Students are lucky to have so many great dining options at USF, but sometimes the mid-day hunger requires a venture out for a great lunch. Whether you are a student looking for something other than the campus options, or you are a family looking for something yummy after that campus visit, lunch can be the best meal of the day.

Here are just a few of the many great places that the USF/Tampa area offer:

Chicken Salad Chick – located on Fowler, their comforting chicken salad menu is a popular choice.

Ciccio Cali – located in Tampa Palms, their menu is healthy but delicious.

Fresh Kitchen – A farther drive to South Tampa, Fresh Kitchen offers unique, healthy combinations that people line up for.

Keke’s – We have mentioned Keke’s before in our breakfast and brunch blogs, and we have to include them in lunch as well. They have so many great choices and are just across campus.

Mission BBQ – Located near Keke’s, Mission BBQ provides some of the best BBQ in Tampa.

Mr. Dunderbak’s – Located on Bruce B. Downs, this brewpub started in 1974 and has been a college staple for years. They offer authentic German food and have hundreds of beers to choose from.

Stonewood Grill & Tavern – Located in Tampa Palms, Stonewood is more upscale with great steaks and pasta dishes.

Taco Bus – If you haven’t experienced a Taco Bus, you much try it at least once. Located on Fowler, this has become a USF staple for lunch.

The Fat Rabbit – Located in the Seminole Heights area, the Fat Rabbit brings back the classic pub with many brewed choices and great food.

U Poke Spot – If you love a great poke bowl, this place is for you. Located on Fowler, their mixings make delicious bowls, perfect for lunch.

Wood Fired Pizza Wine Bar – There’s nothing like a real wood-fired pizza, and this place has it. Located on Bearss Avenue, you’ll love the pizzas, salads, and desserts.

World of Beer – Great burgers, tacos, and brunch items make this a popular place. Plus, it’s pet-friendly!

Be sure to save this list so you know where to go the next time you visit your Bull!

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Most college kids sleep late. It’s a well-known fact. So, going out for breakfast on weekends, in particular, may not be an option. Brunch, however, is generally a good option on weekends and there are quite a few choices not far from USF’s campus. However, if you can get your student out of bed early and breakfast is what you want; check out our blog Wakey, Wakey Eggs & Bakey.  Some things to consider beforehand are price and time. It is not unusual for there to be a considerable wait, even with a reservation, on a game weekend or graduation, at some of the more popular selections.

Brunch…

Bearss Tavern + Tap – This is a fun brunch spot that offers bottomless Mimosas for $10! They like to say that they are the “Home of the 3-day weekend” with a special brunch menu on Friday, Saturdays, and Sundays.

First Watch – Offers wonderful breakfasts and lunch until 3 pm. The two closest locations are on Fowler, and on Bruce B. Downs.

KeKe’s Breakfast Café – This is a classic breakfast place, but also has items like burgers, sandwiches, paninis, and salads. It is open till 2:30 on all days and is very popular, so get there early!

Shelly’s Café – This classic breakfast place is open till 3 pm. and is yummy! It is known for its beignets and their French toast varieties.

Ella’s American Folk-Art Café – For brunch, Ella’s is open at 11 am. on Saturdays and Sundays.  It is in the Seminole Heights area of Tampa and is an eclectic place with music and art, as well as great food and atmosphere.

Maple Street Biscuit Company – This may be the best southern comfort food in town! Their homemade biscuit dishes are delicious and have become very popular. It is located in Carrollwood off of N. Dale Mabry and is open M – F 7 am till 2 pm, and on Saturday till 3 pm. Closed on Sundays.

Ciccio Cali – This California inspired restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but also has its own brunch menu on weekends.  Located just a few minutes from campus in the Tampa Palms area, their wraps and bowls are favorites with locals.

Oxford Exchange – Located in downtown Tampa, across from the University of Tampa, this beautiful restaurant also offers a shop, tea bar, coffee bar, a new champagne bar, a bookstore, and more. Reservations are recommended, and it’s very Instagrammable!

