The dining experience is an important part in everyone’s social life. There’s always that perfect restaurant to fill you social (or non-social, as the case may be) dining needs. From places to go when someone else is paying to places to go for late-night grub, picking a restaurant to best fit that need will fill more than just your empty stomach.

When dining solo

Alterra at the Lake

1701 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive

223-4551

alterracoffee.com

$3.95-$7.95

Alterra at the Lake is one of the most popular places in town to enjoy a coffee and small meal while studying or reading for pleasure. This cozy multi-leveled coffee shop and cafe is only steps away from the lake. It’s always packed when the weather is nice and it’s a refuge from nasty weather as well. Alterra offers homemade soups, salads, sandwiches, quiche and plenty of yummy desserts.

Noodles and Company

3121 N. Oakland Ave.

962-9100

noodles.com

$3.95-$6.95

Noodles is always hopping during meal times, partially because it’s so close to campus but mostly because there are so many tasty menu selections to choose from and they’re all customizable and affordable. You pick a small or large-sized bowl of your choice of various soups, salads and, of course, noodles. Entrees are divided into American, Mediterranean and Asian flavors, and include classics like macaroni and cheese and unique dishes like Indonesian peanut sauté.

– Katie Schmitt, Features Editor

Food on the run

Jimmy John’s

3129 N. Oakland Ave.

967-9014

jimmyjohns.com

$3.75-$6.00

This is the best place to run to when you’re short on time and don’t want to eat cafeteria food. Cheap, fast, friendly and delicious are words that best sum up your experience at Jimmy John’s. The menu is entirely composed of subs, sandwiches and sides like chips and freshly baked cookies. The sandwiches are stuffed with gourmet ingredients and you may pick and choose what you want, like their unbeatable avocado spread. They are the speediest delivery guys in town, too, so if you don’t feel like leaving the house, dorm or the Union, you don’t have to.

Quizno’s

3116 N. Downer Ave.

967-7090

quiznos.com

$2.99-$6.99

Right across from Mitchell Hall, Quizno’s also offers students the option of grabbing a bite to eat outside of the Union without adding any travel time. This sandwich, salad and soup chain offers several promotions throughout the year that allow students to save money on their orders or even get a sandwich for free. The menu is extensive and there are new specialty sandwiches or salads introduced on a regular basis.

– Katie Schmitt, Features Editor

When someone else is paying

Tess

2400 N. Bartlett Ave.

964-8377

$10-$19

Tucked just off of Oakland Avenue, Tess is one of the most sophisticated restaurants in the UWM student housing neighborhood. It offers flavorful seafood and meat dishes as well as several options for vegetarians and also provide many gluten-free dishes. Tess is a good bet for a special date or if the folks are in town and want to treat you to a nice meal.

Lake Park Bistro

3133 E. Newberry Blvd.

962-6300

lakeparkbistro.com

This French restaurant is one of the finest in town and it’s only a short walk down Lake Drive from UWM’s campus. It is, however, not an establishment most college students can afford to visit often and still pay their rent and tuition, but the food is to die for and the view of Lake Michigan is arguably the best in the city. It’s a wonderful restaurant for a celebration or special occasion, and if you order moderately, you can treat yourself to one of the best meals in the city.

– Katie Schmitt, Features Editor

Late-night grub

Jalisco’s

2207 E. North Ave.

291-0645

Many UWM students probably have a story or two about the night they went out on North Avenue and wound up scarfing down Mexican food at Jalisco’s. It is open 24 hours on Friday and Saturday and until 3 a.m. the rest of the week, and its location just one block from all of the college bars on North Avenue make it a prime late-night dining destination. The food is cheap and filling and the clientele is entertaining to say the least.

Ma Fischer’s

2214 N. Farwell Ave.

271-7424

Open 24 hours, 7 days a week, Ma Fischer’s serves up homestyle Greek-American food perfect for hearty appetites at any time of day. Popular with families at breakfast, lunch and dinner, college students take over during the wee hours of the morning, ordering stacks of pancakes, pie and big plates of sandwiches while recounting the night’s events.

– Katie Schmitt, Features Editor

Dining outdoors

2Sweet International Delight

2128 E. Locust St.

963-0202

$5.75-$6.95

Blocks from the UWM campus, 2Sweet International Delight is home to one of Milwaukee’s few hookah cafes. The menu is a blend of traditional Middle Eastern cuisine including falafel and tabouli and American entrees such as fries and Buffalo wings, offering a bit of something for every palette. Located on the active corner of Maryland and Locust, 2Sweet’s outdoor seating is a prime location to see and be seen. Be sure to get there early as 2Sweet’s outdoor seating is often in high demand during Wisconsin’s mild weather.

Red Dot

2498 N. Bartlett Ave.

964-5720

reddotmilwaukee.com

$5.95-$15

Opened by a former semi-professional skateboarder, Red Dot has the smooth feel of a mellow West Coast hangout. Hidden near the corner of Bartlett and Bradford avenues, the Red Dot doubles as a trendy bar and casual restaurant. Its menu offers a variety of vegetarian-friendly appetizers, salads, sandwiches, wraps and pizzas, as well as a Sunday brunch and daily drink specials. While the casual indoor dining area — often featuring surfing or skating footage on the big-screen televisions — is appealing to some, the covered patio offers an enjoyable option for those looking to enjoy their meal in a more family-friendly environment.

– Clare Connolly, Staff Writer

Get your date on

Oakland Trattoria

2856 N. Oakland Ave.

964-2850

oaklandtrattoria.com

$6.95-$11.95

Whether you desire an awesome wood-fired pizza or want to stare at the oversized red and green peppers hanging from the ceiling (don’t worry, they’re not real), Oakland Trattoria is the place to be. Located next to many “drunk” food places, the Trattoria is a nice alternative to Oakland Gyros’ greasy baby lamb or Subway’s rotting brown lettuce. Suitable for families or taking that freshman hottie out on a date, Oakland Trattoria has something for everyone.

From appetizers including nachos and calamari to entrees including three-cheese ravioli and eggplant parmigiana, something will surely satisfy your taste buds. The dining room features different-sized tables to suit any group and has a bar for those over 21 who would like to get an after-dinner drink (or a pre-dinner drink for all those champions out there). The staff is friendly and the food is splendid.

Harry’s Bar & Grill

3549 N. Oakland Ave.

964-6800

harrysbarandgrillmilwaukee.com

$8.95-$14.95

With its large bar area, indoor seating and charming outdoor patio seating (complete with a plethora of flowers), Harry’s Bar & Grill is a little more upscale compared with Oakland Trattoria. Located in Shorewood, Harry’s puts a modern twist on a date setting. Flame-looking carpet and modern paintings plus a chef with sweet pants and a funny little hat keep you entertained if your date doesn’t.

Harry’s isn’t just a date place though; it’s perfect for families and friends too. From chicken wings and hummus appetizers to a vast selection of salads, burgers and fine entrees such as portabella and tofu stir-fry, baby back ribs and even sesame seared Atlantic salmon, something will surly make your mouth water.

With food that looks like it should cost $40 rather than $15, Harry’s is a pleasant dining experience. Just beware of the lemonade if you want one. It tastes amazing but it’s not bottomless! Grab a Coke if you’re truly thirsty.

– Michelle Holtz, Staff Writer

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