An Insider’s Guide to Dining at Oregon State University

In a loose sense, Oregon State University — the centerpiece of Corvallis, Oregon — is known for its food. The university boasts one of the top agricultural programs in the world, enriched by the state’s diverse environmental landscape. The farmland surrounding the campus has enabled a farm-to-student dining hall model, with the majority of OSU’s dining hall food grown within 100 miles and many ingredients — cheeses, fruits, and vegetables — coming directly from its campus.

Cafes and restaurants that border campus draw inspiration from the Willamette Valley. In turn, the growing number of international students has fueled a growth in a global food scene. There are many options for students to choose from a variety of diverse cuisines around campus, including Sichuan hot pot bowls or Hawaiian grilled meats. Walk 10 minutes off campus and you’ll reach Corvallis’s downtown food scene, with elevated comfort food, Korean barbecue tacos, and the juiciest burgers represented.

Whether it’s enjoying syrup-drenched waffles while suffering from your first big hangover, spending an afternoon studying with a cup of bubble tea in hand, or sharing a thick-crusted pizza with your dormmates, here’s a beginner’s guide to dining at and around Oregon State University.

Memorial Union at OSU

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Dining halls

OSU has three dining halls — Marketplace West, McNary?, and Southside Station at Arnold. McNary is the clear winner in choosing your home-base dining area, with restaurants such as La Calle taqueria is the only campus restaurant that offers food until late at night. Five Four OneThis restaurant offers house-made pasta and pizza made from flour from the area. Camas Country Mill, veggies from the campus garden, and “Beaver Cheese” from OSU’s dairy farm.

Memorial Union

The student union On Jefferson Way, across Weatherford Hall is a small food court. This floor has a Panda Express. This is located in the Memorial Union’s east wing. North Porch Cafe The best choice, with the creamiest Thai Iced Tea and banh mi sandwiches stuffed full of smoky-sweet and pickled meats and spicy aioli. Java Stop, a cozy cafe on the first floor, offers some of the best coffee on campus, plus knockout bagels and fresh baked goods from Corvallis’s New Morning Bakery. This space is equipped with comfortable couches and study tables, making it an ideal spot for all-day studying. Off the Quad It has excellent burritos and savory bowls as well as salads. But, it is best known for its house-made biscuits. Willamette Valley Pie Co. jams — get there early on weekdays, because they tend to sell out fast.

Dining Dollar cafes

Restaurants, cafes, and stores located in dorms and campus buildings take “Dining Dollars,” OSU’s version of dining points; “Orange Cash,” money loaded on your OSU ID card that offers a 10 percent discount at campus dining locations; and debit/credit cards.

It is located in the International Living-Learning Center. Cascadia Cafe It serves strong, smooth coffee with Nutella crepes. Bing’s Weatherford Hall offers the best breakfast sandwich and late night study. Java IIYou can get a cup of coffee, or chai lattes, at the Valley Library until 10 p.m.

On-campus market

There are five small on-campus markets at OSU: Every Bean’s a Good Bean, Cascadia Market, the Main Squeeze, Bites, and the Dam. Cascadia Market offers a large selection of groceries (or toiletries) and is the best. It’s also the only market on campus that accepts SNAP benefits.

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Grocery stores

Students can walk 10 minutes east from campus to reach a Safeway. Walk 25 minutes north, and you’ll find First Alternative Natural Foods Co-opA grocery store that offers a variety of vegan and vegetarian options. Students can also get a produce discount on Tuesdays at. The Co-op’s hot food and salad bar comes in clutch when looking for a quick bite when roaming off campus. Five minutes north of campus is Rice ‘n’ Spice, stocked with Asian ingredients like house-made kimchi and frozen tteokbokki.

Caffeine refueling stations

These are the best options for morning coffee runs. Java StopThe Memorial Union’s heartland is home to the best coffee on campus, namely. Morning caffeine pick-me-up Bobahead Monroe Avenue is a favorite of many. While the line can get long — a testament to its popularity — it’s easily worth it for milk teas laden with chewy tapioca. Bright bubble tea shops are open from 8 to 8.

If you are looking to get out of campus, Tried & True You can find the cafe in downtown Corvallis within a 10-minute walking distance. This cafe makes the best cup of coffee in town. The cafe gets its beans from the following: Bespoken, a Corvallis roaster, and chai from Portland’s Tanglewood.

Also, downtown is Greenhouse Coffee and Plants, a vegan cafe that doubles as a plant shop — ideal for those still decorating their dorm room. Bryan Daniels, the owner, uses a nitro espresso draft to make bolder, more smoother and less acidic coffee. The Flora is a must-order, an oat milk latte with chamomile, rose, and sea salt that’s gently sweet, floral, and undeniably smooth. While both Tried & True and Greenhouse Coffee and Plants are fairly small and not ideal for studying (unless you want to sit outside), the short trek to get a cup of coffee from either cafe is worth it.

Interzone in Corvallis.

