Whether you're returning to campus, coming as a new freshman, or transferring from another college or university, we at The Bull Rush would like to welcome you back and congratulate you on making the right choice in picking the University of South Florida for your education. A rising school, USF has made great strides in its short history, now recognized as one of the top research universities in the nation. But as a new student here in Tampa, you need to know the places to go when you're taking a break from all the studying (or not studying). I'll guide you through the top five places to eat, hang out, and spend a night on the town for the best of your money.
First, I think every student should always have an off-campus place to eat, so in today's post I've put together the best places for all different tastes to go grab some food if you're tired of eating at the dining halls. For more in-depth information check out the Bulls Guide Dining section.
Pizza
Broadway Pizza - Broadway has great pizza, and it's pretty cheap. On weekdays before 4 p.m. they have a pizza special with two slices and a drink for just $5. But pizza isn't the only thing on their menu, they have outstanding calzones, sandwiches, soups, and salads. The other great part is that they're right across the street from the USF Botanical Gardens, and you can catch a Bull Runner to get there.
First, I think every student should always have an off-campus place to eat, so in today's post I've put together the best places for all different tastes to go grab some food if you're tired of eating at the dining halls. For more in-depth information check out the Bulls Guide Dining section.
Pizza
Broadway Pizza - Broadway has great pizza, and it's pretty cheap. On weekdays before 4 p.m. they have a pizza special with two slices and a drink for just $5. But pizza isn't the only thing on their menu, they have outstanding calzones, sandwiches, soups, and salads. The other great part is that they're right across the street from the USF Botanical Gardens, and you can catch a Bull Runner to get there.
*Other Pizza Places: Gumby's (Don't go there unless you want to get one of two things: Fat or diarrhea.), Five Star (Pretty good, super cheap), Little Caesar's, Pizza Hut, and Cici's.
Burgers
Five Guys Burgers & Fries - There are plenty of fast food places around campus, but if you really want to get an outstanding burger for a pretty good price, I strongly recommend going to Five Guys. Their burgers are fresh and made-to-order, and their massive servings of fries make it all even better. The best part is that USF students get free fries with the purchase of a burger and a drink, and trust me, you're going to want the fries. I recommend getting the Cajun fries if you like a little spice too.
Burgers
Five Guys Burgers & Fries - There are plenty of fast food places around campus, but if you really want to get an outstanding burger for a pretty good price, I strongly recommend going to Five Guys. Their burgers are fresh and made-to-order, and their massive servings of fries make it all even better. The best part is that USF students get free fries with the purchase of a burger and a drink, and trust me, you're going to want the fries. I recommend getting the Cajun fries if you like a little spice too.
*Other Burger Places: Evos (healthier options, great fries), Chili's
BBQ
Lupton's - Although there's a new BBQ place right on campus (Smokehouse in the Juniper-Poplar dorm), the tradition for USF students who love good barbeque belongs to Lupton's. Located on Busch Boulevard just east of 56th Street, you'll probably need a car to get there. But it is absolutely worth the trip to try some awesome ribs, brisket, or BBQ chicken. They're also renowned for their sides too, so don't forget about those.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
BBQ
Lupton's - Although there's a new BBQ place right on campus (Smokehouse in the Juniper-Poplar dorm), the tradition for USF students who love good barbeque belongs to Lupton's. Located on Busch Boulevard just east of 56th Street, you'll probably need a car to get there. But it is absolutely worth the trip to try some awesome ribs, brisket, or BBQ chicken. They're also renowned for their sides too, so don't forget about those.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
*Other BBQ Places: Cole's BBQ (typical BBQ places little more expensive), Smokehouse (on campus)
Mexican
Tia's Tex Mex - Everyone knows the regular places like Moe's (on campus), Qdoba (Fowler and 56th), and Chipotle (Fowler, just west of Five Guys), but if you're hunting for a restaurant that actually serves Mexican food, go to Tia's. Between great food and daily margarita specials, Tia's, located across the street on Fowler Avenue and just west of the University, is the place to be.