The truth is that USF students are lucky to go to school in a large city that offers a lot.  There is plenty to choose from whether you are looking for a quick breakfast before you rush off to tailgate or a long, delicious brunch so you can spend a little quality time with your hard-working student.  You’ll need to visit often to try so many amazing places!

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Four years just flew by, your student who seemed to be a freshman yesterday has completed all those courses, gotten through all the tests, and is now ready for the cap and gown. It’s hard to believe that graduation is just around the corner, but it is, and it’s time to make reservations for your victory celebration. After you’ve booked your hotel rooms (for suggestions, check out our Hotels blog), you’ll need to make restaurant reservations and plans ahead of time. You know that USF holds Commencement three times per year, with May being the largest and busiest. So you’ll want to reserve a place for your graduate and family as soon as you can, as all restaurants will get extremely busy. Get this done soon and the rest will be easy. You’ll have plenty more to organize with moving out, dealing with travel requests, and tears, etc… so be sure you get the plans all set for graduation.

Try These

Here are our USF parent-tested recommendations for a lovely dinner listed below. Many may require a deposit to hold your spot or at the least, a credit card number. Obviously, this is not our full list so please check out our blog on Restaurants, which is more comprehensive and we are always updating as needed. We suggest that you make your plans early, especially for Fall and Spring Graduation weekends. It’s a time to celebrate, without last-minute worries about where to eat a nice dinner.

All these local restaurants are now taking reservations!

• Bahama Breeze – Laid-back chain eatery featuring Caribbean entrees & tropical cocktails amid beachy decor.
• Bern’s Steakhouse – This very upscale restaurant is truly an experience. You can’t beat the steaks, seafood, and wines. You must ask for a tour where you will see their wine cellar holding over a half-million bottles, as well as the kitchen where you can see your future fish dish swimming in the tanks. There is also an amazing Dessert Room that has 48 private rooms with a menu like no other. Bern’s is located in South Tampa and has a dress code. It is business casual to semi-formal with jackets and ties recommended, but not required. Be prepared because no flip-flops, t-shirts, or jeans are allowed.
• Brio Tuscan Grill – Warm, relaxed Italian eatery serving Tuscan-inspired grill fare, wine & cocktails. Located in International Plaza and Bay Street
• Charley’s Steak House – Upscale, long-standing restaurant known for delivering wood-fired, aged steaks & seafood classics.
• Cooper’s Hawk –Upscale chain serving New American fare paired with house-label wines in a contemporary setting.
• Ocean Prime – This is our favorite! Although it is a chain restaurant, the Tampa location is awesome. You never know who will be there, and the sides are to die for. Whether you sit at the bar, or at a table, your experience will be very satisfying. It is a great place to people watch, sit by a fire pit, or have a smoking, bubbling cocktail (It’s called Berries & Bubbles). They have a couple of private rooms that can be used for graduation or birthday dinners. Trust me, you will love this place.
• Noble Crust– Modern spot for Italian & Southern Fare
• Oak and Ola – Located near Armature Works. A modern European restaurant with seasonal changes to the menu.
• Oxford Exchange – Oxford Exchange has a menu of fresh, simple meals that feature the best seasonal, local, and organic ingredients. They serve breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and weekend brunch.
• Oystercatchers – Warm, relaxed Italian eatery serving Tuscan-inspired grill fare, wine & cocktails. Located in the Grand Hyatt Hotel
• Rocco’s Tacos– A true taste of Mexico within a fun casual environment. Hundreds of tequila options, authentic Mexican specialties and our famous tableside guac made to order.
• Stonewood Grill & Tavern –Located in Tampa Palms, Stonewood has great steaks and sides. Make a reservation to avoid a wait.
• Texas de Brazil – Upscale Brazilian eatery featuring all-you-can-eat grilled meat carved tableside & a salad bar.
• The Columbia – The oldest restaurant in Florida founded in Ybor City in 1905.Award-winning Spanish/Cuban cuisine & internationally acclaimed wine list. Flamenco dance performances nightly Mon.-Sat. Open daily for lunch & dinner.
• The Rusty Pelican -Sophisticated bar & grill offering classic American fare in a formal dining room with water views.
• The Refinery – Down-to-earth setting featuring an inspired menu of farm-to-table American dishes.
• Ulele – Please call. Located downtown on Highland Ave, this unique restaurant on the Hillsborough River is popular. It has native-inspired dishes and a ten-foot diameter barbacoa grill. It is on Tampa’s Riverwalk, so a stroll along the river is worth the trip.

