Freshmen15: Georgetown + DC's top spots for freshmen foodies

Hello Nomsters,

This particular post is dedicated to the Freshmen who will be gracing our presence in the next two weeks and to all of the familiar faces we'll be seeing in our favorite food spots around G'town/DC.
If you're a freshmen at Georgetown, you've hopefully been following Vox Populi's freshmen features (the blog maintained by The Georgetown Voice) to get the inside scoop on what to expect. While Vox already covered some of the best food options around G'town, we figured we'd expand a bit and give you some more options and details!

With summer vacation quickly coming to an end, Georgetown and DC are about to be stupefied by a swarm of students once more. For freshmen, your battle with boxes, carts, and SWQ elevator frustrations will be stifling with the hot DC heat; but cool breezes, parent-paid dinners, and random floor meetings/parties will fill your nights. After your week long "welcome" onto the Hilltop, you'll no doubt want some insider information on where to get fed in the weeks following your parents' departure. So here we are to give you the skinny on the foodie culture around campus and in DC! Now, we're by no means encouraging gaining the "freshmen 15," but for the love of cake, be sure to explore your options. Up first, the basics around campus: Sandwiches & Pizza

Sandwiches: Nothing quite works as a the perfect combination of ingredients like a sandwich. Whether you're looking for a sub, croissant, pita, or bagel, you'll be able to find any of those options at one of these fine Georgetown establishments.

Wisemiller's Deli (36th & N. ) is a Georgetown favorite. With classics like the California Chicken (grilled chicken, honey mustard, avocado, lettuce, tomato, and sprouts, served warm on a croissant)
and specials like the "Hot Chick," (chicken fingers, cayenne ranch dressing, pepperjack cheese, and tomatoes) you'd be hard pressed to find a more flavorful sandwich. Wisemiller's (Wisey's) is home to fan favorites like the Chicken Madness and Burger Madness (both of which could easily send your body into a food coma), but they also play host to an array of sandwich options. So whether you're looking for a breakfast sandwich, cold cuts, or something that'll make your heart pound, you'll be sure to get your fix at Wisey's. Also, their cookies are pretty amazing, the most popular is the Oreo Cookie (a cookie with in a cookie!). Reviews/Number $5-$10
No delivery, you can call ahead though.

If you're looking for something a bit more green, "Healthy" Wisey's (Wisconsin and P) is also an option with smoothies, salads and wraps. Healthy Wisey's Menu $5-$10
Offers Delivery


Quick Pita: (Potomac & 33rd) Home to Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, Quick Pita provides options for students looking for an atypical sandwich. Quick Pita offers small plates like tabouli (salad-like appetizer, $4.45), hummus/pita ($4.95), and falafel ($8.64))and a variety of sandwiches ranging from chicken shwarma to eggplant sandwich Besides their Mediterranean flare, Quick Pita offers a daily lunch special, sandwich, fries, and a soda, for $6.82. Quick Pita also has a series of meat and veggie pies that you can purchase as a light meal or small snack.  Quick Pita Menu. $5-$11 Offers delivery

The Miami Burger, Booey's

Booey's (32nd & Prospect): A bit further off campus then Wisey's, Booeymonger's is another frequented spot by both students and residents. Booey's makes a mean sandwich and has a larger variety of breakfast options if you're looking to avoid Leo's. The Miami Burger is one of my favorites, it's your standard Lox & Bagel with all of the trimmings; and without buying the ingredients yourself, it's probably the cheapest you'll find in the Georgetown area ($7.25). I also know for a fact that the Fifth Avenue ($6.50) is also delicious, with hot pastrami, grilled mushrooms, muenster cheese, on a french roll (which is perfectly crispy), you can't go wrong. If you're looking for something a bit littler/veggie, the Natural is also a good option with spinach, tomato, turkey, melted provolone, and Russian dressing (6.50). Along with sandwiches, fries, salads, and dessert, Booey's also has some of the cheapest pitchers of *hem hem* beer ($7.25) in the neighborhood. $5-$13 Booey's Menu No Delivery

2am Miracle

Pizza: Now, you have a couple of options for pizza. If you're looking to order in, a quick fix, or a post party late night slice then Tuscany's (Prospect & 33rd) is your best bet. Offering a quarter-pie slice of either cheese or pepperoni for about $3.75, you can't go wrong. Just make sure you ask for a side of ranch!! I know, I know, "why ranch." But have faith in this blog and the majority of the Georgetown student population, ranch-dipped pizza is like french fries dipped in a Wendy's Frosty: it just works (especially at 2am). Fun fact: If you're looking for more than pizza, Tuscany's Turkey Pesto Sandwich is a great choice. It's both fresh and gives the appearance of being healthier. Keep in mind though that the sandwiches are huge there, so sharing is caring. 4am on weekends, 2am weekdays.   Order Here $4-$10 Offers Delivery

