The University of Oregon, located in Eugene, is surrounded by some seriously incredible restaurants and foods. Some are certainly more popular than others, though sometimes the lesser known places can be the hidden gems. As many students have come to realize, gaining weight during college is inevitable. So if you’re going to do it, why not do it right? In no particular order, here are the 20 most delicious places and things to eat at the University of Oregon before you graduate!
Located just minutes away from campus, it is rare to see Pancake House empty, even at 6 a.m.! This hot breakfast spot often has waits up to an hour or more on weekends but never fails to deliver hot and ready breakfast to its hungry diners!
Try: The “Dollar Pancakes” with chocolate chips and whipped cream and add a side of “Homefries.”
Bagelstein is a one of a kind bagel store located in downtown Eugene. It is known for its variety of bagel and cream cheese flavors, cheap price, and great taste. Looking for a fast, easy, and tasty breakfast spot? Your search ends here! This is one of the best things to eat at the University of Oregon when you’re on the go.
Try: Any one of their unique cream cheese flavors!
Right around the corner from Hayward field we’ve got Studio One Café! A quaint, warm, and delectable spot serving all things breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Be sure to call ahead as there is always a wait for their great food and fun décor.
Try: “Famously Fabulous French Toast” and “Bottomless Mimosas”
Neighbors with Bagelstein, Off the Waffle is a unique and fun take on dessert waffles. With two locations in Eugene, this shop specializes in liège waffles, aka a richer, more decadent, Belgian waffle. They’ve got everything from savory to sweet and offer a ton of fun and tasty add-ons to customize any waffle!
Try: “The Wiffle” or a local favorite: “Goat In Headlights”
A popular weekend spot, Taylor’s Bar and Grill is home to both delicious food and great nightlife. Located on the edge of campus, they are open form 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m., serving food all day and drinks at night. You can count on their porch being full of hungry college kids on any sunny day and their bar being packed with older students every Friday and Saturday night. Directly in front of Taylor’s is Greenleaf Juicing Company. This wooden stand serves all things juice, quinoa, soup, açaí and more! They pride themselves in their freshly-pressed, 100% organic juices, and their goal to produce healthy alternatives for their customers.
Try: “Party Tots” or “Nachos” at Taylor’s and one of the “Refreshers” or the “Sunrise Açaí Bowl” at Greenleaf
One of many delicious pizza places in Eugene, Sizzle Pie is known for its cool vibe, sweet merch, beers on tap, and unique flavors with one of a kind names to match. Located in the heart of downtown, this restaurant changes its pies out daily and works hard to appeal to all tastes. If you’re vegan, their food are some of the best things to eat at the University of Oregon because they’re vegan friendly!
Try: “Good Luck In Jail” or “The Four Horsemen”
Easily accessible from the EMX and walking distance from Matthew Knight Arena, is Track Town Pizza. Named after Track Town USA, this pizza joint offers a variety of toppings to choose from, a salad bar, soda pitchers, and more. Many of their pizzas are even named after different track and field events! The perfect place for a big group of college kids to eat good food for a fair price!
Try: ”Decathlon” (not for the faint of heart) or a local favorite: “BBQ Chicken”
A personal favorite of all the things to eat at the University of Oregon, The Dough Co delivers until 3 a.m. and serves calzones and cookies. Whether you are a calzone lover or not, with 31 delicious flavors, Dough Co will blow your mind and your taste buds. A popular late-night weekend spot for many U of O students, this small red, white, and black storefront cannot be beat!
Try: “Most Meat” or “Chicken & Pesto”
One of many restaurants on 13th Street, Caspian Mediterranean Café is almost too good! A delicious Mediterranean restaurant which also features items such as: french toast, pancakes, quesadillas, hamburgers, and philly cheese steak. Caspian has got something for everyone and with an easily accessible location, delicious food, and fast service, it is a no brainer for any meal of the day!
Try: “Ultimate Wrap (Jumbo)”
Although Eugene is full of Thai food, Sweet Basil Express has got to be the best. Neighbors with Spring House, this restaurant is perfect for both students on the go and those who want to have a nice sit-down meal. They feature an extensive menu with low prices and sizable portions. Luckily, the menu is extensive enough that even if you aren’t a Thai lover, you can still find something to enjoy! One of the most unique things to eat at the University of Oregon.
