Like most other towns, Wilmington has its fair share of generic restaurants, yet there are so many better places to eat.

Unfortunately for broke college students, food is expensive. Too many people are forced to eat fast food because they don’t have the money to get a really good meal.

However, there is a happy medium between five star restaurants and the decision to super-size. Here is a list of suggestions for those times when both the stomach and the wallet are empty.

College students and pizza go hand in hand. It’s a time-honored relationship on par with spaghetti and meatballs, peas and carrots, and Ben and J-Lo (wait, scratch that last one).

One of the area’s hottest spots for pizza is Incredible Pizza on Wrightsville Avenue. It’s not just a clever name: Limited Magazine voted them fifth best pizza in the nation. They have all the traditional toppings, but they specialize in gourmet combinations such as buffalo chicken or smoked turkey club pizzas.

Another more traditional destination is Brooklyn Pizza. Their claims to fame are the lunch specials that are under five bucks, which makes the drive out to Market Street well worthwhile. And in case any are wondering, they really are from Brooklyn.

If one is craving something from south of the border and don’t think they can take another meal at Taco Bell, there are plenty of choices to accommodate. El Cerro Grande wins the award for convenience, with one location right next to campus and another at the beach. The menu is pretty much what one would expect, and they have a ton of combination lunches and dinners that are easy on the wallet.

Then, there is Flaming Amy’s Burrito Barn, on Oleander Drive. Their specialty is, of course, burritos and they are big enough to make two meals out of. They also have a huge salsa bar and a steady stream of skate videos to check out while dining.

For those with a little more domestic appetite, Wilmington is home to many all-American eateries. Sometimes, nothing hits the spot like a burger (vegetarians may want to skip to the next paragraph).

For those who are constantly asking, “where’s the beef?” check out PT’s Grille. Located right off College Road, PT’s lets customers fill out their own order card and specify what they want on their burger or sandwich. Then, find a table inside or sit out on their patio and wait for your order to arrive.

Needless to say, there are tons of great places to eat in Wilmington, and they don’t all cost an arm and a leg. Keep an eye out next semester for an article on how to lose those freshman fifteen.