The Davis Farmers Market is a favorite date spot, according to students 

By ELIZABETH WOODHALL — features@theaggie.org 

The Davis Farmers Market is a staple for anyone who has lived in Davis and serves as the heart of the city. Fresh produce and local vendors come together in Central Park every Wednesday and Saturday, making it easy for students and families to become involved in the community while doing their weekly grocery shopping. If you’ve ever been on a date in Davis, you know the options are pretty limited. Davis’ farmers market serves as the ideal date spot in Davis, and 40.4% of students agree. 

The farmers market offers a spot for couples to have a relaxing Saturday morning getting some baked goods, having breakfast and buying produce to make a home-cooked meal together. Catalina French, a fourth-year English major, shared that the farmers market allowed her and her partner to sit down, have breakfast and become involved in the Davis community early on in their relationship. 

“I love the Davis Farmers Market,” French said. “I think when we first started going out, we would go for breakfast — that was our weekly routine as a couple. In the beginning of our relationship, we would go to the farmers market for breakfast and would just sit on the steps of Central Park and watch the community but also talk with each other. There are so many cute little kids and animals, and it feels like the heart of the Davis community. But yeah, definitely a date spot.”

Joana Maria Rose, a fourth-year wildlife, fish and conservation biology major, shared that the farmers market is an ideal spot for couples as it helps them browse around while not breaking the bank. 

“I’ve been on a couple of dates to the farmers market, and I think it’s an immaculate vibe,” Rose said. “I especially think it’s a great date, because it’s during the day, you can people watch, buy fresh produce and if you’re broke, you don’t have to spend money. Coffee dates are so boring, and the farmers market is not!”

Seth Whiteaker, a fourth-year ecological management and restoration major, said that it was his favorite spot during the pandemic because it allowed him to make home-cooked meals and have the opportunity to become part of the community during quarantine. 

“Later into the pandemic when I began to go with my partner, you could really feel the community was extra pronounced with everyone there, all [of] the shops open and all [of] the people there,” Whiteaker said. “I grew up in Orange County, where all [of] the farmers markets have mostly vendors, which isn’t a bad thing, but it’s one of the reasons that Davis is just an amazing place to be since we’re right in the center of so much fresh produce.” 

Additionally, the farmers market allows couples to make affordable meals with fresh produce, according to French. 

“Organic fresh produce is usually restricted to people who have money, and as college students living together and paying astronomically high rent, it’s so hard to find places that are cheap and affordable,” French said. “We can go to the farmers market, because they allow us to use [Electronic Benefit Transfer] EBT, and they’re so accessible to families of color and low-income families. So, we made it our weekly ritual; like every Saturday during last year, we would go to the farmers market, and we would buy at least [one thing] for our weekly dinners.”

The Farmers Market offers couples a chance to make affordable meals, connect with the community and get out of the house to explore everything Davis has to offer. If you want to go on a date, look no further than this bustling market filled with local vendors, pets and fresh produce. 

Written by: Elizabeth Woodhall  — features@theaggie.org

The Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve is Davis’ favorite place to hit the trail

By SAVANNAH BURGER — features@theaggie.org 

Just 35 minutes west of Davis, the Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve is regarded by a plurality of 40% of the Best of Davis survey respondents as the best hiking spot in the area. The reserve is located in a north-facing canyon of the outer northern coast range and overlooks views of Sacramento, the Central Valley and Lake Berryessa. 

The reserve itself is owned and managed by the University of California Natural Reserve System, being an official UC Davis Nature Reserve. In addition to this, it’s a part of the Putah Creek State Wildlife Area, which includes 673 acres of habitats and land where Cold Creek and Putah Creek converge, not far from the Monticello Dam. 

Named after G. Ledyard Stebbins, the late plant geneticist, botanist and professor of UC Davis and Berkley, the reserve exists as a beautiful example of Stebbins’ legacy. Stebbins was the leading figure in plant evolution, and through his research with genetics proved that plants experience evolution just as other organisms such as animals do. A professor at Davis for 23 years, Stebbins was a beloved faculty member, naturalist and conservationist and published over 252 works.

There are various hikes in the reserve that are suitable for both beginner and advanced hikers. There’s the Blue Ridge-Homestead Loop, which is five miles total, Annie’s Trail Loop, which is 2.75 miles total and 20 Nature Trails which are each one mile long one way. Keep in mind that each of these trails, as well as the whole reserve, do not allow dogs or mountain bikes. 

