campus repasts...

While time crunches have severely limited leisurely lunches, as the new semester starts, I wanted to tabulate some of my favorite options around the VCU (main) campus: (lunch at all of these places ranges from $5 - $15 w/ t&t with $8 being the median)

821 Café: 821 is a Prime Number so they moved it to 825 Cary - a Smith Number :)! I’ve been very satisfied after several visits here. The menu is still overwhelmingly large with “too many” permutations but we haven’t gone wrong with most choices here. I’m still lacking in HQ compared to rest of clientele.
Ipanema Café (#, %): My favorite vegetarian place in the city. Imaginatively goes beyond the norm within the defined (restrictive) parameters. Also terrific for a night owl. Sweet potato fries ++
(cons @ both 821C and IC – demand quite often greatly exceeds supply). The former has morphed from its subterranean look while the latter's may not be to everyones liking...
Thai Top Ten (%): (sorry ET. You have been replaced). Bonus – spring roll w/ lunch.
Carts – Dont have the choice or variety that the medical campus has but we do have arguably one of RVAs finest around - Nates Taco Truck (#) and Olio – next to Cabell library. Time to lunch – variable. Filling of stomach – variable.

Three other nice options –Harrison Street Coffee Shop (#) (also all vegetarian), Rev it Up (very basic sandwich choices but filling, clean, welcoming interior, %) and Sprout (nice inside especially when sunny outside, filling of stomach - variable, support local, #, %)
Desperation when time is << short – take away wraps at the Cary Street Deli. In and out < 10 mins. Coffee at the Starbucks next door. (*)
D/F – VCU Commons, Mojos, Broad Street twixt Belvidere and Harrison.
Palatable chain – Chipotle.
On radar – Belvidere on Broad.
Another place that I like a lot for dinner but have never been for lunch is Nile Ethiopian. I have no idea of cost or time here.

# – quasi variable menu
% – good for taking visitors – not overly informal.
* - There is still no decent coffee place within a short walk for me (< 5 mins). Crossroads if in the area but quite a trek from my neck of the woods otherwise. Rostovs – more so.

Saludos while I kiss the sky !