if you don’t already follow the PartinMeAlex podcast, do it now. These women do a great job recapping and even previewing Stephen F. Austin basketball games. They also provide some quality discussions. This is one of them as Alex and Jaclyn talk about places to eat in WAC towns across the conference. We have provided the list below along with the video podcast of the women discussing it!

WAC Foodie Podcast

Arizona

Grand Canyon University (Phoenix, AZ)

Contributors: Loud Lope, Coach Molly Miller, Braiden Bell, Paul Coro

• Canyon 49 Grill
  • Unpretentious fare plus coffee & desserts in a chill hangout with assorted bar & patio games.
  • Jumbo Bavarian pretzel, wings, buffalo chicken pizza
• Postino
  • Postino is the Valley’s original neighborhood WineCafe. Set in comfortable, rustic and immaculately restored buildings, each Postino combines unique wines.
• Federals Pizza
  • Stylish eat-in or drive-thru pizzeria with inventive, wood-fired pies, plus growlers to go.
  • casanova , about 15 minutes from campus
• Culinary Dropout
  • Cool, British-style gastropub chain with quirky decor, serving inventive cocktails & comfort food.
• Joyride Taco House Central
  • Eatery offering elevated Mexican street eats, drinks & patio seating in a hip, colorful setting.
• Little Miss BBQ
  • This functional eatery with a retro vibe specializes in Central Texas–style BBQ & traditional sides.
• Oregano’s Pizza Bistro
  • Family-friendly Italian chain specializing in Chicago-style pizzas & sandwiches.
• Matt’s Big Breakfast
  • Scratch cooking
• Welcome Diner
  • Pint-sized, circa-1945 diner with counter seating & a menu of comfort fare featuring Southern flair.
• Taco Guild
  • Set in an old church, this gastropublike spot serves sustainable Mexican fare, craft beer & tequila.
• Tacos Chiwas
  • Family-owned destination for Mexican fare like tacos, burritos & gorditas in simple environs.
• Barrio Cafe
  • Bustling eatery serving creative Mexican fare & over 200 tequilas in cozy digs filled with folk art.
• Pizzeria Bianco
  • Cozy, brick-walled restaurant serving wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas & Italian small plates.
• CIBO
  • Quaint, circa-1913 bungalow presenting Italian staples, including red & white wood-fired pizzas.
• Southern Rail
  • Updated versions of Southern American classics are on the menu at this kitschy eatery.

California

California Baptist (Riverside, CA)

Contributor: Derryl Trujillo

• Corky’s 
  • Breakfast, biggest portion sizes in the area
  • Local chain serving breakfast, classic American fare & homemade pies in a casual setting.
• RA Sushi (Corona, CA)
  • Snazzy Japanese fusion chain known for its inventive sushi, cocktails & happy-hour deals at the bar.
• DeMatteo’s (mom & pop Italian)
  • Casual storefront with standard decor offers pizza, a variety of sandwiches & other comfort food.
• Lucille’s (BBQ)

Illinois

Chicago State (Chicago, IL)

Contributors: Kyle, Jaclyn, Jose Pinones

• Deep Dish Pizza
  • Lou Malnati’s (Gold Coast)
    • Family-owned local chain for Italian classics & Chicago-style, deep-dish pizzas with butter crusts.
    • Lou’s is my favorite drop dish. Pro tip. Build your own. This location is also off to the side a little so not a long wait.”
  • Giordano’s
    • Known for deep-dish pizza, this casual chain serves other classic Italian food, plus beer & wine.
• Bars
  • Hopsmith Tavern (Gold Coast)
    • Pub serving burgers, tacos & more in bi-level digs with 2 bars, multiple TVs & late hours.
    • Great place to go after Lou’s. Right around the corner. Thai is the first bar I took Jaclyn when she visited 25 years ago!”
  • The J Parker
    • Handcrafted cocktails, a light New American menu & city views on the Hotel Lincoln’s swanky rooftop.
  • Green Door Tavern (River North)
    • Long-running watering hole featuring American fare in a comfy, vintage setting.
    • Dive Chicago bar. When you go you have to do two things. Spin the wheel and visit the speakeasy. Tip: it’s by the stairs and behind the library shelf.”
• Restaurants
  • Orso’s
    • Italian trattoria dishing up old-school pastas & other family recipes in a romantic setting.
  • Mr. Brown’s Lounge
    • Caribbean cooking & tropical drinks served in a sleek, casual setting with reggae album art & DJs.
  • Banh Mi & Co
    • Unpretentious counter-serve stop for classic Vietnamese sandwiches plus noodles & salads.
  • Gilt Bar (River North)
    • Lounge with vintage library decor serving the same upscale American menu as Gilt Bar upstairs.
    • In my options some of the best pasta in town. They also have like 7 types of Old Fashioned.”
  • Beatnik (West Town)
    • A posh space filled with globe-trotting decor is the setting for New American fare & cocktails.
    • One of the most unique places in Chicago. Furniture is from all over the world. Menu is “global infusion”. Pro tip: make reservation.”