The reserve has a lot to offer nature-wise: it has countless different habitats and terrains, ranging from foothill streams, riparian woodlands, lower montane chaparral, chamise chaparral, grasslands to blue oak woodlands. There are eight amphibian, 18 reptile, 43 mammal, 108 bird and 290 plant species present and thriving in this area. Not to mention that during the spring, the blooming California wildflowers are a must-see.

When out on the reserve, look out for the abundant wildlife that resides there. Right now, during early spring, it is one of the best times of the year to spot rare birds during their migration. The Cold Canyon basin itself boasts 50% of all of California’s regularly occurring bird species, impressive for such a small area. If you want to get the best of the birds, arrive at the reserve at the break of light to hear the birds’ harmonious dawn chorus. Be sure to check it out before the season is over, less you have to wait until fall for the next migration.

When hiking, you can also spot larger mammals, such as the Virginia opossum, striped skunk, raccoon, coyote, bobcat, black-tailed deer and the mountain lion. Be aware of that last one — mountain lions are known to be active throughout the reserve, so it’s a sound idea to hike in groups of two or more and keep children close.

Don’t sleep on this beautiful hiking area. Over 65,000 people pay a visit to the reserve annually. It’s a popular sight for field trips for K through 12 students and for field courses students can take here at UC Davis. 

Doubling as both a hiker’s paradise and a place for insightful research, the Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve can be enjoyed by residents of Davis and beyond. What are you waiting for? Put on those hiking boots and get going!

Written by: Savannah Burger — features@theaggie.org 

The beloved sculpture in front of Shields Library serves as both a prominent landmark and outlet for student protest

By EMME DUNNING — features@theaggie.org

It is almost impossible to talk about UC Davis without talking about some of the most iconic art installations it houses: the Eggheads. Seven ‘egghead’ sculptures dot the college campus and span five different locations, each installation with its own distinct title. In this year’s Best of Davis survey, the student-favorite Bookhead secured 42.6% of the votes. 

Since its installation in front of Shields Library, Bookhead has become a fixture in the UC Davis community. In addition to being a popular site for photos, some believe that simply rubbing or kissing its head can bring students good luck before their finals. As this school year marks the 30th anniversary of the completion of the Egghead project — in what the administration has deemed “Year of the Eggheads” — students and faculty celebrate the unique sculptures through merch, tours and even a website (eggheads.ucdavis.edu). 

Commissioned by UC Davis to create a series of public sculptures, local artist Robert Arneson designed, constructed and placed each Egghead strategically. Although the pieces have largely been embraced by the UC Davis administration, their original intention was actually a critique of the university itself. 

Colloquially, “egghead” refers to a highly educated person who is seen as out of touch with reality and often lacking in critical self-awareness. Bookhead embodies this sentiment particularly well as his face is completely buried in a book, representing both faculty and students who find themselves completely consumed by their studies and, like Bookhead, unable to see the world around them. 

Ben Batom, a recent UC Davis alum with a degree in studio art and museum studies, dedicated much of his time at the university to studying these sculptures. As part of an on-campus internship with the Manetti Shrem Museum of Art, Batom conducted a research project surrounding the art installations and what makes them particularly unique. 

“They don’t shy away from critiquing the place in which they’re installed,” Batom said. “The eggheads are site-specific installations, so they very much interact with the spaces in which they’re involved, and Bookhead is a great example of that.”

This interaction goes far beyond graduation photos and a site for Chancellor Gary May’s “Thursday Thoughts.” The Eggheads have long been seen as a vessel for students to voice their opinions about campus, community and world events. 

In 2016, following a 2011 incident involving the pepper spraying of student protesters by campus police and a subsequent cover-up by the administration, graffiti appeared on the Eggheads reading “Fire Katehi.” This was in reference to UC Davis’ then-Chancellor Linda Katehi’s response to the incident by Linda Katehi. More recently, in Oct. 2023, Bookhead was graffitied with the message “Free Palestine,” echoing student outcry and protest for a ceasefire in the region.

“They’ve been graffitied on a lot of times,” Batom said. “They’re kind of a site of protest, a site of social justice. It’s just another way students have created a campus story around the eggheads. Protest is a huge part of the Eggheads. I think Robert Arneson intended that by making them and putting them on a college campus.”

