Let’s be real. State College is always in need of something new that we all want, especially when it comes to food. I mean, us students just can’t get enough. After all, who could hate on more options to make us even more indecisive on what to eat?

Our staffers took the time to figure out what we’re missing out on and what we’ve been secretly craving.

Alex Wilczynski: Cat or Dog Café

I mean how could you go wrong with a cat or dog café? Honestly, nothing cures a group project meltdown faster than petting a golden retriever while crying into your latte. Plus, if we can have five bubble tea places within a block, we can definitely handle one café where the drama is just cats knocking over mugs instead of students losing their minds during finals.

Olivia Hess: Chili’s

Getting rid of the downtown Chili’s was the worst decision ever made, especially after its Triple Dipper appetizer went viral. Bring Chili’s back so I don’t have to drive to Altoona for the honey chipotle chicken crispers and strawberry lemonade!

Maggie Alderisio: Cheesecake Factory

I’m a sucker for a chain restaurant. One of my personal favorites (besides Chili’s, which Olivia is already making a case for) is Cheesecake Factory. The menu is comically large, and they have every entrée you could possibly want, from pasta to omelets. Their Cinnabon cheesecake is second to none and sometimes I’m craving it desperately at school with no cure. You can imagine my surprise when I found out the closest Cheesecake Factory to State College is in Pittsburgh? This must be remedied. Imagine a nice slice of cheesecake after a night out? I’d single-handedly keep them in business.

Brandon Hurley: In-N-Out Burger

People of Penn State, we must wonder what life could be like with an In-N-Out on our very streets of downtown. Not only would it be great semi-late night food, with locations being open till one, but it also has the perfect spot: the old McDonald’s. Folks, a west coast special should very well be added to our small town. Put us on the map of the east coast more than we already are. In-N-Out today, tomorrow, and forever.

Cooper Cazares: Waffle House

Penn State students live on obscure sleep and work schedules. Between late-night lab reports, bar crawls, and just straight-up insomnia, there is a desperate need for a 24-hour breakfast option in the downtown State College area. Instead of eating the same pizza over and over again, let’s get a Waffle House to offer a 24-hour sanctuary filled with the most delicious smells and amazing eats. Just imagine a post-bar decompression with your friend group where you step out of the icy cold conditions and sit in a corner booth, snack on breakfast food, and have what are sure to be some of the most memorable conversations you’ll ever remember. It’s not a want…it’s a need. Make it happen.

Oscar Orellana: WaBa Grill

The way a WaBa Grill steak bowl could be my everyday meal and I wouldn’t even bat an eye is dangerous. State College deserves a fast, healthy teriyaki bowl place. While WaBa’s Wikipedia page says that it serves only the Southwestern United States, there’s no reason not to expand and start getting more service elsewhere. Honorable mention to Wingstop, but that would be especially dangerous for me.

Sylvia Prebor: Anything BBQ 

While I don’t have specific food places I would want added, I do have two types of food I would like to see brought to State College. First is a good BBQ place because while we do have a variety of foods, we don’t have that. I also think we need a new burger place since BRGR shut down downtown.

Liv Pulak: Tasty Options

I chose Outback because there is one in Altoona, and every time I’m there, it’s packed! Their food is great and it’s a good family-style restaurant. The same goes for Chili’s. I had recently when to Chilis for the first time because there isn’t one around here, or where I’m from. I compared it to Applebee’s, but they’re both great places to eat! I’ve seen Dutch Bros all over my social media, mentioning that they have great coffee and cool drinks. I think their business would definitely appeal to the State College area, having so many college kids, especially ones who love coffee.

There we have it! All types of great options that we can’t get enough of, but in reality, the list goes on. Let’s hope one day we can see these establishments come to State College, whether that be by tomorrow, next week, or in the next 50 years!