Try: “Teriyaki Chicken” or a fan favorite: the original “Pad Thai”
Although surrounded by Thai food, Eugene does not have an excess amount of Chinese restaurants. Located on alder, right around the corner from 13th, Spring House will exceed your expectations and satisfy any and all Chinese cravings. This restaurant features large family style dishes for a great price especially if shared with friends! You are guaranteed to leave with both your stomach and take out boxes full, really getting that bang for your buck!
Try: “Pot stickers” or “Chicken Chow Mein”
A classic and what tides me over when I’m missing In-N-Out Burger a little too much, our next restaurant is Five Guys. With great burgers, fries, milkshakes, and even shelled peanuts while you wait, Five Guys never fails to hit the spot. Not too far from campus and very filling, this spot can often become a must-have of things to eat at the University of Oregon.
Try: Any of their 15 free toppings or a “Custom milkshake”
A bright turquoise building that can’t be missed, this restaurant serves great Mexican food at an even better price! Not to mention, their chips and salsa truly cannot be beat. A popular spot on game days, especially amongst older students as they have new drink deals every day. With delicious food, quick and friendly service, Chula’s is the ideal spot for Mexican food.
Try: “Street Tacos” or a “Fajita Quesadilla”
In the heart of downtown, Eugene are a variety of tasty and cheap food trucks. Whether it’s Thai, Mexican, vegetarian, or even German sausage, Kesey square has got it all! This spot has got benches to sit and watch the hustle and bustle of downtown while one enjoys their meal, or you can even take it on the go. Be sure to look online for days and times the trucks are open!
Try: Tacos Morelos Food Truck
One of Oregon’s most popular coffee spots, Dutch Bros Coffee exists on three core values: speed, quality, and service. With several locations around campus, this extensive menu has a ton of unique flavors that will keep your taste buds buzzing. From classic coffee drinks to beverages you would only expect to see on a secret menu, this coffee stand will easily have you conflicted in trying to choose just one item! (Pro tip: Your first drink is free!)
Try: Any of their “Hot Cocoa”, or if you’re feeling crazy, one of their uncommonly flavored “Frosts”
Known amongst students for their addicting bubble tea, Townshend’s has one location downtown and conveniently, a second in our very own student union (The EMU). The shop sells loose leaf teas, chai, kombucha, and of course, boba. Additionally, customers can purchase their own kettles, tea strainers, mugs, and more! One of the best things about Townshend’s being in The EMU is that students can use their campus cash! This is one of the most convenient things to eat at the University of Oregon.
Try: One of their many “Chai” Teas or a custom combination of tea and flavored syrup for a “Bubble Tea” drink.
An Oregon classic, this Voodoo is located downtown right across of Sizzle Pie, Townshend’s, and Kesey Square. With every doughnut flavor one could possibly imagine, not only is this shop unique, but delicious too! Besides the doughnuts they sell from their iconic rotating case, they’ve also got merch including Voodoo Doughnut underwear! With doughnuts like the “Maple Blazer Blunt” and “Cock-N-Balls”, Voodoo is not playing around. This store is cash only but they do have an ATM so don’t worry!
Try: “Voodoo Doll”, “Marshall Mathers”, “Old Dirty Bastard”, or any of their other crazy concoctions!
A family run business, this ice cream shoppe has been in Eugene for almost 50 years! Surprisingly, Oregon’s cold weather does not stop customers, young and old, from enjoying this sweet treat! Located on 19th and Agate, consumers are offered a choice of cups, cones, shakes, and even custom sundaes! With so many creamy and rich flavors to choose from it is hard to settle on just one and ice cream lovers often opt for the double scoop. During his presidency, Barack Obama along with his wife Michelle, visited the hot spot in 2008.
Try: Mint Chip aka “Obama”
Another popular spot amongst college kids due to its low prices and late hours, we can’t forget Dairy Queen! Before coming to The University of Oregon I was unaware they had items besides ice cream and boy was I surprised! DQ never fails to hit the spot at the end of a late night out and you will never see it empty on the weekend between 11 p.m. and their close 3 a.m.. Out of all the things to eat at the University of Oregon, this is sure to satisfy your ice cream craving.
Try: A “Blizzard”, their elusive “Cherry dip” or a “Chicken Strip Basket”
Our last coveted spot is Yogurt Extreme, located on 13th in between Caspian and The Duck Store. With a large variety of toppings, yummy flavors, and late store hours, this self-serve yogurt shop is perfect for college students. Not only will this satisfy late night cravings, but it surely won’t break the bank either!
Try: To serve up the perfect cup of fro-yo!
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