This sentiment is substantiated by Arneson himself, who, upon completion of Bookhead, wrote a letter to his art dealers, George Adams and Allan Frumkin, with photos of the piece attached. It reads: “Enclosed you will find some photos of ‘Bookhead’ shot on the day we completed painting its surface. Now it’s ready for students to enrich it I’d say.” And enrich it, they do. 

Written by: Emme Dunning — features@theaggie.org

A look into this year’s best general education course, according to students

By ZOEY MORTAZAVI — features@theaggie.org

Even if you do not consider yourself a particularly outdoorsy person, national parks are something that people from all walks of life can appreciate. This year, the Best of Davis award for UC Davis’ best general education (GE) course was granted to GEL 025: Geology of National Parks. 

This course is taught by Professor David Osleger, who has expressed a long-time love for national parks and the geologic time frame behind them. He typically teaches the course, which meets three days a week in 50-minute lecture periods, during fall or spring quarter, and many students take it for GE science and engineering credit. After the course received the award, Osleger spoke on his class philosophy.

“I’m thrilled to hear that students have this kind of feedback about the class,” Osleger said. “The common denominator is, almost everyone loves national parks, and [almost] everyone loves being outside. My philosophy, which I always talk about in class, is this: Wouldn’t it be nice to go to these national parks and actually understand a little bit about where they came from? My ultimate goal is for you guys to take road trips and go see some of these places for yourselves.”

Receiving 30.2% of votes in a tight race for this category, GEL 025 won against some of Davis’ longest-running, most popular GE courses, including ECH 001: Design of Coffee and GEL 012: Evolution & Paleobiology of Dinosaurs. 

Osleger stressed that there are no prerequisites for the course; ideally, students should come equipped with an interest in nature and the outdoors, but nothing beyond that is required. 

After taking this class, students should gain an in-depth understanding of how some of our world’s most iconic natural locations came to be. Osleger hopes that exposure to some of this knowledge will help grant students a deeper appreciation for nature and its functions. 

“All that being said, this is a college GE class; maybe you get some credit for it, maybe you have a good time, and maybe you learn something while you’re in it,” Osleger said. “But maybe more importantly: you guys are 20 years old. You have 60 to 80 years — maybe a little more — left to visit these places. I know it sounds ridiculous, but pretty soon many of you are going to be visiting them with your kids or your grandkids.”

Osleger wholeheartedly believes in the long-term value this course holds for students. 

“To me, I love teaching this class because it’s the ultimate lifelong learning,” Osleger said. “So this is information, knowledge, awareness and a little bit of geologic understanding that can stay with you for a long time in your lives. To me, that has a lot of value.”

Mikaela Abella, a first-year marine and coastal science major, took GEL 025 in fall quarter of 2023 and shared some of her thoughts on the course. 

“I took this class because the course sounded unique, and I grew up going to national parks, so I was interested in learning more about them,” Abella said. “It ended up being my favorite class at UC Davis. Professor Osleger does a really great job at keeping the material engaging and it sparked a lot of inspiration to plan my own national park trips, which is one of the main things he wants his students to take away from the class.”

Abella recommends this course to anyone interested in the subject of national parks or just for anyone who is looking for a science-based GE course. 

“I would definitely recommend this class to everyone I know, and I’ve talked to a ton of people about it already,” Abella said. “It’s such an interesting course. It’s a manageable workload, and it’s really helped to grow my appreciation for the outdoors, which is everything to me at the end of the day.”

Written by: Zoey Mortazavi — features@theaggie.org 

In-N-Out provides affordable food with a lively late-night atmosphere

By LORENA ALVAREZ — features@theaggie.org

In-N-Out is a favorite at UC Davis not only for its late hours of operation — 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. — but also because of the quality of its food. Whether students are looking for a late-night snack or a meal after a long day of studying, In-N-Out is there to provide excellent service at a reasonable price.

Melanie Maldonado, a first-year neurobiology, physiology and behavior major, explained why she thought In-N-Out won “best late night snack” with a leading 32.6% vote for the fifth time in eight years.

“It’s one of the few places that’s open later at night and they have efficient service. The quality of the food is still really good regardless of when you go,” Maldonado said. “Most of the fast food places that are open are the big food chains and I feel like In-N-Out is one of the higher quality foods that doesn’t make you feel icky afterward.”

