We all remember our first days here at SMU. Most of us struggled to navigate through unfamiliar territory. Many of us, headquartered at a hotel, were in a rush to set up our dorm room amid the chaos of every other freshman trying to do the same thing.
The shelves at Target will be wiped out, the desk bookshelves at The Container Store have all been sold and students and parents alike are worn-out and starving.
At this peak of exhaustion, out-of-towners now face an additional challenge: finding somewhere decent to eat. What to do when hunger strikes? The Daily Campus is here to help; we’ve compiled a few lunch options to help satisfy appetites and keep crankiness under control without having to make more than one turn off Hillcrest Avenue. (To get there, take a right out of SMU’s main entrance and another right at the first intersection onto Hillcrest.)
Bandito’s6615 Snider Plaza If Texas has gotten you in the mood for some Tex-Mex, Bandito’s is the best spot close to campus. The menu features a wide variety of options and even includes salads. From Hillcrest Avenue, take a left onto Daniel Avenue and the next right into Snider Plaza. Bandito’s is on the left.
Bubba’s6617 Hillcrest Ave. Available for take-out, drive-through or sit-down, Bubba’s traditional southern menu focuses on fried chicken and offers many vegetable sides. Fried pies, cobbler and banana pudding are available for dessert. Bubba’s opens at 6:30 a.m. to serves breakfast.
Burger House6913 Hillcrest Ave. Beloved by many, this old-school neighborhood burger joint has been around since 1951. The traditional menu is composed of burgers, dogs, fries and grilled chicken (they also have a side salad). Burger House makes “real” malts, shakes and floats and “real” cherry and vanilla flavoring can be added to soft drinks.
Goff’s Hamburgers6401 Hillcrest Ave. To all those searching for heavier fare, Goff’s sits on the corner of Hillcrest Avenue and McFarlin Boulevard. Although Goff’s has its share of devoted followers, it seems to be a “love it” or “hate it” kind of place. Goff’s serves burgers, dogs, fries, milk shakes and a few chicken options.
JD’s Chippery6601 Hillcrest Ave., Ste. A After lunch, head over to JD’s Chippery, located on the corner of Hillcrest and Daniel Avenue, for a cookie still warm from the oven. If you just need to beat the heat, watch the friendly staff make your lemonade or limeade exactly the way you like it; they’ll even add a cherry! The cookies and muffins are made “from scratch” and everything is delicious.
New York Sub Inc.3411 Asbury St. This little deli on Asbury Street is tucked right behind the 7-Eleven on Hillcrest Avenue. New York Sub Inc.’s sandwiches are undoubtedly a cut above your average sub shop. Sandwiches feature freshly cut meat and they have crushed ice. The front porch offers shady outdoor seating for those who can brave the heat.
Roly Poly3026 Mockingbird Ln. Located right next to the SMU bookstore, Roly Poly serves up hot and cold wraps and salads of all kinds. Whether Basil Cashew Chicken, Porky’s Nightmare or Monster Veggie the extensive menu features something to please everyone; and if not then you can create your own by choosing from their plethora of fresh ingredients.
Short Stop6920 Snider Plaza Near the edge of Snider Plaza farthest away from campus, Short Stop offers homemade sandwiches and salads to eat there or to-go. Best sellers include the tuna salad sandwich and the chicken and vegetable spring rolls. From Hillcrest, take a left onto Rankin Street into Snider Plaza and Short Stop is on the right.
Sushi Kyoto6429 Hillcrest Ave. Next to Chick-Fil-A on Hillcrest Avenue, Sushi Kyoto serves basic yet tasty Japanese cuisine. This no-frills sushi spot is quick, convenient and consistently good. Try the SMU roll.
