With more than 40 restaurants within walking distance from APU, there are plenty of choices for hungry college students.
“A lot of people think that since they don’t have a car, they can’t go out and do things,” sophomore business management major Rachel Chen said. “But there is so much in the local community. It’s not just that we have to support the local community. There are so many places that you can walk to that are so good. I would highly recommend them over places that you have to drive far away for.”
In addition to being so close in proximity, many restaurants offer discounts for APU students.
“I really like deals,” Chen said. “As long as the place is reasonable and I feel like the food is worth it, on a college budget, [discounts] help a lot.”
One such place that seems to be popular among students is Thirsteas Fresh Juice and Boba Teas, located near Stater Bros. Specializing in tea, smoothies and acai bowls, Thirsteas provides a 10 percent discount to students with an ID.
Senior psychology major Kacie Finneran is a frequent customer at Thirsteas and enjoys visiting with her fellow Campus Safety workers to unwind.
“It’s a tradition now,” Finneran said. “We always go to Thirsteas, and it’s really nice because we get to sit down, talk and relax. It’s nice working with people and [seeing] them in class, but it is so different when you sit down and have a meal with someone. One of my friends told me that Jesus did most of his ministry around the dinner table and around meals. It’s a really important and great way to deepen the bonds you have with people. It builds community.”
Finneran recommends having the taro milk tea when you go to Thirsteas. “It’s a really different taste and [it’s] refreshing,” Finneran said.
Many other local restaurants offer discounts, too. Pieology, Honey Roll and Sushi, Tea Bar, Taco King, Pinkberry, Hong Kong Express and Marie Callender’s all offer at least a 10 percent discount when you present a student ID.
Discounts, however, are not the only way you can score a sweet deal.
Santana’s will give you one free horchata drink with the purchase of a meal. Not hungry for Mexican food? Dalia’s sells a medium pizza for $5 to APU students, and Panda Express offers a 10 percent discount if you order two items and a drink. If it’s a sandwich that you’re craving, head to Jersey Mike’s for the student special—it includes a regular size sub, medium drink and chips for $9.15.
Another place popular among APU students is Yogurtland, which offers a whopping 15 percent student discount. Junior nursing major Caitlyn Cozart finds it an ideal place to bring her discipleship group.
“Two weeks ago, I was texting my girls, and they were super stressed out,” Cozart explained. “I still wanted to see them, so I said, ‘Hey, what if we all just went to Yogurtland?’ One of the girls replied, ‘I have all of these coupons.’ Plus, we would get the APU discount. It ended up being a really nice study break, and it was only five minutes away.”
Although Cozart appreciates the discounts, she wishes offers were better advertised by local restaurants.
“It’s hard to know which places have them and which do not,” Cozart said. “[I’ve been] to Pieology a few times…and one time my friend told me that they had student discounts. I had no idea before then. I wish it was more well-known among the student community.”
Although it does not provide discounts, Sake Roll Sushi seems to be another crowd-favorite due to its customer service and student-friendly atmosphere.
Students had great things to say about the restaurant and its hospitable owner.
“His name is Bob, and he goes out of his way to get to know you,” Chen said. “Once you get to know him, he’ll recognize you. [As for Sake Roll], they have the freshest sushi I have ever had. They explain where each fish is from, and their salmon is so fresh. They bring you some free stuff a lot. It’s my favorite sushi restaurant.”
With so many options in cuisine and price right in our neighborhood, students should have no problem finding a restaurant that meets all their culinary needs. Finneran believes that not only is it convenient for students to eat locally, but they also have a responsibility to the Azusa community.
“[Local restaurants] have been inviting us into Azusa for many years, and they are providing really awesome services and food,” Finneran said. “I think that we should go there just [to] get to know them and our community. We should help their business out and thank them for letting us be part of their city.”