Maldonado went on to recall a fond memory she has of In-N-Out, depicting how a fast food restaurant can be a place of community for UC Davis students. 

“The first time I visited In-N-Out in Davis, I was with my dad when he dropped me off for school. Everybody was sitting with their parents so it was kind of nice to see everyone getting dropped off,” Maldonado said. “It was kind of sad but it made me realize that everybody’s just going through the same thing. So it’s like we’re all going through this together.”

When asked what makes In-N-Out stand out from other fast food restaurants, Alec Gossage, a fourth-year cinema, digital media and communications major commented on the “speed” of the service.

“It’s still fast when it’s late instead of being slow like most places in Davis,” Gossage said.

Tania Shahvali, a fourth-year pharmaceutical chemistry major, noted In-N-Out’s quality control. 

“They have factories that produce their meat in California [and Texas] and they cannot have stores outside of a certain radius,” Shahvali said. “This means that all of their stores get the same fresh meat, [so] you will get the same quality food at whichever In-N-Out location you go to.”

Shahvali went on to address In-N-Out’s location, noting its proximity to the frat houses and its drive-through.

“I’ve gone to In-N-Out after some frat parties and it’s right [near some of the houses] so people normally just walk there, right from the frat houses,” Shahvali said. “[The drive-through] is a pretty bad setup. […] but I think its location and its good service at 1 am is one of its best things.”

Jaylynn Velhagen-Dizon, a fourth-year digital media and English double major, further spoke on In-N-Out’s quality and affordable pricing.

“I love that it’s cheap,” Velhagen-Dizon said. “I think that a lot of fast food, especially now, is becoming overpriced for poor quality. In-N-Out is a decent price for good quality. To me, In-N-Out has burgers you could make at home, which makes it feel a little bit more fresh.”

While In-N-Out is valued for its more affordable pricing, it is important to note that it is not vegan-friendly. Customers can request veggie burgers or french fries but should still beware of the potential for cross-contamination. That said, it is an excellent late-night spot for college students looking for quick and affordable service as well as company from fellow late-night snackers.

Written by: Lorena Alvarez — features@theaggie.org

The band feels honored to be recognized by the Davis community and is excited to continue putting on great shows 

By GRETA FOEHR — features@theaggie.org 

Cowboys After Dark, a local seven-person band known for their exciting covers of well-known songs across genres and eras, is the most popular band in Davis, according to 63.2% of surveyed UC Davis students.

Cowboys After Dark stands out in a variety of ways, and to those who have seen them play, it is no surprise that they won this category.

Rosie Mendoza, a third-year English major who plays trumpet in the band, explained that they are different from most bands because they have three melodic instruments: the trumpet, the saxophone and vocals. This means that they will usually only play one of those at a time, creating the opportunity for a lot of solos and captivating musical battles between melodic instruments. 

Bernadette Grace, a third-year biological sciences major and lead singer of the band, explained that, because they have a seven-piece band, everyone gets to specialize and really hone in on their part. In addition to perfecting their sound, they put an intentional effort into creating a positive energy at their shows. 

“I think something special that we have is that we’re performing as seven best friends who hang out all the time,” Grace said. “We’re kind of fearless, if that makes sense. We go up and we just try stuff, and we take crazy solos. There’s no fear because we trust each other so much, and I think it makes for a really fun show.” 

From production value to audience engagement, Cowboys After Dark knows how to put on a show for their listeners. Mason Johnstone, a third-year biological sciences major and the band’s drummer, described the unique energy of their shows. 

“You don’t just come to listen to the music,” Johnstone said. “You come to watch what we do, whether it’s [Mendoza] and Jacob [the saxophone player] running out into the crowd or the audience kickline.” 

These are just some examples of traditions that the band implemented to keep the audience engaged and increase the production value of their performances. While the members of Cowboys after Dark enjoy performing for the audience, the band also enjoys performing for themselves. Mendoza said that her favorite part about being in the band is arranging their covers to fit every member’s talent and skills. 

“It’s fun just to strip down the song and try to figure out how we can make it sound good with the horns and [the rest of our instruments],” Mendoza said.

While Mendoza enjoys the process of picking out songs, Grace described the joy of meeting people who come to the show. 

“People love to just come up to us afterward and talk to us about music and playing live and that sort of stuff,” Grace said. “Meeting those people is super, super awesome.” 

