i heard at the easton ave subway that the easton ave subway was in the mix
ITT We List the On-Campus Places We Ate While At RU, Including Pizza Joints, Sub Shops, Dining Halls
- Thread starter RutgersRaRa
- Start date
Here's an obscure one, only open for few years on French St - The Steak Out.
Would hit this up many a night stumbling out of The Melody.
Would hit this up many a night stumbling out of The Melody.
Another one - Chardas. Hungarian comfort food. Bulldozed by RWJ on Somerset a few years back.
I discovered the Mexican place El Oaxaqueno 2 after college when I worked nearby in NB. Your waitress may not speak English, but amazing real Mexican food and cheap. I still try to go there a couple of times a year for a steak burrito and strawberry shake.
Damn. I know I've seen it and could've sworn it was GTs. Not gonna guess again so as to let other's play.
Speaking of stumbling and the Melody, I recall walking to the Melody with a friend (Joe) after closing Olde Queens one night. Joe was walking backwards and talking about some incredibly beautiful girl we saw in the bar. Whatever he was saying, it had him pretty animated and he was waving his hands around as he stumbled drunkenly backwards down the street.
I was walking forwards, facing Joe, about 5 yards away. Behind him, I could see two horse-mounted NB police coming up the street in the other direction. I didn't say anything, although we were clearly headed on a collision course as the horses clopped their way towards us.
Just as the horses arrived right behind Joe, he was in the middle of loudly stating how totally hammered he was, and one of Joe's gesticulating hands smacks one of the horses on the nose. Joe looked around behind him and sees this great big horse, looked up to see the cops and, mid-sentence with virtually no pause, drunkenly concludes "so it's a damn good thing I'm walking and not driving tonight".
I wound up having to sit down on the curb for awhile because I was laughing so hard. The cops seemed unamused. But I could swear the horses were laughing too.
Good memories.
I was walking forwards, facing Joe, about 5 yards away. Behind him, I could see two horse-mounted NB police coming up the street in the other direction. I didn't say anything, although we were clearly headed on a collision course as the horses clopped their way towards us.
Just as the horses arrived right behind Joe, he was in the middle of loudly stating how totally hammered he was, and one of Joe's gesticulating hands smacks one of the horses on the nose. Joe looked around behind him and sees this great big horse, looked up to see the cops and, mid-sentence with virtually no pause, drunkenly concludes "so it's a damn good thing I'm walking and not driving tonight".
I wound up having to sit down on the curb for awhile because I was laughing so hard. The cops seemed unamused. But I could swear the horses were laughing too.
Good memories.
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There was a fried chicken joint right up the block from me, on Somerset near Maple. I forget the name.
The Ledge for sandwiches.
The Hardees in the BCC almost every day for lunch.
Patti's
Tumulty's for lunch on summer Fridays.
Somerset Diner (as well as McDonald's right next door)
The Ledge for sandwiches.
The Hardees in the BCC almost every day for lunch.
Patti's
Tumulty's for lunch on summer Fridays.
Somerset Diner (as well as McDonald's right next door)
I think Greasy's was "No charge for extra grease"
MV was "Forget the rest we are the best!"
I was in NB from 1977 - 1985
Some that weren't mentioned:
GoGo Breakfast at the Showcase was a classic.
Doll's Place
Hamilton Pizza for closed circuit TV Boxing and pizza
Some that weren't mentioned:
GoGo Breakfast at the Showcase was a classic.
Doll's Place
Hamilton Pizza for closed circuit TV Boxing and pizza
Thanks RaRa, LOL, yes like I said, a real A-hole move, but our Vorhees 3rd floor was a bastion of pranking, so after getting water dumped on my head with the bucket on door trick and other childlike pranks, We just looked at it like payback.
It was amazing how many people ordered half pepperoni and half sausage, so it was perfect!!!!!! The best part was after eating and hiding the pizza box, waiting for somebody walking up and down the hallway knocking on doors screaming " who the F _ _ k stole our pizza?"
I am sure RUloyal had his pizza stolen a few times, we all did!
Rutgers81, ding ding ding, winner winner chicken dinner or in this case a pound of low grade cold cuts on a sub roll. Had it three times a week. Best bang for the buck in NB or was it Fillipo's large pie with a a litre (or was it two) of soda delivered for $3.75. Can barely get a slice for that price now.
