Eating All Along Amsterdam
Brrrrrr-it's March, but still chilly. Cool temperatures and cold rain drive us indoors. But a student's got to eat.Denise Williams, an early childhood education major, dreads leaving the building but does not enjoy the taste of CCNY's cafeteria food. "I just want a good hot meal that my taste buds enjoy, but I'm doomed to eat in the café because once I step out I'm freezing!" says Williams, 20. "I mean I'm not trying to walk 10 million blocks just for a burger, but I'm also not trying to be on the toilet from these mystery meats on the café menu."Williams isn't the only one. Finding fast, healthy, inexpensive food near campus is a challenge for college students across the country.In a recent online article, "College Student Eating Habits: Is Bad Health on the Menu?" author Kristie Leong, M.D. points out that college students often make poor food choices which can get in the way of academic performance and lead to health problems down the road. "Fast food may taste good now, but could be more costly later on," she writes.Now that the semester is slowly picking up and cold weather may be with us for a while, convenience dictates what and where we eat. But you don't have to sacrifice proximity for taste and cost. Here are five local eateries along Amsterdam Avenue that satisfy the taste buds, feature healthy options and don't put a freeze on the wallet:Campus Deli, 139th and AmsterdamThis delicatessen is known for its chopped cheese sandwich, kickin buffalo chicken, and tuna wraps-plus tons of salads, fresh fruit and ready-to-go smoothies. Each hero or roll comes with a free can drink of your choice. Prices range from $3.50 - $5.The only thing missing? Seating, says Jamie Thompson, 19. "I love getting my lunch from here; it's like right here," says Thompson, an English major. "But they have nowhere to sit and eat. I hate taking it to go."Grand Great Wall Restaurant, 138th and AmsterdamThis is the place to go if you're in the mood for a Chinese meal full of flavor. It offers fresh spring rolls, white or brown rice, and plenty of hearty dishes full of snow peas, shrimp and bean curd. You can also choose very healthy veggies steamed with no salt or oil. Prices run from $4 to $9 depending on what you order and most items are served with a free can drink.Subconscious, 140th and AmsterdamOnce you walk into this sandwich and salad shop, you see tons of chalk-written offerings and colorful ingredients. The best options are just about everything-subs, wraps, paninis and fresh salads. Prices start at about $5 to $7.Food Hut, 145th and AmsterdamFor a taste of the islands, try this spot; its tropical scents will lure you into a welcoming environment. Choose carefully with health in mind, but top bites are the vegetable patty with moist cocoa bread, oxtails with white rice, steamed cabbage and soft plantains. Drinks vary from fresh squeezed lemonade to coconut water. Prices range from $2 to $9.Subway, 134th and AmsterdamYou can't go wrong with this national chain, which prides itself on healthy, inexpensive made-to-order sandwiches on fresh bread. You can choose from 6- or 12-inch subs, wraps or even low-fat pizza. Workers prepare your sandwhich right in front of your face and make it according to your taste. The price ranges from $4 to$6.When the weather gets warmer, walking a little farther--down the hill towards Broadway or several blocks over if you have a large break in between classes--might not be a bad idea. The exercise will be good for you. Says Adeola Oke, 22, and a marketing major: "You know, I could walk a few blocks for a good bite to eat so I would feel good sprinting back to campus burning off the hoagie with extra mayo I just indulged in."
