If students are not in the mood to cook food, but do not want McDonald’s it is no problem. Wilmington has plenty of inexpensive, delicious restaurants for college students.

McAlisters, on South College Road, is a great place to grab a quick meal. Not only is the food delicious, the service is quick and friendly and has indoor and outdoor seating. Also on South College Road is El Cerro Grande, a Mexican restaurant. El Cerro Grande is one of UNCW graduate Alan Maready’s favorite places to go. Every time Maready goes to El Cerro Grande he gets two bean burritos and a drink, which costs around $9, he said. El Cerro Grande’s atmosphere is another reason to visit the restaurant. “There’s always interesting music playing,” Maready said.

If people are in a hurry, do not worry about the food taking a while. “Food comes out really fast, actually,” he said. Sumo Express is another favorite with UNCW students.

“I like it because it’s different. It’s not McDonald’s or Wendy’s or any other type of fast food,” senior Monica Leak said. “You get tired of eating burgers and fries and tacos, and that’s all there really is that’s inexpensive … it’s not the same thing you get every day.” “I actually discovered Sumo Express when I went to another Japanese restaurant that was a whole lot more expensive and someone told me that you could go to [Sumo Express] and get the same thing and it’s cheaper,” Leak said. “So I tried it, and ended up liking it more than the expensive place.” Junior Lara Hamilton is a fan of Texas Roadhouse. “It’s a little bit more pricey, about $15 for a salad, side and entree,” she said. “But it’s yummy.” Hamilton said she likes the country atmosphere. “They do square dancing and play [Western] music,” she said. “I also like that the uniform is jeans and a t-shirt. It’s a relaxed atmosphere, I enjoy myself there.” “Any of the meat: filet mignon, strip steak, rib eye,” is really good, Hamilton said. “They have good portions; you won’t go home hungry. You’ll probably end up bringing food home with you.” The big VW bus in front of the Mellow Mushroom was the first thing to catch the attention of junior Tom Granado. On Oleander Drive, the pizza at the Mellow Mushroom quickly made the restaurant one of Granado’s favorite places to eat. The Mellow Mushroom has a “very laid back environment,” Granado said, “My favorite thing is they serve Blue Moon [ale] there.” With all the delicious and inexpensive restaurants close to UNCW, students do not have to worry about going hungry when they do not feel like cooking.