Best Of Edition: Best Food

Best Half Price: Fuel and Fuddle

Fuel and Fuddle is the ideal spot for a fun and casual meal, where guests can order a delicious dish without emptying their wallets. Known for “wildfire pies” and house brews, Fuel is the perfect place to sit down, unwind and enjoy a quality meal. With all food items half-priced after 11 p.m., it’s the perfect place for college students on a budget.

Editors’ Pick: Fuel and Fuddle 

Best Vegetarian: Red Oak Cafe

Red Oak Cafe is known for many of its vegetarian meals, from healthy salads to sandwiches and wraps. The menu expands beyond lunch and dinner meals, for the eatery also serves breakfast all day. It’s known for its fresh ingredients and heart-healthy meals, making it the optimal visit when sticking to the greens.

Editors’ Pick: Eat Unique

Best Vegan: Red Oak Cafe

It doesn’t get much more down-to-earth than at Red Oak Cafe. The restaurant whips up almost every salad, wrap, soup and sandwich on the menu with fresh vegetables that will appeal to any vegan’s eye. Its varied menu of distinct dishes makes for a tough decision to choose just one. From fresh juices to healthy vegan dishes, Red Oak Cafe is the perfect place to grab a quick dish, whether it be breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Editors’ Pick: Red Oak Cafe

Best Italian: Joe Mama’s

Just a few blocks from the Cathedral of Learning, Joe Mama’s is a convenient and delicious Italian eatery to which you can take your parents after a campus tour or a family visit. When mom and dad leave, taking their wallets with them, students can still enjoy Joe Mama’s half-off appetizers at the bar or its all-you-can-eat brunch on Sundays. 

Editors’ Pick: Buca de Beppo

Best Ice Cream: Dave and Andy’s

Even when it’s chilly out, students love stopping in for a few scoops of freshly-made ice cream. If you’re craving creamy, homemade ice cream, Dave and Andy’s is the place to go. Each day, Dave and Andy’s makes a mix of popular flavors, such as birthday cake, and original flavors, such as Pittsburgh Popcorn Company caramel popcorn ice cream. All of the flavors are written on a big chalkboard and give the establishment a warm feel.

Editors’ Pick: Dave and Andy’s

Best Mexican: Mad Mex

If you’re ever looking for a fun night out, check out Mad Mex for some Mexican food, a casual dining atmosphere and some tasty drinks. With a variety of burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, tacos and many more dishes on the menu, it doesn’t get much more Mexican than this.

Editors’ Pick: Emiliano’s 

Best Sushi: Sushi Fuku

This sushi restaurant puts an extra spin on your run-of-the-mill sushi dish. You can get the taste of fresh sushi in your own custom combination. In a three-step process, you can choose your vegetables and protein, toppings and sauces and either to roll your creation up or eat it in a bowl. This personal touch on your dish adds the extra boost that makes Sushi Fuku home to the best sushi around.

Editor’s Pick: Sushi Too

Best Coffee: Starbucks

When it comes to coffee, the student body has been charmed by Starbucks’ promise of caffeine, the chain cafe’s touch of class and the emerald logo emblazoned on the side of each precious cup. Whether you stop by the location on Forbes Avenue or Craig Street, Starbucks remains students’ favorite place to grab a cup of joe on campus. 

Editors’ Pick: Dunkin Donuts

Best Wings: Quaker Steak and Lube

At Quaker Steak and Lube, adventurous students can grab an order of “Triple Atomic” wings, accompanied on the menu with the warning “Guts! Glory! Pain!” Less-daring students might try one of the other 22 sauces, including “Boom Boom” or “Thai’R’Cracker,” while they enjoy football games on the big screens.

Editors’ Pick: Wings over Pittsburgh 

Best Sandwich: Primanti Bros.

If yinz are going to get a sandwich in Pittsburgh, it better be from Primanti’s. As a Pittsburgh tradition, it’s no surprise that students crowned Primanti Bros. their favorite place to indulge in a sandwich piled high with french fries and coleslaw. 

Editors’ Pick: Campus Deli 

Best Breakfast: Pamela’s Diner

On an average Sunday morning on Forbes Avenue, the sidewalks are almost entirely empty, except for the large mass of people waiting in front of Pamela’s Diner. With its mouth-watering creations, such as the omelettes and crepe-style banana and chocolate chip pancakes, a table is always worth the wait. Take it from President Barack Obama, who opted for Pamela’s pancakes on his first Memorial Day in the White House.

