The University of Arizona has over 35 food options around campus, and in the last two years I have visited almost all of them. With so many places to choose from, it makes it hard to separate the wheat from the chaff. That is why I, someone who lives to eat, feel it’s necessary to share the wisdom gained along my culinary journey with others. Thus, I have ranked almost every on campus dining location from lowest to highest, excluding places I haven’t visited, marketplaces and locations yet to open.
- Sushi with Gusto
Sushi with Gusto is not worth your life. It’s not worth the swipe it takes to buy the sushi. It’s not even worth the steps to walk from wherever you are to Global Center to have Sushi with Gusto. I thank our overlords at Arizona Student Unions for moving this olfactory hazard out of the Student Union Memorial Center. Even still, it did not go far enough. If you need sushi, go to Flakes over on Park Avenue. It is very inexpensive and worth the money to not get whatever gastrointestinal catastrophe Sushi with Gusto will give you. Your toilet will thank you.
- ’85 North
Like most buffet-style dining locations, ’85 North is one of the best-value-per-swipe options. If you’re living at Honors Village Residence Hall, ’85 North is great to have, especially for breakfast with their made-to-order eggs. However, if you live anywhere else, you’re better off going to Cactus Grill.
- Catalyst Café
If you’re looking for somewhere to grab something to drink on campus, this is an option. They also have a wide range of pastries, sandwiches and salads. Catalyst Café is catered more toward upperclassmen and graduate students, so the value per swipe isn’t great because things are priced weirdly.
- Cafe Bolo
Similar to, but better than, Catalyst Café, Cafe Bolo offers a wider range of food options but fewer drink options. Their flatbreads, burgers and breakfast are pretty good. Much like Catalyst Café, Cafe Bolo suffers from location and weird pricing.
- Cactus Grill
Cactus Grill is like ’85 North, but with way more options and a more central location. If you’re going to have a buffet-style meal, go to Cactus Grill.
- Sabor
Tucson is colloquially known as the best 23 miles of Mexican food in the United States. With Sabor, you wouldn’t know! Sabor focuses on quesadillas, nachos and bowls. This would be great if any of them were worth the swipes. The nachos are just shredded cheese with a poor chip-to-topping ratio, the salads are all lettuce and you can only get a base chicken or carnitas bowl that’s skimpy on everything but rice for under a swipe. Even a little packet of shelf-stable sour cream will cost you $1.50 (pro tip: buy condiments like ranch or sour cream to avoid paying $2 for tiny portions). If you want Mexican food, go to Más Tacos, or better yet, support one of Tucson’s amazing family-owned Mexican restaurants.
- Campus Crust
If you’re lucky to get a fresh slice, Campus Crust isn’t too bad. It’s as OK in quality as it is in value, given that you can get two margarita or pepperoni slices for a swipe.
- Starbucks @ Campus Store
Similar to, but worse than, the library location, if you are in a rush to get anywhere, do not order from this Starbucks. I don’t care if it says ready in 15 minutes and you have 30 minutes before your class starts; you either aren’t getting your drink or you aren’t making it to class.
- Shake Smart
Shake Smart is pretty consistent between Student Recreation Center and North Recreation Center. They’re good at what they do: protein shakes and small, healthy bites. You can get a large protein shake or a bowl plus a few select add-ons for the cost of a swipe, which is pretty good. I would caution people looking to Shake Smart to eat healthy, as I have accidentally canceled out quite a few workouts by having a smoothie there. Cut the agave sweetener in half; you won’t tell the difference.
- Starbucks @ Main Library
Starbucks @ Main Library is one of the most anxiety-inducing drink experiences I’ve ever had. It is constantly packed with both orderers and people waiting to pick up their mobile orders. Always add a 10-minute buffer between when it says your order will be ready and when you actually need it. In terms of people watching, you can see some real brilliance at work here. “Uhm, I got a nonfat chai, and this is a mocha.” “Then that isn’t your drink.” “Oh.”
