collegetown restaurants

The Secret World of Collegetown’s Restaurant Monopoly

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Every Cornellian is familiar with at least one of the Collegetown restaurants owned and operated by Kevin Sullivan: Jack’s, Luna’s, Pronto, Ithaca Ghost Kitchen and Loco. While all of these Collegetown restaurants are unique, most share two key similarities: consistently decent food and consistently substandard customer service. While I have never visited Loco, I have ordered from every other restaurant owned by Kevin Sullivan. My typical experience often involves abnormally long wait times and order mix-ups. Each time I have ordered takeout from Luna’s or Jack’s, I arrive when the ordering app says my food is ready only to find an additional wait at the restaurant.

Dining

Milkstand Just Skims the Surface of What’s to Come in Ithaca

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When I first arrived back in Ithaca for the fall semester, I drove down North Meadow Street and was surprised to see a bold white sign outside one of the many strips of businesses, proclaiming “HIRING — ALL POSITIONS.” I did a double-take, then did a little research and learned about a new restaurant called Milkstand that was soon to open. It doesn’t take long for news of a novel food establishment to spread around Cornell, and I quickly overheard the name “Milkstand” on the daily. This past week, I finally got a chance to check out the new spot, just a few days after its opening. 

The restaurant is located in an old Byrne Dairy, a chain of gas station and convenience stores, founded in upstate New York. The owners, who also created Maru Ramen across the street, named their newest business in recognition of the building’s roots. 

The menu consists of typical diner food with some enhanced entrees, such as a portobello sandwich ($14) and a kale pasta with pesto ($22). There is definitely a range to be explored, from an array of typical omelettes ($13-$15) to the most expensive item, steak frites ($34).

Dining

The Telephone Tyrant

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I’m not stupid, but that didn’t stop the woman on the other end of the phone from calling me that. English is my first language, but that didn’t stop the woman on the other end of the phone from questioning my command of it. My name is Sarah, but that didn’t stop the woman on the other end of the phone from never using it. 

After spending months sending cold-emails and having “informational interviews”, I was so excited to find a job as a reservationist for a restaurant group. I had this romanticized view in my head of being a working girl in New York City, and everyone around me was too nice to pop my bubble constructed of naivety and ignorance. 

I spend eight hours a day answering phones. Some days, I book reservations for CEOs and influencers.

Dining

The Best Fish Sandwich

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I’m passionate about seafood, and finding the best fish dishes is an ongoing quest of mine. As for finding the best fried fish sandwich, that’s already happened: Doug’s Fish Fry in Skaneateles, NY has fish that is unmatched in both taste and quality.

Dining

A Cayuga Creamery Ice Cream Flavor, According to Your Major

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Cayuga Creamery, located inside the Dewitt Mall, has been my go-to stop for an ice cream fix every time I’ve been out and about in Ithaca. This quaint parlor resides right in the corner of the mall, inside a little nook overlooking Buffalo Street and Dewitt Park. 

Based in Interlaken, NY, their Ithaca location opened up in late 2020. Their original location has been praised immensely for their ice cream quality, designated a must-try in multiple articles. They house over 200 flavors total, but rotate around 30 flavors at a time in the shop. 

Walking into this little ice cream boutique, you may find yourself stuck choosing between creatively named and delicious sounding flavors. I could sit and try their ice cream flavors for hours, and when you get the chance to go, I’m sure you will, too; hopefully this guide gives you some direction in your final choice. 

With that being said, here is the Cayuga Creamery flavor you should buy, according to your major: 

Animal Science: Try out the Purple Cow flavor!

Collegetown Bagels

A CTB Order for Every Zodiac Sign

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Aries — March 21 to April 19 

The Southwest Breakfast Wrap has a little bit of everything with a spicy kick to pair with an Aries’ spunkiness. Aries are not afraid of a challenge and can take on this monstrous burrito filled with scrambled eggs, black beans, green peppers, jalapenos, salsa and pepper jack without hesitation. Easily bored, they opt for the seasonal lemonade to keep things fresh and new. 

Taurus — April 20 to May 20

Tauruses fall in love with the soothing aromas of this CTB order. The Stewart Parker provides a turkey and cheese combo on a buttery croissant that makes Tauruses feel at home. This simple order neglects out-of-the-ordinary ingredients that would scare a Taurus away; the addition of a hot tea provides a few minutes of much needed relaxation before returning to their studies.

Dining

2 Stay 2 Go 2.0

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2 Stay 2 Go, the entirely student-run restaurant that made their debut last semester, is back up and running. With an expanded staff, the business has grown to include more community service, meal donations to help end food insecurity in Ithaca and a catering program.