Burgers and Brew has earned the 2017 vote of best burger in Davis — whether that means looking for a place to take family, enjoy a night out with friends or simply eat an amazing meal. Since its opening in 2007 on 3rd Street in downtown Davis, the restaurant is always filled with hungry students and Davis residents looking for good burgers and beer.

While browsing the menu, it is easy to find unique burger options that prove themselves worthy in taste, such as the lamb burger and the buffalo burger. And even if you aren’t in the mood for a burger, Burgers and Brew offers speciality dishes like the turkey avocado melt, the steak sandwich and its fish and chips that are just as satisfying in taste.

The quality of food and service of the wait staff adds to the experience and makes Burgers and Brew a popular place to eat.

“What I like about Burgers and Brew is they have a good vibe — all the servers are super friendly and cool,” said Thorie Ásgeirsdóttir, a second-year cognitive science major. “Also it’s just good, grubby food.”

It’s official — Burgers and Brew is a staple in Davis that is a must-visit for anyone looking to see what the small town is all about.

Written by: Ryan Bugsch & Abigail Wang – features@theaggie.org

Boba, milk tea, bubble tea — regardless of the title, boba is vital to Davis culture. There are small milk tea locations scattered throughout downtown and the outskirts of the city — or, in the case of Sharetea, they can even be found just off campus. Because these small boba joints offer hubs for socializing, fundraising or even studying, Davis’ Sharetea is a prime location for students with a craving for sweet tea and tapioca balls, and has thus been deemed Davis’ Best Boba.

Open on weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sharetea has long enough hours to satisfy late-night cravings and to fill uncomfortably long gaps in class schedules. With free wifi, indoor and outdoor seating and plenty of charging outlets, Sharetea is easily accessible for studiers.

“We’re so close to campus,” said Cathy Hsieh, a second-year computer science major and an employee at Sharetea. “It’s really easy to go get boba and then go to class. Personally, I don’t want to go all the way down to E Street to go get boba. Sharetea is right here!”

For Hsieh, working at Sharetea is easy and convenient; her commute to work is merely a few steps from the Memorial Union. And fortunately for Davis’ boba-loving community, such convenience also exists for the student body.

Written by: Ally Overbay & Michael Wexler — features@theaggie.org

Robert Arneson’s famous Eggheads have once again established themselves as the best public art in Davis. Over the past 26 years, these expressive pieces have become a symbol of the university and the city itself.

In addition to their role as public art, these masterpieces from the “father of the ceramic Funk movement” have gained attention by being used as a medium for an eclectic series of endeavors. In 2016, several eggheads were displayed on various news media outlets after protesters spray-painted “Fire Katehi” on them. However, the vandalized eggheads were immediately repainted.

Graduating seniors can often be seen lounging near an egghead to capture candid pictures that accurately portray their time in college.

“The eggheads are ambiguous, yet relatable,” said Sina Soltanzadeh Zarandi, a third-year neurobiology, physiology and behavior major.

Soltanzadeh Zarandi appreciates that the eggheads often appear to be a “reflection of inner feelings and thoughts” that consider the hall or building they are placed by.

Eggheads can be found dispersed around campus: “Yin & Yang” by Wright Hall, “See No Evil, Hear No Evil” on the east side of King Hall, “Bookhead” at the entrance of Shields Library, “Eye on Mrak” by Mrak Hall and “Stargazer” behind North Hall.

Written by: Kimia Akbari — features@theaggie.org

Voted the best general education course at UC Davis, Nutrition 10: Discoveries and Concepts in Nutrition (NUT 10) is a three-unit class that is offered year-round. Fulfilling science and engineering credit, the 400-person course is taken by countless students.

Covering the development and properties of nutrition throughout history, the class is both informative and applicable. Cindy Osana, a fourth-year sociology and psychology double major, took the course with Liz Applegate during Winter Quarter of 2016.

“NUT 10 educated me about proper nutrition on a holistic perspective,” Osana said via email. “I enjoyed the class very much and still implement what I’ve learned to this day.”