Mexican
Tia's Tex Mex - Everyone knows the regular places like Moe's (on campus), Qdoba (Fowler and 56th), and Chipotle (Fowler, just west of Five Guys), but if you're hunting for a restaurant that actually serves Mexican food, go to Tia's. Between great food and daily margarita specials, Tia's, located across the street on Fowler Avenue and just west of the University, is the place to be.
*Other Mexican Places: Chipotle, Moe's, Qdoba.
Sports Bars
Peabody's - I want to preface this by saying Peabody's is definitely not for everybody. It's one of the few places that still allows smoking indoors, so the place is sometimes pretty smoky. But aside from all that, USF students are always welcome to play on one of the many pool tables or dartboards in the main room. They always have specials on wings and other types of foods and drinks depending on the day. On weekends Peabody's is a great place to catch all the games, especially in the back room where they have a huge projector screen.
Sports Bars
Peabody's - I want to preface this by saying Peabody's is definitely not for everybody. It's one of the few places that still allows smoking indoors, so the place is sometimes pretty smoky. But aside from all that, USF students are always welcome to play on one of the many pool tables or dartboards in the main room. They always have specials on wings and other types of foods and drinks depending on the day. On weekends Peabody's is a great place to catch all the games, especially in the back room where they have a huge projector screen.
Order Food Online for Delivery!
Sometimes the most important thing about being a college student is flexibility and convenience. That is why Feed-A-Bull, founded in 2007, became a revolutionary game changer in lazy, convenient college meal consumption. Feed-A-Bull allows you to order from their menu from a list of Feed-A-Bull associated restaurants in the area and have it delivered right to your door. It was founded by college students and run by college students. Its prices are reasonable and the best part is your helping your fellow college students out. Great for nights when you just don't feel like leaving your dorm or apartment and have fresh food brought right to you.
Oh the times, I have had at Tia's. Do they still have bands there during the week?
ReplyDeleteI think they still do, usually Friday nights if I recall correctly. Tia's holds a lot of great memories.
ReplyDeleteGod, there really are no good bars around here, are there?
ReplyDeleteThere really aren't to be honest. Peabody's is alright, but the smoke gives you black lung after an hour. I miss the Greenry when it was open and I lived in Monticello, made for an easy stumble home.
ReplyDeleteDude I don't even like Peabody's, but there really are no good bars within 5 miles of USF.
ReplyDeleteI guess you could put World of Beer or Dunderbak's on there for bars, but not an official bar.
ReplyDeleteI know for damn sure I wasn't about to put Acrapolis
ReplyDeleteThey are such garbage. I use to go to Louis Pappas, but they shut that one down next to Dunderbak's, makes it hard to get any kind of Greek food around here.
ReplyDeleteAndros FTW!
ReplyDeleteTime for some old school dining, Andros Style
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4ObUAiGS42A
For Mexican food, Vallartas off of 56th is the best. Tia's isn't even real Mexican food.
ReplyDeleteTia's is Tex-Mex, but that's what people are more into. I'm always glad to hear new olaces though.
ReplyDeleteFor more great discounts to USF food and merchandise, make sure to checkout the complete list of Bulls Country discounts at the following website: [http://www.usfdiscounts.com/index.php]
ReplyDeleteCategories be damned, Mr. Dunderbak's should make that list on principle. Number 1 with a freaking bullet. It's a shrine to ground meat stuffed into intestine and washed down with many, many flavors of beer. MD's is a Tampa institution. A goddamn 813 birthright. This injustice cannot stand!
ReplyDeleteHaha we will have to put together a list of the best spots in Tampa to see a game and get a brew. Hope this little list helps the freshman get a foothold on some spots in Tampa.
ReplyDeletehaha later in the week I'm doing best places to get a drink
ReplyDeleteThe best Vietnamese food in all of Florida is on Fowler Avenue, a little place called Saigon Bay. Check it out.
ReplyDeleteSaigon Bay is great I eat there often especially after Pho Quyen got the bad press on Bay New 9.
ReplyDeleteBest place to get a drink in Tampa, just in quantity of alcohol per drink alone - The Hub. I couldn't imagine a Hub-like place existing around USF and it lasting beyond a few years, the litigation costs would be astronomical. :)
ReplyDelete