Which Big East City Has the Best Food?

[storrsroars]

It's basically the same tomato sauce you'd use for moussaka, or what I'd call "Greek Bolognese".

Before I decided on attending UConn, I spent a couple of days at U Dayton. The two things I recall most about that trip were Skyline Chili and Blatz beer (the 3.2 version).

As an aside, for those who remember 70s-80s radio, the guy who became "Buzz Knight" (WDRE Danbury) was one of my best buds at Stamford High and he's the reason I looked at Dayton for journalism/communications as he was going there. Also I would've been in classes with Dan Patrick had I went there. I decided that neither Skyline nor Jesuits were for me.

 

[Rocktheworld]

I'd have cancelled my subscription.

My $0.02... if considering only what's available within 30 minues of campus: Chicago, NYC, DC, Philly, Providence, Milwaukee, Omaha, Cincy, Indy, S. Orange (only because of Star Tavern), Storrs. In that order.

S. Orange last for this native of Jersey. You couldn’t pay me to go out anywhere around Newark; not trying to get shot

 

[HuskyHawk]

Oh my lord this list is insane

“Wisconsin is the best place *in the world* for cheese, and Milwaukee has a great beer scene”

lol sure

I’m not upset about deep dish at the bottom of the list where it belongs

Vermont would like a word.

 

[storrsroars]

S. Orange last for this native of Jersey. You couldn’t pay me to go out anywhere around Newark; not trying to get shot

Fair enough. I like Star Tavern as it's the next best thing to a Colony pie. And I'm not really sure where South Orange begins and ends, but Star is the midpoint of E. Orange, W. Orange, S. Orange and Montclair, and it's not in a bad neighborhoood.

 

[Ratso]

If they are going by the immediate zip code of the school, NYC, Chicago and Philly are all great food towns with weeks worth of eating options that are top notch. If you want to expand to the surrounding area, it gets more subjective. Seton Hall is very close to NYC but it still can be a heckuva commute and Seton Hall's immediate area isn't much to brag about.

St John's
DePaul
Villanova

Huge Gap

Georgetown
Providence

Huge Gap

Marquette
Xavier


The Rest

Creighton, Butler, UConn, Seton Hall have nothing in their zip codes or city limits.

I really don't know much about Marquette or Xavier, but their in cities of a decent enough size where something has to be good to eat.

i think DC should be tier one as well, the food there is no joke

 

[Rocktheworld]

Vermont would like a word.

If we are talking about best *in the world* for beer *and* cheese I’m going to somewhere in Switzerland/Germany. Vermont is a solid second not too far off though.

 

[superjohn]

Chicago has pretty much the best mexican in the country. Why does no one get that?

And Ive lived and done business millions of times in So. Cal.

Yep, most people who don't spend a lot of time in Chicago don't know that about it. I definitely eat more Mexican than any other cuisine. When it comes to fine dining, innovative cooking, and great options for every cuisine imaginable NYC and Chicago are top of the list, I don't really know LA at all but I'm sure they are right there. San Fran was always known as one of the meccas as well. My favorites would have to be New Orleans and Philly because I love all the stuff they eat all the time all over those two cities.

Big East blows away all other conferences in terms of food just because they have NYC, Chicago, Philly, DC, and Providence.

 

[superjohn]

S. Orange last for this native of Jersey. You couldn’t pay me to go out anywhere around Newark; not trying to get shot

The Ironbound is safe and has really good Portuguese/Spanish/Brazilian food.

 

[8893]

My favorites would have to be New Orleans and Philly because I love all the stuff they eat all the time all over those two cities.

Big East blows away all other conferences in terms of food just because they have NYC, Chicago, Philly, DC, and Providence.

AAC gets you New Orleans and Philly, plus East Carolina (great chopped BBQ), Annapolis (crabs), Houston (great Vietnamese food--seriously!) and Memphis (BBQ).

Probably the best thing that can be said about that conference.

 

[superjohn]

AAC gets you New Orleans and Philly, plus East Carolina (great chopped BBQ), Annapolis (crabs), Houston (great Vietnamese food--seriously!) and Memphis (BBQ).

Probably the best thing that can be said about that conference.