New Mexico

New Mexico State (Las Cruces, NM)

Contributors: Stephen Wagner, J.A. Sandy 

• Andele Restaurant in Mesilla
  • Mexican standards & a chip/salsa bar, plus breakfast, in a mellow cantina with an open kitchen.
• Dicks Cafe
  • Casual, long-running eatery serving breakfast, American classics & Mexican fare, plus beer.
  • Badass green chile burger
• El Sombrero
  • Modest spot with kitschy interior serving classic Mexican fare including sopapillas & green chile.
  • Red or green enchiladas
• Bosque Brewing Company
• Game or Game II for sports bar
  • Enjoy the area’s only Aggie themed sports bar in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The Game I Sports Bar and Grill is only minutes from New Mexico State University. Featuring great patio seating and awesome food specials.
  • On the East side of town? Stop by the Game II and enjoy all your favorites drinks, food, music and our patio. Watch all your sports games in our 2 story building with 25 big screen TV’s overseeing the valley and our Organ Mountains.
• Si Senor
  • Casual chain spot serving New Mexican cuisine plus beer, wine & margaritas.

Texas

Abilene Christian (Abilene, TX)

Contributors: Grant Boone, Antonio Bostic

• Within 5 minutes of campus
  • Lytle Land & Cattle (steak)
    • Rustic chophouse offering mesquite-fired steaks & seafood, plus a full bar & live music nights.
  • Phoenix Pho (Vietnamese)
  • Los Arcos (Mexican)
  • Sharon Allen’s BBQ
  • Rockin Rollerz (burgers)
    • Craft burgers and local brews
  • Grain Theory (brew pub)
    •  brewery and taproom located in downtown Abilene, where we focus on aroma-packed and flavor-driven beer.
• Within 10-15 minutes
  • Jay’s BBQ Shack (outdoor)
    • Modest window-serve featuring Texas-style BBQ, hearty plates & covered outdoor seating.
  • Miguel’s (Mexican)
    • Contemporary bar/eatery with hacienda-style decor showcasing Tex-Mex classics in spacious surrounds.
• 30 minutes
  • Perini Ranch Steakhouse
    • Acclaimed eatery cooking mesquite-grilled beef cuts & Southern comfort food in a converted hay barn.
• Bostic’s Picks
  • Beehive Saloon
    • Destination for aged Angus beef steaks plus seafood in an upscale setting with Old West flair.
  • The Shed BBQ
    • award winning bbq and highest quality butcher shop in abilene texasThe Shed
  • Taylor County Tap House
    • Traditional tavern featuring Texas-style comfort food & craft beers on tap, plus patio seating.
  • Blu Barrel Bar & Grill
    • Burgers, sandwiches, tacos, specialty drinks

Lamar (Beaumont, TX)

Contributors: Matt Thibodeaux, Brandie Van Zanden

• Restaurants
  • Pine Tree Lodge
    • Seafood restaurant on the bayou
  • Tacos La Bamba on Calder in Beaumont
    • Laid-back, colorful joint offering a simple menu of traditional eats from tacos to mole.
    • It used to also be a video store, racks/shelves of videos next to restaurant tables
  • Floyd’s Seafood
    • One of a casual chain dishing Gulf Coast-style steaks & seafood, including crawfish étouffée.
  • J Wilson
    • Bustling local spot offering New American comfort grub in a rustic-chic space with an ample bar.
  • Crown Pizza
  • Carmela’s Mexican Restaurant
    • Casual, family-owned eatery offering fajitas, margaritas & a variety of other Mexican standards.
  • Willy Burger
    • This retro eatery known for its hamburgers & shakes also serves sandwiches, hot dogs & breakfast.
  • New York Pasta Pizza
  • Neches River Wheelhouse
    • Offering patio seating overlooking the water, this relaxed eatery serves seafood & American eats.
  • Daddios
    • Innovative burgers & shakes served in a cozy setting with an old-school vibe & a roomy patio.
• Bars
  • Madison’s
    • The back yard area is really fun with a playful feel while the inside is a normal bar-restaurant. Lots of good drink options and fun brunch items.
  • Little Woodrow’s
    • Beer, spirits, sports, patio
  • Luke’s Bar & Grill
  • Sawdust Saloon
    • Southeast Texas’ premier country bar and dance hall offering cold beer, live music
  • The Logon Cafe & Pub
    • Dynamic cafe/bar offering a light menu of sandwiches & salads, plus live music on an intimate stage.
• Breweries
  • Pour Brothers Brewery
    • Pour me another, brother!
  • Buckstin Brewing Company
    • first brewery in Nederland, Texas, and focus on top notch craft beers and pizza.
  • Struggle Street Brewing Company
  • Neches Brewing Company