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Tampa is a great city for eating, and “the most important meal of the day” can be had at a variety of great restaurants.  There is no shortage of fast food options and styles of breakfast, so take advantage of all our city has to offer. Your students will undoubtedly have their favorite, but I’m going to fill you in on great places for a great meal at places found all over the Tampa area.

Some things to consider are price and time.  Some simple bagel shops can be fast and cheap, but a trendy, popular restaurant could have a long wait, or even suggest a reservation.  Keep that in mind especially around parents’ weekends, graduations, and holidays when you’re looking for your first meal.

Armature Works – A market-style, mixed-use venue in downtown Tampa with a bunch of different dining concepts. A very popular spot with students and families.

Bagels Plus – Great for a quick breakfast with great bagels.

Big Apple Bagels – Located on SR 54 in Lutz, it is more of a drive, but their bagels rival anyone’s; and that’s coming from my NY-born husband.

Bizou at Le Meridien – Serving everything from eggs, omelets, waffles, and traditional brunch fare

Boca Kitchen – This is a farm to table restaurant in South Tampa. They have an amazing weekend brunch menu.

Ciccio Cali – In Tampa Palms, Ciccio Cali has interesting brunch menus and is also good for lunch and dinner.  Brunch is only offered on the weekends from 10-3 pm. They have good egg bowls, sandwiches, and brunch cocktails as well.

Cracker Barrel – Located on Cove Bend Drive, this favorites among travelers is just over a mile from campus, and they serve breakfast all day long.

Felicitous Coffee & Tea – For a different, eclectic place, Felicitous has a cool vibe.  There is art on the walls and board games out to play. They offer toasts, paninis, and bakes goods along with lots of coffee and tea options.  It is located on 51 Street.

First Watch– This chain is only open for breakfast and lunch.  They always have new menu items and get very crowded on the weekends.  The closest one to USF is on Fowler Ave.

Maple Street Biscuit Company – Casual cafe serving biscuit sandwiches & Southern sides for breakfast & lunch. Get in line for some of the most delicious and uniquely created biscuits.  Fried chicken with gravy topped with melted cheese, French toast with pecans and cinnamon chips toasted in – the only thing healthy about Maple Street is the water! Open 7:00 am-3:00 pm daily, except they are closed on Sundays. This is one place that you don’t want to miss.

Mother’s – 12227 W Linebaugh Ave.

Keke’s Breakfast Café – Now open on Bruce B. Downs with a second location in Carrollwood on N. Dale Mabry  We love Keke’s for their decadent pancakes and home fries.

Grain & Berry – For a healthier option, Grain & Berry offers yummy bowls and smoothies of all kinds.  It is located on E. Fowler Ave.

Shelly’s Cafe – your typical breakfast location but with very good Beignets. 14837 N Florida Ave, Tampa

Steelbach – Located at Armature Works in downtown Tampa, they serve their signature brunch on weekends as well as featuring a whiskey bar and an outdoor patio that overlooks the Hillsborough River and Tampa’s skyline.

The Oxford Exchange – For a fancier, slightly more expensive breakfast or lunch, go downtown to the Oxford Exchange.  It is a beautiful building with a great menu. They offer tons of tea and coffee options and have nice shops as well. It is on West Kennedy Blvd. across from the University of Tampa.

The Rusty Pelican – Offers an array of made-to-order dishes. Indulge in traditional breakfast plates like waffles, omelets, and fresh seasonal fruits or treat yourself to fresh seafood at our Raw Bar, featuring juicy shrimp, oysters, crab legs, and more. Add a twist to your Sunday brunch with complimentary champagne and mimosas. Served Sunday from 10 am- 2 pm, 2-hour maximum.