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Breakfast in a hurry

Interzone is a cafe that serves delicious breakfast and organic coffee in Corvallis. The menu features items that are easy to grab on the way to class, like various pastries — notable is the strawberry-cardamom muffin — and an assortment of bagel sandwiches stacked with fresh veggies. It is also a welcoming space for students, with large tables and hours that can be extended to 11 p.m. depending upon the time of year. It’s worth checking out the Facebook page For frequent events such as open mic nights or clothing swaps

You can’t go wrong with doughnuts! Death by Donutz — located on the corner of 14th and Monroe — is beloved by students for its robust selection, from old-fashioned sour cream rings and airy French crullers to specialty flavors like creme brulee and marionberry cream cheese. The shop also sells homemade biscuits and gravy for those who aren’t in the mood to buy doughnuts. Get there early to get the best selection. Death by Donutz opens promptly at 7 a.m. They also offer vegan and gluten-friendly options.

Monroe is also home to the Monroe Art Museum. Pollen, a cafe primarily serving acai bowls along with smoothies, toasts — like avocado and caprese — and a few salads. The cafe’s luscious acai bowls are loaded with generous toppings of fruits, nuts, seeds, and a sprinkle of bee pollen. Visitors can choose from a simple espresso or a glass of kombucha on-the-tap. While it’s a nice spot to get breakfast on the go, the big, bright space filled with tables makes for a great study spot, too.

Lunch on the go

A local favourite is located just outside campus: Local Boyz. This counter-service restaurant provides a relaxing atmosphere and serves a wide variety of Hawaiian-style plate meals. These include sticky rice, umami-packed meats, and peppery macaroni salad. The restaurant can be busy during peak hours so make sure you arrive early.

Another crowd pleaser is Local Boyz, which is located in the same building: Crystal’s King of Falafel Cuisine. This Mediterranean counter-service restaurant serves gyros, Shawarma, and other dishes suitable for takeout. The lamb gyro is a combination of saffron rice and juicy lamb. It’s served in a warm pita with a generous amount of sumac, and drizzled with house-made tahini. Be sure to add an order of the restaurant’s floral and nutty pistachio baklava.

On-campus options are a cost-friendly option. Trader Bing’s Austin Hall offers velvety mac and cheese and loaded ciabatta sandwiches as well as veggie-packed wraps and hot grilled cheese. Prices start at $5. For a quick pick-me up in the afternoon, students can find fresh smoothies and strong coffee here.

Bombs Away has the bar.

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Meetups and Dorm Dinners

When looking for a spot to meet up with friends, you’ll usually end up walking to Monroe. You can find Monroe at Bombs Away Cafe, located on the west end of Monroe, you’ll catch sight of students and professors enjoying good food, live music, and a tequila bar. Southwestern restaurant serves outstanding wet burritos with smoky sauce roja sauce. They also offer other specials like buttery steaks with a strong dose of hot sauce. Here you will find everything from punk, hip-hop and harmonica shows.

Also on Monroe Avenue, you’ll find the best pizza on campus: American DreamNortheast Portland pizzeria, a subsidiary. Students and their families gather at booths to enjoy huge, thick-crusted pies filled with toppings such as pepperoni, jerk Chicken, and smoked Gouda. The dough has a surprisingly tasty yeastiness not unlike that of a good beer, and it’s worth getting a side of house-made ranch for dunking your crust. American Dream also offers vegan and gluten-free options.

Arguably the best Thai food in Corvallis is also found on campus — Tarntip, serving dishes like yellow curry, crispy chicken with a kick, and a range of classic Thai noodle dishes. While the restaurant has a good number of tables for patrons, the food is also nice to go for a picnic at People’s Park on campus — a small, quiet green space that’s a five-minute walk from the restaurant.

You can get a stack of Jucy Lucys and heaps of bacon-cheddar tots. Cheesy Stuffed Burgers The place to be. The spot started as a food truck on the outskirts of OSU’s campus and has since become a full-blown burger restaurant between campus and downtown –– less than a 10-minute walk away. Many students say it’s the best burger near campus, thanks to barbecue-marinated, half-pound Oregon-raised beef burgers stuffed with a blend of Tillamook cheese for juicy, thick patties. A relatively well kept-secret is that it’s the only place selling fresh-made — and seriously good — lumpia in Corvallis.

Tandoori chicken at Evergreen.

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All-nighter takeout

You can find the best takeout in campus here Evergreen The downtown Corvallis experience is unparalleled. Evergreen, although only open until 9 p.m., is well worth mentioning for its outstanding South and North Indian cuisines packed with warm masala spice. Popular choices include the delicious chicken tikka masala featuring gorgeous charred chicken and luxurious saag paneer.

Saturdays open at midnight, and all other nights until 10 p.m. Beaver HutThe student-favorite spot is right on campus for its $2 burgers, crisp sweet potato fries, and large Tater Tot portions. Simply put, it’s the quintessential greasy — yet satisfying — college fare.

