By Callie Smith
Are you a Tech student looking for restaurants within walking distance of campus? Here I will share some of my personal favorite “meals within a mile” of the college we call home.
My go-to off-campus lunch stop is found only 0.7 miles from the heart of Tech. Located at 22 N Cedar Avenue in Cookeville, TN is World Foods. This locally owned restaurant serves as an international deli and pizzeria with foods from… you guessed it, all across the world.
Positioned amongst red bricks and green framed windows, World Foods markets itself as an “Easygoing market and deli offering assorted groceries plus sandwiches, gyros & pizza slices.” The atmosphere certainly achieves their goals, as you can feel the authenticity in everything the restaurant does as you step through the door.
From a falafel to lahmacun, pizza to greek salad, dolma to reuben sandwiches – there is something to satisfy every craving at this small, local eatery. Everything at World Foods is authentic and made from scratch. However, be prepared to take your meal to go. Seating in the restaurant is limited, and there have been times I have had no choice but to take my meal on the road.
World Foods is quick with service. Even at the busiest times, packed wall to wall without a seat in the house, my meal has always been prepared in less than ten minutes. These meals are hot, ready, and served with a smile from the kind staff.
My favorite meal, and what you will most likely find at my table on a weekday lunch break in between classes, is a slice of pizza with a craft soda. World Foods sells whole pies, with daily specials that can be purchased by the slice for a student’s convenience.
A wide variety of unique craft sodas such as sparkling lemonade, root beer, grape soda and many other beverages can be found along the back wall. With my 10% Tech student discount, I can have a lunch of a large slice of cheese pizza and a sparkling lemonade for right at $5.00.
World Foods is a fast-paced, locally owned, affordable meal within a mile of Tech’s campus with a wide selection to satisfy your taste buds without anything getting old. There is always more to try at this small brick and mortar with a big menu and big hearted staff. For a good time and great food, I recommend grabbing your friends, making the walk, and raising a glass of craft sodas to kick off the 2024 spring semester.
