Arizona State University New Student Guide to Good Hang-Outs and Places to Avoid

In spite of Arizona State University's (ASU) student population of over 38,000 in Tempe, Arizona, undergraduate student Caryl J. says, "The campus layout feels intimate, and most of my professors know me by name and really care." This is Caryl's junior year, so she has about three years of campus life to her credit and new students might find some good advice from her experiences.

Best Places to Eat

The phrase freshman 15 has long been understood to be referring to the 15 pounds students at any college gain from stress and other factors in their first year. Café Biblioteca offers students healthy alternatives without over spending the budget. Caryl J. says, "The service is awesome and they offer great tasting, healthy food at good prices! I usually order their $5.75 Chicken Tikka Masala with yogurt and chutney for lunch or dinner."

Café Biblioteca International Coffeehouse is a campus hot spot for location, atmosphere, good service, low prices, quality food, and plenty of seating indoors and on the patio. Like most on campus sites, there's free internet access. At least eight other coffee shops are around campus, but Cary J. says, "I come here because I like the taste of their coffee better and it's cheaper."

Find Café Biblioteca in ASU's Hayden Library lobby for breakfast and lunch. Prices start at $1.75 for regular coffee ($1.00 refills), teas and pastries. Nothing is over $6.00, including their signature Chicken Tikka Masala, sandwiches or salad meals. Hours vary. Call Hayden Library at (480)965-6164x5.

Off campus, the best place to eat and hang out is Sucker Punch Sally's. Like Café Biblioteca, the price is right, the coffee is good and internet access is free. Unlike Café Biblioteca, is open 24 hours per day. Sally's serves breakfast any time of day or night in a diner atmosphere, offering comfort food like homemade macaroni and cheese. Sally's has healthy surprises too, like homemade fresh granola with yogurt and fresh fruit, making a great meal or dessert.

Sucker Punch Sally's has a liquor license and full bar for the 21 and older crowd. Find them on the corner of University and Mill, just a five minute walk west of campus. Open 24/7; call (480)248-6673 for more information.

Best Place to Meet People

ASU junior Caryl J. says, "The best places to meet people are by living in college approved housing, whether in the dorms, campus apartments, or joining a Greek house (sorority or fraternity). On campus living is the quickest way to meet tons of people." By being actively involved in organized, college-sanctioned housing, clubs and activities, new students can explore new interests and enjoy old favorites with people of the same hobby. Being involved with campus life is important for a new student to feel like he is part of the ASU community.

Best Shopping

The best shopping for clothes and accessories is easily Buffalo Exchange, a secondhand store just a couple blocks west of Sucker Punch Sally's. Great clothes and low prices are offered at this buy, sell and trade thrift store. Find Buffalo Exchange at 227 W. University, Tempe, AZ 85281; phone (480) 968-2557; Hours are Mon-Sat 10AM-9PM, Sun 11AM-7PM.

CVS drug store is at the corner of University and Mill. If the need is getting prescriptions filled or buying a few quick grocery items to keep in your dorm fridge, CVS is close by. Find CVS at 802 S. Mill, Tempe, AZ 85281; phone (480)966-6271; Store is open 24/7 like Sucker Punch Sally's across the street; Pharmacy hours Mon-Fri, 8AM-10PM, Sat 8AM-6PM, Sun 10AM-6PM.

Tempe Marketplace is the place for everything else, located at McClintock and Loop 202/Rio Salado Parkway. Needs from office supplies, groceries, and room decorations to a night out at the movies in Harkins Theater 16, where students can get discounted tickets after matinee hours, are all there. Many restaurants offer free internet access, so Tempe Marketplace is another great place to study off campus. Shopping, theater and restaurant hours vary. See website for details.

Best Transportation

By far, Tempe's best transportation are the free local "Orbit Shuttles" to neighborhoods, shopping like Tempe Marketplace and major Phoenix-area bus route connections. Orbit shuttles run every 15 minutes during open hours on Mon-Fri 6AM to 10PM, Sat 8AM - 10PM, and every 30 minutes on Sunday from 8AM - 7PM. See website for other details.

Places to Avoid

ASU has so many great innovations and accommodations for student needs' it is hard to say, "What is a waste of time or money?" However, the food service system can still use a lot of tweaking in bringing quality, fresh local foods at a fair price to all students. The Memorial Union is in the middle of campus and the services within it take advantage of location, offering mostly fast food and few unhealthy options. Caryl J. says, "Food is expensive there and doesn't taste that good."

As mentioned earlier, skip the other coffee shops across campus and head to Café Biblioteca instead, for quality drinks and food at a fair price.

Caryl J. adds, "Dorm living requires cafeteria meal cards, so opt for the cheapest meal plan and eat healthier by stocking up on healthy foods to keep in the dorm or apartment."