Some cherubs eat three meals a day, seven days a week, in the dining hall. Others, even if they love the cafeteria’s pizza and chicken fingers, venture off campus for a bigger selection.
“I had enough of the Western food here, especially in the dining halls,” Shirley Xiao of Shenzhen, China, said. “I really wanted to try some Chinese food.”
To satisfy her cravings, Xiao walked a few blocks to downtown Evanston.
Here are a few places that cherubs checked out:
Deep Purpl:
This cherub favorite is one of several places that sell acai – but in cups, not the usual bowls. It comes in four sizes and can be paired with 21 different toppings.
“I really like the environment,” Yisu Zhang of Great Neck, New York, said. “They have tables and seats that are really comfortable, and it’s really welcoming.”
Zhang and her friends go to Deep Purpl every weekend. Her caveat: “It’s on the pricier side.” The most basic cup starts at $8.15, plus 10.25% sales tax.
TOMO Japanese Street Food:
This restaurant serves ramen, curries, poke bowls, bento boxes and stir-fried noodles – all through online ordering.
“I love the digital order system because you don’t have to wait for a check,” Cami Culbertson of Houston said.
Culbertson ordered the karaage ramen, which had Japanese fried chicken and a spicy broth. Her advice: “Definitely get an egg.” TOMO offers a slightly fancier dinner experience, with the cheapest ramen on the menu priced at $16.95.
“[TOMO] would not be sustainable to eat at regularly,” Culbertson said.
Shang Noodle & Chinese:
Shang Noodle & Chinese serves dishes from Mandarin duck and beef noodle soup to familiar favorites like chow mein and orange chicken. Looking for a Chinese restaurant, Xiao found Shang Noodle & Chinese. At first, Xiao was skeptical because “a lot of Chinese food in America isn’t like real Chinese food.” Still, they “did a great job with the flavors” and the soup “was made in a very Chinese way,” she said. The chow mein is $14, and many entrées are under $18.
Pâtisserie Coralie:
Pâtisserie Coralie serves coffee, tea, croissants, danishes and “croiffins” (croissants crossed with muffins). Chandeliers light the café, and coffee tables are made from rolling pins and baking trays.
“[It’s] like a classic bakery,” Evelyn Won of Great Neck, New York, who tried the macarons, said. They had “a crispy shell, but were also soft and chewy,” she said.
The colorful macarons in the display case are $1.90 each, and sandwiches range from $6.90 to $7.95.
