Rutgers Eats: Best Dining Spots

Rutgers University in New Brunswick is surrounded by eateries catering to the student body and beyond. From the famous Fat Sandwiches of the RUHungry Truck to the strombolis and fishbowls of Stuff Yer Face, there's plenty of choice. For those looking for a quick bite, there's Skinny Vinnie's, which claims to serve the Best Pizza in Town, or the falafel sandwiches at Mamoun's Falafel. For a more upscale experience, there's Steakhouse 85, Salt Seafood & Oyster Bar, and The Frog and the Peach. And for those with a sweet tooth, Thomas Sweet Ice Cream offers 30 flavours and a range of sundaes, cakes, and pies.

Rutgers University food trucks

Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, was once famous for its food trucks ,which were an integral part of the campus culture. These trucks, known as "grease trucks", were located on the College Avenue Campus and served up a variety of fried foods, including the popular "Fat Sandwiches".

The grease trucks were removed from their longtime location in 2013, with plans to relocate them across the New Brunswick and Piscataway campuses. However, no such food trucks can be found anywhere on the Rutgers campuses anymore.

The grease trucks were known for their "Fat Sandwiches", which were subs or hero sandwiches stuffed with various permutations of foods, including burgers, French fries, cheesesteak, mozzarella sticks, chicken fingers, pork rolls, marinara sauce, falafel, gyro meat, bacon, fried eggs, ketchup, mayonnaise, and onions. One of the most popular sandwiches was the "Fat Darrell", which was invented by a student named Darrell Butler and consisted of chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, French fries, and marinara sauce.

In addition to the Fat Sandwiches, the grease trucks also offered a variety of mostly homemade Mediterranean food, such as gyros, falafel, hummus, and pita bread. They also had breakfast grill items, bagels, eggs, soup, gum, chips, cookies, and even homemade Rice Krispies Treats.

The grease trucks were a popular meeting and hangout spot for students and visitors, and they were featured on the TV show "Man v. Food", where host Adam Richman attempted to eat five fat sandwiches in 45 minutes.

While the grease trucks are no longer a part of the Rutgers University landscape, their legacy lives on in the memories of those who frequented them and in the "R U Hungry?" restaurant on Hamilton Street, which was once one of the grease trucks.

Rutgers University dining halls

Rutgers University in New Brunswick operates four dining halls and over a dozen retail food operations on campus. The dining halls are:

• Livingston Dining Commons
• Neilson Dining Hall

The retail food operations on campus include:

• Starbucks (Livingston Campus)
• Cafe West
• Cook Cafe
• Douglass Cafe
• Dunkin’ (Livingston and Douglass)
• Harvest (IFNH and Juice Bar)
• Henry’s Diner
• Kilmer’s Market
• Red Pine Pizza
• Sbarro
• Food trucks

Best restaurants for Rutgers University parents to pay

If you're looking for the best restaurants for Rutgers University parents to pay for, look no further! Here are some great options near the New Brunswick campus:

Old Man Rafferty's

This restaurant is a little out of the average student's budget, but it's the perfect spot to treat yourself when your parents are visiting. Indulge in dishes like bacon-wrapped filet mignon and decadent chocolate desserts. It's located just a short walk from campus at 106 Albany St.

Steakhouse 85

A modern take on the classic American steakhouse, Steakhouse 85 offers mouth-watering dry-aged steaks and traditional favourites. Their menu features fresh and inspiring interpretations of classic dishes. It's a great choice for parents who want to treat their student to a nice dinner.

The Frog and the Peach

This pioneering farm-to-table restaurant and bar is a great choice for a special occasion. It offers innovative American cuisine and thoughtful service in a lively, upscale industrial space. Located centrally in New Brunswick, it's convenient for both Philadelphia and New York City visitors.

Due Mari

With its minimalistic decor, brilliant service, and delicious menu, Due Mari will make you feel like you're dining in a different New Brunswick. It's a great choice for parents who want to treat their students to a nice meal in a sophisticated setting.

Destination Dogs

If you're looking for a more casual option, Destination Dogs is one of the East Coast's best hot dog spots. Their dogs come with a plethora of toppings, and they offer both preset combinations and fully customizable options. It's a fun and tasty choice for parents who want to treat their students to something a little different.

Best Rutgers University restaurants for students

The Rutgers University area in New Jersey is a melting pot of food cultures, from food trucks to hipster coffee shops and Oaxacan restaurants. Here are some of the best restaurants for students to eat at near the New Brunswick campus.

Hansel 'N Griddle

A popular spot for any Rutgers student, H'NG serves up giant burgers, quesadillas, and buffalo chicken wings, and delivers until 3 am. It's the perfect place to satisfy those late-night munchies.

Mamoun's Falafel

Mamoun's is a sanctuary for students seeking affordable, fresh, and flavorful Middle Eastern cuisine. Their platters are filling, and the baklava and tamarind juice provide the full Middle-Eastern bazaar experience.

Caffe Bene

Caffe Bene is the ideal spot for a study break, with comfy chairs, spacious tables, and delicious coffee. They offer a range of European and Asian flavors, from Italian coffee to Red Bean Bingsu and Green Tea Gelato.

