2025-08-21 05:45:00Nick C:
added some local tips to the freshman survival page
freshman survival guide.md ..
@@ 10,14 10,34 @@
Obviously, you all have an RPI Dining Plan. I'll cover how to make the most of it below, but if you're really not feeling Commons food, or it's closed, you have a few options.
-
## Big Apple Pizza
+
## Recommended Restaurants Around/On Campus
+
+
### Big Apple Pizza
Big Apple Pizza is probably *the best* option for a late-night bite when you don't have anything in your pantry. For $10, you get a large cheese pizza, enough to feed 3-4 people. If you come here regularly with friends, don't even bother trying to Zelle each-other and pitch in a few dollars, but rather just have a different person pay for it each time.
One of the most overlooked details is that, for a single dollar, they will deliver to anywhere on campus. This requires a minimum of $13 or so, from what I remember, so you can probably toss a drink or a dessert on top.
+
https://www.bigapplepizzatroy.com
+
+
## Recommended Restaurants in Downtown Troy
+
+
### Ryans Wake
+
Ryans Wake is an Irish themed pub style restaraunt that serves a lot of American comfort dishes, including (imo) the best burger in Troy (I've lived in this area my whole life, and this is definitely on the top of my list for the area). They usually sponsor the Engineers hockey, and sometimes have special events (especially for any holiday). No reservations are necessary/available here.
+
http://www.ryanswake.com/#
+
+
### Brown's Brewing Co
+
This is one of the restaraunts that are at the heart and core of Troy. This restaraunt has existed for a very long time, and sits inside a converted mill plant (Troy was basically all mill plants for a bit) with their staple wings & fried cauliflower along with other excellent entrees. Reservations are highly recommended if you are looking to dine.
+
https://www.brownsbrewing.com/troy-taproom
+
+
### Dinosaur BBQ
+
Located near the drawbridge downtown, this restaraunt has a mouth watering southern BBQ menu festuring slow-cooked meats. This nationally acclaimed BBQ restaraunt chain was started in Albany in 1983 with multiple restaraunts located throughout NY and is a staple of Troy. Reservations are reccomended.
+
https://dinosaurbarbque.com/locations/troy
+
# Making the most of your dining plan
TODO
+
## Want Ice Cream?
+
Some students are not aware, but upstate NY and parts of Vermont are home to an award winning gas station chain and, most importantly, award winning ice cream. **Stewarts Shops** are family/employee owned and operated, and are based in Saratoga. There are 3 shops located around the outside of campus in the more urban parts of Troy. One is located on Hoosick St near the on/off ramp from the rt. 7 highway (usually the shortest/quickest walk), another at the bottom of the hill by EMPAC, and the other at the bottom of the hill on the freshman hill/Troy HS side (go to the one on Hoosick if you're on freshman hill, that one IS closer and not as steep). Their most famous ice cream is their mint cookie crumble ice cream, served either in a cone/dish, a pint, or a half-gallon. **If you're an athlete, show up in your team uniform and you can get a 99 cent cone!**