Berkeley is home to one of the finest campuses in the entire world, and not nearly enough people know it. From the brilliant academic buildings, to the sights and sounds (and smells) of Telegraph, Cal is harshly undervalued by those who haven't spent enough time there.
Kip's didn't make the list, but these eight campus hot spots did - destinations that any college-aged visitor (and probably nobody older than that) should make a point to visit.
Pappy's
Address: 2367 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704
Website: www.pappysontelegraph.com
Pappy's does it all. For lunch, Pappy's has the student special ($5 for burger, fries and a Coke). For the big game, Pappy's has a slew of TVs and a kickass atmosphere. For Fridays, Pappy's has "Beat the Clock" - an awesome twist on happy hour. The restaurant is named after Pappy Waldorf, the coach of the dominant Bears teams from the early 50s.
Cafe Durant
Address: 2517 Durant Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704
Website: Not so much
Cafe D is the place to be on Tuesdays, when tacos are $1 each and beers are on special. The rooftop patio is always packed, and if you're strolling by Durant at the right time, you're guaranteed to hear the buzz from an electric game of 7, 11, or doubles.
Durant Square
Address:2519-2521 Durant Ave. Berkeley, CA 94704
Website: n/a
Known to students as the 'Asian Ghetto,' this diverse group of quick serve restaurants is the place for a reasonably priced bite. Squeeze in quality Vietnamese, Korean, Thai, Mexican, Italian and Mediterranean cuisine all in one tightly knit area, and you're there.
Kingpin Donuts
Address: 2521 Durant Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704
Website: (no need)
Technically connected to the Asian Ghetto, Kingpin deserves its own spot on this list. Every nostril within a quarter mile's radius flares when a fresh batch of Kingpin comes out. They're greasy to a disgusting degree and they take advantage of the vulnerable crowd stumbling back from the bars, but they've been there when you needed them for practically a century now.
Top Dog
Address: 2534 Durant Ave Berkeley, CA 94704
Website: www.topdoghotdogs.com
Another late night destination, Top Dog is a favorite among Cal students. Customizable hot dogs allow for a variety of toppings, fillings, and they're available late.
CREAM
Address: 2399 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704
Website: www.creamnation.com
(CREAM: Cookies Rule Everything Around Me)
On any given night, there's a line that extends out the door and well up Channing Way. There's a reason for that, and it lies in the ooey-gooey goodness of their ice cream sandwiches. CREAM makes their cookies AND ice cream fresh, unlike a similiar store at UCLA whose business model they're said to have mimicked.
Jupiter
Address: 2181 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704
Website: www.jupiterbeer.com
Jupiter is craft beer and pizza done right. While it caters to a more professional crowd, graduate and undergrad students alike can enjoy the ambiance of live music next to a fire on cool evenings. Makes for a great venue when your parents come to town.
Amoeba Music
Address: 2455 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704
Website: www.amoeba.com
One of the few non-restaurants on the list, Amoeba makes the cut for its unique factor. Not many cities in the 21st century can boast a record store that bustles on a Saturday night. Something about this place bridges the gap from culturally loaded Berkeley of the 60s to the Berkeley of today.
Worth noting: A 20 minute BART ride takes you into the bustle of downtown San Francisco, and a quick jaunt into the Berkeley Hills will bring you to magnificent views of the Bay at either Panoramic Hill or Grizzly Peak.
At the end of the day, while these spots are essential to Berkeley, it's the fusion of so many different backgrounds that make the University of California - Berkeley one of the greatest schools in the world.
Did one of your favorites get snubbed? Let us know on Twitter @ChatSports!
See also:
The 9 Ways You Know You're A Cal Bears Fan
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