There is no shortage of Thai restaurants in Downtown Davis, but Thai Canteen has captured the title of “Best Thai Restaurant” this year.

Thai Canteen is a student-oriented establishment that serves lunch, dinner and even late-night munchies at an affordable price. Students can easily stop by the restaurant, located on E Street, for a refreshing Thai tea or specialties such as pork belly and duck.

One thing that differentiates Thai Canteen from other Thai restaurants is its convenient design.

“You come in, you order at the counter, we send you off to a table and servers bring food to you,” Thai Canteen manager Peter Sriboonreuang said. “Everything else from there is self-serve [including] water [and] spices.”

Customers can choose from a variety of dishes, ranging from rice plates to noodles and snacks. The prices are reasonably low, and, since the restaurant has received the one dollar sign on Yelp, it has become a college-student staple.

The restaurant is currently partnered with Joy Run, an app that allows students to order food directly on their phone and have it delivered to them by friends or other app users. This partnership saves students a trip downtown and makes ordering even more convenient.

Whether eating out with a big group of friends or sharing a one-on-one meal, Thai Canteen has seating for the occasion. During lunch and dinner hours, the atmosphere is relaxed and social, usually buzzing with conversation.

“Bistro style ordering makes it a convenient place to eat with a group of friends,” said Kelly Wang, a second-year biology major.

Written by: Julia Wu and Veronica Vargo — features@theaggie.org

When students are near the Social Sciences and Humanities building, they may catch the faint scent of curry. This belongs to 2016’s best Indian cuisine in Davis, Raja’s Tandoor, located just off campus at 207 Third St. The restaurant offers a lunch buffet Monday through Saturday and serves dinner seven days a week.

The all-you-can-eat buffet runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and costs only $5.95, while takeout and dine-in entrees cost between $5 and $7.

“The food is very good, affordable and tasty,” said Pam Panomchai, a third-year managerial economics major. “I also think the chai tea is great. The owner is really nice as well.”

Dishes include chicken curry, chicken tikka masala and chicken vindaloo. Raja’s also offers vegan and vegetarian items such as cauliflower, red potatoes and veggie tikka masala.

Signs outside the restaurant show a caricature version of Raja’s owner, Taranbir Chowdhury, smiling and waving to all who pass. Chowdhury’s hospitality is well known in the town of Davis, so customers can always expect a handshake or nice hug from him when coming in for some of the cheapest and best Indian food in Davis.

Written by: Lindsay Yim — features@theaggie.org

The ASUCD Coffee House (CoHo) is easily the most popular place on-campus to grab a quick snack and drink. At the CoHo, students can choose from a variety of foods, ranging from a classic slice of cheese pizza to a hot bowl of pho. However, it is TxMx Grill, serving Mexican food dishes like carnitas tacos and chicken quesadillas, that is favored best among hungry students.

“I personally enjoy the the tacos at TxMx Grill,” said Jay Patel, a second-year biochemistry major. “It’s convenient to have these places on campus and it’s great that the price is reasonable.”

TxMx, known for having the longest line in the CoHo due to its popularity, is students’ favorite for many reasons. For one, the prices make TxMx the cheapest place to get delicious tasting Mexican food in Davis, with the price of a “street” taco with meat available for as little as $1.40. The taste is another reason why most students opt to wait in the TxMx line.

“I definitely would go for the tacos with carnitas because they are super flavorful and pretty cheap,” said Mia Stone, fourth-year civil engineering major.

TxMx Grill offers a wide variety of Mexican-American fare. With a host of burritos, quesadillas, tacos and nachos to choose from, it shouldn’t be difficult to find something to your liking.

Written by: Krishan Mithal & Samantha Bass — features@theaggie.org

With a four-star rating and over 400 reviews on Yelp, it’s no wonder that Mikuni Sushi and Japanese Restaurant was voted Davis’ best Japanese restaurant. Located on First St., Mikuni offers versatile food options, fresh fish and great customer service.

“Everyone at Mikuni is very welcoming and kind,” Mikuni hostess Heidi Wickham said. “The staff is eager to not only help each other, but also each individual customer.”

According to Wickham, one of Mikuni’s most popular rolls is the barbecue tuna with their signature red sauce, which has a spicy, barbecue taste.

“I am obsessed with the barbecue tuna, and I know a bunch of people love that dish. I always get the barbecue tuna with red sauce,” Wickham said. “The rolls are obviously very good! I really like the Marilyn MonRoll.”

Aside from interesting sushi roll choices and an infusion of different sauces with traditional Japanese dishes, Mikuni also offers bentos, donburi and ramen.

