Appleton鈥檚 restaurants have provided some of my fondest memories from my time at Lawrence, from the evenings going out with friends to indulge in a huge dinner after a rough week, to the blissful satisfying of burger cravings after a couple of hours at the gym. Of course, I haven鈥檛 been to every restaurant in Appleton. But I鈥檝e come to appreciate the fare we have right around the corner. These local restaurants are here for you; they鈥檙e the moments when you say to yourself, 鈥淚 deserve this.鈥 So, may this list serve as a guide for your future best memories in Appleton.
#8. Muncheez Pizzeria 鈥撀600 W. College Ave.聽[Note: this restaurant has closed since this list was published]
Muncheez makes the cut for being the closest place to get decent pizza at a decent price. They鈥檝e also been there for me through my late-night hankerings for pizza; they鈥檙e open until 3 a.m. all week. What鈥檚 not to love about a place that encourages you to eat pizza after midnight? Their聽menu聽offers whole pizzas or just by the slice.聽
Walkable from campus? Yes. It鈥檚 about a seven-block hike.
Favorite dish: Veggiefest
#7. Home Burger Bar 鈥撀205 W. College Ave.
You can be sure of getting a big, well-cooked burger served on a cute red tray at Home Burger Bar. Here鈥檚 two more important words for you:聽truffle fries. As good as the burgers are, I would stop in just for this trendy appetizer. The service isn鈥檛 always great but the聽聽will be quality. Maybe one day I will be brave enough to try the PB&J Bacon burger. One day 鈥
Walkable from campus? Yes. Just a few blocks down College Avenue.
Favorite dish: Steakhouse burger
#6. Culver鈥檚聽鈥 3631 E. Calumet St.
Culver鈥檚 isn鈥檛 unique to Appleton, of course, but I would be remiss if I didn鈥檛 bring this Wisconsin-born chain to your attention. This is聽the聽place for quality fast food. I go through phases of intense cravings for one of their signature Butterburgers, followed by an amazing chocolate malt. Try the rotating custard Flavor of the Day. Try a Concrete Mixer (custard with candy mix-ins). Try it all. Here鈥檚 the聽. No, it鈥檚 not health food, but it鈥檚 made fresh and it鈥檚 good for your soul.
Walkable from campus? No. You鈥檒l need to find some wheels for this one.
Favorite dish: Original Butterburger
#5. Antojitos Mexicanos 鈥撀204 E. College Ave.
Yes, you get free warm chips and three kinds of salsa while you wait for your food. If you don鈥檛 fill up on that, you have a wide range of dishes to choose from. The聽menu聽is huge! I like to inspect it for about 15 minutes and always end up with the fish tacos (go on Tuesdays and get them for $5!) This place gets pretty busy, so going for an early dinner is optimal.聽
Walkable from campus? Definitely. Just two blocks west of Drew Street.
Favorite dish: Fish tacos
#4. Katsu-Ya 鈥撀338 W. College Ave.
As a sushi lover, I am so grateful to have a place like Katsu-Ya right down the street. You can go alone for a light dinner and get a couple rolls of great聽聽for pretty cheap. This restaurant also wonderfully caters to social dinners with your friends. I love the group effort of agreeing on which rolls everyone wants, enjoying them together, discussing which ones you liked best and ordering some more. It鈥檚 a very rewarding dining experience.
Walkable from campus? Certainly. A six-block hike west on College Avenue.
Favorite dish: Dragon Roll
#3. Harmony Pizza Caf茅聽鈥 432 W. Wisconsin Ave. [Note: this restaurant has closed since this list was published]
Harmony Pizza has the best pizza in Appleton, and your patronage supports a local business started by Lawrence alumni. Choose a pizza from their vegan-friendly聽menu聽or build your own; it鈥檚 all made with locally sourced organic ingredients. The atmosphere doesn鈥檛 suffer when it gets busy. Everyone seems to know everyone, and you might run into some professors during your meal.聽
Walkable from campus? Maybe. It would be a serious walk, north to Wisconsin Avenue and then another eight blocks or so to the west.
Favorite dish: The Beetza
#2. Basil Caf茅聽鈥 1513 N. Richmond St.聽
Basil Caf茅 is my favorite among Appleton鈥檚 Thai and Vietnamese fare. Your experience starts as soon as you sit down when you get a pitcher of cool, fragrant coconut water at your table while you peruse the聽聽Anything you get will hit the spot, from noodle-based soups and salads to curry and stir fry. I cannot wait to try more of what this place has to offer.聽
Walkable from campus? Probably not. It鈥檚 north of Wisconsin on Richmond. May need to find a ride.
Favorite dish: Kow Boon
#1. India Darbar 鈥撀2333 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Wow. How do I transcribe the sound of my stomach growling? This is the best Indian food in the area. Just thinking about the聽聽is making me so hungry. You have to start with nan 鈥 garlic and stuffed are my favorites 鈥 and from there, just go crazy. There is so much to choose from and you can鈥檛 go wrong. Come with a group of friends, decide on a few dishes that look good and share them!
Walkable from campus? No. You鈥檒l want to catch a ride for this one. But well worth the effort.
Favorite dish: All of it
These are just my picks. Have you also had great meals at Appleton鈥檚 restaurants? Tell us where in our social media comments.