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Cream of the Crop

Randy Metcalf Arizona Summer Wildcat UA grad student P.J. Bird Bear finishes up an order at the Grill yesterday afternoon. The Grill is located at 100 E. Congress St.

Best Mexican Fast Food - Unhealthy

Nico's on Ft. Lowell and Campbell - and now with a new location at Roger and Oracle - has the best tasting taco stand in the University area. Although differences between Betos, Los Betos and Nico's may be hard to find, small things like their smooth guacamole and thicker fish burritos push Nico's over the edge. - Casey Dexter

Best Mexican Fast Food - Healthy

La Salsa on Campbell and Ft. Lowell offers a wide variety of Mexican dishes that you don't have to feel guilty about eating. All the food is fresh and cooked in front of you as you wait. Although a little pricey, La Salsa is definitely worth a trip. - CD

Best Supermarket

Looking for a great place to pick up a man/woman? Tired of all those meat markets that produce nothing more than a one-night-stand? Head for Albertson's Food & Drug, located at 2854 N. Campbell Ave. Centrally located, this supermarket virtually guarantees an encounter with a fellow University grocery shopper and potential date. Head out early during the week (preferably in the early afternoon) and "accidentally" bump your shopping cart into an unsuspecting shopper - the rest will fall into place. - Barry McGuire

Communication senior Sharon Bracken mixes drinks yesterday afternoon at Dirtbags, located at 1800 E. Speedway Blvd.

Best Thirst Quencher

Eegee's. Not just in Tucson but possibly the whole world. There's no better weapon against the bastard sun, than a 32-ounce flavor of the month. This month it's black raspberry. The Eegee's subtle thickness makes it superior to the Icee, and its unparalleled frostiness makes it better than water. Watch out for brain freeze. - Phil Villarreal

Best Place For A Romantic Dinner

O.K., it's true that Valentines Day is still a ways off, but that shouldn't stop anyone from taking out their significant other for a romantic dinner every so often, and no Greasy Tony's doesn't count. However, Capriccio Italian Restaurant, located at 4825 N. First Ave,, is the perfect romantic engagement. From the elegant decor of the dining room to the excellent tasting antipasti, Capriccio is guaranteed to make a perfect evening dinner. Reservations are a must and space is very limited. - BM

Best Place for a Midnight Snack

It's close to campus, it's open 24/7, and it's motto includes the words meat, sugar, alcohol. Surely the Grill on 100 E. Congress is not only a Tucsonan institution, but also a collegiate necessity. Few other establishments offer a heaping bowl of Capon Crunch cereal at 3 a.m., and the kitschy 70's decor provides an aesthetic distraction from late night studying. Don't skip the milkshakes. - Rebecca Missel

MATT HEISTAND Arizona Summer Wildcat Spanish senior Rachel Mindell looks for her CD of choice at Zia Record Exchange. Zia is located at 3370 E. Speedway Blvd.

Best Bagels

They're light, fluffy and don't cost much. What more could one ask from a bagel? Bruegger's Bagels however, is more than just bagels. The breakfast sandwiches are a must-have, and the soup (yes, the soup) is good enough to elicit mouth-watering raves from a friend of mine. Of course despite everything else Bruegger's offers, you may just want a plain bagel, but you still have to pick one of the 12 varieties of cream cheese to top it off with. Located at 1064 N. Campbell Ave., next to the Plaza. - Graig Uhlin

Best Sushi Restaurant

Yes, sushi places are becoming as trendy as capri pants. However, that doesn't mean you can't savor the flavor of raw fish and seaweed. Takamatsu on 5532 E. University may not be cheap, but it's the best when it comes to authentic quality sashimi. If you want to go all out on the Japanese cooking, request the teppan tables. A highly skilled and entertaining chef will prepare your dinner right before your eyes. Also great for dates! - RM

Best Happy Hour Food

Twice a night, every night, Old Chicago, 2960 N. Campbell Ave., offers all patrons a selection of delicious bar food for very little cash. The one-topping mini pizzas are just as terrific as their regular size pies, and the nachos are large enough for three or four people. Buffalo wings, artichoke dip and mozzarella sticks round out the menu and go great with whatever's on tap. - CD

Best Beer Deal

No hard alcohol can be found at The Rhino Pub, a superb beer-hall. What is offered at 1112 E. 6th Street is a good selection of micro-brews, high quality ales and even some schwag. For $25 you can buy your own engraved two-pint mug which they will fill with anything on tap for $5 every time you come in. If you drink like any average student, you should see your investment come back to you quickly. - Kevin Dicus

Best Greek-Row Row

A university icon that my own father frequented when he was greek here so long ago, Dirtbags, 1800 E. Speedway, provides a great setting for you and your buddies. It's loud and packed tight as a tick with people. Perfect for a romantic yet brief tĂte-·-tĂte. - KD

Best Place To Watch UA Football Games

If You Don't Have Cable and Can't Get Into a Bar -The Student Union. The Union's televisions always have UA sporting events running on elevated color TV's. Ever since Fox Sports Arizona took over telecasts, almost all UA football and basketball games aren't available to the non-cabled public. - PV

Best Night Club

So many clubs arise onto the scene, all uniform in their uninspired style. Through it all, Club Congress has maintained its eccentric aura and still keeps me going back. With a cavernous downtown location at 311 E. Congress and plenty of inexpensive shows featuring local bands, Congress remains a Tucson institution. - KD

Best Places for Coffee

Bentley's House of Coffee and Tea, 1730 E. Speedway, has by far the most excellent iced mochas in town. Cold, creamy, not too watery and not too chocolatey, their concoctions are like a sip of milky heaven. When it's cold outside, Bentley's mochas are just as good hot.

Whether it is breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just a cup of coffee, whether it is three in the afternoon or three in the morning, Coffee Etc. at 2830 N. Campbell Ave. is the place to go. The appetizer portions are large, the coffee is better than anywhere (regardless of how much you may love Starbucks), and most importantly, it is open all day.

Cafe Paraiso, 800 E. University, offers a good, cheap cup of Joe. For just $.95 you can choose from a variety of coffees, including organic, flavored and plain ol' coffee. The food at Paraiso is also outstanding: the chicken salad is highly recommended.

Chocolate Iguana, 500 N. 4th Ave., always has a yummy iced coffee flavor ready for your caffeine-deficient body to consume. It's never too weak or too strong, and the cups are nice too. - staff reports

Best Place To Protest

UA President Peter Likins' office in the Administration Building. Last spring, several student protesters staged a sit-in in his office in an effort to make him sign a contract that makes the UA keep close tabs on sweatshop-worker-using Nike, which supplies athletic equipment to sports teams here. It worked. - PV