Penn State Interns Share Hidden Gems and Local Favorites

This semester, the Downtown Improvement District was fortunate to have two Penn State student interns, Avery and Katherine, who contributed by writing engaging blogs. Their work included spotlighting new downtown businesses, writing event press releases, and sharing other features that showcased the unique, vibrant town they’ve called home during their college years.

Their final pieces, featured below, cover creative study spots downtown and hidden gem restaurants off the beaten path. Thank you, Avery and Katherine, for your hard work and dedication. We wish you the best of luck as you move into your final years at Penn State!

Hidden Gems of State College: Exploring Unique Eateries Off the Beaten Path

Tucked away in an alley at 328 E Calder Way hidden behind the hype of Bagel crust, lies the authentic little shop filled with Hawaiian cuisine; Poke Fresh. The restaurant serves quick walk-up traditional poke, diced protein (often raw seafood) atop rice, veggies of your choice, sauces, and other mouthwatering toppings. I ordered the Hawaiian Fresh bowl and the strawberry green tea with mango jelly. The combo of spicy tuna and pineapple in the Hawaiian fresh bowl is perfectly balanced, sweet, and salty. The Poke special sauce on top was the perfect creamy addition to bring the whole bowl together. The green tea was perfect for sweet treat lovers, but if green tea isn’t up your alley, the restaurant also serves smoothies, milkshakes, milk tea, and mock mojitos!

Sitting below The Ambassador at 407 E Beaver Ave Unit B is a fantastic restaurant called Carter’s Table. While I don’t know if this establishment is unheard of, most people I talk to in State College have never been. I will say that these are not only some of the best tacos I have ever had but also some of the most excellent service I have experienced. If you don’t want to take my word for it, look to their 4.9 out of 5-star rating for reassurance. My favorite thing to order is the Chili Lime tacos (available in chicken and pork), but there are so many good options on the menu, like the Asian beef tacos or the buffalo chicken quesadilla. If you’re indecisive like me or just excited about all of Carter’s Table options, you can choose individual flavors for a flight! The self-serve bar with an array of hot sauces and condiments is the perfect extra flare for your meal.

If you’re anything like me, you frequently get sick of eating the same few cuisines and wish there were more types of food. Because of this, I decided to broaden my horizons and try Cafe Alina. Cafe Alina is a cute little Pakistani restaurant at 421 E Calder Way. The restaurant has a cozy ambiance with traditional and modern decorating. When ordering online, the first thing I noticed about this place was the prices. For the amount of food you got with your order, their prices were reasonable, if not downright inexpensive. I got the chicken Tikka wrap, the Paneer Tikka bowl, the samosa Chaat bowl, and a side of garlic Naan to sample many things. The great part about these dishes is that they all had their own robust flavor; I felt there was no overlap in taste. The chicken Tikka wrap was the option that would be pleasing to the largest range of pallets. The chicken is cooked amazingly, and the sauce inside adds a perfect zip to the rest of the wrap. I found the samosa Chaat bowl spicy, and while I’m not usually a fan of hot foods, it was too tasty to care. The samosas were packed full of filling and crispy, and the chickpeas in the dish were cooked to the perfect texture and smothered in a unique sauce. The Paneer tikka bowl consisted of grilled cottage cheese cubes, peppers, and tomatoes on cumin-dusted basmati rice. The cottage cheese was an incredibly unique addition; it had a texture similar to that of tofu but with a better taste. The rest of the things in the bowl added to my favorite flavor profile out of all the dishes I tried. I highly recommend this charming little cafe!

Though there are business after business lining the streets of downtown State College, most of us have a tendency to go from point A to point B without taking in what’s around us. Because of that, we always go back to the same familiar chain but state college has so much more to offer in the form of little cafes, mom and pop shops, and hidden gems.

The next time you’re looking for a delightful breakfast, a unique lunch, or traditional cuisine for dinner, check out the restaurants above or any of the amazing options Downtown State College offers.

: Cafe Alina

: Poke Fresh

Written by: Avery Beller

Major: Public Relations, 2027

Hometown: Mars, PA

Best thing about Downtown State College: “This may be a biased opinion given the time of year, but I love when state college is lit up for Christmas. It looks like a picture perfect smalltown in a hallmark movie.”

The Best Downtown Study Spots to Prepare for Finals

As finals week approaches for Penn State students, Downtown State College is ready to provide students with a variety of spaces available for studying, no matter what kind of studying environment they need. With all these spots a walkable distance from campus, there is sure to be a space for everyone.

Fraser Street Commons – 115 S Fraser St

The Fraser Street Commons is a downtown spot specifically designed for studying and work. At the commons, not only is there a variety of seating, but the commons offers free wifi for visitors. Free coffee and drinks is another perk the Fraser Street Commons brings to the table during studying.

Starbucks – 232 W College Ave and 180 E Beaver Ave

With multiple locations in the downtown area, Starbucks is a great study spot for a big group. Both locations provide a larger space with many seating options. While this is one of the louder options, both Starbucks locations are staples for students during finals week.

Dunkin – 200 W College Ave and 141 S Garner St

While the Dunkin on S Garner St has more seating, either Dunkin provides a bit of a quieter environment, while also providing food and drinks for studiers.

Sowers Harvest Cafe – 421 E Beaver Ave

Sowers Harvest Cafe is a busier space to study in, but the food and coffee options make the location one of the best locations to choose from for students.

Webster’s Bookstore Cafe – 133 E Beaver Ave

Webster’s is a hidden cafe, located down below downtown. The bookstore energy this cafe brings makes it a great study place for those who need a quieter environment. Not only does Webster’s provide food/beverage options, but also has a library for study breaks.

Panera Bread – 148 S Allen St

Panera is a quintessential study spot for college students around lunch and dinner time. Definitely the busiest spot on the list, Panera is known for its food, as well as its study friendly environment.

Downtown State College has many different experiences and spots for whatever students need for the finals season. Happy study season!