About half a mile from campus is Corvallis’s only 24-hour restaurant, Riva’s Taco Shop. Riva’s menu features taqueria staples like tacos, burritos, and tostadas loaded with cheese, guacamole, and sour cream; adding the complimentary salsa verde to everything is a must. Hands down the best item on the menu is the chorizo breakfast burrito, loaded with potatoes, spicy chorizo, beans, and eggs — it’s especially good at 2 a.m.

Parents-in-town restaurants

Taco VinoThe corner of Monroe Street and First Street in downtown Corvallis is home to Tacos with Pacific Northwestern Ingredients and a wide range of international cuisines. Beef bulgogi shortrib tacos are served with pickled vegetables, while Painted Hills skirtsteak tacos come with avocado puree and radish lime-habanero pico. All tacos are wrapped in warm, homemade corn tortillas and are 100% gluten-free. On-tap sangrias are also available, made with Oregon’s best brews and seasonal fruit. You can expect to wait 15-30 minutes for a table during peak hours.

Common Fields This is a family-friendly, kid-friendly taproom/food cart pod in downtown Corvallis. There are four outstanding carts. Kalamata Bistro offers Mediterranean dishes such as falafel that is baked in a waffle maker with coconut hummus, and smoky Baba Ganoush. Black Forest Kitchen is known for its comfort food, which includes a great soft pretzel and a house-made cheese glaze. Salvadoran cart Pupuseria Del Valle serves earthy, rich pupusas as well as tamales, and Nai Nai’s Burmese Snack Shack serves vibrant, umami-rich curries and soups. The draft list features 16 taps that pour lagers and stouts from Oregon’s independent breweries. There are also weekly events such as live music on Wednesdays or Thursdays. During peak times, it is possible to wait for up to 15-30 minutes to secure a table.

Right on campus, you’ll find LupesThe restaurant serves Mayan cuisine, as well as more traditional South American and Central American cuisines. Try the restaurant’s poc chuc, citrusy marinated pork served with smoky, sweet salsa, and pickled onions. Lupes’s pollo poblano is another stunner, bathing succulent chicken in a silky poblano sauce. Lupes is available for reservations by phone at (541) 273-3120

Wise Cracks Eggs Benedict

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Hangover brunch

Almost every day of the week, you’ll find Wise Cracks in downtown Corvallis — about a 10-minute walk from campus — filled with locals eating syrupy buttermilk pancakes topped with house-made jam, chicken and waffles, and hollandaise-drenched eggs Benedict. This homey, beaver-decorated spot also offers the best bloody mary in town — a little tangy, packing a kick, and topped with a big piece of bacon.

Bellhop In downtown Corvallis, they serve up exceptional comfort food. They also welcome those who are wearing pajamas to their Sunday brunch. There are many options on the menu, including thick waffles filled with fresh seasonal fruit, bright mimosas and sweet cream sausage gravy that is served over the softest, most freshest biscuits. Definitely try the “pork shoulder hash” — hollandaise poured over a generous portion of home fries and topped with tender pork from the surrounding Carlton Farms and two sous vide eggs. During the rest of the week, Bellhop serves multifaceted fare, including scratch-made pasta dishes like frutti di mare squid ink tagliatelle and seafood from the Oregon coast — notably, the best fried oysters in Corvallis.

If you want to be as close as possible to campus but still have a great brunch, Downward Dog On Monroe offers cheesy breakfast burritos every morning from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Beyond brunch, it’s one of the standout microbreweries around campus with great patio seating.

• Take a stroll along Monroe Avenue if you have some extra time for lunch. Tian Fu DIY HotpotHidden gem that serves single-serving portions, customizable hot pot. The bowls are filled with fresh noodles, tender meats, and topped off with plenty of chili oil. It’s worth spending a few minutes to sit down to truly enjoy the peppery, Sichuan-style hot pot — especially on one of Oregon’s countless rainy days.
• Corvallis’ reputation is for its delicious food. farmers market. Every Saturday and Wednesday during the warmer months –– typically early spring to late fall –– local farmers and vendors fill First Street in downtown Corvallis from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. It’s definitely worth going to buy fresh produce and still-warm pastries. Make sure you stop by the Naked CrepeYou can order sweet or savory crepes at this location. The brandy-poached Pear is a sweeter option. It’s topped with brown sugar mascarpone. For those who prefer something savory, the Smoked Salmon with local greens and garlicky Dill Sour Cream may be a better choice.
• Don’t be afraid to get off campus and explore Corvallis’s various events and activities that boast a wide food selection. The Fall Festival, usually held at the end of September in Corvallis’s Central Park, usually books some of the best food carts in town –– unmissable is Nick’s Soul Food for cheesy, buttery, salty shrimp and grits and sweet-yet-salty apple pie baked beans.
• Another noteworthy fall activity is visiting one of the local pumpkin patches, like Davis Family Farm, just off Highway 20 –– about a 10-minute drive from campus. While the farm offers great year-round produce, there’s nothing quite like the warm sugar doughnuts and spiced apple cider available during October.

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