5 Must-Try Nearby Restaurants for USC Students
By Paul Samaha ‘17
Los Angeles is known for being a diverse city, and the food options are a great representation of that. While exploring the heart of Downtown LA will offer you infinite possibilities, there are still some great options that are just a walk, bike ride or free USC Uber away from campus. Listed below are restaurants that are necessary for every USC student to experience while at school.
Ebaes
While the on-the-go sushi options found at campus mini marts Trojan Grounds and Seeds Marketplace may be tempting, hold off on the sushi craving until you can head over to Ebaes. The freshly made rolls are of the highest quality without requiring you to break open your pocket book. Bonus tip: they have a fantastic happy hour food menu, served daily from 2 pm - 6 pm as well as 8 pm - 10 pm from Monday to Thursday. Ebaes is known for their reasonably priced sushi that doesn’t compromise quality!
La Barca
La Barca is a unique place because it’s not only a USC student favorite (see photo of Rini and I above), but it’s also a local’s favorite (including the local LAPD’s favorite dinner spot). While this popularity signifies how great the restaurant is, you should expect to wait some time before you’re seated. Authentic Mexican food, inexpensive margaritas and phenomenal customer service are what keep everyone waiting in line and wanting to come back.
Bacaro LA
Bacaro is loved by students for their tasty Italian-inspired small plates, bottomless wines and special small plate happy hours. Go between the hours of 5 pm - 7 pm for $6 small plates and try my personal favorite, the Bacaro Fries (complete with a fried egg on top). Bacaro is always a hit dinner spot before events like fraternity invites or birthday celebrations. Saturday/Sunday brunch is also a must. Actually, I don’t think there is ever a bad time to go to Bacaro– it is simply always a win.
Spudnuts
A guilty pleasure donut shop nestled between campus and Greek Row that your parents probably frequented if they went to USC. A typical order at Spudnuts would be a nutella or maple bacon cronut (croissant + donut). Spudnuts also offers normal glazed donuts, a wide selection of popular boba teas as well as breakfast sandwiches for those not brave enough to spend up their daily calorie intake on maple bacon cronuts. Spudnuts is always appreciated, and sometimes regretted.
Jacks N Joe
Jacks N Joe has mastered the art of breakfast. And that’s probably why their tagline is “A breakfast all day kinda place.” If you’re looking for a fantastic start to your day before class Monday through Friday, you can do so between 7 am and 2 pm at Jacks n Joe. On Saturday and Sunday, you can grab your weekend brunch between 8 am and 3:30 am. One time my Spanish teacher took our class here before the day’s lesson and it certainly was the best start to an excellent day… breakfast is the most important meal of the day, after all! Hot tip: arrive early (wait times can get very long) and be sure to ask about the secret menu… it has my favorite item on it, the loaded hashbrowns (pictured above).
