Taco Tuesday is the ideal time to visit Cazuela’s, though a craving for margaritas and tacos on a Thursday is a good reason to visit as well. Located in the middle of a row of two-story houses, the restaurant appears in many ways like the home of a good friend. Take a seat inside and find comfort with a giant chalice filled with your favorite margarita, or find a spot out on the patio and wait for the string lights overhead to pop on; either way, it’s an excellent ending to a long day.

A new American restaurant complete with leather booths and soft ambient lighting, Hudson 29 is the ideal place for a celebration, whether you’re a student who just aced a big exam or a professor who finished grading it. The kitchen takes broad cues from the Hudson River Valley (home to the Culinary Institute of America) and Napa to create a crowd-pleasing menu with items like ahi tuna tartare, slow-roasted prime rib, pan-seared scallops, and wood-grilled salmon. Reserve the private dining room for up to eight of your friends, and luxuriate in the moody ambience.

Brassica has become a staple for Ohio State students looking to escape campus for a quick trip to the Mediterranean. The chill counter-service spot offers options like brisket, roasted cauliflower, baba ghanoush, and fresh falafel. Meals come in the form of sandwiches (made with fresh pita), salad, or loaded hummus bowls. Go for the salad and affix it with all the available toppings, including the roasted red pepper sauce and zhug, to try the full array at once.

For generations, the Varsity Club has stood as OSU’s go-to watering hole. Located only a short 500 yards from the legendary Shoe, the iconic sports bar has helped carry the history of the Buckeyes since the days of Woody Hayes. Originally established in 1959, the business has maintained its character through the years, with its redbrick exterior, wood paneling, and upright wooden booths. An atmosphere of easy friendship over the scarlet and gray still pervades the place, and it’s a popular option for pregaming before kickoff.

No visit to OSU is complete without a stop at the Original Pancake House, a classic local restaurant that channels a comfy diner or a weekend at grandma’s place. The warm and delightfully fluffy pancakes are topped with a light whipped butter and come in flavors ranging from savory (potato pancakes) to sweet (strawberry) to indulgent (the Buckeye pancake arrives filled and topped with peanut butter and chocolate chips). Aside from the eponymous pancakes, OPH serves a savory chorizo eggs Benedict, cherry Kijafa crepes (made with fruit simmered in Kijafa liqueur), Belgian waffles, and a western omelet.

Not a weekend goes by without a full house at Out-R-Inn. Located conveniently just off High Street, this local dive bar is the place to be before, during, and most definitely after a Buckeye game. The drinks on offer aren’t especially noteworthy, but the bar has witnessed years of fan celebrations and commiserations. Peer at the walls and ceilings, and see if you can spot a familiar signature scrawled there, from the blurry night before or maybe several years prior. If the exposed brick, neon beer signs, and graffiti-covered walls could talk, they’d have stories to tell about plenty of OSU grads.

As a 24-hour establishment, Buckeye Donuts has been a source of sustenance for students during breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon, dinner, supper, and of course, midnight snack since 1969. But don’t let the name fool you; the shop serves more than sweets. Beyond the classic cake doughnut or Long John and coffee combo, there are gyros and fries to satisfy anyone looking for a heartier meal.

Apollo’s is a popular option for lunch, but a night on the town is never complete without a quick stop for the restaurant’s fresh gyros and a side of crispy fries. Ascend the stairs inside, and feel the instant need for a fluffy warm pita topped with savory lamb and tzatziki. Cool, laid-back, and completely satisfying, Apollo’s is worth the visit.

Hang Over Easy is a staple for OSU students, passed down from class to class of Buckeyes. Large garage doors, a wall-size chalkboard, and vintage posters splashed across subway-tiled walls give the space a lot of character, while the names of dishes — Sloppy Seconds, Frog Eyes, Whole Lotta Goodness — keep the mood light. Find your own favorite item, and share it with the next generation.

OSU students rarely go a month without a bite of pizza from Adriatico’s at a class event, party, or the Oval. The restaurant has something for all kinds of pizza lovers, with various crusts ranging from thin to thick. Gather a crew and order the massive Buckeye pie, an impressive 18-by-24-inch, thick-crust, rectangular pizza cut in squares. Every cheese pull is worthy of a social media feed.

In the immortal words of Kelis, the milkshakes truly do bring everyone to the yard — and doors — of this ice cream parlor. Bigger is certainly better when it comes to the shakes made at Shake No Eight. Get yourself a full 16 ounces in flavors like Ohio Blackout, Cotton Candy, Brewed Awakening, and S’mores.

During midterms each semester, church is in session at Staufs, as students religiously file in to caffeinate with their favorite coffees and teas while studying. Since the cafe chain converted an old church into a dining space in 2019, it has become a sanctuary for students. The stained glass windows and the vaulted ceilings create the ideal setting for writing term papers, catching up with friends, and reading a good book. Order an iced Buckeye latte, an almond latte, or a classic pour over.