Sam Houston (Huntsville, TX)

Contributors: KatFans

• The Potato Shack
  • Casual, funky eatery featuring pool tables & an eclectic menu with creative baked potatoes & more.
  • Poutine, funnel cake fries, cider
• Jolly Fox
  • Food, bar, and shots-appetizers, wraps, chicken, tex-mex, pizzas
  • Where the “kids” go, alums get all nostalgic
• Shenanigans and Confettis Beach Club
  • Unpretentious nightclub featuring a variety of country & dance music, plus drink specials.
• Farmhouse Cafe
  • Casual, Texas-themed spot supplying down-home Southern meals & desserts, plus blue-plate specials.
• Mount Zion Church BBQ
  • American BBQ spot turning out ribs, chicken, sausages & brisket in a tiny, no-frills space.
• Arnauds Cajun Kitchen
  • Laid-back mobile food truck serving Cajun & Creole seafood & boils plus plenty of picnic tables.

Stephen F. Austin (Nacogdoches, Texas)

Contributors: Alex and Jaclyn 

• Food
  • Dolly’s Diner – Breakfast PANCAKES ARE THE BEST IN THE WORLD. 
  • CC’s Smokehouse – Steak/ Chicken/Banana Pudding OMG 
  • Brendyn’s BBQ – BBQ, duh
  • Good Bites – Everything is good 
  • Nac Burger/ Butcher Boys – Burgers/Sandwiches
  • 1st City Cafe – LITERALLY ANYTHING
  • Maklemore’s & Barkeeps (Concoction fries, Mak Balls/Naan Tacos, Curry, Asian Fusion etc)
  • Nac Cocina, Casa Tomas or El Ranchero & Taquitos El Jaliscience – Tex Mex & Authentic Mex
  • Napoli’s —Pizza & Italian 
  • Auntie Pasta’s– Italian 
  • Food Trucks: Shali’s Indian Kitchen & Chambers Smokehouse & Big Fellas BBQ
• Drinks
  • Fredonia Brewery 
    • Try a flight but our faves are: Luxurious Curb Feeler, Purple Lights, Le Bombe, Brewberry, Lanana Lager, Pine Cove Porter, Macho Milk, Stone Fort Stout….all of them basically. 
    • Rebellion Pizza 
    • Live Music Friday and Saturday
    • Rotating Food Trucks 
    • Calendar: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=cG8zaG1oaWlnYm0xaGlzdXR1dWVmazQ1bDBAZ3JvdXAuY2FsZW5kYXIuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbQ
  • The Cottage Wine Bar 
    • 95+ wines on list, cocktails, rotating menu of delicious food AMAZING outside atmosphere.   
  • Naca Valley Vineyard
    • Out in the middle of nowhere getaway – Rose, Andy’s Wood Fire Pizza and Frozen Wines and amazing outside seating areas with live music.  
  • Red House Winery
    • Downtown- walk in and sip and try different pours
  • Nine Flags Bar & Grill
    • Apple Pie Moonshine, huge bar selection, fancy atmosphere, can order food from 1st City Cafe
  • Headliners Sports Bar
    • Cheap drinks and good times (DIVE BAR)
  • Frogs (for Andy LOL)
    • Cajun seafood, Mexican mains & Southern comfort chow share the menu at this bright, airy sports pub.
    • BAG Night and good food
    • They deliver alcohol y’all!!
  • Cowboy Jack’s Saloon
    • Red Rooster Drink, seasonal drinks, beer, almost all the alcohol is from Texas and to eat queso, nachos, chicken friend steak, they have $1 drafts on Friday…

Tarleton State (Stephenville, TX)

Contributors: Bret & Hailey Partin

• The Purple Goat
  • An open air dining experience that offers delicious cuisine and superb service. … BBQ, Burgers, Beer and more! Come try our famous Mom’s Mac’n Cheese.
• Beans & Franks
  • Beans and Franks is a local coffee shop/cafe specializing in gourmet hot dogs, fresh roasted coffee, and much more
  •  is a super popular college coffee shop & specialty hot dog place
• Montana Restaurant
  • Restaurant & bar serving Western-style appetizers & blue-plate specials in homey environs.
• Newton at the Cellar
  • Newton was on Master Chef
  • This cattle rancher featured as “Newton”, the Cowboy Chef on MasterChef Season 8, is not your average cowboy – he has a passion for food and spends his days tending the ranch and coming up with new twists on typical Texas Chow, elevating it to his own Texas Cowboy Cuisine.
• Jake and Dorothy’s Cafe
  • Mainstay featuring generous plates of homestyle American fare in a down-to-earth setting.