Johnstone highly values getting the chance to play with other talented and passionate musicians. 

“Just being able to play in itself is just an absolute gift, it’s one of my favorite things,” Johnstone said.

The band feels honored to have been voted the best local band and appreciates the support the Davis community provides. The award reaffirms all of the hard work they put into their music and encourages them to keep moving forward with the band. 

“It’s reassuring and also motivating for our upcoming shows because we’re putting a lot of planning into them,” Mendoza said. “So it’s nice to know that there are some people out there that think we’re the best band and will always support us.”

After winning Best Local Band, Johnstone is motivated to continue working hard to impress the Davis community. 

“It makes me want to sit down at [my] practice pad and just practice even more and get even better,” Johnstone said. 

Johnstone and Eric Aguilar, the band’s guitarist, have been playing music together in Davis since they were 12 years old when they met at Rock Band University, making their Best of Davis win extra sweet. 

“I’m very glad that I get to do what I love with awesome people that I love to hang out with and I love to have as my friends,” Johnstone said. “And to have other people enjoy it just is icing on top.”

Grace feels especially thankful for the recognition from the Davis community. 

“It’s so sweet to know that people like [our music] and have fun when they come see us, and that we are playing a part in getting people to come out for live music in Davis and support musicians,” Grace said. “It means so much.” 

Cowboys After Dark knows what it takes to put on a great show, and they will continue to impress Davis with their musical expertise and vibrant energy. For more information about the band and their upcoming live shows, visit @cowboysafterdark on Instagram. 

Written by: Greta Foehr — features@theaggie.org

Peter J. Shields Library voted the best study spot

By SABRINA FIGUEROA — features@theaggie.org 

The Peter J. Shields Library is a staple of UC Davis, providing students with free resources that range from academic tutoring to sources for researching niche interests. The library holds 3.2 million volumes, making it the largest library in Yolo County and the third largest in the University of California system.

With 350,000 square feet of space — and an almost endless amount of study areas — the library is an ideal studying spot to get all kinds of work done whenever you need it. Whether students need to “lock in” for exams or simply read, the campus population appreciates Shields Library, securing 52% of the votes for Best Study Spot in this year’s Best of Davis survey.  

Open from 7:30 a.m. to 12 a.m. on most days of the week, with weekend hours being slightly shorter, Shields Library gives both the early birds and night owls time to use its resources. Although the library closes at night, there is still a 24-hour study room with a separate entrance that students may utilize at any time. Many students needing to pull all-nighters to study, or even just students who work better at night, deeply value this resource.

“I study at the library pretty often, almost every day,” Meidy Chirios, a fourth-year political science major, said. “I usually go to the 24-hour study room and spend two hours [there] every time I study [at Shields Library].” 

Shields Library’s lively, populated atmosphere leaves room for both conversation and quiet study time. Chirios shared that she usually chooses to study at the library because she likes to be around people, especially because everyone else is also working hard. 

Alyssa Hu, a second-year microbiology major, also expressed the same point of view. 

“I think the vibe is just right, like, other people are on the grind and it makes me get in the mood for studying. [Plus], I hate studying at home because then I just want to sleep, and going to a cafe is really nice too, but then I feel like I have to buy a drink,” Hu said.  

Sometimes you may even find that the library has lulls where, for a couple weeks, it’s pretty empty and the lively atmosphere disappears. That is, until the dreaded midterm and finals seasons creep up, which drives students back. 

Hu explained that she typically goes to Shields Library to study about once a week, but tends to go a lot more during midterms and finals weeks. 

“It gets so crowded [during exam seasons] that sometimes I have to wander around for a while. The basement usually has some seats open [during this time] but it’s really hot in there,” Hu said. 

However, if you don’t like to be bothered by chattiness — or people in general — and are in need of some intense studying, remember that the library consists of five floors that all have available seating. You’re almost always guaranteed to find somewhere to sit. 

There are even different areas on each floor that allow only a certain amount of noise such as “collaboration zones,” “silent study spaces” and “quiet conversation spaces,” as well as group study rooms that you can reserve online.  

“My favorite thing about the library is that there are private sections that you can study in individually, like the desks with cubbies,” Chirios said.