Oh Shit. Yes that was awesome. Great way to impress a date. Have you tried Hungarian...no...and off we go....
Late 70's early 80's on Busch
STAR pizza in Piscataway
Stuff Yer Face- The original location - Boli's were much better here before they moved.
Greasy Tonys of course
Diamond Dogs with the David Bowie Picture on the side of the truck
Anyone remember the Fast Food restaurant that was attached to the Busch Pub ? Back in the days when they could serve alcohol to us 18 yr old college students.
Skinny Vinnies (they've really gone downhill since I was at RU)
La Familia
Stuff Yer Face
RU Hungry (when Abdul took over, before RU Grill opened)
Rafferty's (with parents)
Harvest Moon (with parents when Rafferty's line was too long)
Sapporo
Neubies
Somerset Diner
Fontainbleu Diner
Gerlanda's Pizza
(that pasta place next to Gerlanda's that was there for a hot minute before closing)
Subworks (later Steak Escape)
Wendy's
Brower
Cooper
The Knight Room
Thomas Sweet
La Familia
Stuff Yer Face
RU Hungry (when Abdul took over, before RU Grill opened)
Rafferty's (with parents)
Harvest Moon (with parents when Rafferty's line was too long)
Sapporo
Neubies
Somerset Diner
Fontainbleu Diner
Gerlanda's Pizza
(that pasta place next to Gerlanda's that was there for a hot minute before closing)
Subworks (later Steak Escape)
Wendy's
Brower
Cooper
The Knight Room
Thomas Sweet
Wow, can't believe anyone else remembers one of the best Go Go bars ever the "ShowCase". After I graduated I lived on Hamilton St near Easton Ave for 2 years . My buddies from Hackettstown would drive to my place for 2 things.... an RU Football or Basketball game AND a walk over to The Showcase. We'd always close the place and try to talk a dancer or 2 to come back for an 'after Showcase' party , lol. Sometimes worked. We often saw Asst Coaches from other teams there during a week night in for scouting doing a night 'scouting' trip to the Showcase. I must confess though, although their breakfast specials were pretty good, we didn't get there too often for Breakfast.
It burned down on Christmas Eve or night around 1985. My buddies and I were Crushed. lol
It burned down on Christmas Eve or night around 1985. My buddies and I were Crushed. lol
Ahhh the show case breakfast was classic....
the dancers would come over with the salt and the pepper shakers strategically placed and shake them on your ham and eggs if you so chose!!
And remember the Carousel Lounge in Piscataway.. another fine go go establishment that went away.
My first year out of the military and at RU we had a guy from Sweden rooming with us for the summer session. On his last day in the country he came into my room and said, "I have enjoyed my time here. But there is only one thing I wish I had done... 'go-go lunch'."
I took him to the ShowCase.
Early 1980s
Stuff Yer Face
Nielson Dining Hall
Cook Student Center
Somerset Diner after we put the Cook newspaper to bed
Stuff Yer Face
Nielson Dining Hall
Cook Student Center
Somerset Diner after we put the Cook newspaper to bed
Graduated in 2012:
The Subway on Easton was the BEST. The Hispanic guy that worked there probably didn't speak English but he made the best effin sandwiches ever. Walked there from my frat house multiple times as late as 2am to get buffalo chicken with ranch.
Hansel - BEST breakfast food and really all around food place in NB for the price
Grease trucks - RU tradition
RU grill - delivered fat sandwiches to cook and took RU express, decent pizza
Blitzburger - on the side of Olde Queens, could call and pick up huge burger within 15 minutes
Skinny Vinnies - solid drunk pizza
Jimmy's - better drunk pizza
Giovannellis - best pizza in NB
Sanctuary - Similar to Hansel and they had ice cream!
Chipotle on George St. - had to go when I had cravings
Stuff Yer Face - Beer, Bolis, Potachos and their PIEROGIES are awesome!
Hole in the Wall - OK bagels but took credit cards
Easton Ave Bagels - better bagels but cash only
Omega Diner - Diner close by Cook that had HUGE portions for cheap. Great food!
