Go to Town On: Affordable Off-Campus Dining
Greetings, Class of 2016! As you get settled in and start zipping around from Orientation activity to activity, you will surely work up your appetite and will eventually need to eat. And soon enough, you will find that you have exhausted you on-campus dining options.
1) Molly’s Restaurant, right on Main Street, will probably be the first restaurant you see in Hanover and therefore will probably be the location of your first Tripee reunion. Molly’s has a cozy gastropub feel, serving wood-fired brick oven pizza and juicy burgers. Enjoy the Dartmouth memorabilia on the walls while reveling in the camaraderie of your companions. And for those over 21, enjoy $2 margaritas!
Phone: (603) 643-2570
2) If you don’t notice Molly’s first you will be sure to notice Lou’s Restaurant and Bakery, across the street on Main. Lou’s serves up delicious American breakfast food within a classic diner atmosphere. If you don’t go for breakfast or lunch, try any of their freshly baked goods. You really cannot go wrong with any of the menu items — but don’t forget to ask about their lunch specials, they rotate each week. Weekend brunch lines are usually out the door, but they always seem to move pretty quickly.
Phone: (603) 643-3321
3) Everything But Anchovies (aka “EBA’s”) is your typical pizza joint. Tucked in an alley behind the Dartmouth Bookstore, it’s a pretty low-key spot that never tends to get full because nobody ever goes to EBA’s to sit down and eat — you will almost always order delivery. They take delivery orders until 2:09 a.m., so it’s the perfect (only, actually) option for those late night cravings. As a point of reference, most students (myself included) can polish off a medium pizza in one sitting. Not really something to be proud of, but it happens to the best of us.
Phone: (603) 643-6135
4) Next up is another prominent Hanover establishment, Yama Restaurant II, or just “Yama.” For your information, Yama Restaurant I is located in the neighboring town of West Lebanon. This is the place to go when you crave the taste of Asian cuisine, but Collis sushi just isn’t cutting it for you. Besides Japanese options, menu items include Thai, Korean, and Chinese dishes. Ideal for small group dinners or dates.
Phone: (603) 643-4000
5) What college campus would be complete without a Chinese take-out restaurant? Dartmouth’s answer to this question is our beloved Orient, a popular option for students — particularly during finals week when ordering food seems infinitely better than leaving your coveted spot in the library. Its menu is complete with the classics: fried rice, chow mein, Mongolian beef, and General Tso’s chicken (which, of course, is not traditional Chinese cuisine and any connection to a real General Tso is dubious). For the adventurous, Orient — like Yama — also appears to dabble in other regional Asian cuisine with crab rangoon, pad thai, and sushi. But if you’re going to do that, just go to Yama. In the mood for greasy stir-fry doused in sauce? Orient is for you.
Phone: (603) 643-8888
6) On the topic of Asian food, there’s Jewel of India. Nearly every campus event seems to be catered by Jewel of India, so you are bound to encounter their dishes sooner or later. Jewel of India has an expansive menu with an impressive selection of both meat and vegetarian dishes. Little known fact: Jewel of India offers a 10% student discount and has a lunch special definitely worth checking out, with the prices of many entrée items reduced by about $4.
7) Murphy’s on the Green, another notable restaurant on Main Street, feels like Molly’s’ cooler, more grown up sibling. Perhaps it may have something to do with the décor, which makes you feel as if you are dining inside someone’s private library. Like Molly’s, Murphy’s offers burgers, salads, and pastas but each with more sophisticated ingredients and afterthought. Menu items too sophisticated for your taste? The classic Murph Burger is a must-try.
Phone: (603) 643-4075
8) From the owners of Murphy’s comes another solid restaurant: 3 Guys Basement BBQ, which opened last spring. By the pound, one can order pork brisket, hand-pulled pork shoulder, hand-pulled chicken and cured pork belly. For more meat on meat, there’s also a tender rib rack and turkey leg. I also hear you can’t go wrong with any of the sandwiches. Sides aren’t outstanding, which meant they function perfectly as sides and never steal the show.
Phone: (603) 643-7227
9) In complete contrast to 3 Guys’ meat-heavy rotation is another Hanover newbie: Market Table, which has been open for just over a year. Inside, you’ll find chic and modern décor, very refreshing compared to other older establishments in Hanover. Food is always prepared fresh with organic ingredients sourced locally. Be prepared to shell out a bit more than you would at other restaurants for slightly smaller portions. Go there for the bakery, Sunday brunch, or dinner with close friends.
Phone: (603) 676-7996
10) Last up is Salt hill Pub, an establishment that is quite popular with Dartmouth’s graduate student population and Hanover townies. Similar to other restaurants listed above, Salt hill offers standard pub food like burgers, sandwiches and salads. But what sets Salt Hill apart is its enticing happy hour beer specials (for those over 21) and the fact that they are the only place in town where you can do karaoke every Tuesday night. Join yours truly for "Salty Tuesday" every week and watch as I bring down the house with my uncanny renditions of Beyonce and Mariah Carey hits.
Phone: (603) 676-7855