The restaurant is also a popular choice when it comes to birthday dinners, as their
“wheel of birthday-fortune” gives birthday goers a chance to win prizes ranging from chopsticks to a Mikuni t-shirt.

The quality service and variety of delicious choices bumps Mikuni to the top spot for Davis Japanese food.

Written by: Jennifer Duong and Betty Wu — features@theaggie.org

It’s the event your tour guide boasted about, the day your parents attempted (but were denied) visitation and the only Saturday worth waking up before 8 a.m.: Picnic Day. As a culmination of all that is Davis — good food, music, culture, charm and, of course, some cows — it is arguably the most anticipated (and vigorously highlighted) day in any Davis students’ calendar.

“This event is a manifestation of Davis: friendly, quirky and full of surprises,” said Grace Scott, a fourth-year plant biology major and this year’s Picnic Day chair.

This century-old tradition never fails to entertain any and all picnickers, whether that means checking out student musicians on the Quad or cheering for the fastest competitor at the Doxie Derby.

More impressive than these events, however, is that it is “believed to be the largest student-run event in the nation,” according to the Picnic Day website.

“Picnic Day is not so much about April 16, but about the months spent planning it,” Scott said. “It is amazing that students can pull off an event like Picnic Day.”

Such student and community involvement is truly what makes Picnic Day the event that it is. And, fortunately for all future Aggies and returning alumni, it isn’t going anywhere. Next year’s Picnic Day will be held on April 22, 2017.

Written by: Sofie Bates and Ally Overbay — features@theaggie.org

Whether you watch animals, gravity-defying humans or just plain-old Davis folk going about their daily lives, the UC Davis Quad is a great place to hang out and see life pass by.

“Lunch time, like noon, is the best time to be on the Quad,” said Nadiah Diah, a second-year food science major. “I love people-watching there!”

Around lunchtime, students flood by the masses onto the Quad to consume iced coffee, Coho pizza and “especial” chicken burritos.

“There was this one time I saw a squirrel grab a whole slice of pizza and try to climb a tree with it in its mouth,” Diah said. “That was super funny.”

However, it’s not just hungry squirrels filling up the Quad. Among the delights of animal malarkey you can also see slack-liners, parkour jumpers, jugglers, gymnasts and the a cappella groups’ practice sessions.

All things special to Davis can be seen whilst getting a tan and sitting with your friends at Davis’ “Best Place to People-Watch.”
Written by: Kate Snowden and Cara Kleinrock — features@theaggie.org

With its scenic location just adjacent to campus, the Arboretum is once again Davis’ best date spot — especially as the calendar enters spring.

Founded in 1936 with 17 gardens spread over 100 acres, the Arboretum has plenty of space for couples to spend time together.

Its location makes it flexible for different kinds of dates. The waterfront and cherry blossoms in the East Asian Collection right behind Mrak Hall is a perfect place for an Aggie couple looking to spend some romantic time together between classes.

A couple looking to walk off a post-movie dinner at Mikuni cannot find a more beautiful (or closer) walk than under the eucalyptus-covered path in the Australian Collection adjacent to downtown. The first-daters even have prime real estate in the Arboretum’s Mediterranean Collection with its sloping hillsides facing a lagoon, the premier location for asking your date “Why’d you swipe right?”

“I feel like there’s always something that you’ll see different,” said Liliana Mendoza, a third-year Native American studies and community and regional development double major.

Many take their friends from out of town to the Arboretum to enjoy some relaxation and social time.

“It’s a little pocket of forest area that’s not like most of [Davis],” said Claire Barnett, Mendoza’s friend from Placerville. “I live in a forest area, so it’s nice to see this.”

Not only is the Arboretum a great date destination in Davis because of its aesthetic, it is also affordable (as in free). The Arboretum is a great no-cost alternative to the usual dinner and movie date or a great addition to day-date when you’re going to spend money elsewhere. Everyone loves not spending money, so why not not spend money with the one you love?

If you’re looking for a tranquil, affordable place to enjoy nature, a 90s R&B playlist and the company of your date, look no further than the Arboretum.

Written by: Rashad Hurst — features@theaggie.org

Whether you’re craving dessert while out with friends, family or a significant other, there is one place you can count on to impress anyone: CREAM, this year’s best dessert in Davis.

Located on F Street, CREAM, which stands for Cookies Rule Everything Around Me, is known for its ice cream sandwiches. There are many flavors to choose from to create your masterpiece, meaning a follow-up trip is inevitable.