Neilson Dining Hall - Personally I think they always had the best food and best takeout
Busch Dining Hall - Solid dining hall with a big selection but just not as good as Neilson
Livingston Dining Hall - Huge selection and they have a touch screen where they make burgers for you!
Brower Commons - just awful food. Hardly ever went there!
Cook campus center - you could pick up premade sandwiches for a meal swipe! Breakfast sandwiches were cheap and could be a mealswipe before 11am on weekdays.
Edit: Olive Branch - Happy hour you could get 50 cent slices and 8 dollar pitchers of Coors. Pizza was pretty good for a dive bar atmosphere
The Subway on Easton was the BEST. The Hispanic guy that worked there probably didn't speak English but he made the best effin sandwiches ever. Walked there from my frat house multiple times as late as 2am to get buffalo chicken with ranch.
Hansel - BEST breakfast food and really all around food place in NB for the price
Grease trucks - RU tradition
RU grill - delivered fat sandwiches to cook and took RU express, decent pizza
Blitzburger - on the side of Olde Queens, could call and pick up huge burger within 15 minutes
Skinny Vinnies - solid drunk pizza
Jimmy's - better drunk pizza
Giovannellis - best pizza in NB
Sanctuary - Similar to Hansel and they had ice cream!
Chipotle on George St. - had to go when I had cravings
Stuff Yer Face - Beer, Bolis, Potachos and their PIEROGIES are awesome!
Hole in the Wall - OK bagels but took credit cards
Easton Ave Bagels - better bagels but cash only
Omega Diner - Diner close by Cook that had HUGE portions for cheap. Great food!
Neilson Dining Hall - Personally I think they always had the best food and best takeout
Busch Dining Hall - Solid dining hall with a big selection but just not as good as Neilson
Livingston Dining Hall - Huge selection and they have a touch screen where they make burgers for you!
Brower Commons - just awful food. Hardly ever went there!
Cook campus center - you could pick up premade sandwiches for a meal swipe! Breakfast sandwiches were cheap and could be a mealswipe before 11am on weekdays.
Edit: Olive Branch - Happy hour you could get 50 cent slices and 8 dollar pitchers of Coors. Pizza was pretty good for a dive bar atmosphere
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In the late eighties on Elm Row there was a bar/restaurant called Pizza Pino's that I bartended and waited tables at. Served deep dish pizzas. We hired a band to play on Saturday nights named Revolver, a Beatles cover band. One of members was Jack Petruzzelli, who is now in another very famous Beatles cover band, the Fab Faux. He was Paul in Revolver but he's George in the Fab Faux.
Also, around that time, you could go down to the bottom of Easton Ave. and get a chili dog from the bodega on the corner by the taxi stand.
Also, around that time, you could go down to the bottom of Easton Ave. and get a chili dog from the bodega on the corner by the taxi stand.
Many already mentioned...
-Campus Pizza was our go to place for delivery
-JP Lees (became the Round Grille- closed now)
-A 50's theme diner near the holiday inn on Stelton - my wife will kill me for not remembering as it was a favorite place for her when we were dating.
-Hoagie Haven in Princeton
-Fountain Bleu diner
Greasy Tony's s the only joint I remember. We ate there all the time and our gang can take credit for encouraging him the add the line "no charge for extra grease" to his menu. We'd get the subs before our all night poker games and needless to say. those cards were slippery the entire time.
I am amazed at the lack of mentions for White Rose in Highland Park. I admit it was a drive and by today's laws and enforcement standards, it would be a high risk trip. On the subject of go go's. Club 516, down towards Aberdeen was a great spot for 5cent hot dog night with a 5-dog limit if I recall.
Bodners as the source of kegs for sure.
No mention of Douglas student center, don't recall the food, but the view was nice.
Bodners as the source of kegs for sure.
No mention of Douglas student center, don't recall the food, but the view was nice.
There was a Mexican place called "La Placita" near the Melody from about 1992 to 1994. Absolutely the best Mex I've every had. Owned and operated by a guy and his family. Moved to Charlotte, NC in mid-94. Nothing close since.
Forgot about Marita's Cantina and the Round Grill. Both in the rotation during college... and both gone now.
Daytime favorite spots were Wendy's and the Middle Eastern place in the CAC student center. I was also a devotee of Qdoba on George St, and the Quiznos on Albany.
