Whether you’re a student from across the globe or across the country, or simply an adventurous foodie, Boulder has much to offer in terms of walletfriendly ethnic and regional eats.
Since we can’t list every possibility in town, we are highlighting dining possibilities concentrated around Williams Village and University Hill, and a few other spots convenient to campus.
Boulder’s a touch lacking in latenight dining options, although Cosmos’ Pizza on 30th Street is open ’til the wee hours and is an easy walk from the Williams Village dorms. With pizza available by the pie or the slice, Cosmos’ serves up hearty New York-style pizza with hefty crust and generous doses of cheese, pepperoni and other popular toppings. If you like anchovies, this is also the place to go.
A few doors down, you’ll find Suki Thai, with its affordable selection of Southeast Asian-inspired noodle bowls, salads and even tacos. Ordering is easy on the signature noodle bowls, with a choice of proteins, including tofu, shrimp and pork, and broths ranging from a clear and mild version to spicier coconut and red curry selections. Top it off with veggies and seasonings, and you’ve got a light meal with all the complex tastes of Thailand.
Up on the Hill, Bento Zanmai offers traditional Japanese meals, including teriyaki bento box lunches and some of the finest ramen around. This isn’t the oversalted, dime-a-pack stuff. This is the real
deal, with miso-scented broth, tender bits of chicken and wonderfully
substantial noodles. For Asian noodles of a different sort, check out
the nearby You and Mee Noodle House, which features a fine bowl of pho,
the classic Vietnamese beef noodle soup. Rice and noodle bowls are also
available here, as are spring rolls and banh mi sandwiches, which marry
French and Vietnamese ingredients.
Speaking
of sandwiches, Half Fast Subs features East Coast deli classics like
reubens and a formidable pastrami and corned beef, as well as
Italian-style coldcut subs. East Coasters will also appreciate the
Philly cheesesteaks, while Big Easy transplants will savor the New
Orleans po-boy stuffed with fried shrimp and remoulade sauce.
There
are several Indian buffets scattered across town, including the
lunchtime spread offered upstairs at the Taj, situated across the street
from the Wolf Law Building on Baseline. Those living in Martin Acres
might want to hit up South Broadway’s Tandoori Grill for lunch. At these
subcontinental buffets, you can indulge your appetite for fiery
curries, fragrant tandoori chicken, buttery naan flatbread and sweet
rice pudding, at reasonable prices.
Perhaps
more closely tied to San Francisco’s Mission District than Mexico
itself, the burrito remains a perennial grab-and-go favorite. National
chains such as Qdoba and Chipotle are found throughout town, as are
smaller, localized operations such as Illegal Pete’s and Big City
Burritos. Pete’s serves up a wonderfully crunchy fried fish wrap, while
breakfast burritos stuffed with potatoes are a Big City specialty. All
of the above-mentioned spots offer rolled-to-order behemoths that make
for a filling, if not portable, repast.