If Brunch is more your style, check out our recommendations here.

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For most, eating healthy is a challenge in college. With priorities on being social, going out late, and needing quick meals, nutritious eating is sometimes the last thing on a student’s mind. There will always be the easy-to-get burger or pizza, but today’s students are becoming more focused and demanding higher quality foods. Today, many prefer protein bowls or sushi to fried foods. There are several apps that students can download for the latest promotions and deals at some of their favorite spots. These include Hooked and Pocket Points.

USF’s favorite healthy eating locations.

• Acropolis Greek Taverna – on Bruce B Downs has some nice healthy choices for both lunch and dinner. They specialize in Greek sandwiches and entrees and even have dancing waiters during dinner.
• Ciccio Cali (Tampa Palms) – is open for brunch, lunch, and dinner. We love their egg bowls and whole wheat pancakes for brunch. They also serve cocktails and wines and beer.
• First Watch – on Fowler Ave. and also Bruce B Downs is one of our favorite spots for breakfast or brunch. They do offer indulgent meals like pancakes and omelets, but their lighter side dishes are amazing. There is often a wait, so plan ahead.
• Jamba Juice – is located right in the Rec Center on campus.
• Sofresh North Tampa – on Fowler Avenue is a made fresh, casual restaurant. They make great salads, bowls, and wraps at a great price. Their carry-out is popular too.

Even though it is hard (& not as fun) sometimes, fast food chains are now offering healthy alternatives. Everyone CAN eat healthily, but sometimes it’s hard. Some healthy habits to try are:

• Have a healthy snack with you always.  Protein bars or fruit can help delay cravings. If you are on the meal plan, take an extra apple or banana with you.  My daughter has even brought a snack-sized ziplock bag to the cafeteria and has filled it with healthy dry cereal as a snack.
• Eat breakfast.  Your child has heard this since they were little, but it’s true; a good breakfast can help control a metabolism throughout the day.
• Eat protein at every meal. Teens love carbs, so I know this is a hard one. But, the protein will help to make you feel fuller longer.
• Schedule your meals so you are not going too long without eating something. This will only make you want to binge eat.
• Don’t drink your calories. Yes, beer, wine, and liquor are loaded with calories that do nothing for your body. And try to stay away from sugary sodas because you will want to crash once the sugar has worn off. Most college campuses today have water filling stations. At USF, you will see students carrying their own reusable water bottles everywhere.
• If you are living off-campus and cooking for yourself, I recommend meal prep planning.

My daughter and her roommate planned a big meal each week, shopped and cooked it together, and then put it in individual containers for their meals for the week.  It resulted in spending less money, less time cooking, and they even created Pinterest boards for their meals. All it takes is a little bit of planning and any student can live a healthy college life.

And, of course, you will want to combine exercise with that healthy eating regimen. Check out our suggestions in our blog Staying Fit.

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One of the not-so-fun things parents do is to teach their children to budget, about money and how to handle it.  We’ve all heard it; teach them about money young, and they will be more responsible as adults. For me, I can say that I tried, but we truly started when my children were in high school.  They each had their own bank accounts with their own debit cards. They did their best, but if there was money in their account, they spent it. Turning 18 does not mean that they don’t need guidance in this area because they do.  So, the summer before my oldest went to college, we had a “meeting” explaining how her money situation was going to be handled. We explained the amount per month she would have, what we were willing to pay for, and that if she was running low, then she better plan on eating peanut butter sandwiches for a while (she was not on a meal plan).  If that meant having to say no to friends making a frozen yogurt run, or no to Saturday sushi, then so be it. It’s not fun “putting your foot down”, but that’s parenting.

That being said, if your student is planning their money wisely, then they won’t need to miss out on much.  Luckily, there are plenty of places to eat on and off campus that help them to keep their budgets.

If they are on a meal plan, encourage them to bring back an extra apple, banana, or even dry cereal for a snack later.  Also, on campus, the Marshall Study Center has many food specials and doorbusters for places in the food court/restaurants in the Marshall Center.  Free cookie breaks, free apples and trail mix, and even a Subway picnic are some of the treats offered. Most of these are offered during exam time, so check their schedule.