“It’s my favorite place to get ice cream in Davis and I just really like the flavors,” said Justin Carleton, a third-year managerial economics major.

People often stop by CREAM in the evening as the perfect way to end their night, after a nice dinner or a few well-spent hours in the Regal Cinemas Davis Holiday 6 across the way.

“I took this girl out on a date one time to watch a movie and afterward we walked across the street and shared ice cream,” Carleton said. “It really sealed the deal.”

CREAM takes students’ bank accounts into consideration when it comes to pricing; ice cream sandwiches cost just $3.

Next time you find yourself on the hunt for something sweet, look no further than Davis’ own CREAM.

Written by: Hadya Amin and Mashal Ayobi — features@theaggie.org

All students all looking for that one fun General Education (GE) class to squeeze into our schedules, and this year that class is Chemical Engineering and Materials Science 1: The Design of Coffee (ECM 1), voted the best GE course at UC Davis.

Taught by Professors Tonya Kuhl and William Ristenpart, the class was launched as a science and engineering GE in Winter Quarter 2014 as a way of introducing non-major students to chemical engineering.

UC Davis is the only UC to offer The Design of Coffee as a class, and, given that the class has no prerequisites, it’s not surprising that the course attracts a diverse array of students from all majors.

“I thought about taking the coffee class because it was my last quarter at UC Davis and I wanted to enjoy something that the school offered specifically,” said Nene Takahashi, a fourth-year neurobiology, physiology and behavior major and current ECM 1 student. “I wanted to take a class that wasn’t too challenging but […] was genuinely enjoyable.”

Takahashi said that the weekly lab allows her to explore engineering in relation to coffee brewing, which is one of her favorite aspects of the course.

“Because my class is in the morning, they usually let us brew a cup of coffee first and then we get into the actual lab,” Takahashi said. “I’d definitely recommend for other people to take it, especially if they’re looking for a genuinely enjoyable class to take at school.”

Written by: Juno Bhardwaj-Shah — features@theaggie.org

Between classes, club meetings and study sessions, students often find themselves physically and mentally drained. When it comes to finding a place to destress and regain energy, UC Davis students call the hammocks on the Quad the best place to take a nap.

“I love napping in the hammocks because they provide a comfortable, but private, place to take a break from my day,” said Beverly Huey, a third-year genetics major.

The hammocks, found on the East and West sides of the Quad, are funded through a grant from The California Endowment to promote healthy habits for students.

The hammocks receive fresh air and shade from surrounding trees, and their subtle rocking motion and peaceful environment make them the ideal spot for a quick sleep.

Make sure to get there early to secure your spot, though; there’s often a line due to their popularity!

Written by: Riva Ballis and Carla Arango — features@theaggie.org

The eggheads have been an iconic part of the UC Davis campus since the beginning of their installation in 1991. As students walk around campus, they’re greeted by the sculptures’ friendly faces, which are a staple of any UC Davis student’s social media account as well as the winner of this year’s “Best Public Art” award.

The five egghead displays, created by Robert Arneson, a former UC Davis professor of ceramic sculpture, are located on various parts of campus: “See No Evil/Hear No Evil” at the east of King Hall, “Eye on Mrak” in front of Mrak Hall, “Bookhead” in front of Shields Library, “Yin & Yang” in front of Wright Hall and “Stargazer” behind North Hall. Each egghead was made from bronze, painted with acrylic paint and designed specifically for the UC Davis campus.

“I think one of the reasons why [the eggheads are] more memorable than most campus outdoor sculptures is their accessibility,” said Brittany Royer, a graduate student in art history. “In fact the subject matter of them and how they’re positioned make them accessible.”

Each egghead carries special meaning to the student body, whether it represents campus history or provides an interactive aspect. For example, “Eye on Mrak” symbolizes a power balance between students and administration; the single eye facing Mrak represents the students watching the administration as the egghead’s face looks away in hysterical laughter.

“Bookhead” is also popular among students, as it is part of a Aggie tradition to kiss it for good luck before midterms and finals.

According to the Center of Sacramento History, Arneson has been referred to as the “father of the ceramic Funk movement.” Funk art utilizes everyday objects to form confrontational social, economic, and political statements.

“They are a commentary on the politics of education systems and how they were being perceived,” Royer said. “They are a play on anti-intellectualism.”

Although Arneson passed away in 1992, his beloved eggheads remain a popular part of the UC Davis campus.

Written by: Lindsay Floyd and Yvonne Leong — features@theaggie.org

This year, Shields Library has more than one title to boast about, as its egghead statue, the “Bookhead,” has been voted the best egghead statue on campus.