Hidden Grounds

Hidden Grounds is a hipster haven with succulents, unfinished wooden tables, white brick walls, and freshly ground coffee. They host community-oriented events like latte art demos and open mic nights, making it a great place to chill and study.

RU Hungry Truck

The RU Hungry grease truck is a unique part of Rutgers' culture, serving up massive Fat Sandwiches—a combination of junk food in a single sub roll. It's a must-try for any student, especially when those late-night cravings hit.

KBG Korean BBQ & Grill

KBG offers a delicious blend of Korean BBQ with elements like guacamole, pico de gallo, and sour cream. It's the perfect spot for when you're craving something healthy but tasty, with customizable bowls, tacos, and burritos.

Thomas Sweet

This ice cream shop, established in 1979, is a favorite among students, with a constant stream of people lining up for their fresh ice cream and fro-yo. They offer over 20 seasonal flavors and are known for their Blend-ins, a luscious mix of ice cream and toppings.

Stuff Yer Face

Located in a 150-year-old building, Stuff Yer Face is a Rutgers staple, serving massive strombolis ("bolis") and over 100 varieties of beer. Their Chicken Wing Potachos, made with thick potato chips, are a popular choice, and their fishbowls pack a punch.

Veganized

Veganized is the place to go if you're feeling adventurous and want to try something quirky and healthy. They use organic, seasonal produce from local farms, and their menu includes vegan cashew cheese, grilled oyster mushrooms, and sweet potato dishes.

Panico's

Panico's is the spot to satisfy your pizza cravings. Their brick-oven pies, with tangy tomato sauce and crispy thin crust, are hard to resist. The Hamilton Street Pizza, a simple margarita pie, is a crowd favorite.

The Frog and the Peach

This farm-to-table restaurant and bar, founded by Rutgers grads, offers innovative American cuisine in a lively, upscale industrial space. It's a great choice for a special occasion or when your parents are visiting.

Best Rutgers University restaurants near campus

There are plenty of great restaurants near Rutgers University, catering to a variety of tastes and budgets. Here are some of the best options:

Hansel 'N Griddle – Located on Easton Avenue, this restaurant is perfect for satisfying late-night munchies. They serve giant burgers, quesadillas, and buffalo chicken wings, with delivery available until 3 am.

Mamoun's Falafel – This Middle Eastern restaurant on Easton Avenue offers refreshing and affordable food. Their platters are filling, and they also have baklava and tamarind juice for a true Middle-Eastern experience.

Caffe Bene – Situated on George Street, Caffe Bene is an ideal spot for a study break. They offer a range of European and Asian flavours, including Italian coffee, Misaguru Frappe, Red Bean Bingsu, and Green Tea Gelato.

Hidden Grounds – With two locations in New Brunswick, Hidden Grounds is the place to be for hipsters. They serve freshly ground coffee and creative food options like masala chai and hibiscus doughnuts.

RU Hungry Truck – A staple of Rutgers University, the RU Hungry Truck serves up the famous Fat Sandwich, a massive sub packed with junk food delights. It's perfect for satisfying drunk cravings and was even featured on Man vs. Food.

KBG Korean BBQ & Grill – KBG offers a delicious blend of Korean BBQ with a twist. Think Korean BBQ burritos, bowls, and tacos with guacamole, pico de gallo, and sour cream. They are located on Easton Avenue.

Due Mari – This restaurant, located on Albany Street, offers a fine dining experience with minimalistic decor and brilliant service. The handmade pasta is a must-try.

Tacoria – With its delicious and affordable food, friendly service, and rad playlists, Tacoria is a popular spot among Rutgers students. It's located on Easton Avenue and is perfect for chilling with friends.

Thomas Sweet – Indulge your sweet tooth at Thomas Sweet, a cute ice cream shop on Easton Avenue. They offer over 20 seasonal ice cream flavours and are known for their Blend-ins, a delicious mix of ice cream and toppings.

Stuff Yer Face – Located on Easton Avenue, Stuff Yer Face is a Rutgers institution serving massive strombolis and a wide variety of beer. It's a great spot for a fun night out with friends.

Veganized – For those seeking vegan and vegetarian options, Veganized on Spring Street is a great choice. They use organic, seasonal produce from local farms and offer unique dishes like vegan cashew cheese and grilled oyster mushrooms.

Panico's – Craving a slice of pizza? Head to Panico's on Church Street for tangy tomato sauce and crispy thin-crust pizza. The Hamilton Street Pizza is a crowd favourite.

The Old Bay Restaurant – This Southern-style restaurant on Church Street offers a Cajun/Creole menu with dishes like seafood jambalaya and pecan-crusted catfish. They also have themed happy hours almost every night.

Steakhouse 85 – For a classic American steakhouse experience, visit Steakhouse 85 on Church Street. They serve mouth-watering dry-aged steaks and traditional favourites in an upscale atmosphere.

Harvest Moon Brewery & Cafe – Grab a bite before or after a show at the nearby comedy club or theatre. Harvest Moon Brewery & Cafe offers in-house-brewed beer and is located on George Street.

These restaurants offer a variety of dining options near Rutgers University, ensuring that students and visitors have plenty of choices to satisfy their culinary cravings.

Frequently asked questions