- Einstein Bros Bagels
Einstein’s is the best bagel you’ll get on campus; however, bagels from the on-campus locations are significantly worse than off-campus ones. Make sure to get your bagel double-toasted, or it will be raw.
- Cork & Craft
Cork & Craft is heavily slept on. Most of their menu is designed to fit within swipes and is pretty high quality, all things considered. Their tomato jam brussels sprouts and craft burger are fantastic options for those looking for something a bit more premium-feeling.
- Everbowl
If you’re looking for açaí bowls on campus, skip Shake Smart and go to Everbowl. For the cost of a swipe, you can get a pretty generous bowl with not just açaí but also pitaya, chocolate and “blue majic” bases. If you have a freezer and space it out right, one of these could last two meals.
- Starbucks @ Global
I would say Starbucks @ Global is a hidden gem, however, it’s a Starbucks and everyone knows it’s there. Regardless, Starbucks @ Global is the best location on campus. When ordering ahead, wait estimates are fairly accurate and they usually aren’t too busy. The drinks are also the most consistent out of all the locations. However, I’d recommend skipping Starbucks altogether and heading up the street to Scented Leaf, which accepts CatCash and is also locally owned.
- The Den
Unlike Starbucks @ Global, I can say with some confidence that The Den is slept on. I’ve had numerous conversations where I mention the baby Denny’s on campus and people look at me like I’m crazy. If you need greasy, borderline-bowling-alley junk food, go to The Den. Their burgers are the best on campus. Most importantly, they have really good mozzarella sticks. Priorities.
- Ike’s Coffee and Marketplace
Ike’s Coffee and Marketplace is the best option on campus for coffee and tea. Their prices are fair, and there’s a good amount of customization. I wish they were available for mobile ordering through GrubHub, but considering they are a locally owned small business, I can’t be too upset over it.
- Snax
Snax has some of the best concession-style pretzels I’ve had in my entire life. They are soft, warm and airy in a way you wouldn’t expect from a campus dining pretzel. For a pretzel with flavor topping and dip, you’re looking at just under a swipe. If you ditch the sprinkle, you can get it with a cookie or a drink for a swipe. My main complaint is their wonky hours. Why do you close at 5 p.m.? Why aren’t you open on weekends? Many such questions.
- Más Tacos
Más Tacos is the best option on campus for Mexican food. For the cost of a swipe, you can get a taco plate that includes two pretty generously portioned tacos, a side and a choice of salsa. I feel they blow Sabor out of the water. If you’re looking for a more traditional street-style taco, this is the move.
- IQ Fresh
While known for their salads or wraps, real ones know that their specialties are where it’s at. In terms of bang for your buck, the chicken tender basket, hummus bowl and gyro are some of your best options on campus. Healthy eating is hard on a meal plan, so if you’re looking for food that is both not completely terrible for you and tastes good, IQ Fresh is the move.
- Chick-fil-A
Everyone who has friends at small-town colleges has bragged that we have a Chick-fil-A on campus. While the wait is always centuries, there’s a good reason for that. After all, it’s Chick-fil-A. However, value per swipe is lacking, which isn’t too surprising.
- Panda Express
While lines will be long at the start of the year, there’s a good reason for it. Panda Express has one of the best deals on campus, aside from the buffet-style options, and the food is actually amazing. For the cost of a swipe, you can walk away with two entrees and a side. Pro tip: If you have extra swipes and love their cream cheese rangoons or other appetizers, you can get five orders for one swipe (that’s 15 rangoons), freeze them in a plastic bag and reheat them. My freshman year, I had 60 rangoons in my freezer. It was definitely worth it.
New arrivals that weren’t mentioned include Little Italy, Sammy’s Deli, WildKatz and Root’d. Locations I haven’t visited include Radicchio, Slot Canyon Café and Sweets.
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