Students like Osana enjoys the educational value of a class and suggest that others take the course.

“I would definitely recommend this class because, not only was it fun and interactive, it helped me make healthier decisions about what I put in my body,” Osana said. “Overall I think it is important to invest in learning about proper nutrition for a healthy and happy life.”

The course appeals to students from all majors and years because, as Osana explained, the course has a light workload. Topics include the importance of exercise as well as popular diets and supplements. The class also explores more traditional nutrition topics such as vitamins and minerals.

While hundreds of courses are offered at UC Davis, there is only one that students consider the best. When course load and applicability are combined, Aggies get their ideal class — a three-unit course designed to maintain healthy eating habits and keep one’s GPA afloat.

Written by: Pari Sagafi & Ethan Victor — features@theaggie.org

The CoHo is the go-to spot for hungry students and staff in between classes. Founded in 1968, the CoHo is located in the heart of campus within the Memorial Union. The CoHo is unique in that it solely employs students to both serve and prepare popular food and drink items, making it the largest student-run restaurant in the United States.

“I’ve only worked here a short time, and I’ve already made a lot of connections with Davis students I never would’ve met otherwise,” said Haley Baxter, a fourth-year English major and employee at the CoHo. “It’s such a hectic but fun environment to work in.”

For years, the place has churned out delicious baked goods, aromatic coffee and a variety of lunch and dinner options.

“I love gathering recipes and making cookies and bars,” Baxter said. “It makes me feel good knowing that someone’s going to eat something I was a part of, especially something as delicious as a pastry.”  

Finding a good place to work is hard, especially a place as fun and friendly as the CoHo. For those who are looking for a great place to make lasting friendships while getting paid, keep an eye out for openings on the ASUCD vacancy website.

“[My coworkers and I] jammed out and sang to Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez while we worked,” Baxter said. “Experiences like this make my shifts pass by fast and makes me look forward to clocking into work.”

Written by: Rowan O’Connell-Gates & Akaylah Ellison — features@theaggie.org

It can be quite hard to define what a “meme” is in this age of internet culture and recreational self deprecation.

“There’s a lot of symbolic meaning and there’s a lot of hidden meaning in memes that — if you’re outside of that kind of subculture niche, you’re really going to be frazzled if you come in contact with memes for the first time,” said Kevin M. Dousa, a fourth-year English and philosophy major.

This year, the UC Davis population has decided that out of some of the campus’ most popular images to share — from former chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi’s tortured facial expressions to the infamous Occupy Wall Street protest’s pepper-spraying cop — the most iconic meme of 2017 is that of the Davis turkeys.

The turkeys that flood the City of Davis in the fall and spring by blocking bike lanes and settling themselves of cars near the Colleges at La Rue are well-known for their irresistible lack of giving a care. Dousa, who has worked with courses focused on meme reception over summer 2016 as a writing tutor at the Student Academic Success Center, explained that these turkeys are prolific due to their incredibly loyal audience. This following can be found on Facebook pages like “UC Davis Memes for Edgy Teens” and “UC Davis Memes Page,” liking and tagging friends in posts to laugh at the idea of a Davis citizen requesting police backup due to an especially aggressive bird.

“If you’re a UC Davis student, and you come across turkeys like walking across town, […] it’s going to ring a bell with you and it’s going to resonate more than if you went to some other university,” Dousa said. “Memes really do pick up on the small, everyday experiences that people share and don’t even realize they share it.”

Memes, like that of the campus turkeys, can unite a group of people under the shared appreciation for a certain iconic image or representation of a collective experience. For the 2016-2017 school year — and most likely for many years to come — these turkeys will stay in the hearts and minds of UC Davis students.

“It’s language, it’s art, it’s culture,” Dousa said. “Don’t be afraid of it — it’s awesome. I want people to openly embrace memes.”

Written by: Ariel Robbins and Emilie DeFazio —  features@theaggie.org

Ike’s Love and Sandwiches is the perfect spot for that lunchtime craving, putting it at the top spot for best Davis sandwich.