Drunk food favorite was RU Grill or Fat Elbow from Giovanelli's, which is still amazing, had it a few months ago.
If we were doing something classy from under 21 year old perspective, it was Noodle Gourmet, Marita's, or Stuff Yer Face.
Best weekend morning spots were Tijuana Burrito, Hole in the Wall, and IHOP on Easton.
Before turning 21, Applebees half priced apps after 10 on Ryders was a definite favorite.
Drunk food favorite was RU Grill or Fat Elbow from Giovanelli's, which is still amazing, had it a few months ago.
If we were doing something classy from under 21 year old perspective, it was Noodle Gourmet, Marita's, or Stuff Yer Face.
Best weekend morning spots were Tijuana Burrito, Hole in the Wall, and IHOP on Easton.
Before turning 21, Applebees half priced apps after 10 on Ryders was a definite favorite.
Having been a student at RU from 1980-1989 and being a connoisseur of greasy food, this list might be a tad long.
- Stuff Yer Face - my all-time favorite. Probably have had 1000 bolis there (used to eat there 2-3 times a week for many years and still go there at least every month or two.
- Greasy Tony's: my favorite early 80s post-frat party place. Large trash can was my go-to - and it was so cool to have a few at Greasy Tony's AZ location before the Insight Bowl.
- Tillet (frosh year), Brower (soph year), Busch dining hall (jr/sr/grad school) - I actually loved the dining halls and even kept a 5 meal plan through grad school, for lunches: burgers, dogs, chicken patties wit cheese sauce, fries, jello, and all the milk/OJ I could drink. Plus the talent.
- White Rose - one of my favorite post-partying stop while in grad school.
- Somerset Diner - my other favorite post-partying stop while in grad school; in fact, we used to go here after the Melody at least once a week (was at the Melody 2-3 nights a week for many years, lol). In fact, our Melody circle of friends used to call it "Erik's Diner."
- The Steakout - if I couldn't wait to go to White Rose or Somerset Diner.
- Patti's and Skinny Vinnie's. Lived two summers in a row at 57 Ray St. in 83 and 84 and both places were a short walk away. Vinnie's for slices and Patti's for great, cheap food and beer. Probably why I like the Olive Branch so much.
- Pizza Plaza on Albany St. - was our go to place for ordering pies my sophomore year, when I lived on College Ave.
- Mr. C's - I think it was the only grease truck I went to in the 80's - always a cheesesteak. Never had any fat cats until years later (love them too, though).
- Old Man Rafferty's (the original location) - my "upscale" venue, lol.
- Tumulty's - still my favorite French Dip around.
- Little Teddy's, MV's and Butler's - went to all of these delis/subshops occasionally.
- Busch Student Center food court, especially Gerlanda's Pizza.
- Rhyan's (in the building that now houses Harvest Moon) - my go-to "first date night" location
- My other "first date night" restaurant was a nice Italian place on Hamilton St. in a big old house and I can't recall the name. Anyone?
- Marita's Cantina - probably the first Mexican place I ever went to.
- Four Seasons - great Thai place in P'way (still there) - my first exposure to Thai food.
- La Fontana - the place we'd go to when I wasn't paying, lol. Went here with my family after getting my BS and MS and had my advisor take me here after getting my PhD. Frog and the Peach was the other place we'd go if someone else was paying.
- J. August's - wasn't just a late night party/dance spot - always liked the food, too.
- Christopher's Pub (where Clydz is now) - good burgers/sandwiches.
- For some reason I can't recall, we always went to Hunan East in HP for Chinese - loved their 10-ingredient fried rice.
Numbers, I'm pretty sure that Mr. C's was the only food truck at that time. Was 50 feet from my dorm room in Tinsley all night. Usually made the long trek at about 2 am for the cheeseburger sub. Two or was it three cheeseburgers on a sub roll. Kinda explained the 10 pound weight gain freshman year.
BTW I know you are a big Melody fan and it seems our time at RU overlapped. I was introduced to the Melody in the second week of freshman year by a DKE brother, Clash fanatic named Loser. Know him?
BTW I know you are a big Melody fan and it seems our time at RU overlapped. I was introduced to the Melody in the second week of freshman year by a DKE brother, Clash fanatic named Loser. Know him?