The infamous “cubby desks” are desks that have privacy panels around them, giving the illusion that you’re in an enclosed space. They’re great for doing intense and quiet studying — or even taking a secret, deserving nap during exam seasons. 

While the majority of students go to the library for their study needs, there are lots of students who appreciate its other services as well.

“Everything here is pretty close together. For example, if I need a printer, I can just go down to the basement level and print out what I need,” Chirios said. “It’s just really convenient.”

Resources include but are not limited to: printing, scanning and copying stations; a plentiful amount of charging ports and portable chargers; desktop computers; special exhibits that change every three to six months; archives and collections of rare books, pamphlets, photographs and many more. 

 Some may even argue an important asset to the library is all of the different settings it provides. Hu emphasized the value of having the opportunity to complete various tasks in the many environments of Shields Library.

“I like how there are so many areas with a different ambiance,” Hu said. “Sometimes I just want to sit at a window with some sun and sometimes I want a big table with a TV for small meetings. There’s everything there.”

Written by: Sabrina Figueroa — features@theaggie.org

SJP has earned 40.6% of votes in this category 

By MARLE LAMOUNTRY — features@theaggie.org 

In the realm of student-led organizations advocating for social justice and human rights, few have garnered as much attention this year as the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) club. This group has become a beacon of hope for those seeking to address the ongoing injustices faced by Palestinians, helping the group win best student-run organization this year with 40.6% of votes from the students surveyed.

The organization has led multiple protests throughout the year, emphasizing that community is at the core of advocacy for social justice and human rights. The members of the community have used their voice to condemn complacency in the genocide and occupation of the Palestinian people, and have also held vigils to honor those who have been martyred. 

Outside of protests, they also focus on ensuring the student population is knowledgeable about the latest news, as well as the history of the conflict through info nights, movie screenings and the use of social media platforms.

Eric Thao, a fourth-year history major, commented on the impact of the club.

“SJP at UC Davis has had tremendous efforts in bringing awareness [to] and fighting against the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people,” Thao said.

One of the most notable actions SJP has achieved through their efforts this year was the passing of a bill in the student-run ASUCD Senate that prevents the $20 million ASUCD budget from being spent on companies considered “complicit in the occupation and genocide of Palestinians,” as decided by the Boycott, Divest and Sanctions (BDS) movement. UC Davis’ student government became the first of the UCs to pass a resolution in line with the BDS movement, and this was followed by a similar resolution of divestment by the student government at UCLA soon after. 

You can find more details on the club’s Instagram at @sjpatucd. 

Written by: Marle Lamountry — features@theaggie.org 

The downtown restaurant proves to be a favorite among UC Davis students

By BENJAMIN CARRILLO — features@theaggie.org 

Guads Tacos & Beer was voted as Best Restaurant in Davis by the majority of this year’s Best of Davis survey respondents. This 3rd Street restaurant received 38% of the student-body vote and is known for its good vibes and close proximity to campus. 

Guads is owned by two brothers, Rigo and Chris Hernandez, and was created in July 2021. The restaurant was designed with a college student audience in mind after the brothers noted the larger college student population in the Davis area. The restaurant is also a branch of two Taqueria Guadalajara restaurants, which are also located in Davis. 

After seeing the popularity of the Taqueria Guadalajara restaurants among college students, the brothers decided to make a restaurant with a name that was more modernized and closer to the campus itself. The name, Guads, was inspired by the name that students often call Taqueria Guadalajara. 

“I’m so proud of the name that we’ve made for ourselves in Davis,” Rigo said. “I feel proud of what we’re doing in the town, and for the college kids as a whole.” 

Where Guads differentiates itself from the sister locations of Taqueria Guadalajara is in the selection of alcohol and the general atmosphere. While Taqueria Guadalajara is a place that keeps all audiences in mind, Guads is a place that is specifically geared toward the younger crowd. The restaurant offers a number of beers on tap, both inside and outside seating and an environment that promotes socializing. The location even offers exclusively brewed beers, such as the Guads Blonde Ale. 

Max Wozniak, a first-year aerospace and mechanical engineering major, talked about the reasons why he enjoys Guads over other restaurants in Davis.

“I love the atmosphere, [and] I feel as if the employees there really care about who I am,” Wozniak said. “Not to mention it doesn’t break the bank like other restaurants around Davis.” 

Despite the name, the place isn’t known for just tacos and has a wide variety of Mexican cuisine that can satisfy any craving. 