Editors’ Pick: Pamela’s Diner 

Best Date Restaurant: The Porch

If you’re looking to spend a special night out with your significant other, The Porch is the way to go. Next to picturesque Schenley Plaza and the lively streets of Oakland, this restaurant provides a great atmosphere for conversation and offers a variety of reasonably priced, tasty dishes.

Editors’ Pick: Legume

Best Place to Get Lunch: Panera Bread

Whether you’re in the mood for a delicious soup and salad or a signature panini, or even just a coffee and a pastry, Panera is the spot to enjoy a relaxing lunch with friends or coworkers. Guests seeking to get work done can also use Panera’s free Wi-Fi connection while they enjoy a meal or snack. 

Editors’ Pick: Hello Bistro

Best Hamburger: Five Guys

Five Guys boasts classic cheeseburgers, spicy cajun-flavored fries and free peanuts. You can’t go wrong when you eat here. Seriously, what isn’t there to love about free peanuts?

Editors’ Pick: Union Grill

Best Korean: Oishii Bento

All you kimchi aficionados can rest easy. Along with Japanese dishes, this cozy restaurant offers prime Korean cuisine with optional spiciness. The variety and wide range of menu options make this a great place to get an old favorite or try something new.

Editors’ Pick: Korea Garden

Best Meal Under $5: McDonald’s

Looking to the golden arch never fails. Whether students are in the mood for a burger and fries or a light salad, they can find it all here at an affordable price. Pitt’s lovin’ it.

Editors’ Pick: Antoon’s Pizza

Best Pizza: Pizza Sola

This is the place for gourmet pizza. The variety of toppings and great specials make this a prime spot to meet friends after class or work. Don’t forget to show your student ID card after 8 p.m. for a $7 pizza.

Editors’ Pick: Papa Da Vinci

Best Fries: The Original Hot Dog Shop

The generous portions, 3:30 a.m. closing time and reasonable prices make this the ideal final stop for greasy food late in the evening. But beware: Even an order of small fries may be plenty for several hungry night owls.

Editors’ Pick: Uncle Sam’s 

Best Bagel Shop: Bruegger’s

The fresh coffee and hearty bagels make this a great place for breakfast on the go. This is also the place to stop by for an afternoon pick-me-up while you hit the books or chat with friends.

Editors’ Pick: Bagel Factory

Best Chinese: Taiwan Cafe

This convenient campus location is a student favorite for Chinese food. Although it is currently closed, that did not stop Pitt students from voting it as the best Chinese food on campus. Its highly-rated dishes make it a standout option for takeout.

Editors’ Pick: Sushi Boat 

Best Vietnamese: Miss Saigon

A popular choice among Pitt students for Vietnamese food, Miss Saigon Cafe is a great location on North Craig Street. With quality pad thai and plenty of hibachi choices, Pitt students are always able to flock to Miss Saigon for a great Vietnamese meal. 

Editors’ Pick: Tram’s Kitchen 

Best Restaurant for Parents: Union Grill

If you are looking to impress your parents with a restaurant when they visit, a popular choice among students is Union Grill on South Craig Street, proud home of its famous UG Steakburger. With its outdoor dining option and wide selection of dishes, students voted this as a great place to take parents for a change of pace from Market Central, especially if the ’rents are footing the bill. But with $10 bottles of wine, how could they complain?

Editors’ Pick: Union Grill 

Best Japanese: Oishii Bento

Oishii Bento offers both savory Korean barbecue and delicious sushi at an affordable price. Oishii is known for its bento boxes, which include rice, noodles, meat, dumplings and a soup or salad. You’re bound to fill up on the meal and still have leftovers to take home.

Editors’ Pick: Oishii Bento 

Best Thai/Southeast Asian: Spice Island

Spice Island offers a great variety of cuisines ranging from Chinese, Burmese and Thai. Their large portions and fair prices are ideal for students. In addition to the unique combination of food, the antiques that decorate the restaurant offer an intimate setting.

Editors’ Pick: Lulu’s Noodles

Best Middle Eastern: Ali Baba’s 

Ali Baba’s is a popular spot on campus for Middle Eastern meals. Known for its large servings, friendly wait-staff and cozy atmosphere, this restaurant also boasts a traditional and flavorful menu.

Editors’ Pick: Salem’s