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Ho lee fook, you know Loser?!!! Assuming it's the same one (Andy), I haven't seen him in decades, but he and I were on the same floor in either '80 or '81 (pretty sure it was '80 in Mettler; I was also '81 in Tinsley)). He was huge into The Clash, and he and I would go off to The Sweet when Ballroom Blitz would come on. In the lounge on our floor we started doing WWF contests against a Pizza Goldfish--I've got tears now that I'm thinking about it!!!
But I don't think he pledged DKE, unless he turned over some kind of new leaf. He was so anti-establishment (hence, The Clash), as was I, but maybe something changed.
Yeah, I lived in Hegeman my sophomore year (81-82) and I made similar late night runs and only recalled the one GT.
My first Melody outing was in '82, when it only had the downstairs and Cal/Steve, the owners, were just playing mix tapes, before they hired Matt Pinfield (I think he started there in '83). Used to go to Patrix and the Court much more than the Melody until around '85 (to see bands). I'm also pretty sure '85 is when they opened the 2nd floor of the Melody.
Went to a few DKE parties in my first two years, but I can't even recall the guy's name I knew to get in, lol. Became friends with Rich C. many years later: DKE brother from class of '87, I think, who worked at the Melody for years (was eventually manager). I do vaguely recall a guy that people called Loser, who hung out at the Melody.
Do you ever go to the Melody Reunions? My favorite night of the year - we get 250-300 people every year to the Elks in NB - all former Melody DJ's and we dance all night...
Numbers and RaRa, we must know each other. Talking about the same experiences. September 1982 from the start. Don't know if Loser (Andy) was officially a DKE brother or just aligned. DKE had just been kicked off campus and there was nothing "establishment" about DKE then. They were and will always be "Animal House". But some of them who lived in the house ended up at Tinsley including the vice president. Met Loser and he gave me an intensive month long course in all things Clash. Toughest course for me at RU. Clash after the Jones/Strummer split played the barn that fall. A lot of slam dancing at the (one floor) Melody. Numbers, to refresh your recollection of Loser just think of the boyfriend of the hottest, sexyist chick you ever saw on College Ave. Fast forward, biggest fight with my wife on naming our first son Strummer. I lost.
Post 84 people will never fully get the Melody. It was a scene.
Post 84 people will never fully get the Melody. It was a scene.
Was at RU 99-03.
Pizza... any time before 2a it was pizza city. After 2a it was always RU Grill. $1 slices and it was always packed. They were always good to throw you a free slice or let you use the bathroom once you became a regular. TaTas was the pre 2a place when I lived on Hamilton. They had awesome cheese steaks and mozz sticks and $1 Arizona cans.
Noodle Gourmet for Chinese. Chicken with sweet corn, or the beef with Chinese vegetables. And for some weird reason their pork fried rice and egg drop soup always hit the spot when I was sick.
Little Teddys or MV Deli for subs. Also forgot the name of it but there was a deli on Easton between somerset st and Albany St that was always good. We used to just call it "the deli".,
We'd go to raffertys 1x a semester for hanger steak.
Stuff your face was only for drinking and for takeout. Never actually sat at a table until after I graduated.
Giovanellis every now and then post bar.
Oh and who am I kidding... Free slices at happy hour at old queens.
Pizza... any time before 2a it was pizza city. After 2a it was always RU Grill. $1 slices and it was always packed. They were always good to throw you a free slice or let you use the bathroom once you became a regular. TaTas was the pre 2a place when I lived on Hamilton. They had awesome cheese steaks and mozz sticks and $1 Arizona cans.
Noodle Gourmet for Chinese. Chicken with sweet corn, or the beef with Chinese vegetables. And for some weird reason their pork fried rice and egg drop soup always hit the spot when I was sick.
Little Teddys or MV Deli for subs. Also forgot the name of it but there was a deli on Easton between somerset st and Albany St that was always good. We used to just call it "the deli".,
We'd go to raffertys 1x a semester for hanger steak.
Stuff your face was only for drinking and for takeout. Never actually sat at a table until after I graduated.
Giovanellis every now and then post bar.
Oh and who am I kidding... Free slices at happy hour at old queens.