“My order definitely depends on how hungry I am, but, normally, I go for a regular burrito with chicken,” Wozniak said. “If I’m feeling extremely hungry, I’ll go for a chicken quesadilla. 

Guads is definitely a restaurant that strives for quality, and it shows in all the food they make.” 

Next time you’re craving a taco, a beer or free chips and salsa after class, head on over to Guads Tacos & Beer.

Written by: Benjamin Carrillo — features@theaggie.org

The Instagram account features Cheeto, the campus cat, and his daily adventures

By MADISON PETERS — features@theaggie.org  

The Instagram account @cheetodaily, dedicated to the beloved campus cat Cheeto, has won Best Davis-Specific Instagram Account. With 32.6% of the vote, the orange tabby beat many popular Davis Instagram accounts such as @ucdfits.

The account has a whopping 11.8 thousand followers and 1,251 posts and counting.

Created back in 2019, the account’s popularity has only skyrocketed since, according to a past article from The California Aggie.

The account showcases this friendly feline’s day-to-day adventures on campus, most of which consist of his two favorite activities: lounging in the sun and getting attention.

Cheeto has been around campus since 2011 and is taken care of by the Physics Department, according to the UC Davis website. 

Fiona McInnes-Messamer, a third-year psychology major and avid follower of @cheetodaily, commented on her appreciation for the Cheeto posts.

“I first followed the Cheeto Instagram account freshman year,” McnInnes-Messamer said. “Since then, it’s been a great account to look at when I’m having a rough day or feel sad and need something to make me smile.”

Although Cheeto has been spotted all around campus, his favorite spot is by the Physics Building. Zoe Hareng, a fourth-year neuroscience major, spoke of her fondness for Cheeto.

“Every time I go to my physics class, I look for Cheeto,” Hareng said. “I literally take the long way to his little area to see if I can find him. One time, I found him and he was loafing, and it was the cutest thing ever.”

Anyone who spots Cheeto on campus is encouraged to send photo submissions via Direct Message, according to the biography of the account. 

When asked to comment on his fame as a social media influencer, Cheeto refused and decided to take a nap instead.

Cheeto continues to bring happiness to the Davis community, and the posts are intended to help spread his love.

“Posting daily pics/vids to help you destress!” the account’s biography reads.

Written by: Madison Peters — features@theaggie.org 

The beloved cat has once again won students’ hearts

By RIVERS STOUT — features@theaggie.org

Cheeto the famous orange cat has won the best campus animal category for the third year in a row, receiving 42.9% of the vote. The cat just keeps coming back. With a soothing presence and relaxed demeanor, students seeking a little bit of comfort while on campus can find him lying by the physics building, waiting for attention. 

With his own Instagram page of over 11.8k followers, Cheeto has time and time again proven himself to be the most beloved animal on campus, beating the horses, turkeys, ducks, squirrels and more.

“I think Cheeto the cat is a nice little critter here on campus,” Nataly Barreto, a first-year biological sciences major, said. 

Barreto frequently visits Cheeto just for the joy of seeing him.

“With so many animals present, like cows and turkeys, it’s nice to have an animal who won’t attack you,” Barreto said. “Whenever I catch a glimpse of him it feels like I just saw Bigfoot. I’m always trying to take photos and I practically freeze when I see Cheeto.”

He can be found near the physics building, in its shared parking lot with Mrak and King Hall, and he is always eager for pets.

Barreto shared their first memory of Cheeto.

“The first time I saw Cheeto was biking late at night,” Berrato said. “Seeing Cheeto made me crash into my friend’s bike — he’s like a mystical being.”

Mystical being he is. He is a cat many students know of and are elated to see.

“Cheeto is the sweetest most friendly cat I’ve met,” Aspen Valenzuela, a first-year biotechnology major, said. “He always lets you pet him.”

With a slightly cut ear, Cheeto may have the appearance of not being well taken care of, however, he’s doing well for himself — if not too well. One sign at the physics building explains that while people may worry for Cheeto, he’s actually cared for by student organizations and the UC Davis Veterinary School, and does not need any feeding, according to the UC Davis Magazine.

When asked for a comment on yet another win, Cheeto did not respond, opting to continue resting.

“Meow,” Cheeto said from his bed of wood mulch. 

Written by: Rivers Stout — features@theaggie.org