UT Rio Grande Valley (Edinburg, TX)

Contributors: Zachary Ugarte

• Dirty Al’s Bayou Grill
  • Frog legs, crawfish étouffée & other Cajun-style specialties served in a relaxed atmosphere.
  • Fish Tacos
• Marco’s Burgers & More (Mission, TX)
  • locally-owned burger dive located in Mission, Texas. We are the only restaurant in South Texas with 100% Fresh Ground Ribeye
• Taco Kissi
  • Quesacombo
• Delia’s
  • Local Mexican chain serving freshly steamed tamales & salsa in a casual setting.
  • Bean and cheese and jalapeno tamales
• Jamaican Jerk Stop (McAllen, TX)
  • crab cakes, jerk chicken plate, fried chicken plate, jerk chicken salad, oxtail, tilapia plate, curry goat, and 20 wings.
  • Ox tail and ginger shrimp
• Taco Palenque
  • Pirata taco-2 flour tortillas with juicy fajitas, refried beans, melted cheddar cheese

Utah

Dixie State University (St. George, UT)

Contributors: Dallas Clifford, Megan Webb, Frank Staine

• La Piñata
  • Top shelf Mexican food 10 minutes from campus
  • Yucatan Burrito
  • Deep-fried machaca beef burrito smothered in spinach con queso sauce with cream cheese
• Jalapenos Authentic Mexican Food
  • Counter service menu with an array of classic Mexican tacos, burritos, & plates in a relaxed space.
• River Rock Roasting Co. (La Verkin, UT)
  • Low-key coffeehouse offering espresso drinks, baked goods & sandwiches, plus expansive canyon views.
• Durango’s Mexican Grill
  • Eatery offering enchiladas, tacos & other Mexican dishes amid laid-back environs.
• Cafe Sabor
  • Traditional Mexican cuisine made with fresh ingredients
• Honolulu Grill
  • This unfussy counter serve offers typical Hawaiian food such as kalua pork sandwiches & shaved ice.
• Hash House A Go Go
  • Hip chain serving creative, market-fresh American brunch & dinner fare, plus signature Bloody Marys.
• Crepery
  • Boutique restaurant and coffee shop
• Bear Paw Cafe
  • Buzzy coffee shop serving homey breakfast favorites (waffles, crêpes & more) & lunch in cozy digs.
• Bishops Grill
  • Casual American eatery in a strip mall presenting breakfast favorites & familiar diner fare.
• Logan Black Bear Diner 
  • Down-home chain serving all-day American comfort food & desserts in a woodsy setting.

Utah Valley (Orem, UT)

Contributors: Zachary Ugarte, Kyle McDonald

• Restaurants
  • Tucanos Brazilian Grill
    • Brazilian steakhouse chain serving all-you-can-eat churrasco & specialty skewers in a vibrant space.
  • Milagros
    • Snug, rustic cantina dishing out traditional dishes made from scratch with all-natural ingredients.
  • Ernie’s Sports Deli
  • Brick Oven (Provo, UT)
    • Flagship of a pizzeria chain serving all-you-can-eat pasta, soup & salad, plus signature root beer.
  • The Philadelphian (Sandy, UT) Sandwiches
    • No-frills sandwich joint popular for its Philly-style cheesesteaks, plus cold subs & fried sides.
  • The Pie Pizzeria (South Jordan, UT)
    • Branch of a buzzy local chain serving up pies with gourmet toppings, subs & beer in a funky setting.
  • Salsa Leedos (Riverton, UT) Mexican Grill and Bar
    • Mexican eats in a colorful, festive setting with hanging peppers & a tropical margarita bar.
• Drinks
  • Bout Time Pub & Grub (Vineyard, UT)
    • Relaxed sports bar chain serving up beer, cocktails & casual American bites amid flat-screen TVs.
  • City Limits Tavern  (Provo, UT)

Washington

Seattle U (Seattle, WA)

Contributors: Russell Brown

• The Barbecue Pit
  • traditional BBQ menu items with unique flavors that have been carefully crafted by our owner, Pookey. According to Yelp, The Stranger, Thrillist and The Seattle Met, we offer the best barbecue in Seattle. 
• Elliott’s Oyster House
  • Waterfront restaurant with a bay view known for its selection of oysters & sustainable seafood.
• Ivars
  • Ivar’s is a seafood chain in Seattle, WA, serving the finest wild caught Northwest seafood since 1938 from 3 full serve restaurants and 18 quick serve Seafood bars
• Dicks Drive-In
  • Multiple fast food locations
• Beecher’s Handmade Cheese
  • Views of cheese-making plus quick comfort food like mac ‘n’ cheese in a snug space with eating bar.