By this time of winter, I think we’re all wondering why we didn’t go to school down south. The weekend forecast is cloudy and cold, a foot of snow is supposed to hit us by Friday and, even though more than 36,000 people got them, I don’t have tickets to the Villanova game. But life at SU isn’t all that bad. Syracuse has some hidden secrets that just might brighten up your winter blues.
Free Lunch
Anyone who’s ever told you, “there’s no such thing as a free lunch,” lied. Every Thursday from noon until 1 p.m. in the Noble Room in Hendricks Chapel, Dr. T.E. Koshy and his friendly volunteers serve up homemade salad, rice and meat sauce and an assortment of cakes to anyone interested (a vegetarian alternative is also available). Since 1966, Koshy, a Chaplain for the Evangelical Christian Ministries, has been working to bring together students of all backgrounds and faiths from across campus through a hot meal. I schedule my classes so I’m free for this event. The food may be the same every week, but the outpouring of love and goodwill keeps me coming back for more. Koshy funds these luncheons, which serve around 150 people a week, by himself. “I could have gotten a job and made money,” Koshy said, “but I felt it was a wonderful thing to do to help build relationships for people.” If the free food isn’t enough to make you smile, Koshy’s energetic warmth is sure to do the trick.
Beer Delivery
Running out of beer is a guaranteed way to wreck a party (unless you have handles of hard liquor lying around). Luckily for students, Sabastino’s on Westcott can deliver you from a party emergency. Just give them a call and within 30 minutes they’ll bring your favorite brews directly to your door. While the beer is overpriced, it’s a convenient option for an impromptu party or a rager about to fizz out. A 30 of Keystone is $21.56 and if you want to get fancy, Bud Light’s $27.14 (tax included). They deliver until right around 2 a.m., check your ID when they arrive and charge a dollar delivery charge. So next time you start drawing straws to see who gets stuck with the beer run, just chip in and have it delivered. Oh yeah, they can bring you pizza, too. 315-478-1000
Downtown Dining on a Dime
For the past five years, downtown Syracuse has offered a week of affordable dinners at some of their best establishments. This year, Syracuse extended Dining Week for an extra seven days, giving you until Saturday to take advantage of this deal. 19 local restaurants, including student favorites like Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Pastabilities and Empire Brewery, offer three course meals for $25 or less. Stop sustaining off soup and the dining hall’s wrap bar and get something you’ll actually savor. If you don’t have a car, you can catch the bus at the Connective Corridor to get there. Places like L’Adour, Lemon Grass and Pascale will give you the best deal, because typically their entrées alone average around $25. Peter Themistocles, a junior marketing and retail student, said he’s already been three times. Sometimes you just have to take advantage of a good thing. Go to http://downtownsyracuse.com/static/C2/ to see the full list of participating restaurants.
