Best of UT Dallas

CONTENTS

Restaurant Reviews Scary does taste good 4 Breakfast diner off the beaten path 6 Coffee house with a Turkish twist 10 For the BBQ lover 12 Authentic homestyle vegan chinese 14

Best of UTD Map 8

Editor-in-Chief Lauren Featherstone Director of Sales and Promotions Nada Alasmi Pablo Arauz Staff Writer Ad Designer Troi Cluse

2

APRIL 2014 utdmercury.com

Sales Representative Juveria Baig Sales Assistant Sipei Huang Photo Editor Christopher Wang Media Adviser Chad Thomas

The Mercury is published on Mondays, at two-week intervals during the long term of The University of Texas at Dallas, except holidays and exam periods, and once every four weeks during the summer term.

Advertising is accepted by The Mercury on the basis that there is no discrimination by the advertiser in the offering of goods or services to any person, on any basis prohibited by applicable law. Evidence of

discrimination will be the basis of denial of advertising space.

The publication of advertising in The Mercury does not constitute an endorsement of products or services by the newspaper, or The University of Texas at Dallas, or the governing board of the institution.

(0$,/

Copyright © 2013, UT Dallas.

All Rights Reserved.

800 W. Campbell Road, SU 24, Richardson, TX 75080-0688

Help UTD’s sustainablity efforts.

Please recycle this newspaper.

editor@utdmercury.com

0$,/

utdmercury.com APRIL 2014 3

Monster Yogurt Scary does taste good JUVERIA BAIG Mercury Staff

Located within walking distance to UTD, Monster Yogurt is a perfect spot for a quick snack and a great study space. The shop offers delicious creamy flavors with healthier options. Most of the frozen yogurt is either fat-free or low calorie. The best part is the long array of toppings offered and the fact that every topping is Kosher, including the gummy bears. The cheesecake flavor mixed with the strawberry flavor creates a delicious decadent strawberry cheesecake. To enhance the cheesecake flavor, top the frozen yogurt with fresh strawberries and cheesecake bites. The result is a mouthwatering invention.

HOURS: Mon-Sat 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Sun 12 p.m. - 9 p.m.

ADDRESS: 1360 W Campbell Rd #101 Richardson, TX 75080

DISCOUNT: 10 % off with Comet Card

4 APRIL 2014 utdmercury.com

utdmercury.com APRIL 2014 5

The House Cafe

Breakfast diner off the beaten path Pablo Arauz and Juveria Baig Mercury Staff

The House Café is a homey little place nestled among warehouses by the industrial area of Richardson. Regulars from around the neighborhood go there to enjoy the cafe’s popular “migas,” one of the restaurant’s signature dishes. They’re rich in flavor and made with eggs, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers and sausage. There are vegetarian options including a delicious garden omelet, served with fresh steamed broccoli, red bell peppers, onions and mushrooms. The omelet comes with a side of homemade salsa and buttered toast.

The rest of the menu has traditional breakfast fare such as homemade biscuits and gravy. While the outside of the restaurant may melt into the gray scenery, on the inside it offers a simple and comfortable look that lives up to the restaurant’s name. The interior style of the restaurant creates a feeling of eating in a relative’s dining room. The service is also friendly and fast. If you’re looking for a traditional home-style restaurant, The House Café is a perfect place to go.

HOURS: Mon-Fri: 6 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Sat-Sun: 6 a.m. - 2 p.m.