Yes but good chance you throw it all up after watching the games.

 

[Rocktheworld]

AAC gets you New Orleans and Philly, plus East Carolina (great chopped BBQ), Annapolis (crabs), Houston (great Vietnamese food--seriously!) and Memphis (BBQ).

Probably the best thing that can be said about that conference.

Okay how many Vietnamese places have you been in Houston

 

[8893]

Okay how many Vietnamese places have you been in Houston

One. A former colleague moved there several years ago and that's where he suggested we meet to eat when I was there for the 2011 FF because he said it was some of the best and his favorite cuisine in town, apparently owing to a large Vietnamese population. I had no idea, but it was great, and most of the people eating there appeared to be Vietnamese. No idea where or what it was though.

I also had one of the best Mexican meals I've ever had at Hugo's while I was there.

And Goode BBQ, which was very good.

 

[David 76]

Had it once while driving through Cincinnati. The waitress put a bib on me and gave me a heaping plate 5 way. What could go wrong? I love chili, cheese, spaghetti...

The spaghetti was overcooked mush which I could overlook if the chili wasn't so disgusting. Who the hell wants cinnamon chili?

Not interested in the chili but I am curious on how the 5- way worked out.

 

[storrsroars]

i think DC should be tier one as well, the food there is no joke

I'd much rather spend a week eating in DC over Philly.

 

[August_West]

I'd much rather spend a week eating in DC over Philly.

Dc has good stuff. Philly better

 

[Ratso]

gimme a break

st. john’s > than the rest

ny every time

 

[storrsroars]

Dc has good stuff. Philly better

Philly's strength is sandwiches. DC's is breadth. What DC may lack in uniform excellence in any given category it makes up in variety. You can pretty much find a place representing any country in the world. Even moreso than NYC.

 

[August_West]

Philly's strength is sandwiches. DC's is breadth. What DC may lack in uniform excellence in any given category it makes up in variety. You can pretty much find a place representing any country in the world. Even moreso than NYC.

Nah the best Israeli Restaurant in country ( As one example) is in philly

 

[Waquoit]

AAC gets you...crabs

Needed editing, imo

 

[storrsroars]

Nah the best Israeli Restaurant in country ( As one example) is in philly

I assume you're talking Zahav. I can't get excited over a place where the signature dish is hummus. You should give MishMish in Montclair, NJ a try. I haven't been to Yalla in Brattleboro, but I understand that's also quite good. Anyway, what's Philly got for Nepalese, Cambodian, Peruvian, or Eritrean? I'd rather eat that stuff than Middle Eastern (except Turkish or Persian) every day.

 

[8893]

Needed editing, imo

I’ll trust you on that one

 

[FriarJ]

Chicago, NYC, Philly, DC, Prov...

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Nah the best Israeli Restaurant in country ( As one example) is in philly

Zahav?

 

[Chin Diesel]

Vermont would like a word.

Saying Milwaukee has a great beer scene doesn't denigrate or minimize Vermont's beer game at all.

 

[8893]

Nah the best Israeli Restaurant in country ( As one example) is in philly

Have you been to Shaya in New Orleans?

 

[August_West]

Have you been to Shaya in New Orleans?

Yes. It’s great.


Zahav in philly is one of my top 5 dining experiences ever. The lamb shoulder left me dazed.

 

[UconnFanDC]

AbsolutelyDC

Growing up in Connecticut, I spent much time in NY with family and friends, living in Washington DC 15 plus years, working in Philly 6 plus years and going to a conference over last 3 years in Chicago, I'd have to say DC area has the best food/restaurants.

Food is pretty good in Indiana and Ohio but ehh.

 

[jibsey]

No way the slice is better than the cheesesteak, and taffy? Jesus.

 

[Waquoit]

Whole list sucks.

top 2 are right. But not because of pizza slices or cheesesteaks but just overall great food. and Chicago is right there with both.

That list made me irrationally angry

Are we judging a food city by only it's best? Cause if we are factoring in a likelihood of being disappointed or being served crap, Chicago gets docked points in my experience.

 

[UCDaveD]

The real winner is just whoever has the most Arby’s locations within a 20 mile radius, no?