And for the Hungry Grad ...

Bowling Green does have a variety of restaurants that are not only decent, they're good enough to become a new favorite. Generally, restaurants are either located downtown, or on Cambell Lane and Scottsville Road.

The options below vary greatly in how "high-end" the options are, what they cost, and what the atmosphere it. The top three I dubbed as favorites are good for any night of the week, while I'd consider the others to be more of a weekend spot.

My Favorites:

1. Taj Palace 2800 Scottsville Rd Ste 8 Bowling Green, KY 42104 (270) 843-2233

Whether you've never tried Indian food or you're a long-time devotee to the magic of pakoras and paneer, you'll find some awesome digs at this local South Indian restaurant. They offer a lunch buffet to die for, and off-the-menu ordering for dinner.

• Super vegetarian friendly
• Price range: $3-4 appetizers; $8-12 entrees; average beer selection and prices w/limited wine options (in other words, go for the food)
• Immediate seating always available
• Great service, more ambient than other local digs
• Dishes to try: Vegetable pakoras for appetizers; Malai Kofta, Saag Paneer, Vegetable Korma, and Tikka Masala for entrees; Mango Laasi for nonalcoholic but delicious drink

Getting There: Taj is located in a strip mall behind Starbucks. From campus, take Nashville Rd to Cambell Ln, then turn Right on Scottsville. Pass the mall. You'll come to a stoplight that has a Fazoli's, Starbucks, and Chuck's Wine & Spirits. Turn Left and look for the small strip mall (not the one w/the bowling

2. Garcias 1689 Campbell Ln Bowling Green, KY (270) 842-6100

While BG has many Mexian restaurants, Garcias is the best (though I'm gonna give El Mazatlan, located way up 31-W, a very honored second place). While other places have greasy refried beans and less than exceptional offerings, Garcias much smaller menu offers amazing options from the grill. Dishes come with seasoned black beans in place of the killer refried alternative, and food is always infused with that grill flavor.

• Spectacular, most-amazing-in-the world salsa -- you'll eat two bowls, at least.
• $2 margaritas on Tuesdays.
• Nice atmosphere.
• Immediate seating, awesome service.
  
• Price range: Varies widely depending on your choice; entrees are $5.95 - 14.95. Libation situation es bueno.
• To try: Fish tacos, crab cakes, any fajita of your choice (they're great), vegetable quesadilla
  

How to get there: Very easy. From campus, take Nashville Rd. to Cambell Ln. Drive past Target, then turn Right into the small strip mall in front of Walmart, directly across from TJ Maxx and Barnes and Noble. You'll see a Kinkos and a Hollywood Video, plus Garcias.

3. Samurai 2718 Scottsville Rd Bowling Green, KY (270) 782-5004

Among BG's many Japanese offerings, I rate Samurai the best. For one, it's a mix of Japanese and Korean, which means that it has about twice as many options. When you enter, they'll ask if you want the hibachi or sushi side. Hibachi side is, as you might have guessed, seating around a hibachi grill. Sushi side is regular tables, many of which are in view of the sushi bar.

• Wide-ranging menu with both sushi and sashimi, as well as tons of hot options.
• Immediate seating.
• Price range: Sushi prices are standard, $3-6 p/roll. Entrees vary from $7 - 16, depending on what you order.
• To try: Crunchy shrimp roll, sukiyaki donburi for the beef eaters (don't be afraid to try the Korean hot sauce that comes with it), and Unagi Donburi for those more adventurous -- this dish comes with eel, shrimp, plus tons of other vegetables and meats, all arranged impressively.
  

How to get there: The same as Taj, however Samurai is located in the BIG strip mall with the bowling alley.

Other Great Places Worthy of Endorsement:

Brickyard Cafe: Mediterranean/New American Eclectic. Great options, more refined and ambient, and lacking in large student groups. Located in the downtown area, near campus. Try the Goat Cheese appetizer, or the Calamari. Best for date night. Reservations recommended on Friday & Saturday nights. Entree price: $12 - 16.

Mariah's: A B.G. staple also located downtown, plus amazing wheat rolls. Also locate downtown. A variety of menu options, though most are general American classic. This place is popular among all, so you can expect a wait on Friday and Saturday nights. Check out their website. Entree price: $8-16.