Robert Arneson’s egghead statues, which can be found all over campus, have been a staple of the UC Davis campus for over 20 years. While Arneson had a long and successful career in ceramic art, the eggheads were some of his last works. Their installation on campus began in 1991.

MacKenzie Smith, a university librarian, sees “Bookhead” as a symbol of the UC Davis community, serving as a bridge between books and the future of knowledge.

“While our ‘Bookhead’ has his head buried in a book and we love them too, the library has its eye on the future,” Smith said. “We think every day about how we can best serve the needs of 21st-century students, whether it’s offering more access to digital technology in the library or helping students and faculty become more efficient and effective at finding and interpreting information online.”

Written by: Kenton Goldsby and Sangeetha Ramamurthy — features@theaggie.org

If you’re looking to let loose and show off your skillful dancing moves, the Davis Graduate, this year’s best place to dance, is the place for you.

Located on Russell Boulevard at the University Mall, the Davis Graduate, otherwise known as “the Grad,” is a combination sports bar and restaurant that turns into a dance club at night.

It opened in 1971 and has managed to maintain its festive vibe and attractive appeal for college students over the past 46 years. The restaurant is designed around a huge dance floor, professional lighting and great sound that can be experienced nightly.

There is a different dance theme every night of the week, each accompanied by a unique music genre. On Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, one can expect country line dancing with DJ Mark for anyone 18 or older. On Tuesdays and Thursdays there is salsa dancing with free dance lessons at 9:30 p.m. with DJ MigZ, who teaches Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Kizomba and more.

Davis Graduate manager Danny Ramos believes the Grad was named best place to dance because of its versatile location.

“We are not just a bar, we are dance-centric,” Ramos said.  

Third-year biology major Karen Parga has attended salsa night in the past and thought it was the perfect freshman year experience.

“I went to the Grad on salsa night during Halloween, and it was just so funny seeing everyone wearing their costumes and dancing around to fancy moves,” Parga said.

If students would like to experience the Grad for themselves, it is open weekdays at 11 a.m. and weekends at 10 a.m., with varying closing times.

Written by: Demi Caceres — features@theaggie.org

As a city filled with bikes, it is only fitting that Davis has numerous bike shops to keep its bikers safe. This year, UC Davis’ own on-campus bike shop, the Bike Barn, has been voted the best bike shop in Davis.

The barn was built in 1910, and is one of the longest standing buildings at UC Davis. Located between the Silo and Rock Hall, it is easily accessible for the thousands of students who bike on-campus daily.

“I think that [there is a] convenience factor of it being on campus,” said David Canzoneri, a fourth-year economics major and business manager for the Bike Barn. “Whether they live on campus or not, a lot of students are biking on-campus.”

According to Canzoneri, the shop’s student employees help create a welcoming environment because they can relate to the many students who come in to have their bikes repaired.

“All the employees except for the general manager are students,” Canzoneri said. “It helps to have a familiar friendly face.”

According to their website, the barn repairs over 10,000 bikes a year. On top of this, it offers rental bikes and eight full-service repair stands for students to use in between classes. In the coming years, the Bike Barn is hoping to bring back the Bike Garage in the North end of the building to expand their services.

The shop caters to students’ needs, never turning down a request to repair a bike. While other bike shops may refuse to work on lower-end, inexpensive bikes, Canzoneri stressed that the Bike Barn always ensures to serve each customer.

“One thing that sets us apart from other shops is that there’s not really a job we will turn away,” Canzoneri said.

Written by: Alyssa Vandenberg — features@theaggie.org

For Segundo residents, it will come as no surprise that Trader Joe’s was once again voted Davis’ favorite grocery store. Given its convenient location on the corner of Russell Boulevard and Sycamore Lane, Trader Joe’s is a student favorite for purchasing both study snacks and weekly groceries.

The University Mall location sells frozen foods, ready-to-eat snacks and small food portions that assist students with the challenges of budgeting and time constraints. For study session pick-me-ups, Trader Joe’s customers can buy coffee, desserts and other sweet treats until 10 p.m. every day of the week.

Trader Joe’s also sells non-dairy milks, gluten-free products and even dairy-free ice creams and sorbets to cater to those with special dietary needs. Customers can treat themselves to free coffee and samples of new products while shopping.

“I like [Trader Joe’s] because of the location and the good variety of products,” said Amy Green, a second-year human development major. “They have speciality products that you wouldn’t find in an everyday grocery store, and since I’m vegetarian, that really helps. I also like the free samples.”

Written by: Caroline Staudenraus — features@theaggie.org