Ledo's pizza is also a good option for delivery if you're in search of a full pizza. Their claim to fame is providing the public with square pizzas that are cut in the same shape. The overall taste and quality may be a bit better than Tuscany's jumbo slice, but you can't beat the convenience of Tuscany's. $12-$22 Order Here 

Ledo's, courtesy of Serious Eats

If you're in the mood for a sit down pizza option, there's both Uno's Pizzeria or Pizzeria Paradiso on M. Street. Being a Chicago native, I tend to shy away from Uno's and their claims to "Chicago-Style" deep dish, but they do have a good thin crust option. On the other hand, for those of you in the 21+ club Uno's has a phenomenal happy hour, which occurs twice daily in the afternoon and late-night. Pizzeria Paradio is home to more traditional Italian style pizzas. With very thin crust, light sauces, and fresh ingredients, Paradiso is usually a good option for a nice dinner out that won't completely rip through your pockets. Paradiso also has really good happy hour specials on both pizza and drinks. $12-$20 Uno's Menu  Paradiso Menu

Finally, if you're up for a walk, the Safeway up Wisconsin has a variety of cafe options, including pizza, sushi bar, salad bar, and sandwich station.

That's all for now and let us know if we were helpful! Comments always appreciated :)
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Happy Nomming,

The Georgetown Foodie

A Mini Trip: Milwaukee, WI for Lobster Rolls at St. Paul's Fish Company

Hello Nomsters,

Lobster Roll!

Obviously, I've been a bit absent in blogging, but after a somewhat relaxing spring break, I'm back and blogging from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Similar to any major city, as a Chicago native it is a rare occasion that I leave city limits for cuisine unless I'm looking for a specialty or just need a change of scenery. Of course while home I frequented my usual gastronomic delights, such as Penny's Noodle (Thai), The Athenian Room (Greek), Dave's Italian Kitchen (it's in the name), and even had the chance to try Fin (Sushi/Asian) with my friend Natalia. However, since we opted out of travel for spring break this year, my parents and I decided a nice short road trip up to Milwaukee was in order.

For those of you who know Chicago, you also know that most of the area around this major city is either suburbs, ski territory, or the Dells for water parks and small lake houses in the summer. Although Milwaukee is known as a biker's destination and a city of" brews and brats," this Wisconsin city is beginning to become a gem of a destination for city dwellers looking for a break. Now, of course this is a food blog, but just as a quick quip, if you ever decide to visit, be sure to stay at the Iron Horse Hotel! As an old factory that was converted into a classy, rustic hotel, this establishment gives visitors a warm welcome, comfortable and stylish rooms, and service to match. With a basin of granny smith apples in the lobby and complimentary unique cocktails for guests, the nuances of the Iron Horse provide guests with the ultimate relaxing experience. Additionally, past 5pm, the hotel lobby and bar turn into one of the liveliest places to be in Milwaukee, with a full bar, restaurant, and lounge area right on premises! But enough about the accommodations, if you're making a trip to Milwaukee, you must, must, must, have lunch or dinner at a place that offers seafood as good as the east coast and a lobster roll that could challenge those native to Maine!

When first entering St. Paul's Fish Company, it doesn't look like much. Simple checkered table clothes, a large fish counter for take out orders and for purchasing by "the lb," and an oyster bar. But as you sit down and peruse the extensive seafood options, you'll realize that there's probably no other place west of Virginia that will offer a lobster roll or full lobster dinner for $12.95.

Seafood Counter

For our dining experience this weekend, we ordered a basket of fried clams to share, and one Cook's Cocktail oyster and a lobster roll each. The clams came out fresh and crispy! Served with sides of cocktail sauce and remoulade sauce (a French sauce typically found in New Orleans on fried seafood sandwiches [Po'Boys]), these clams were breaded just enough to not overwhelm the succulent quality of the seafood. Our oysters were also quite delicious, and were accompanied by sides of cocktail sauce and horseradish, extremely fresh too. Finally, for the lobster roll. For those of you East Coast readers, I'm sure you're thinking "the only place to get a real lobster roll is Maine" (or McDonalds, depending on who you're asking...). But, I assure you, St. Paul's lobster rolls in on par with anything out east. The bun, which is buttered and lightly grilled, was chalk full of fresh lobster mixed with a light and creamy sauce and pieces of celery. At first bite, this roll will live up to your expectations and more by offering your taste buds a merging of the flavors from both the buttery bun and fluffy texture of the lobster. you just cannot go wrong with a lobster roll, especially when you don't have to drive to the east coast to find a good one.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oysters_2008_PD_04.JPG

Besides lobster, they offer an array of seafood options, including Po'Boy sandwiches, a full oyster bar, fish'n'chips, and crabcakes, so you really can't go wrong if you enjoy seafood. Along with the reasonably priced lobster entrees, St. Paul's offers daily specials ranging from steamed mussels in white wine to fish tacos. So indulge and enjoy :)

-Your Fellow Foodie