Classic Cornell eateries, according to Yelp!

The “college bubble” is no myth, as the isolation of a college campus tends to reaffirm existing notions of good and bad, right and wrong, and which nearby eateries are worth your parents’ hard-earned money.

The differences of opinion that exist between college campuses and the general population is definitely not limited to overwhelming liberalism and a willingness to elect an angry orange for president — it also clearly exists in the dichotomous views of classic eateries.

Here are some of Cornell’s quintessential dining locales, explained by a Cornellian compared to their ratings by Yelp.

Collegetown Bagels

Open from 6:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., Collegetown Bagels has most Cornell students at their best and their worst, from motivated early-risers fulfilling their caffeine and pastry fixes to hardcore partiers needing a toilet and their drunk food of choice. It’s weird then, coming from the Cornell bubble in which students live and breathe CTB, to see any review less enamored than the “5/5 STARS AMAZEBALLS OMG I LOVE CTB” response typical for our campus. Still, this Cornell classic managed a 4.0 rating by the standards of the general populace, with common favorites like the rosemary salt bagel, bagel sandwiches, and celebrity-themed espresso drinks (hot and cold).

Temple of Zeus

Located in a happy midpoint of the modern atrium of Klarman Hall and the classic architecture of Goldwin Smith, Temple of Zeus has provided a study spot and re-caffeination station for many a humanities scholar. ToZ is known for having the best coffee on campus and UNBELIEVABLE SOUPS and sandwiches, all of which are very healthy and fresh. The only complaints Cornell students have are the long lines at lunch rushes and their refusal to accept BRBs, the campus currency, as they are not affiliated with Cornell Dining. Still, Temple of Zeus received a 4.5 rating on Yelp, consistent with the general Cornell opinion.

Plum Tree Restaurant

Known for its relaxed ID policy, Plum Tree is a weekend favorite for sake bombing, at which it excels. For that, it gets very crowded late at night when large friend groups have a blast balancing little yellow plastic shot glasses atop a chopstick bridge spanning the mouth of a super-sized beer. Plum Tree is thus a Cornell favorite not for their food as much as the opportunity to chant “SAKE! SAKE! SAKE!” whilst banging hard enough on a table to dislodge a balanced sake glass into a larger pool of alcohol. Yelpers’ 3.0-average ratings emphasize overpriced/poor quality sushi and bad service, so maybe it’s best to stick to sake bombs.

College Town Pizza

Vying with Collegetown Bagels as the best drunk food, patrons of CTP include a lot of hungry partiers desperate for some greasy pizza. According to Yelp, general opinion of College Town Pizza is very polarized, with lots of one, three, and five star reviews. Reviewers love it (convenient, great pizza), hate it (dirty, bad pizza), or find it mediocre and overpriced, but accept it as a late night refuge in a town with limited options. The overall rating is rather poor, a low 2.5 stars, yet many a Cornellian swears by the restorative properties of their slices.

Insomnia Cookies

Insomnia has three claims to fame: amazing cookies that are always freshly warm, late hours (open until 3 a.m.), and delivery. They are, however, rather expensive and terrible for you, but as something to stress-eat, these cookies are unparalleled. For this, the cookie chain received a 3.5 rating on Yelp, which is more or less the Cornell impression of the Collegetown branch.