinner.” Open past midnight 7 days a week, it’s a popular place for students to order delivery pizza when they’re cramming for a test, when it’s too cold to go to Anthony’s for a slice, or when they just really need some comfort food.

Crimson & Gold

Photo by Kersten Jaeger

When informed that Crimson & Gold was a 19 year old student’s favorite place to eat, I was confused because I was under the impression that it was mainly a bar and only for people over the legal drinking age. After a recent management change the tavern has become a restaurant open to all ages until 10PM when it becomes 21+ until it closes at 2AM. For the students of age it provides drink specials, varying each day of the week including trivia nights, karaoke, a ladies night, and a DJ bi-weekly. For the underage students, it provides a solid burger joint. When many students have complained about other restaurants in the area disappointing on their burgers, C&G serves a delicious burger at a reasonable price, providing student specials often. The “service is quicker and more on point than many other places in the area,” explains manager, Jessica, who says that everything on the menu can be changed or modified if desired. When all that is desired is a burger and some fries, Crimson & Gold does not disappoint.

 

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