ADDRESS: 801 Alpha Drive Suite #101 Richardson, TX 75081

6

APRIL 2014 utdmercury.com

utdmercury.com APRIL 2014 7

Best of UT Dallas Destinations

8 APRIL 2014 utdmercury.com

utdmercury.com APRIL 2014 9

i Java & Chai

Coffee house with a Turkish twist JUVERIA BAIG Mercury Staff

This gem of a coffee house is situated near the Medi-

“Polo” on the menu. If you’d rather try something sweet,

cal Center of Plano. Upon entering, it looks like a cof-

try “Miami by Night,” a blend of strawberry, peach, ba-

fee shop with library-style seating, minimal décor and

nana, passion fruit and mango that is sure to satisfy your

a menu board full of flavors waiting to be sipped. The

taste buds. “Maui” is a tangier sweet drink that’s also

locale works great as a quiet study except during rush

great. iJava’s Turkish coffee is a great pick-me-up. It’s an

hours.

aromatic unfiltered coffee served in an elaborately de-

Your drink of choice is completely dependent on your

tailed traditional Turkish tea set. One sip of this coffee

mood. If you need something refreshing, try the lemon-

will jolt you back to reality and help you finish studying

ade mixed with coarsely chopped mint that trickles cool-

for exams. In addition to smoothies, teas and coffee, the

ness down your throat.

place also offers delicious nutty baklava, za’tar baked pita

The drink goes by the

name

of

and other Mediterranean delicacies.

HOURS: Mon-Thur 12 p.m. - midnight Fri-Sat 12 p.m. - 2 a.m.

Sun 1p.m. -midnight

ADDRESS: 1820 Coit Rd #138 Plano, TX 75075

DISCOUNT: 15% off with Comet Card

10 APRIL 2014 utdmercury.com

utdmercury.com APRIL 2014 11

Sonny Bryan’s

Traditional smokehouse for the BBQ lover Pablo Arauz Mercury Staff

Sonny Bryan’s is a traditional family-owned smoke-

HOURS:

house with roots in Dallas, and it serves some of the

Open Daily from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

best quality BBQ to foodies that keep coming back

ADDRESS:

for more. At the Campbell location near UTD, man-

1251 W. Campbell Road, Suite 240

ager J.T. Todd invites customers to try the brisket,

DISCOUNT:

one of the restaurant’s signature dishes. The brisket’s fluffy texture sets it apart from the brisket of other local smokehouses because it’s cooked in a layer of fat that softens the meat and gives it a very tender flavor. Don’t forget to douse it in the restaurant’s delicious tangy pork sauce to give it an extra juicy taste.

If you’re looking for something more affordable, the Frito pie may be one of the best of its kind. Instead of using the typical chili mix, Sonny’s opts for a blend of brisket bits, beans, chives and shredded cheese to complement the chips. The mac and cheese is well made with real cheese giving it a soft texture and rich flavor.

So, if you truly love a good BBQ smokehouse, Sonny Bryan’s is your place. You can present your Comet Card to receive a 20 percent discount.

12 APRIL 2014 utdmercury.com

20 % off with Comet Card

utdmercury.com APRIL 2013 13

Veggie Garden

Authentic homestyle vegan Chinese SIPEI HUANG Mercury Staff

Veggie Garden is a vegan Chinese restaurant on Arapaho Road near campus. The Mongolian beef is one of the Veggie Garden’s most popular dishes.

HOURS:

The flavor and texture is akin to most Mongolian beef found in a typical

Tue-Thurs 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Fri-Sat 11 a.m. -10 p.m.

Sun 11:30 am - 3:30 p.m.

Chinese restaurant, but it’s actually made from soy protein. Cooked with lemon grass and onion, the Ocean Tofu has a light flavor, and even though it’s fried, there isn’t a hint of greasiness in the dish. Wash down your meal with a glass of the Thai tea. The milk tea isn’t too sweet, and it has a deep, rich flavor.

Veggie Garden offers authentic Chinese vegetarian options, from the Chinese chef who has learned recipes from older generations back in Hong Kong.

Bring your Comet Card to get 10 percent off a healthy, vegetarian lunch.

14 APRIL 2014 utdmercury.com

ADDRESS: 516 W Arapaho Rd #112 Richardson, TX 75080

DISCOUNT: 10 % off with Comet Card

utdmercury.com APRIL 2014 15

16 APRIL 2014 utdmercury.com