You & Me: The local favorite for high-quality pizza. This isn't Dominos -- the menu offers twenty-something pizza options, ranging from $12 -16, depending on size. Go for anchovies, or stick to classic options like margarite and four-cheese. Gorgeous restaurant with great decor.


Mandolin: Yet another downtown place, though this one has awesome Italian offerings. The restaurant is a renovation of an old house, and the interior is beautiful. With higher-end pricing, this place is best saved for date night rather than gathering with buds after night class.

Royal Thai: For Thai-food fanatics, this will tide you over. Coconut curry options are a local favorite. Beware: When they ask how spicy you want it, don't choose "native Thai" unless you know what you're bargaining for.

Where's that Building?

Alas, I can't really provide you with anything more informative than the basic campus map, located here.

Your primary buildings of concern will be thus:

• Cherry Hall - Home of the English department (as well as History, Religion & Philosophy). This is where you'll work, take classes and have an office. This will be the epicenter of your life. Computer lab located within.
• Potter Hall - Where you pay the bills! Located a few buildings away from Cherry.
• DUC (Downing University Center on the map) - Home of the ID Center, campus post office, bowling alley, large dining facilities, and The Learning Center. If you are tutoring for the Writing Center as part of your assistantship, you might likely have some hours here.
• Helm/Cravens Library - While these are technically two seperate libraries, they're joined by an indoor bridge and located right next to each other. Computer lab located within.

For most of you, this will be the extent of your on-campus adventures. Majority of the other buildings will be irrelevant to your studies and activities.

Big Red ID: The Card, Dining Dollars, Big Red Dollars, etc.

Every WKU students (or faculty member) must have a WKU Big Red ID. You can get this ID from the ID Center, located in DUC (Downing University Center).

The card has several functions, some of which are optional, but many of which all students will use th card for. In all transactions on campus, there is a chance that whatever office you're working with may ask to see your ID.

You'll definitely need to use your card for:

• getting a parking permit
• all functions of the library (book checkout, laptop checkout, etc.)
• getting into the gym (the Preston Center, if you're not familiar)
• getting discounts at various locations, local and in Nashville
• accessing personal information
• picking up packages

Should you choose to get a meal plan, dining dollars, or Big Red dollars. No doubt WKU has sent you some information about these options, and you may still be deciding whether or not to purchase them. Obviously, we can't tell you what's best for you. Assess your own needs. Generally speaking, I've never known any grad students who used these options -- they're generally designed for people who live on campus in dorms that don't allow for much cooking.

A meal plan, dining dollars or Big Red dollars may be good for you if you:

• don't cook much, and/or don't plan on (or want to) bring your own lunch
• plan on being on campus every day, not just for class
• aren't a picky eater

On the other hand, they may not be worth the money if you:

• cook somewhat frequently at home
• plan to or are considering bringing your own lunch from home
• won't be on campus every day, or will only be there for limited times
• are more selective with your diet

While WKU does have several dining facilities, majority of them are located down the hill. As English students, you'll be spending most of your time in Cherry Hall, at the top of the hill. The only facilities nearby are at Garret Food Court and Subway.

Garrett Food Court has:

• Home Zone (think cornbread, lots of chicken & meatloaf, varieties of potatoes)
• Pasta place, name of which I can't remember (two sauce options, choice of meats and veggies)
• Mexican food, also nameless at the moment (build-your-own tacos, burritos, nachos, and other usual fare)
• Pizza place -- usually about five or six options, two of which are vegetarian
• Burger place -- need I say more?
• Miscellaneous cooler options (salads, wraps, sandwiches, yogurts, fruits, etc.)

SO -- if you think you'll be eating at these locations frequently (once a day), consider going with some type of Big Red currency, be it Dining Dollars or Big Red Dollars. If this is a once-a-week thing, I'd just stick with cash or debit rather than putting money into accounts that you can't retrieve. The options can be limiting, and these facitilities are generally super packed all hours of the day, meaning long lines and limited seating

For more technical information straight from the horse's mouth, visit the WKU card webpage.