What Are the Best Local Eateries and Quick Bites in Chico?
Chico State students have plenty of local favorites within walking distance of campus. For quick bites, try Aca Taco for street tacos and burritos, Kona’s on Nord for sandwiches, Celestino’s NY Pizza for thin-crust slices, or Momo’s Poke for poke bowls. Morning Thunder Cafe and Brooklyn Bridge Bagel Works are popular breakfast picks. Upper Crust Bakery and Tin Roof Bakery cover pastries, and Shubert’s Ice Cream & Candy has been making treats in Chico since 1938. For a special night out, The Rawbar, Crush, and Sicilian Cafe are favorites. Campus Walk is right next to Chico State and just steps from downtown Chico, so many of these spots are an easy walk away. Our fully furnished apartments come with free high-speed Wi-Fi, a pool and clubhouse, and a free, fully stocked coffee bar for days when you’d rather stay in. See Our Floor Plans Chico Eateries at a Glance Spot Best For Area Aca Taco Street tacos and burritos Nord Ave and downtown Kona’s on Nord Toasted sandwiches Nord Ave Celestino’s NY Pizza New York-style slices Downtown Momo’s Poke Poke bowls Downtown Thai Basil Pad Thai and curry Downtown Morning Thunder Cafe Big breakfasts Near downtown Shubert’s Ice Cream & Candy Ice cream and handmade candy Near downtown The Rawbar Sushi and Asian fusion Downtown Where Can You Grab a Quick Bite Near Campus? The Nord Avenue area next to campus has quick, filling options for busy days between classes. Aca Taco Aca Taco started in Chico in 1994 and is known for its street-style tacos, loaded burritos, and breakfast burritos. The Nord location (1000 W Sacramento Ave., Suite D) is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. There’s also a downtown location at 133 Broadway St. Kona’s on Nord Kona’s on Nord (965 Nord Ave.) has been slicing sandwiches to order since 1993, on bread baked fresh every day. Every sandwich can be toasted, and the tri-tip is a local favorite. Which Downtown Spots Are Best for a Fast, Affordable Meal? Downtown Chico is a short walk from campus, with quick, budget-friendly options for every craving. Pizza Celestino’s NY Pizza (101 Salem St.): Authentic New York thin-crust pizza since 1997, still run by the original owners. Woodstock’s Pizza (240 Main St.): A late-night favorite, open until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Poke and Thai Momo’s Poke (128 Broadway St.): Build-your-own poke bowls, plus Thai tea and Thai coffee. Thai Basil (230 W 3rd St.): A family-owned downtown restaurant serving Pad Thai and Panang curry for nearly 20 years. Burgers Burgers & Brew (301 Broadway St.): Half-pound Niman Ranch burgers and more than 25 burgers and specialties. Madison Bear Garden (316 W 2nd St.): A Chico State tradition since 1977, known for the Bear Burger and its big patio. Where Should You Go for Breakfast and Coffee? Start your morning with one of these local spots before class or during a weekend study session. Morning Thunder Cafe (352 Vallombrosa Ave.): A Chico breakfast and lunch favorite for about 25 years, known for its “famous Bidwell Egg,” thick-cut bacon, and huevos rancheros. Brooklyn Bridge Bagel Works (117 W 2nd St.): Scratch-made New York-style bagels and house-made cream cheese spreads since 1979. Cafe Coda (265 Humboldt Ave.): Breakfast and coffee daily from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stoble Coffee (418 Broadway St.): A downtown coffee shop that works well for a quick cup or a study session. Which Chico Bakeries and Sweet Spots Are Worth a Visit? Save room for something sweet. These local shops are Chico favorites. Upper Crust Bakery & Cafe Upper Crust Bakery & Cafe (130 Main St.) bakes from scratch. Its cinnamon rolls are popular, and it offers vegan and gluten-free pastries, plus quiches and sandwiches. Tin Roof Bakery & Cafe Tin Roof Bakery & Cafe (627 Broadway St.) serves breakfast pastries, artisan bread, desserts, sandwiches, and soups. The café opens at 7 a.m. daily. Shubert’s Ice Cream & Candy Shubert’s Ice Cream & Candy (178 E 7th St.) has been a Chico icon since 1938. It still makes its candy by hand every week in its original location, and it’s open until 10 p.m. every night. Where Can You Go When You Want to Treat Yourself? For birthdays, date nights, or the end of finals, these sit-down restaurants are worth the splurge. The Rawbar (346 Broadway St.): Sushi and Asian fusion since 2001, featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Crush (201 Broadway St., #200): Italian flavors made with local, seasonal ingredients, served for dinner Wednesday through Sunday. Sicilian Cafe (240 Wall St.): A family-owned Southern Italian restaurant since 1984. Reservations are recommended. Sierra Nevada Taproom & Restaurant (1075 E 20th St.): The flagship restaurant of Chico’s famous brewery. A limited number of tables can be reserved, and the rest are first-come with a live waitlist. How Can You Eat Out in Chico Without Overspending? Eating out doesn’t have to blow your budget. Try these tips: Share a big order. Burritos, pizzas, and nachos are easy to split with friends. Go at lunch. Some restaurants offer lunch hours with lighter menus. Look for happy hours. Several downtown restaurants post happy hour deals on their websites. Walk instead of drive. Skip parking costs by walking downtown from campus. Save splurges for special occasions. Mix quick bites with home-cooked meals during the week. Why Is Campus Walk a Great Home for Chico Foodies? From Aca Taco and Kona’s to Shubert’s and The Rawbar, Chico has plenty of local favorites to try. Campus Walk puts you right next to Chico State and steps from downtown, so your next meal is never far away. When you’d rather stay in, you have a fully furnished apartment and a free coffee bar waiting. See Our Floor Plans Frequently Asked Questions What are the best cheap eats near Chico State? Popular cheap eats near Chico State include Aca Taco for tacos and burritos, Kona’s on Nord for toasted sandwiches, Celestino’s NY Pizza for slices, and Momo’s Poke for poke bowls. Where can I get breakfast in Chico? Morning Thunder Cafe, Brooklyn Bridge Bagel Works, and Cafe Coda are popular breakfast spots. For pastries, try Upper Crust Bakery and Tin Roof Bakery. What food is Chico known for? Chico is known for Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and longtime local favorites like Shubert’s Ice Cream & Candy, open since 1938. Aca Taco, founded in Chico in 1994, is another well-known name. Where can I eat late at night in Chico? Woodstock’s Pizza on Main Street is open until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Shubert’s Ice Cream & Candy is open until 10 p.m. every night. What are good date night restaurants in Chico? The Rawbar, Crush, and Sicilian Cafe are popular choices for a special night out. Sicilian Cafe recommends reservations.
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