Located in the heart of Downtown Davis at the intersection of 2nd and F streets, Ike’s is a town favorite with an extensively unique menu. From sandwiches filled with fried chicken to a variety of vegan options, all spread with that special “Ike’s Dirty Sauce,” there are delicious options available for all customers. Every item on the menu has a fun and quirky title, such as the “Picnic Day” with Aggie sauce and a variety of vegetables, the “Damn Straight” with halal chicken, marinara sauce and mozzarella sticks and the “Kevin Bacon,” a twist on the BLT. The menu varies from location to location, but the great taste never falters.

“I’ve heard so many great things about Ike’s and only just recently tried it for the first time,” said Addy Newman, a first-year human development major. “I got the ‘Lizzy’s Lips’ sandwich and loved it. [Ike’s] certainly lives up to all the hype.”

While Ike’s is a Davis favorite, this sandwich shop isn’t unique to this college cowtown. Ike’s first opened in 2007 in San Francisco and, over the years, has expanded its brand throughout the Bay Area, Northern California and Los Angeles. However, founder Ike Shehadeh is a UC Davis alumnus himself, so the connection to this college community does not end with simple franchising.

Since Ike’s has grown in popularity, the shop’s delicious sandwiches have been featured on the television show Man vs. Food and in The Huffington Post. Don’t wait to try this iconic Davis stop and go to Ike’s between 10:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. to discover its signature sandwiches.

Written by: Sydney Odman and Bradley Geiser — features@theaggie.org

The small but unique restaurant that is Thai Canteen has become a staple in the heart of Davis; since its opening in 2010, it has continued to serve students, residents and visitors a taste of Thai culture.

Whether it’s for lunch, dinner or a late-night meal, Thai Canteen offers a menu with a variety of foods and drinks; from rice plates to noodles, soups to snacks, one can indulge in everything it has to offer.

“You can order something unique to snack on such as a crispy taro fries or a more traditional dish, like the pad si ew,” said Olivia Solis, a fourth-year cognitive science major. “[The traditional dishes] have a mix of sweet and spice, and the pad si ew dish successfully captures a perfect balance of the two.”

In all of Thai Canteen’s glory, customers can expect a great atmosphere to sit down, eat and socialize with friends or family.

“Besides the food, I especially like the bike parking outside,” Solis said. “[It] provides students a quicker access to enjoy a meal or quickly pick up a to-go order.”

Thai Canteen not only offers an opportunity to try something new — it also allows Davis community members to experience a different culture one mouthful at a time.

Written by: Ray Ruano — features@thaggie.org

For those who sometimes crave an escape from the little town of Davis, San Francisco was voted the best place to take a day trip this year. San Francisco is a city full of adventure that is only an hour and a half away and reachable by car or Amtrak. It’s a great place to go with family, friends or even alone for a little getaway from school.

For first-time San Fransisco goers, make sure to visit Fisherman’s Wharf Pier 39 to catch a perfect view of Alcatraz, grab a clam chowder bread bowl from Boudin and then Dolores park to relax and eat a sushi burrito.

Lisa Bell, a fourth-year exercise biology major, likes to go to San Francisco on the weekends because it gives her a break from Davis.

“I usually go to the wharf and find a new coffee place,” Bell said. “The last time I went I went to Philz coffee and got the mint latte, which was pretty tasty. I also try and find a new eatery that doesn’t look like it’s commercial — I found this cool earthy cafe shop the last time I went.”

When it comes to getting to San Francisco, driving to a BART station is the easiest way to get around. Once in the city, using a popular ride-sharing app can be fairly reasonable and reliable.

“I usually drive to a BART station and then BART in,” Bell said. “I usually stick [to] the area of the wharf and Ghirardelli square — I do the same route all the time.”

Escaping to a big city like San Francisco makes returning to Davis feel like coming home to the comfort of a small town.

Written by: CaraJoy Kleinrock  — features@theaggie.org