Best Of UB

Category: Best Library

Spectrum Opinion: Oscar A. Silverman Library, Capen Hall

Oscar A. Silverman Library, better known as Capen, is UB's undergraduate library. Open 24 hours, the library is perfect for study sessions at all hours.

The four-story library, accessible by the street level entrance of Capen Hall, has areas devoted to group study or silent studying to suit everyone's needs. The library is also a printing hub for students and faculty, so computer access becomes scarce in the 10 minutes before and after classes in the early afternoon. Centrally located on campus, Capen is the perfect place to meet for group projects that may require computer or printer access.

Category: Best Pizza

Spectrum Opinion: La Rosa Pizzeria, The Commons

While there are many establishments at UB that serve pizza, taking a walk over to The Commons for La Rosa Pizza is worth the hike. Serving a variety of traditional and specialty pies, La Rosa is certain to have a satisfying slice.

Eat-in or call ahead and order a whole pie to take to a study session. La Rosa offers many specials each week, so be sure to stop in to get a good slice at a good price.

Category: Best Vegetarian

Spectrum Opinion: Edgy Veggies, Student Union

The simplicity of Edgy Veggies' build-your-own salad proves to be one of the tastiest options on campus. Located inside Putnam's in the Student Union, it is one of the newest additions to UB.

Pick a leafy green, add several healthy toppings, select from a slew of dressing options, and enjoy. Because the customer gets to pick their own fresh ingredients (protein options are included), Edgy Veggies is a great pick for vegetarians and "meatetarians" alike.

Category: Best Place to Chill

Spectrum Opinion: Student Union, 3rd Floor

Looking for a place to socialize without getting sucked into the loud vortex of the Student Union? Simply trudge up a couple flights of stairs to the third floor – a location that is surprisingly quiet and exceptional for people watching.

The open space of the third floor of the SU slightly echoes the energy from the bottom floor and the seats around the railings are perfect for sitting and chatting with a friend. Some use the space for napping, reading, or even eating lunch.

Category: Best Dining On The Spine

Spectrum Opinion: Pistachio's, Student Union, 2nd Floor

Newly renovated, Pistachio's is a student staple for lunch at UB. The eatery is divided into a pasta station and a sandwich station, each of which offer made-to-order meals fresh every day. Sandwiches and pastas are both customizable and delicious, often with lines going out the door (although it does move quickly).

Try to hit Pistachio's at an off-hour for great food without the wait. Pistachio's sandwich station also offers freshly pressed paninis with familiar flavors such as buffalo chicken or Mediterranean cuisine. Overall, Pistachio's is the place to be for a delicious afternoon meal.

Category: Best Dining Hall

Spectrum Opinion: Goodyear Dining Hall, South Campus

College dorm dining halls have a nasty reputation for serving up flavorless food and having limited selections. Goodyear Dining Hall, located on South Campus, refreshingly breaks the mold. Goodyear changes the selections often (there are different "themed" meals every night), and allows students to choose what appeals to them. Anyone searching for a good dining hall meal should hop the Stampede to South Campus and enjoy Goodyear Dining Hall.

Category: Best Parking

Spectrum Opinion: Cooke Lots

Although the argument can certainly be made that there are no good places to park at UB, the Cooke Lots are the lesser of all evils. While convenience of location rides upon a student's individual schedule, Cooke Lots sit right on the western edge of the Spine near NSC and Cooke, and is a quick jaunt from the entrances to both buildings – perfect in a Buffalo winter.

Cooke happens to be one of the last lots to fill up during the morning rush and has a steady flow of turnover, so a spot can be found at almost any time of day for anyone willing to wait a couple minutes and stalk a couple people to their cars.

Category: Best Gym

Spectrum Opinion: Alumni Arena

The combination of cardio machines on the upper level, weight lifting on the lower, an indoor track wrapping around the top of the main gym, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, and courts for racquet sports Alumni supplies students with the latest in fitness equipment.

Alumni hosts open gym nights where students are welcome to use the gym area to participate in a variety of indoor sports activities. Lockers are conveniently available for $15 a semester so students can easily go from class directly to the gym without having to lug around sweaty clothes.

Although this space is widely used by athletes, all students are invited to exercise on the equipment.

Category: Best Coffee

Spectrum Opinion: Capen Café, Capen Hall

Whether cramming for an exam, pulling an all-nighter, or waking up for an 8 a.m. class, students often find coffee critical to their sanity. UB understands the science behind a good cup o'joe: one can grab a cup at Tim Horton's, Starbucks, and every other campus dining shop that serves this invigorating beverage.

Capen Café, in the belly of the Academic Spine, is the perfect one-stop-shop for a quick fix. From Colombian to House Blend, French Vanilla to Guatemalan, Capen Café offers a variety of bold flavors that will satisfy any coffee lover. Lactose intolerant? The small shop has alternative creamers such as soymilk so students can mix a cup to their preference.

While most coffee fanatics flock to the well-known shops to get their caffeine fix, few know that they can skip the long lines by swinging by Capen Café where service is fast and friendly and the coffee is delicious.

Category: Best Sushi

Spectrum Opinion: Dancing Chopsticks, The Commons

Waltz deep into the Commons and experience Dancing Chopsticks, a restaurant that serves Japanese Cuisine and rolls some of the best sushi on campus. Sushi combinations can range from tuna and avocado, to spicy shrimp, to eel wrapped in brown rice. Patrons may order a roll directly from the chef himself and he'll make it fresh or they can select a premade roll that is out on display.

Unlike Soma Sushi in the Student Union, Dancing Chopsticks has a cool atmosphere and free tea that adds to the enjoyment of chowing down on a roll or two.

Category: Best Restaurant in Commons

Spectrum Opinion: Rachel's Mediterranean, The Commons

Although Rachel's often flies under the radar, it is an all around great place for fantastic food and service. With delicious entrees for under $10, Rachel's Mediterranean serves hearty souvlakis, tasty gyros, phenomenal falafels, and so much more. Vegetarian or not, anyone can enjoy a meal at Rachel's.

With some of the cleanest tables on campus and utensils always neatly in stock, it is obvious that the owner takes exceptional care of the restaurant. Sandwiched in a nook between Bollywood Bistro and Korean Express, this mouthwatering Mediterranean cuisine is sure to leave hungry bellies happy.

Category: Best Place to Nap

Spectrum Opinion: Club Capen, Oscar A. Silverman Library

Naps are inarguably awesome in a comfortable bed, but they're even better on stiff, bright-green library couches. The basement of the Silverman (Capen) Library is full of nappers who take the art of sleeping seriously.

Tucked away beneath the wide staircase that leads to the basement, the napping nook seems to be the ideal place to take a break. Walking by the basement windows of the Silverman Library is like passing a giant fish tank full of sleeping people, it is peaceful within the actual library and students are guaranteed a few winks of shut-eye.

Category: Best View of UB

Spectrum Opinion: Clemens Hall, 10th Floor

North Campus is made up of over 50 clusters of buildings, each varying in height and purpose. In the evening, once the sun goes down and the classroom lights illuminate campus, Clemens Hall's 10th floor is the place to be. UB looks like a city all on its own as the buildings light up the sky.

Whether on a study break from the library or exploring the campus at night, Clemens' 10th floor is the perfect place for a brief getaway from everyday UB.

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