A useful app for USF students is Discount-A-Bull.  It can save you up to 50% off your next meal at places around USF.  Just pick the discount and show it to your server. For some reason, some students don’t like to ask if there is a discount for USF students.  “You never know, unless you ask” applies here. Have them ask everywhere they go because some places will offer a discount that is not published anywhere.  And some places will give you a discount if you “check-in” tagging their Facebook page.

There are tons of places that give discounts and can help students keep their budgets.

These places offer a 10% discount with a USF ID:

Jason’s Deli

Wings Express

Dunkin Donuts

Firehouse Subs

Moe’s

CDB Pizza

Which Wich

Denny’s

Village Inn

Evos – Located on Fowler Ave. Get a 12% discount on value meals and they deliver to campus.

Takara – Gives USF students 20% off.

SoFresh – Has student deal Saturdays where they get 20% off a meal, and on Fridays, they have Facebook Fan Special offering soup for 99 cents if you mention their Facebook ad.

Five Star Pizza – Gives a 25% discount with ID plus $1.50 delivery charge to campus.

Chipotle – Gives 15% off.

Qdoba – Offers a free drink with a student ID.

Chick-fil-A – Offers a free drink with a student ID.

Saki House – Offers $5 sushi rolls after 10 pm every day.

Again, students won’t get a discount if they don’t ask. They will soon find their go-to places for cheap meals.  Once they get the hang of budgeting, they will (hopefully) make it a habit. If you visit your Bull, don’t plan on seeing any of these places, as they will want you to take them to restaurants they presently can’t afford. For a list of those restaurants, see our blog on restaurants.

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Delivery, It Is So Easy!

When I was in college, the only delivery available was pizza delivery. Getting a five-dollar pizza delivered right to my dorm was so satisfying and easy.  Today, you really don’t even have to leave your dorm or apartment to get a good meal. Food delivery has become a huge business and for college students, it couldn’t be easier. Here are some of the delivery services that we have found and what they deliver and how they work.

• Bite Squad – With Bite Squad, you put in where you are, what you are interested in, and the local options with come up. Booking fees are listed with each restaurant and you can schedule your delivery for any time of day.
• DoorDash – This is the same concept as UberEats and Postmates. They have an easy app that guides you through your order. They have also launched Project Dash. This initiative helps tackle food waste and hunger in the local communities that they serve.
• Eat24 – This is powered by GrubHub and is super easy to navigate. Just type your address in the search and they will show you restaurants currently delivering to your area.  There can be a minimum amount spent, depending on the restaurant.
• GoPuff – They will do a fast delivery for a variety of items for a fee of $1.95. Can order anything from groceries, over the counter care products, home essentials, personal care, and even pet supplies through their app.
• GrubHub – Simply browse menus, pick what you want, and submit your order. Local suggestions are great and most deliveries are around $3. They run specials if you sign up for their emails, so get that setup.
• Instacart – This delivery service is easy and fast. They deliver groceries and other things from many different stores including Publix, Whole Foods, Costco, and CVS. Log in with your location to see the list of stores available.
• Mobile Meals – Delivery from many USF area restaurants. Their mobile app makes things easy and most deliveries are $3.99.  Simply pick a restaurant from their list, tell them where you are, order, and wait for your food to be delivered. They have a chat option if you would like help with suggestions and clarification of your order as well.
• Panera & Chipotle now deliver as well.
• Publix – The first delivery is on them, so sign up. It is online shopping, convenient, and easy for those that don’t or can’t get to the grocery store.
• Shipt – Get 2 weeks free and $15 off your first order on deliveries from stores like Publix, Costco, Target, and ABC Fine Wines & Spirits. Let their shoppers do what your student doesn’t have time to. Work for Shipt and you get paid to shop for others.
• UberEats – This is the same concept as Uber, but they deliver food. The app is easy and you can track your order, from when it is being prepared, to when your driver has your food and is on their way. You can leave your tip on the app as well. Fees vary depending on location and restaurant but they are listed when you order. They even deliver from ice cream shops!

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